Little Aoi nodded obediently. This time, she didn't ask to keep playing. Instead, she said:
"Papa, can we sleep together tonight?"
Little Aoi looked full of anticipation.
"Just like back home. I'll sleep in the middle, with you and Mommy on either side."
"Back home" was actually the gloomy old house where they'd played family in the nightmare. To win over his stepdaughter with love, Amamiya Natsuki and Tsubame-senpai had slept with Little Aoi every night.
"Um..."
At her daughter's words, Tsubame-senpai's pretty face flushed, and she immediately wanted to refuse.
But with her daughter gazing at her hopefully, the refusal rose to her lips—and then she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"I don't mind." When Tsubame-senpai glanced at him, Amamiya Natsuki smiled. "Even though it was only a few days ago, it feels like it happened ages ago."
Tsubame-senpai's gaze faltered as she recalled scene after scene from the nightmare.
A gray-white world.
A gloomy old house.
She had taken on Kayako's role.
Little Aoi had been the evil spirit daughter.
In the nightmare, the three of them were the only people in the whole world. They'd truly been together day and night, keeping one another company. It hadn't lasted long, but it had actually been a happy time.
"All right..." Tsubame-senpai agreed softly. Her gaze was gentle as she stroked her daughter's little head. "We'll sleep together tonight."
After washing up, the three of them went to Tsubame-senpai's room.
The big bed was especially soft, with plenty of room for all three of them.
"Junior, turn off the light."
Tsubame-senpai sat on the bed and spoke softly.
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and switched off the bedside lamp. Little Aoi slept in the middle, while he and Tsubame-senpai lay on either side.
"Papa, I want to hear a story."