Confession (Part 2)

Konoe took out his mobile phone but didn't unlock the screen. He didn't know what to do next, so he could only stare blankly at Kushida on the bed, who seemed to be asleep.

His mind, perhaps due to what just happened, was more chaotic than ever, unable to form any useful information, only feeling dizzy.

He had thought about escaping immediately, about calling Ayanokoji, and even about waking up the culprit who had caused him so much panic.

But seeing Kushida curled up on the bed facing the wall, and her slow, steady breathing, Konoe stopped.

Perhaps it was because his mind was chaotic, perhaps for other reasons. In any case, Konoe stopped, and his anger disappeared. He suddenly became curious... when Kushida slept next to him, had she ever considered what would happen when Konoe woke up?

To be honest, Konoe admitted that Kushida was indeed a cute girl. Even after knowing Kushida's true nature, his good impression of her hadn't diminished. However, even now, Konoe could clearly say that he didn't like the girl on the bed enough to want to date her.

It was just that when Konoe remembered Kushida burying her head in his bed and cursing, remembered her cautiously hugging him by the door, remembered the girl in front of him sleeping carelessly beside him. A warmth, from somewhere unknown, surged in his heart.

It was late. Konoe shifted his pace, turned on the light, then casually poured a glass of water and drank it. Afterward, he took out his pajamas and headed to the bathroom.

Just like usual, Konoe took a bath, put on his pajamas, tidied up all his personal affairs, turned off the light, and lay back down on the bed. He suddenly felt that it wouldn't be bad to just fall asleep like this.

Suddenly, Konoe felt his arm being held by something.

"You woke up and didn't wake me, but went to take a bath. Are you expecting something?" Kushida's voice came from the darkness, echoing in the room.

Konoe replied calmly, "No, not at all."

"...In that case, is it okay for me to get into the covers?" Kushida said, then released Konoe and moved to get under the covers from the other side, but Konoe stopped her.

"No."

Kushida chuckled softly, "Hmph, you say you don't care, but actually..."

Konoe interrupted her, "It's too dirty to come in wearing your school uniform. Do you do that in your own dormitory too?"

"...You!" Kushida moved closer and grabbed Konoe's arm forcefully, then suddenly, as if remembering something, loosened her grip and hugged his arm back.

A few seconds later, Kushida suddenly whispered close to Konoe's ear, "Then... can I come in if I take off my school uniform?"

The dimly lit room fell silent, with only the sound of their gradually quickening breaths.

"...Of course not," Konoe's previously calm mood was disrupted by Kushida. "I think you're the one expecting something."

"...Konoe, I can hear your heartbeat... it seems... it's gotten much faster..." Kushida's voice grew softer and softer, until the last word was barely audible, as if it had vanished.

Kushida, still only holding his arm, was not satisfied. She suddenly pulled Konoe's hand out from under the covers and placed his entire hand into her embrace, curling her whole body around the hand in her arms.

Konoe felt his hand become very warm. Kushida seemed to be hot, and he didn't dare to move his fingers, afraid of touching any part of her body. As his heartbeat became almost uncontrollable, he had to ask the question.

"...Kushida, how did you get into my room?"

Kushida didn't answer, only tightening her grip on Konoe's hand, making Konoe feel that every part of his hand was touching a different soft spot of hers.

"Kushida, hand over my room card."

Hearing this, Kushida's body suddenly trembled, then became stiff.

"Hurry."

Kushida released Konoe's hand, making him sigh in relief. Then, she slowly took out a card from her bag and slowly extended it towards Konoe's hand, letting him touch it.

Konoe gripped the card, wanting to take it, but Kushida seemed unwilling to let go.

"What's wrong?"

Hearing Konoe speak, Kushida finally released her fingers. At this moment, she didn't know why her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. For some reason, she was suddenly glad that the darkness prevented Konoe from seeing her face.

"...Never mind, I'll give it back to you. But next time you want to come over, you have to send me a text message in advance," Konoe said, returning the card to Kushida, who had just let go.

"...Okay." Kushida put the card back in her bag, then slowly moved Konoe's hand. Seeing that Konoe didn't react, she put his hand back into her embrace.

Silence fell again in the room. Konoe had to find a topic, asking, "..What did you originally come to my room for?"

"It's just... that thing last time. After we did it in your room last time, I felt quite relaxed."

"...Explain clearly, you mean last time you cursed Horikita in my room, is that it?"

"...Yes."

"You're not going to continue today, are you?"

"I don't think so. I feel much better after waking up."

"...Then when exactly do you plan to stay in my room until?"

"Is it... not allowed?"

"I didn't say it wasn't allowed, it's just..."

"I originally had many things I wanted to say to Konoe, but when I came in, I saw you fast asleep."

Konoe suddenly realized that at some point, Kushida's voice had gradually become cute, just like the cute persona she usually put on.

"..And then you lay down next to me? You don't think I'm a girl too, do you?"

"Hehe, maybe I really do." Kushida chuckled softly.

Hearing Kushida's laughter, Konoe suddenly fumbled with the arm she was holding, not knowing where he had pinched her soft flesh. However, Kushida seemed to hold back from making a sound, holding her breath.

A few seconds later, silence fell upon the room once more. Konoe felt Kushida's head burrowing towards his shoulder, tickling his neck.

"So, what were the things you wanted to say to me?"

"I suddenly don't want to say these things anymore. Thinking about it, I feel like my evaluation in Konoe's heart will drop after I say them."

"At this point?"

"Hey, Konoe... It's okay to just try, want to try dating me?"

"...You're asking me in such a cute tone, I don't know what you're thinking."

"Konoe... your heartbeat sped up again, mine too." Kushida released the hands she had just used to hug Konoe, moving his palm to a soft spot below his neck. "Can you hear it? My heartbeat..."

"...Sorry, Kushida."

Kushida's movements suddenly stiffened: "...Can I ask the reason?"

"...I don't date women who casually get into other people's beds."

Hearing this, Kushida's movements suddenly became very large, as if she were throwing all caution to the wind. She straddled Konoe's waist, though a blanket was between them.

Kushida's voice trembled slightly: "...That's too much, even if... it was a joke..."

Konoe felt her voice was just above his head. Then, Konoe felt a few drops of water land on his face from somewhere, sliding down his face and into the pillow.

"Sorry, I misspoke. I was embarrassed by my own reaction, so I said something excessive. Sorry..." Konoe explained in a hurry.

"...The reason."

"...It's that I don't like Kushida enough to date her. Kushida is indeed a cute girl, so being treated like this by you will cause me to react, like my heart beating faster."

"Is that so..." Kushida seemed to have bent her waist, pressing her face against Konoe's cheek and whispering, "...Konoe's reaction seems to be more than just a heartbeat..."

Without waiting for Konoe to speak, Kushida quickly jumped off the bed and ran to the entrance.

"Konoe, I will make you fall for me."

The sound of the door closing came from the entrance.