Chapter 127: Sleep

Ephnel’s cool fingers gently caressed Yukina’s cheek.

She tilted her chin up slightly, seeking Yukina’s lips.

Her fingers threaded through Yukina’s hair, slid behind her ear, traced the line of her neck, and flowed down across her collarbone.

A gentle bite.

The person on top of her, sweet as a candied fruit, let out a soft moan.

Yukina’s brow furrowed slightly.

In pain, her fingers curled, tightly gripping the collar of Ephnel’s gown.

She closed her eyes as her teeth were pried apart inch by inch.

At this moment, Ephnel’s restless hand had also slipped under Yukina’s blouse.

This was the first time, the first time Ephnel had been so assertive.

‘Is she going to fulfill her promise?’

Her mind raced with fantasies, her clothes becoming a mess.

Yukina’s breath shattered into fragments.

She supported herself with one hand, letting Ephnel use it as a pillow.

Her other hand roamed restlessly on the bedsheet, not daring to grab Ephnel, yet with nowhere to rest, occasionally bunching the sheet into a ball.

A long while later, when Yukina’s vision had almost lost its focus, Ephnel finally let her go.

Ephnel’s face was flushed, and she was panting messily.

Yukina looked the same.

Ephnel took a deep breath, gazing at Yukina.

“I was about to run out of air…”

She seemed to be observing Yukina’s appearance.

Yukina was also panting, feeling dizzy, her body soft and warm, as if she had been drinking.

“It’s all your fault, Naoko… You’re a patient, but you don’t act like one at all. Honestly…”

Ephnel suddenly gave a mischievous smile.

“So Yukina wears adult underwear, huh… It’s quite cute.”

Yukina didn’t reply, turning to the side to start tidying her rumpled clothes.

Nothing further happened.

Nor would it.

After all, Ephnel currently had only one arm and one leg that were fully functional.

Although she wasn’t completely immobile, doing anything more would be too much for the current Ephnel.

Yukina breathed shallowly, the lingering taste of their kiss spreading from the corners of her lips.

Her gaze drifted, intentionally or not, from Ephnel’s fair neck down to her hand.

Ephnel’s fingers were fair and slender.

Despite being someone who wielded a weapon year-round, her hands were beautiful.

She savored the enchanting moment, forcefully suppressing the desire in her heart, and quietly lay down on the edge of the bed.

Both lost in their own thoughts, the air grew quiet again.

Before long, their breathing steadied, and sleepiness washed over them.

Yukina subconsciously propped herself up, wanting to get off the bed, but Ephnel’s hand caught her sleeve.

Compared to Yukina’s hazy eyes, Ephnel seemed to have no sleepiness at all, quietly watching her.

“The bed is quite wide…”

Ephnel said softly.

The facilities in the private care rooms were all luxurious, and the beds were no exception.

Apart from the white sheets, it didn’t look like a hospital room at all.

There was more than enough space for two people to sleep side by side.

“If you’re tired, you can sleep up here…”

The next day, it was dreary and raining.

The sky outside the window was dark and gloomy.

Ephnel leaned against the headboard of the bed, watching Yukina the entire time.

“Sorry… I couldn’t make it to the parent-teacher conference today either…”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to worry about that.”

Yukina held the bouquets of flowers that had been delivered and smiled.

Her wish had already been fulfilled.

Whether it was her love for Ephnel or the misunderstanding with “Yanase Naoto,” it all became a thing of the past the moment she confessed to Naoko and they started dating.

So the parent-teacher conference, which had served as a medium, was no longer important.

What Yukina truly cared about was just Naoko herself.

As long as Naoko could be happy, carefree, and content, Yukina wouldn’t have any other thoughts.

Pulling the curtains a little, Yukina walked to the window, crouched down to arrange the flowers, and then picked up the tote bag she had placed nearby.

She glanced at Ephnel worriedly.

“Well… am I really going…?”

“Go on.”

Ephnel didn’t try to hold her back at all.

Yukina pursed her lips, went to the bedside, leaned down slightly, and placed a kiss on the corner of Ephnel’s lips.

“Naoko, you have to rest and get better. I’ll be back early to keep you company!”

Yukina instructed.

“I will.”

Ephnel smiled faintly, watching Yukina’s figure until she left the room.

“Be careful on your way.”

The crisp click of the door mechanism sounded, followed by Hanasou Kotone’s voice from outside, and then Yukina’s footsteps faded into the distance.

But soon, the door was pushed open again, and a familiar figure appeared before Ephnel’s eyes.

It was Masaki Hinaki.

She was still in the same attire as last night, her complexion unnatural, looking a bit tired.

From last night until now, she had been working without any rest.

As soon as she walked in, Masaki Hinaki said, “…I saw your sister leaving with that high school girl, carrying a tote bag. I thought you’d give your sister the day off. I didn’t expect you to be so heartless. What kind of older sister are you?”

“Oh, good morning, Hinaki.”

“Morning, Yanase-san.”

Ephnel raised her left hand to greet Masaki Hinaki, then smiled again.

“While I’m gone, could I ask you to look after Yukina for a bit?”

“It’s already been arranged, don’t worry.”

Masaki Hinaki took off her military cap, patted it, stood on her tiptoes, and hung it on the coat rack with her fingers.

“Besides, couldn’t you just ask for a day off? You’re really dedicated to school, huh? Don’t leave your own regrets for others to fulfill.”

Masaki Hinaki was referring to the fact that Ephnel had dropped out of university after less than a year due to an accident.

Ephnel shot her an annoyed glare.

“It doesn’t matter, and it has nothing to do with my own issues. Although Yukina is a quasi-Agent, she should try not to fall behind on her schoolwork. Memories like these are rare.”

Today was not a holiday for students; Yukina and Hanasou Kotone still had classes to attend.

Ephnel had not agreed to Yukina’s suggestion of staying to take care of her, instead telling Yukina to go to school as usual.

As for the reason…

Of course, it wasn’t because Ephnel was projecting her own regrets onto Yukina, nor was it because she wanted to leave Yukina with memories of a “normal” daily life.

It was simply because she didn’t want Yukina to be sad looking at her in this state.

Compared to the oppressive atmosphere of a hospital, school life was clearly a good tonic.

“Besides, if one person’s issues hold up a whole bunch of people from doing anything, that would be getting our priorities mixed up. And anyway, my injuries won’t heal quickly no matter what, right?”

“That’s true. I agree. But people are afraid of loneliness, aren’t they? In that case, there’s nothing wrong with relying on others a little.”

Masaki Hinaki tossed her jacket aside and unceremoniously plopped down on the hospital bed.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but looking at Ephnel covered in white gauze, the words caught in her throat.

An unpleasant feeling welled up inside her, and Masaki Hinaki sighed.

“By the way, are you feeling any better now?”

“Much better.”