After finishing the meal, Hina, who had momentarily disappeared somewhere, came out to help with the dishes, but that was a no-go.
Hina probably said it as a joke, but upon reflection, this year her birthday could very well be considered to start today. And assigning an annoying task to the birthday girl is just crazy.
Once the dishes were done, Hina led me somewhere.
…It turned out to be the bathroom, which was filled with water in the bathtub and bath salts had been added.
The sense of déjà vu I felt was undoubtedly because this situation reminded me of the day Nagisa tried to eat me.
The toothbrush I had used previously was still there. As I brushed my teeth, I suddenly paused, recalling the cake I had bought.
Hmm… Let’s settle for brushing twice.
Just as I was about to look away from Hina, who had just changed out of her pajamas, I couldn’t help but slowly take in her appearance, wondering if it might hurt her feelings.
…Yep, it feels like I’m doing something wrong.
Honestly, if I were biologically a guy, my mind might have cleared up as if splashed with cold water. But since I’m a girl, and my feelings for our kids are heavily based on the platonic side, I justify myself with the logic that it’s probably okay.
I quietly approached and unhooked the rocket hanging around Hina’s neck, setting it down next to the sink. It always makes me happy to see her still carrying the gift I got her.
Thank goodness I had brought extra underwear, I thought while I began to peel off layers of clothing as well. However, I caught Hina watching me with a peculiar gaze, having left her underwear on.
“…Hina-chan, why are you staring like that?”
“Just… I can’t believe someone as perfect as you likes me… Um, sorry for staring so much…!”
“Heueng. I don’t think you need to apologize. Our Hina-chan is full of desire to do even more… If you keep being so shy all day… Well, that could be a bit disappointing?”
“That’s mean, Mika. It’s my first time with you…”
Ah. Uh-oh.
No, that’s not what I meant to say…! Why did it suddenly turn into ‘messy Mika’? This is truly a misunderstanding.
“Hina-chan, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean to imply that, just a little… Um.”
…Ah. It’s really embarrassing to say it directly. Seriously.
“Let’s talk after we go in. It’s too embarrassing to say right now. Just know that I didn’t intend to tease Hina-chan…”
For some inexplicable reason, I finished undressing before Hina, who had been hesitating, and immersed myself in the water. Before long, Hina joined me in the bathtub… but instead of sitting next to me, she seemed to hesitate and chose to sit a bit farther away, probably due to her horns.
“Ahaha, this is funny. Leaning is totally fine.”
“…Does it not bother you?”
“I’m pretty sturdy, so it’s fine. But it might sting if it pokes, so let’s be a little careful☆”
As I said this, I lightly touched Hina’s horns, but she didn’t react at all. It seems there’s no sensitivity there.
I wondered if Hina might have sensitive spots around the base of her wings, similar to Nana and Nagisa, but decided to take my time discovering that later.
With Hina sitting above me, I could smell her scent more distinctly. The height difference made it a bit tricky to hug her in this position, but if I tilted my head slightly, I could meet her nape more closely.
“Hey, Hina-chan.”
“Wait, Mika, talking to me like that feels a bit…”
Hina squirmed, causing the water to slosh. I wrapped my arms around her waist to encourage her to stay still.
“So, you heard it from Nagisa-chan?”
I scooped a bit of water laced with bath foam and showed it to her.
“Eeek… Um, so…”
Seeing Hina’s reaction, it seems my guess was right. That means…
“Nagisa-chan knows too. Or maybe she even helped.”
“Ah, ahh.”
“Heueng. How much did you hear? Hmm?”
“Um, not a lot, just a little…”
“Liar. Are you sure it was just a little?”
“…”
“Claiming to be a newbie and pretending to be weak, but you really heard everything from Nagisa-chan, didn’t you? I see…”
Even after prodding her this much, I was curious if Hina would still respond tentatively as usual. If so, I should…
“Mika, why are you teasing me like this…?”
“Whoa—oh.”
“I like your kind side more, but today you’re being particularly mischievous… Still, I think it’s okay because it’s you, but today, you should treat me a bit kinder since you did something wrong…”
“Ahaha, if you say it like that, I have nothing to counter… Hina-chan, do you want to turn around and sit?”
Hina hit the nail on the head, making me feel bad for provoking her further. Sometimes, I just wanted to see that competitive side of her that she occasionally shows me. It seems this ties into her longing for affection, so maybe there’s no room for those competitive vibes.
With Hina now sitting with her back to me, she placed her hand on my shoulder. In this position, our eye levels matched roughly, and I could enjoy the view of her beautiful, cold eyes that resembled amethyst.
Hina’s hair draped down into the water, as I gently caressed her back with one hand while the other ran through her hair.
“You really worked hard today, Hina-chan.”
“It was really tough…”
“Yeah, I know. Everyone should recognize the hardships our Hina-chan goes through, but they just keep piling on work. It’s really awful, you know?”
“Ugh…”
“Especially recently, it felt like I was going to die… Truly.”
“…Yeah.”
“But now it’s mostly passed. You’ve done really well, Hina-chan. I’m proud of you.”
“So then, reward me with a kiss…”
With a bright blush, Hina expressed her desires with an unabashed confidence.
Indeed, our Student Council President deserves to be embraced with love at all times.
*
The time passed, which I could write as ‘taking care of Hina’s whims’ while we sat side by side in our bathrobes watching a film. It was a mellow romantic film, and since it also featured a girl-girl couple, the mood was rather peculiar.
At some point, Hina leaned on my shoulder and let out a soft sigh, drifting off to sleep, so I decided to stay still for a moment. We hadn’t even talked about the cake yet, and this way it seemed like we wouldn’t get to eat it today.
“…Ah, huh?!”
How much time went by? When Hina suddenly woke up, looking startled, she scanned her surroundings and then relaxed when she saw me.
“…I’m sorry. Being next to you makes me feel so comfortable I lose track of myself.”
“Ahaha. That’s actually a nice thing to say… Yes, it means we’ve grown closer.”
I lightly kissed her forehead and checked the time.
“Hmm, it’s only just 10 o’clock. If I keep waiting, I might fall asleep without saying a word… Would it be too bold of me to act a little shamelessly and say ‘happy early birthday’?”
“If it’s you, it’s fine… Hmm. Because it’s you, it’s okay.”
My Hina seems to agree with anything I say. I’m sorry for being a scummy, two-timing jerk… I really love her a lot, but still… I’m sorry…!
“So, it’s a bit early but…”
I pulled out the gift I had prepared from the handbag nearby. It wasn’t anything special, but I thought it would be something Hina would like.
“Happy birthday, Hina-chan. Here’s your gift!”
As Hina gazed at the gift I offered her, she reached out her hand.
“Eh?”
But instead of taking the gift, she grabbed my arm.
“…The gift is pretty. I like it, Mika.”
“Ah, no.. I’m not the gift… I could give it if you want… but um…”
“I’m just joking. Thank you.”
Hina, with a somewhat shy smile, took the gift from my hand. However, my thoughts had already drifted in a slightly different direction.
Just like that, I thought being a bit more proactive was better…
“…Mika?”
“Ah, yeah?”
“I don’t really get why you’re acting like this suddenly… but I’ll wear this. Only when we’re alone, though.”
“Ahaha. I’m glad you like it. But why only when we’re alone?”
“…You can’t seriously be asking that?”
Of course not. It’s not sincere. The T-shirt Hina unfolded had a photo printed on it of her and me holding hands in a garden at Trinity. It was from a time when Hina had once visited.
By the way, Aco sent that picture, but I almost said something about her stalking us before stopping because the photo was too pretty. But seriously, how does Aco keep taking candid shots of us? It’s actually starting to get a little scary now.
“…I’m starting to want other gifts too.”
“Other gifts…? Ah.”
With a flushed face, Hina shyly averted her gaze, gripping the collar of my robe with her fingertips and standing up. I followed her silently as she walked toward her room. Chik, and the living room lights dimmed.
“I know you didn’t say what you were trying to say earlier, right?”
“…Oh, I did forget that.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to say that.”
Pulling my hand, Hina laid me down on the bed. It all happened so suddenly that I found myself a bit flustered.
“Mika, I think I kind of know what you want…”
Hina’s bathrobe slipped down, and her wings that had been draped behind her spread wide.
In front of me, the most notorious of devils who had decided to bring an angel down was there.
As Hina leaned over me, her palm pressed against my face, staring into my eyes as if bewitched, she suddenly lowered her head.
“…I might be a little awkward at this.”
“Heueng. It’s okay, Hina-chan.”
Hina, not losing her cute demeanor even to the end, wrapped her arms around my neck as the distance between us shrank, our lips poised to touch.
With our breaths mingling, I whispered in almost an inaudible voice.
“If you’re too awkward… just eat me up.”
As if catching that statement, a chill began to emanate from Hina’s once gentle eyes.
That night, Hina remained in control until she fell asleep, refusing to relinquish her dominance.
