Ikuyo: [I'm so nervous, I can't sleep at all! What should I do? (Cat frantically shaking head and freaking out face.jpg)]
Nijika: [(Patting head.jpg) Haha, me too. But there's nothing to worry about! Our performance slot is much later, so even when we arrive tomorrow, we can rest backstage.]
Ikuyo: [As expected of our leader, you look so calm and composed! (Cat worshipping face.jpg)]
Ryo: [Whenever I get nervous, I usually take a bath. I set the water temperature high, and as I soak, my head gets a little lightheaded. Then, after drying off and going back to my room, I just collapse into sleep. This method never fails.]
Ikuyo: [Ah, I'm surprised! I didn't think Ryo would get nervous too.]
Ryo: [What kind of existence do I even have in your mind?]
Nijika: [Ryo, don't give Ikuyo weird advice.]
Ryo: [This isn't weird advice. In fact, I'm using this method right now to fall asleep. If you guys hadn't messaged me, I'd probably be asleep in about ten minutes. Don't believe me? Look.]
She attached a misty bath selfie, making a peace sign.
Her fair skin, just like her face, was soaking in the bathtub. The pale blue water had sparse white foam floating on the surface, faintly revealing key parts of her body.
Ikuyo & Nijika: [!!!]
Nijika: [Ryo, you idiot! What are you doing?! This is a group chat! Suzumiya is still here! Delete it now!]
Ryo: [Oh, sorry, my head got dizzy from the bath, and I forgot.]
"..."
Too late. Even if she deleted it now, he had already seen everything.
Leaning against the headboard, Chisato silently put his phone back on the bedside table and plugged it in to charge.
Originally, he had wanted to say something to ease everyone's nerves, but given what had just happened, it was probably best to stay silent for now.
He also noticed that Hitori hadn't sent any messages in the chat. Maybe she had obediently listened to him and gone to bed early to rest up.
Considering how important tomorrow was, he decided not to call and disturb her.
Just then, the door opened, and Utaha walked in.
She was wearing a soft, cartoon-themed white pajama set. Compared to usual, she looked unexpectedly cute, lacking her usual bewitching laziness.
After washing up, she kicked off her slippers and, with practiced ease, nestled into Chisato's arms.
Without saying anything, she simply held him quietly for a while. Then, she propped herself up, adjusted her posture, and patted her lap.
Chisato understood and rested his head on her lap.
Tomorrow was an important day for both of them. To conserve energy, no matter what, tonight was strictly just cuddling—no funny business.
For Chisato, that went without saying.
Tomorrow was June 11th, the opening day of the Shibuya Music Festival. It was going to be a busy day for him.
As for Utaha, her publisher had scheduled a book signing event for her.
The latest volume of her novel, released two days ago, had broken her all-time sales record.
Its contents were exceptional—brimming with delicate emotions and engaging narratives that readers found impossible to put down.
Even professional literary critics had given pointed yet highly positive reviews, echoing the sentiments of countless fans:
"How should I put it? I've been following Utako-sensei's books for a long time. The previous volumes were already great, but they sometimes felt a little too idealistic and dreamlike.
However, this latest volume is completely different. Not only has the illustration quality gone up a level, but the writing has also matured.
The character portrayals and plot development are much more refined and concise—it's truly amazing!"
Well, of course, she had improved.
After living through two consecutive dream-like lives, if her writing hadn't advanced, that would be a real problem.
The same applied to the illustrations.
Eriri, who originally came from the doujin scene, was currently focusing on illustrating Utaha's light novels.
Although she consciously toned it down, her artistic style still exuded a natural, irresistible allure.
With the book's sudden surge in popularity and the rise in fan-favorite female characters, some fans had even started creating rather… inappropriate fanart. Eriri undoubtedly played a crucial role in that.
Sensing the commercial opportunity, the publishing house wasted no time in organizing a book signing event featuring both the author and the illustrator.
With money on the table, neither Utaha nor Eriri had any reason to refuse. But it did mean they would both be quite busy for the foreseeable future.
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?"
As Utaha gently massaged Chisato's head, she asked casually.
Since she was with him nearly every day, she was well aware of what he had been busy with lately.
Although she had no particular interest in music festivals, she couldn't ignore it when someone important to her was involved.
"A little early. I'll wake up around six and try to meet up with them at the store by seven."
Chisato answered with his eyes closed.
"You're working hard."
"I'm just a tag-along, carrying bags. The ones actually performing aren't me."
"If that's the case, then why can't you come with me to the book signing? I could use a bag-carrying assistant too. Eriri would be happy to see you there."
"The publisher assigned you a temporary assistant, right? Besides, those girls aren't like you, Utaha. If no one watches over them, who knows what kind of trouble they'll get into?"
"You really know how to sweet-talk."
"It's the truth. In my eyes, Utaha has always been the epitome of a strong, independent woman."
Utaha curved her lips into a smile.
"Alright, but no matter how much you flatter me, you're not getting lucky tonight."
"..."
Chisato slowly opened his eyes and met her amused gaze.
"Why did you suddenly go quiet?"
"Nothing. It's just that the more you emphasize 'not happening tonight,' the more it makes me think about it.
What's that saying again? Oh right—'we always want what we can't have.'"
Utaha's hand froze. Chisato was touching her ankle.
She panicked a little—this wasn't how it was supposed to go.
"Stop that! We already agreed! Tomorrow is important, so tonight… no!"
Chisato sat up, shifting his hands elsewhere, pressing his body closer against her smooth, porcelain-like skin.
"I swear I'll control myself. I won't let this affect your signing event tomorrow..."
"Hey, wait… Wait a second… Mm—"
There was no time for Utaha, who already had a look of complaint on her face, to say anything strong in rejection.
The soft sensation passed through the cotton pajamas onto Chisato's face.
Knowing that Utaha would be shy at first, he chose to turn off the bedside lamp.
Unlike their usual encounters, the time that followed was not intense but rather warm and tender.
Utaha murmured drowsily as if she were half-asleep, her sleepy and affectionate whispers continuing for a long time.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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