The lights in the living room were all off, with only a sliver of light escaping through the gap beneath the bedroom door.
Chisato walked straight into the room and saw Utaha sprawled out lifelessly in the center of the bed, like a slime that had lost all hope.
She lay motionless, only her phone playing a song—the one he had sung on stage at the music festival that day.
Hearing his own voice made Chisato feel an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.
He walked over, took the phone, and stopped the music before sitting down beside Utaha and giving her a light pat on the backside.
"What's wrong? It's only been a few days, and you've already lost all your energy as soon as you got here?"
"Ugh… I feel awful…"
Still lying flat, Utaha let out a voice completely different from her usual gentle and alluring tone.
Instead, it sounded dull and lifeless, as if she were ready to bid farewell to this world at any moment.
Though he knew it was a little inappropriate to think this way, Chisato couldn't help but find her current state somewhat amusing.
And indeed, he did laugh—but only in the form of a smirk without a sound, as his final act of respect.
"Had a rough time at work these past few days? Is the publishing house overworking you?"
"No…"
"Then what is it?"
"My period came…"
Utaha's voice suddenly turned delicate and soft.
Chisato had been about to ask, "What came?" but before the words left his mouth, he immediately understood.
Utaha was on her period.
If she were simply physically exhausted, he would have a tried-and-true solution: a warm bath, a good massage for her shoulders and lower back, and then letting her sweat it out in bed before she got a full night's rest.
But menstrual discomfort was different—it came from within.
At best, he could only help alleviate her discomfort, not completely resolve it.
"Seeing you like this makes my heart ache," Chisato said as he lay on his side and wrapped an arm around Utaha's waist.
"Hypocrite. You just like to talk big," Utaha scoffed coldly.
Chisato kept up his good-natured smile. It was understandable—this was just how things were during her period.
"I'll go make you some warm honey water. Drinking it should make you feel a little better. And I'll heat up some water so you can soak your feet.
Increasing blood circulation might help ease your discomfort."
"Oh…"
Hearing that, Utaha's frosty expression softened. She obediently nestled into Chisato's chest.
"Wait a moment… Let me hold you for a bit first."
"You can hug me when we sleep later. It's getting late—I should start preparing now."
"Fine…"
"Do you want to soak your feet here in the room or in the living room?"
Utaha slowly sat up.
"The living room. I can watch some TV while I soak."
"Got it. Go wait for me on the couch. I'll be there soon."
"Mm."
Chisato went to the kitchen to boil water. While waiting, he quickly took a shower.
Once done, he handed Utaha the honey water before bringing a bucket of hot water into the living room.
Kneeling in front of her, he took off her socks and placed her feet in the water.
"Ah, it's too hot."
Utaha immediately pulled her feet back as soon as they touched the water.
"You'll get used to it. Just endure it for a little while. If the water isn't hot enough, the foot soak won't be as effective."
Under Chisato's persuasion, Utaha eventually gave in and slowly dipped her feet in to adjust.
"This is so unfair…"
Halfway through the soak, Utaha suddenly muttered.
"What's unfair?"
Chisato looked at her, puzzled.
"Why is it that Eriri never seems affected when she's on her period? She acts completely normal, like it doesn't bother her at all."
"Well…"
Chisato was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Maybe she actually does feel unwell but just pushes through without showing it?"
"Periods last for several days—do you really think she could keep up that act the whole time?"
"Then maybe it's just a difference in body constitution. Or maybe…"
Utaha glanced at him.
"Or maybe what?"
"Maybe it has something to do with… how often you two are intimate?" Chisato guessed.
Utaha's face turned slightly red as she lifted her hair and let out a sigh.
"That theory doesn't hold up. The two of us are way more intimate than she is with anyone."
Not just more—at least twice as much. Sometimes, when hormones got the better of her, she even took matters into her own hands.
"Then maybe it's because your lifestyle habits aren't as good as Eriri's."
"Lifestyle habits… That might be true. She spends most of the month under her parents' supervision, going to bed early, while I…
Whenever I come over here, aside from a few rare occasions, I end up getting tangled up with a certain someone until past midnight. On weekends, it gets even later…"
Utaha trailed off, her gaze slowly shifting toward Chisato.
"Oh, I think I've found the real culprit behind my suffering."
"Uh… Utaha, I hope you understand that this is just a theory."
"Looks like I should visit less often from now on. Maybe I should learn from Eriri."
"Well, that's fine by me."
"What did you just say?!"
Utaha's expression darkened instantly.
"…"
Chisato wisely shut his mouth.
He had finally learned—when a woman is on her period, especially while she's feeling unwell, never bring up topics that might give her an excuse to lash out.
There was only one right move in this situation.
Chisato reached out, his smile warm and gentle.
"I'll refill your honey water. And later, when we sleep, I'll hold you and keep my hand on your stomach. That should help a little."
For now, he would just be on his best behavior. After all, he had the next twenty-something days to turn the tables—plenty of time to have her meowing on the bed again.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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