Before winter break, I was studying in the library, where I would normally read a book instead, but the final exam for the second semester was near, so I decided to focus on my studies.
As I opened my notebook and reference book to solve a question, I looked up and saw someone sitting in front of me.
The person sitting in front of me was Saito.
Normally, we sit far apart, but I wondered why she approached me today.
I thought I was supposed to borrow a book from her house today. Could I have misunderstood?
[Is today the day where Iām supposed to borrow your books here? I thought it was at your house as usualā¦]
[Oh, itās at my house as usual. I was just wondering what you were doing instead of reading.]
I see, so thatās what she meant. Itās true that I usually read in the library, and I donāt think Iāve studied in the library since I met her.
[Studying, weāve got tests coming up soon. Are you not going to study?]
[I study at home, so itās no problem.]
[As expected.]
[I donāt hate studying. More like, Iāve been using most of my time to study.]
Her shoulders narrowed and she smiled while giving her reply.
Iāve gotten used to her ice cold replies.
It seems that no matter how smart you are, you still need to study before a test.
I say that, but sheās probably working hard. She looked a bit tired when she was talking to me.
I decided in my heart that Iād give her something sweet as a token of appreciation after the test.
Apparently she lost interest in me, so she opened her book and started reading.
I thought she was going to move away, but I guess itās a hassle to move to another place.
I thought if weāre facing each other, itād be suspicious if someone saw us, so I focused back on my studies.
ā¦ļøā¦ļøā¦ļø
I studied for a while, but when a difficult question appeared, I lost my concentration.
I stretched my body, and I saw Saito swaying in front of me.
She seemed to be tired, so she might be dozing off.
Itās been getting colder lately, and the heaters inside the building are on, so itās warm and cozy here.
If youāre studying to the point of neglecting sleep, it would be easy to doze off.
Her eyes are closed and she breathes steadily as she dozes off.
Even the sleeping face of a beautiful girl is cute.
Her usual expressionless face was not there, and in its place was a relaxed face that looked at ease.
I thought I was used to seeing her already, but when I look at her again, I realize again that she is indeed an attractive girl with excellent looks.
Her sleeping innocent face looks so vulnerable and lovely that it makes me want to touch it.
She rowed the boat with such a sleeping face, and every time she shook, her beautiful black hair shimmered, and I was fascinated by her sleeping appearance.
As she swayed back and forth like a boat, her beautiful black hair shimmered. I was fascinated by her sleeping face and appearance
[Mmmā¦..]
As I was admiring her, her closed eyelids slowly opened along with a sweet voice.
Her eyes hazily turned to me.
Maybe because she isnāt fully awake yet, but she had an innocent look on her face, and she had a feeling of innocence.
Her eyes were wet and shining, and they looked so vulnerable that I ended up averting my gaze.
[Hmmā¦ Mmmā¦]
She had an unguarded expression, and she was rubbing her eyes sleepily, which looked very cute and pet-like.
When she finally woke up,Ā she opened her eyes and turned to me.
[Yeahā¦]
She blinked and her eyes widened in surprise.
She mustāve been very surprised because her body didnāt move and her hands were still raised.
She froze for a while, but she became more and more embarassed as she began to understand the situation.
Her eyes wandered, occasionally meeting mine and when it happened, she would look down quickly.
It was so cute that I couldnāt help but look away as well.
She was asleep, but I felt like I was also at fault for watching her sleep.
While I was preoccupied with thoughts of her cuteness and my guilt, I looked at her again and she was staring at me and her cheeks were dyed red.
[ā¦ I wasnāt sleeping]
She muttered in a voice filled with shame and embarrassment.
[No, itāsā¦]
[I didnāt sleep.]
[Ah, yes.]
Apparently, she wanted to pretend this never happened. I thought it was unreasonable, but when she complained in a strong voice, I had no choice but to agree.
If she wanted to pretend it never happened, she couldāve done so by not caring, but her embarrassment hadnāt subsided, and her cheeks were flushedĀ red, which made me chuckle again.