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V2 Chapter 4: I Think I Haven’t Fallen for Hoshino Yet?
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 04:09:49 +0000 UTCOST: Blue Archive OST 21. Midnight Trip
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"I'm home~"
Switching on the entryway light, Hoshino slipped off her sneakers and, in white socks, happily dashed into the house.
"I-I'm home…"
I followed behind her stiffly, closing the door, pulling disposable slippers from my bag, and putting them on.
It was my first time being invited by a girl to stay overnight at her place. I couldn't help but feel nervous. Usually, it was me inviting girls over to my place (meaning Schale's).
I stepped into the living room just as Hoshino came out of another room.
"Sensei, the water's already heating. You can bathe first. Clean towels are in the second drawer of the cabinet. Just leave your clothes in the basket inside, this oji-san will wash them for you~"
"O-oh, understood…"
"There are drinks in the fridge, and snacks on the coffee table if you get hungry. I'll be going upstairs to get ready Just call if you need anything"
Get ready… I felt ashamed of the impure thought that flashed through my mind.
I sat on the sofa and, using the "on a business trip" excuse, replied to the Momotalk messages from my students.
It was already late. Most of them were asleep, and only one was still awake to answer.
Kaya: Sensei~ good evening! You're still awake so late? You work so hard!
Chatting with Kaya at night somehow felt unlucky.
Me: It's fine, not too hard.
Kaya: Sensei, when do you plan on returning to D.U.?
Kaya: Actually, a friend gave me two tickets to a music concert.
Kaya: I was wondering who I should go with.
Me: Not sure yet. Might be busy a few days.
Me: I'll go shower. Good night.
Kaya: Good night~
At that very moment, in a luxury apartment in D.U.,
In a dim bedroom, Kaya lay on her side on a soft bed. Staring at the glowing screen, her lips curved into a smile.
"Perfect, chatting with Sensei feels so nice~"
Placing her phone back by the pillow, awakened by the special notification tone (from sensei), she tried her best to fall asleep again.
Meanwhile, back at Hoshino's house, after brushing off Kaya, I slumped against the sofa, playing the mobile game I had just downloaded earlier today.
Ten minutes passed before I stood, stretched, and finally headed to the bath.
By the time I came out, Hoshino was still upstairs, doing who knew what.
I climbed the stairs and stopped before the only closed door, which had to be her bedroom. I knocked lightly.
"Hoshino? Are you in there?"
No answer.
Pressing my ear against the door, I faintly heard soft snoring inside.
So she must have been too tired and fallen asleep, not even bathing. Best not to wake her and disturb her rest.
I decided to make do on the sofa for the night.
The sofa was too small, forcing me to curl up. It wasn't comfortable, but drowsiness soon dragged me into sleep.
Or at least it felt like I had just dozed off when someone shook me awake.
Opening my eyes, I found Hoshino standing before me.
"Sensei, you can't sleep here. Abydos nights are cold, you'll catch a cold. Didn't I say you could call me if you needed something? This oji-san was only taking a little nap."
Hoshino led me upstairs into her bedroom.
It was neat and clean, filled with a faint fragrance, decorated with a girlish touch.
But contrary to what I had imagined, there was no bedding laid out on the floor.
Which meant…
The only place to sleep was the bed.
"Sensei, just sleep in the bed. This oji-san doesn't mind."
This isn't about whether you mind!
"H-Hoshino! W-we need to calm down! You're a girl, you should be reserved! And we're teacher and student, we only met today, we don't even know each other yet! This isn't right at all!"
Hoshino blinked.
"Huh? Sensei, you didn't think I was going to sleep with you, did you?"
"…Eh?"
Wasn't that the case?
"Ahaha, my bad for not saying so clearly." She scratched her flushed cheek. "I'm going out on patrol tonight. I'll only be back in the morning. So you'll be alone holding down the house."
"Patrol? At this hour?"
"Mm, Abydos is like this, after all. Anyway, I'll take a bath and head out. Sensei, hurry up and sleep, and don't forget to pull up the blanket."
Laughing it off, Hoshino hurriedly fled.
Left alone lying on her bed, I couldn't settle down.
I was lying in Hoshino's bed, under Hoshino's blanket, head on Hoshino's pillow, breathing in Hoshino's fragrance.
This is weird. This is definitely weird.
Rather than endure both physical and mental tension, I'd rather curl up again on the small, cold sofa.
That's what I thought. My body didn't move.
Closing my eyes, all I could think of was Hoshino.
Her smile. Her sleeping face. Even the cold way she had glared at me earlier felt cute.
I think maybe I…
No, impossible. We just met today. I can't be that shallow!
But how did Hoshino see me? To lend me her bed must at least mean she didn't dislike me…
Though we've only known each other a single day, what's the point of thinking this far? There's still plenty of time ahead!
What name should we give our first child…
My thoughts spiraled, and eventually I fell asleep.
Hours later, dawn crept in.
Exhausted from several unseen battles where she singlehandedly drove delinquent wanderers away, Hoshino finally dragged herself home.
Her strength long overdrawn by nights of patrol, she could think of nothing, only wanting to collapse into bed.
So, eyes closed, moving as if sleepwalking, she stumbled into her bedroom, pulled back the covers, and flopped down. Instinctively, she hugged the warmth beside her.
When I blearily opened my eyes and saw Hoshino fast asleep, holding me tight, the first thought that rose was...
Does Hoshino like me?
With effort, I fumbled for my adult card (Credit Card). Seeing that nothing had changed, I understood.
This must be a dream.
I drifted back into slumber.
When I woke again, morning light filled the room.
I glanced to the side. Hoshino was gone.
Going downstairs, I found her in the kitchen preparing breakfast. She greeted me casually, as if nothing had happened.
So it really was… a dream?
In the washroom, facing the mirror, I noticed a faint, slightly darker patch near the side of my shirt's chest.
Touching it gently, I could feel the texture damp once, now naturally dried.
"…Let's just pretend I didn't notice."
I muttered, turning on the tap. Fresh drops of water splashed onto my shirt, leaving new marks.
And so began another new day.
