45 Beta Function: Secret DA Service (1/2)

Minutes passed since the 6 AM action started, but Arata knew as long as he would not do any 'activity', it would not even count as time spent. He sat on the bed with the pillows behind his bare back. The blanket from last night rested around his hips, where Tohru's arm was wrung. Her other arm was tucked between her and the man's leg. Her head was on the space between pillows, her forehead pressed against Arata's side. It seemed that this girl was a heavier sleeper than him.

As to how Ruby was able to drag her to his house yesterday so early in the morning— he will never know.

He looked down as her head and all the strands of hair that was sprawled across the pillows. Attori's hair was wilder and longer than hers; Arata felt nice not waking up chewing on hair. He used his hand to comb her hair and gathered the tickling strands behind her back. Also unlike his girlfriend, Tohru's hair froze and hardened from sweat, making it hard to comb. It also tangled a lot much to Arata's frustration. He did not want her to wake up with him freeing his fingers from her golden hair.

However, the soft tugging roused her from her sleep. Her droopy eyes opened and blinked a lot as if fighting off the melatonin. Seeing another human being in front of her, she lifted her gaze to see Arata who was bathing in cold sweat so early in the morning. She noticed that his hand was stuck in her hair. Tohru closed and hummed. ”Are you disappointed?”

”No, I'm just scared of getting you upset at this hour.” He used his other hand to help out. He soon felt Tohru's hand move to trace the contours of his abdomen as he twisted and curled to reach his entangled hand. ”Liking what you see?”

”Are you getting tickled?”

”It takes more than that to tickle me.” He was strangely proud of the immunity— he built against Attori's fingers. However, he was still so weak against bristles.

”What time is it?” Tohru motioned to get up from under the blanket. Instead of away from him, she got on fours in front of the player. She made her morning mean smirk as their gazes connected. ”I'm surprised you're not looking past my chin.” She crawled closer and sat on his thighs.

With the blanket sliding behind her, the cool breeze of the AC kissed their skin. She leaned closer and pressed her chest against his, her face buried on the crook of his neck. Arata loved the feeling of getting crushed against two pillows— one warm and one so soft he would sink. However, no matter much they both wished to stay, time was marching. Arata knew that if he missed going out at 8 AM action time, he would arrive in school at noon.

Despite the ache in his heart, he could only laugh out. ”Hey, Tohru, we still have classes, remember? We have to leave...”

”Ah, don't want to miss another morning class, huh?” She chuckled before pulling back a little and planting a kiss on his lips. Tohru took a deep breath and sat up straight. She tilted her head a little to the side to shake the hand off of her hair. ”Hey, you're still obligated to help me with Imperial Kitchen...”

”I know. I offered first after all.” Arata helped out in getting hand out. After succeeding, he just stared at Tohru who was combing her own hair. He could see the annoyance on her face as her hair would not stop tangling with one another.

This affectionate jerk looked so different with her hair down. She looked remotely masculine as she posed to be, and appeared to be more delicate than she wants people to believe. There was a chance that he only saw it that way as he heard their story from Ruby. He reached out to trace the shape of her body with his palms.

The girl caught his arms and only gave him a mischievous smile.

Early morning memories replayed in his head as Arata daydreamed in the middle of a class. It was a self-study class after all. His gaze flew around as he broke out of his own trance. Attori was busy with her phone while Yukari was catching up with homework due for the next class. Keiko, however, was not in her seat. He turned to the side not covered by his view.

To his surprise, three or more people were sleeping on their desks. He made a deep sigh and turned towards his girls again. Yukari was now staring at him before she lifted her notebook as if asking for help. Arata pulled on his seat to get near hers.

Just like yesterday, the day dissolved quite quickly. He waited with Attori and Ruby by the benches of the basketball club as the tea had their routinely training. Like expected, Yukari and Tohru were taking on spotlights for their practice teams. The team coach and team manager discussed among themselves as they watched the play. Scoring five points higher, Tohru's team won. However, Yukari's three-point shot against Tohru's guard earned more notice.

”Wow, she's really good at this,” Attori spoke in awe as she clapped in amusement. She then grinned at Arata. ”Hey, hey, Arata! Let's watch their games in the athletic meet!”

”Sure.”

”They're done for today.” Ruby hummed as she noticed that the advisers were talking to the students already. She turned to the man. ”I'm sure she'll ask for you to treat her again today. Are you okay with this happening all the time?”

”Why not?” The player did not even look at her as he waited for them to finish changing. Besides it was the day for them to drag Ruby into working in the restaurant after all.

It was already the 6 PM action time when they reached Imperial Kitchen. However, instead of going straight to the staircase to get a table, Arata talked to the floor supervisor of the ramen house in the first floor. Tohru was so excited to hear about the results while Ruby was slowly catching on what was kept from her. Attori only watched from behind them all, her smile plastered on her face.