182 182 Sleepovers (1/2)

”Speaking of which, you're glad the reward was cushioned, aren't you?

Zhou, who went home and held a reflection after dinner, asks at midday when Zhou was next door explaining the misanswered issue.

At midday when I raised my face from my notebook, I subtly let my gaze swim at the word cushion.

”... that, uh, cushion, I want”

”Yeah, if that's all right with you”

”Well, apart from that, you know”

”Is there anything else you want?

”Ho, you want... the”

I gently stroke my head in the middle of the day when it seems very difficult to say anything, also meaning to calm down.

You basically want something at midday that doesn't make you selfish or naughty, it's natural that you want to make it happen.

The stroked midday gives a slightly fuzzy grin, but his face quickly leans in embarrassment.

”... and, uh, Friday, are you free?”

”Hmm? I don't have any plans in particular.”

”... then, uh... would you like me to ask you to say something before?”

”Did you say that before?

”... stay,”

The words uttered with a slight tremor were connotations, and Zhou unexpectedly rounded his eyes and looked seriously at midday.

”... is that a thousand-year-old proposal?

”Yes, no, I'm the one who said I wanted to stay, and Chitoshi just pushed it back... I'm saying it because I wanted to spend time with Zhou-kun, not what I was instructed to do”

”Oh well... that, staying,”

”... Yes”