Once the cultural festival ended, the school returned to its usual routine as if nothing had happened. The extraordinary always passes in a flash. The people in my class must not have played enough yet; unable to shake off the festival mood, they have been even noisier lately.

When classes ended, I went to the Infirmary again today. In the Infirmary, Hotaru was reading a book alone. It had been raining all day today, and my head was throbbing, so I had taken a painkiller after lunch. The Infirmary on a rainy day felt protected from the cold rain, very similar to the exciting feeling of hiding in a secret base.

"Is the teacher not here today?"

Today, the teacher was absent from the desk sitting prominently with its back to the window, and the radio wasn't playing.

"Yeah. She's away on a business trip this afternoon."

Hotaru looked up from her paperback book protected by a book cover. Gazing out the window, she said, "It's coming down hard."

"It's a downpour. The news said it was going to be record-breaking heavy rain."

I sat down on the bed. And just like that, I lay back. The rarely used bed was pure white and smelled clean. I rested my head on the flat pillow.

"Are you taking a nap, Ibuki-chan?"

"I'm a little tired today, so I think I'll sleep."

The teacher isn't here, so I probably won't get yelled at for borrowing the bed for a bit.

"I see. I'll wake you around five, then. If it gets too late, it looks like it'll be tough to get home."

"Got it. Thanks."

Resting the book on her lap, Hotaru narrowed her eyes gently. White steam wafted up from the mug on the table next to the single-seater sofa. It smelled like apples.

Having Hotaru by my side makes me feel at ease. Enveloped in comfort, I crawled under the covers. A gray world enveloped me.

When I closed my eyes, a syrupy warmth covered the backs of my eyelids. My heavy head became fluffy and light. Along with the sound of the fierce rain, I fell into a deep sleep.

 

I had a very fun dream. Waking up in an incredibly cheerful mood, I tried to clearly recall the contents of the dream I had just been having. Outside the window, it was as dark as the middle of the night. Not knowing how long I had been sleeping, my sense of time had become ambiguous. The fact that Hotaru was still reading her book meant it wasn't five o'clock yet, I figured.

I sat up and looked up at the clock in the Infirmary. 7:35 PM. I involuntarily tilted my head, thinking, "Huh?" Had I really been sleeping for that long? But it didn't seem like the clock was broken. Hotaru, noticing I was awake, closed her book with a fulfilled expression, as if what she was reading was incredibly interesting.

"Good morning, Ibuki-chan."

The contents of the mug placed near Hotaru's hands had already gone cold.

"Hotaru. It's seven o'clock right now. I completely passed out without realizing it."

"Eh. Seven?"

Hotaru looked up at the silver-rimmed clock hanging on the wall. Too surprised to even speak, Hotaru covered her mouth with both hands. As Hotaru put on a serious face and tried desperately to apologize, I put my index finger to my lips and shushed her. Hotaru shrank her shoulders dejectedly and gave a small nod, hanging her head.

"Let's go home, Hotaru."

"Yeah. Right."

I turned my eyes toward the window. The rain was coming down harder than before. I had brought an umbrella just in case, but we might get soaked by the time we got home. Waiting for Hotaru to finish getting ready, I tried to open the door to the Infirmary, but it wouldn't budge.

"It's locked. Probably from the outside."

"What should we do?"

Since the absolute curfew for leaving school had passed, the person in charge must have locked up. They probably didn't notice we were in here.

Hotaru, tearing up, put her hand on the door. There was a rattling sound of metal clashing. The rain didn't look like it was going to stop. Sharp raindrops beat violently against the building and the ground. A forceful sound, like a shower turned on at maximum power, could be heard through the tightly closed windows. Hotaru was half in a panic.

"It won't open. It can't be helped, let's go out through that door."

I pointed to the door that led from the Infirmary to the parking lot and schoolyard.

"That door is broken," Hotaru said with a despairing voice and expression. I tried opening it just in case, but it really wouldn't open.

"We're stuck."

I opened the window to check if we could get out that way. When I stuck my head out the window, the cold rain hit my cheeks. The unique smell of wet earth and buildings filled the air.

Below the window grew bushes trimmed into rounded shapes. If we tried hard, it didn't seem impossible to get out, but neither Hotaru nor I seemed to have the leg strength to jump over them.

"It looks hard to get out. Hotaru, could you contact the teacher or someone? I forgot my phone today."

I sometimes forget to carry my phone, so Yotsuji always scolds me. I had left it at home again today.

"Yeah. Got it. Wait a second."

Hotaru took her phone out of her bag. Staring at the screen, Hotaru froze. I immediately realized the reason.

"Did it run out of battery?"

Hotaru nodded repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Ibuki-chan."

Hotaru looked like she was about to cry at any moment. Somehow, it reminded me of the time during the long-distance walk. Spaced-out me, and clumsy Hotaru. We're both just a little out of sync with the rest of the class. After turning things over in my mind for a moment, I came up with an interesting idea. Dropping my backpack to my feet, I plopped down onto the sofa. Leaning my back against the taut leather backrest, I suddenly felt a strange sense of composure.

"Alright, let's stay here tonight."

Hotaru, who had been tightly gripping her smartphone with a pained face, opened her eyes wide in sheer dumbfoundment.

"Stay here?"

"Yeah. We have a shower room, a toilet, and beds. I don't think we'll have any trouble spending just one night."

Hotaru cast her gaze diagonally downward, lost in thought for a while. Eventually, she smiled quietly.

"A sleepover at school. It's a little exciting, isn't it?"

Hotaru turned on the radio and turned up the volume. A man with a calm, rich voice was introducing emails sent to the program.

I brewed some fresh black tea, and the two of us drank it. Hotaru's favorite muscat-flavored tea. A syrupy, sweet scent, like boiled-down muscat grapes, drifted through the room. The warm tea felt like it soaked into my entire body as it passed down my throat.

The large amount of snacks in Hotaru's bag served as our dinner. Chocolates, cookies, baumkuchen. The snacks we ate while chatting were especially delicious.

After finishing dinner, we took turns taking a shower. The hot water from the shower suddenly turned cold, which surprised me. The bath towels left in the shower room were white and fluffy.

There was no hair dryer in the Infirmary. With our hair still wet, we studied together. I did my homework for the day. Since Hotaru carefully taught me how to solve the difficult problems, I finished the homework quickly. Hotaru praised a doodle of a black cat I had drawn in my notebook, saying it was funny, so we played a game of picture shiritori. The animals Hotaru drew were cute, and the food looked delicious. I was happy that the pages of the notebook were filling up with the illustrations we drew together, and we looked at each other and laughed.

When 9 PM rolled around, Hotaru said, "I wonder if we should go to sleep soon."

"I see. You always go to sleep at nine, Hotaru."

"Yeah. My mom and dad tell me I'm not allowed to stay up late."

"I usually go to sleep around eleven."

Actually, there were times when I stayed awake until about 1 AM, but I decided to keep that a secret from Hotaru, who led such a regulated life.

Lacing her fingers together, Hotaru looked at me with eyes full of respect.

"Amazing! You're so grown up, Ibuki-chan."

"It's not amazing. You're a good girl for going to sleep early properly, Hotaru."

When I said that, Hotaru shook her head side to side.

"But you know, the night is really long, right? I sleep too much. I kind of feel like it's a waste. If I stayed up just a little longer, I could read a lot more books, and listen to all kinds of music. But when nine o'clock comes, I just get sleepy."

Hotaru counted on her fingers how many hours she slept, and sighed at the sheer amount of sleep time. Next to her, I tried counting my sleep time, too. How much sleep time is ideal, anyway? On weekdays I end up falling asleep during class, and on days off I nap the whole time.

"It's true that if you stay up late, you have more time to enjoy books and music, but I think sleeping is a good thing. I like the time I spend sleeping, too. Dreaming is fun."

"You're like that too, Ibuki-chan! I also enjoy the time I spend dreaming."

Hotaru's eyes sparkled brilliantly.

"Lately, you've been appearing in my dreams, Hotaru."

If I recalled correctly, in my dreams, Hotaru and I were like little girls, making crowns out of white clovers and searching for four-leaf clovers. My time with Hotaru was sweet and gentle. But somewhere in my heart, I realized it might be a dream. Because a world with just me and Hotaru was far too perfect a happiness. And then, I would wake up immediately.

"Really? You know, the reason I appeared in your dreams, Ibuki-chan, is because I wanted to see you. I read that in a book a long time ago."

"I see. Then I'm glad."

Hotaru, leaning forward and speaking with a touch of excitement, was so adorable it made me smile. I loved this childish side of Hotaru, too.

"You appear in my dreams too, Ibuki-chan. I don't remember what we played, but it was really fun."

"I'm sure I must have wanted to see you too, Hotaru."

I felt a little embarrassed, as if my feelings of always wanting to see Hotaru had been exposed.

"I'm so happy. I wish you would appear in my dreams every day, Ibuki-chan."

Hotaru bounced innocently. A slow jazz tune played from the radio. I also want to see Hotaru in my dreams every day. I wish Hotaru's dreams and my dreams were connected, I thought.

"Okay. I'll go see you every day."

"Is that a promise?"

Hotaru peered into my eyes. Despite her mischievous expression, as if testing me, floating in the depths of her eyes was a pure light that seemed to know nothing of doubting me.

"Yeah."

Hearing my words, Hotaru clasped her hands together, blushing pink and smiling bashfully. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Hotaru spoke.

"Um, I have a favor to ask you, Ibuki-chan."

My eyes were drawn to the yellow earring. The hole I pierced. The mark I left on Hotaru. The proof of my possessive desire for Hotaru to become mine alone.

"What is it?"

"Before we go to sleep, I want to take all my earrings out. I'd like you to take them out for me, Ibuki-chan."

"Got it."

Hotaru brought her ear close to me. Covered in piercings, Hotaru's ear looked bumpy and uneven. It was my first time taking someone's earrings out for them. Pinching the catch and the earring, I pulled carefully so as not to hurt her ear. With a tiny pop, the earring came off. I placed the removed earring on the desk.

"Please don't take out the one you pierced for me yet, Ibuki-chan."

"Okay."

I took the earrings out one by one. Five holes on the right side. Six holes on the left. Leaving the earring I had pierced, I lined up all the earrings Hotaru had been wearing on the desk. So much gold and silver.

The number of piercings in Hotaru's ears surely represented the wounds in her heart. Every time something sad happens, Hotaru pierces her ears.

I want to protect Hotaru. The delicate, easily frightened Hotaru, who has a heart that sparkles like a jewel.

Hotaru is the first person I've ever fallen in love with. For me, who thought I never wanted to love anyone ever again, the first person I ever loved.

I love Hotaru so much I don't know what to do. She's so dear to me I can't stand it.

I want the time I can spend with Hotaru to last even a little bit longer.

Even now, when I see the yellow shining on Hotaru's earlobe, I find myself steeped in joy. Because it feels like Hotaru has become mine alone. Surely, my heart isn't as beautiful as Hotaru's.

"They're all out."

"Thank you."

Hotaru gently stroked her ear, full of holes, and hid it with her hair.

"We should put them away somewhere so we don't lose them."

"Yeah. Got it."

Hotaru gathered the earrings and put them in her pouch. I also tidied up the desk and got ready for bed. Once the desk was clean, Hotaru lowered her eyes slightly and whispered in my ear.

"Um, I want to sleep in the same bed."

A sweet voice, like sugar. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, and I pressed a hand to my breast. Sleeping together with Hotaru—I'm happy, but nervous. What should I do? But I want to sleep in the same bed as Hotaru.

"Okay."

At my restless-sounding voice, Hotaru smiled softly.

We turned off the lights and lay down on the bed. The Infirmary bed was narrow for two people to sleep in, and a little cramped, but I was happy about it.

Hotaru's skin was touching mine. My chest was incredibly noisy. I turned my back to Hotaru and curled up.

I felt Hotaru roll over. Hotaru's breath fell on the nape of my neck. I blinked so hard it almost made a sound. As I curled my palms so tightly my nails dug in, Hotaru trailed her fingertips across my back. I ended up putting more tension into my shoulders than necessary. Hotaru let out a soft, giggling laugh.

"Try to guess what I'm writing."

Saying so, Hotaru traced something into letters on my back. Every time Hotaru's delicate fingertips stroked my back, a shiver ran through my body, and I felt like I was going to tremble. I tried to suppress my voice, but I couldn't do it very well. I tightly gripped the white sheets. I could hear the sound of the rain.

"Did you figure out what I wrote?"

Hotaru's voice touched the back of my earlobe. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I had absolutely no idea what Hotaru had written.

"I see. Then this is my own personal secret."

Hotaru pressed her forehead against my back and laughed happily.

"I'm curious what it said."

"I won't tell you, Ibuki-chan."

Hotaru said it a little teasingly. I turned my body toward Hotaru. Even in the darkness, I could see that Hotaru's eyes were pure and clear. Hotaru smiled with a sleepy face.

"I'll try my best to remember it."

I wonder what Hotaru wrote. It bothered me immensely.

"You can just forget it."

The inside of the covers was warm from my and Hotaru's body heat. Hotaru's warmth was like a patch of sunlight in spring. Hotaru's blinking gradually became slower.

"Good night, Ibuki-chan."

Hotaru closed her eyes. Eyelashes gathered in little triangular bundles. A small nose. White cheeks. Soft-looking lips.

I want to touch those lips. I want to try kissing Hotaru. I hurriedly suppressed the welling desire.

"Good night, Hotaru."

I laced my fingers together as if praying and closed my eyes. Listening to Hotaru's sleeping breaths, I fell asleep.

The next morning, we were rudely awakened by the school nurse. It was perfectly clear outside, and the sun was dazzling. Listening to the birds chirping, we received a severe scolding from the nurse. When she contacted Hotaru's parents, Hotaru's mother came to pick her up at lightning speed, and Hotaru went home for the time being.

When I borrowed the nurse's cell phone and called home, my mom answered. "I was worried, but I figured a girl your age has a lot going on," my mom laughed carelessly, leaving me exasperated. My dad, however, had apparently been worried sick about me not coming home all night without a word, and had combed through the neighborhood convenience stores and places I might go. When I get home, I'll have to properly apologize to my mom and dad.

Tossing the bath towels we used into the washing machine, the nurse went to a nearby convenience store and bought me breakfast and lunch. I nibbled on a sandwich under the nurse's sharp glare. She even served me some instant coffee.

"The teacher in charge who locked up without checking might be at fault too, but you two share the blame as well."

"I'm sorry."

I had no choice but to apologize. The nurse is definitely scary when she's mad. But, she's actually kind. Nibbling on my thin sandwich, I decided I wouldn't take a nap during class today.

As morning homeroom approached, the nurse shooed me off toward the classroom like chasing away a stray cat that had wandered into her house. Yotsuji, who came over with her handouts saying, "I'll let you see my homework," was surprised to find that all the answer sections on my printouts were already completely filled in.

When I went to the nurse's office after school, Hotaru was sitting on the sofa looking completely exhausted. The extent of her mom and dad's worrying had apparently been off the charts. "Being loved too much is a hassle, isn't it," the nurse quipped sarcastically with a mature expression. Because of this incident, Hotaru's parents banned her from going out at night.