Late at night, a girl shows up in front of you wearing lace-patterned stockings and a loose robe instead of sleeping. There's really only one explanation.

Trouble.

That's exactly what Haru thought.

Still, he wanted to be sure.

But before he could say a word, the faint scent of her perfume hit him. Utaha closed the distance, looping her arms around his neck.

"Just for a moment," she said.

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over Haru.

Had he seen this exact scene before?

Had they… planned this?

With the night as their backdrop, soft warmth and smooth curves pressed against him, the silkiness of her stockings brushing his skin. Her skin was warm, her body close. It was impossible not to imagine things.

"Just for a moment. Don't move."

She repeated herself, this time with no hesitation, leaning in to kiss him.

It wasn't exactly payback.

No—she was simply acting on impulse.

More importantly, she knew time was short. Every second wasted felt like a loss.

Just like Yukino earlier. However long she stayed, I'll stay just as long.

For once, Utaha allowed herself to be childish.

Moments later, cheeks flushed, she returned to the bedroom.

Yukino and Megumi were there, the former looking impatient.

"Scared him?"

"I did," Utaha said as soon as she entered.

Yukino stared at her face—made unnaturally pale with makeup—and spoke coldly. "I've just realized something."

"What?"

"You used the ghost disguise as an excuse. Painting your face that white just happened to hide your real complexion afterward."

Megumi turned her head toward Utaha without thinking.

She had no experience in such matters, but Yukino's tone and the weight behind her words made things click.

That makeup had done more than ruin Utaha's natural beauty—it had hidden her blush.

"If I deny it now, you wouldn't believe me, would you?" Utaha swayed her hips as she walked past them.

"What do you think?" Yukino's gaze swept to her long legs.

No difference in her walk. No signs of shaky knees.

"Then I guess there's nothing I can do," Utaha said, heading to the bathroom to remove her makeup.

Yukino let out a slow breath and gave a sharp little laugh. "Senpai loves to scheme like this. Aren't you afraid you'll end up outsmarting yourself one day?"

"I've already said—if you insist on believing that, I can't stop you," Utaha replied evenly before leaving.

Yukino watched her go, certain now that the "ghost" story was nothing but an excuse.

Most likely, it was her own earlier stunt that had provoked Utaha into doing the same.

No, that's not it. He teased me first. I only reacted.

Yukino smoothed her brow and waited until Utaha was out of the room before speaking to Megumi.

"Going to bed?"

"Mm. It's about time," Megumi said.

They exchanged no more words.

Once Utaha was in the bathroom, Yukino stepped out to the living room. Haru was back on the sofa. She looked down at him.

"Did she try to scare you?"

Haru blinked. "Wait—so painting her face like that really was part of the ghost thing?"

Yukino's cold laugh was all the answer she gave.

Her guess had been right.

Haru frowned at her sudden intensity. "You two aren't going to fight over this, are you?"

"I'm not that childish," Yukino said flatly. "It's late. If I want to deal with her, there'll be plenty of chances later."

Her composure was as steady as ever.

Haru, meanwhile, was mulling over the fact that Utaha's "ghost" idea had actually been genuine. He'd thought she was joking.

Yukino stayed in the living room only briefly, returning to the bedroom with Utaha once she'd removed her makeup.

Haru lay back down, closing his eyes. He didn't need much sleep anymore, but without anything else to do, he still rested at night.

The apartment fell silent again.

Some time later, Haru dreamed.

Not just any dream—a good one.

The scent in it was vivid, almost real.

He never kept his [Sense] skill active while sleeping; it would interfere with his rest. But even so, his natural awareness was sharp. That familiar, intoxicating fragrance pulled Yukino's image into his dream.

She seemed to be looking at him—or maybe stepping into his arms.

The scent confirmed it was her. He reached out instinctively, pulling the soft, warm body into his embrace.

But in the next second, his mind sharpened.

Why did this feel so real?

Most people woke the moment they realized they were dreaming.

His eyes snapped open. Darkness.

And yes—there really was someone in his arms, her body radiating warmth and a sweet, clean scent.

The scent matched Yukino's bath soap perfectly.

For a brief second, he wondered why it was her and not Utaha sneaking into his bed. Maybe she'd been stirred by what had happened earlier?

She stayed silent, which fit Yukino's reserved, easily flustered nature. The scent was right.

So—

No.

Wait.

Something was wrong.

His hands had wandered in the dream, and they were still wandering now.

And the feel was… off.

Yukino wasn't this… big.

A cold bead of sweat rolled down his spine. He sat up instantly, staring at the shadowy figure in front of him.

She froze too.

It wasn't Yukino.

And it wasn't Utaha.

Which left only one possibility.

"…Kato?" he ventured.

"…Mm."

Her voice trembled—whether from shyness, excitement, or something else entirely.

He fumbled for his phone, using the light to confirm her flushed, wide-eyed face.

He really had hugged the wrong person.

Megumi just stared at him, lips parting slightly as though to speak, but no words came out.

She hadn't planned for this—she'd only gotten up to use the bathroom and, on her way back, decided to cover him with a blanket.

And somehow, that had ended with her in his arms… and his hand under her shirt.

~~~~~~~~~~

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