Chapter 42 Speaking of Naps...

Speaking of Naps…

“Hey, Kanade. What’s the plan after this…?”

After finishing my bento, I sipped the tea Kanade had given me and let out a small sigh of relief.

I was fully satisfied after eating, but curiosity about our next move got the better of me, so I decided to ask.

For some reason, Kanade tilted her head, looking a bit confused.

“I haven’t decided.”

“I see, I see. So you’ve got everything planned out… Wait, you haven’t decided!?”

“Ahaha! Great reaction! Yeah, it’s surprising, isn’t it? I said to leave everything to me, but I haven’t actually planned anything.”

She spoke in her usual carefree tone, then stretched her arms wide with a big yawn.

As she stretched, her shirt shifted slightly upward, and I instinctively looked away.

She probably didn’t notice my reaction.

Without any sign of embarrassment, she casually continued the conversation.

“This time’s theme is a relaxed date. If there’s something you really want to do, though, we can always go for it.”

“Something I really want to do, huh…”

“Yep! Really, really!”

Did I want to do something?

Honestly, I was perfectly content just as we were.

I’ve never been a fan of crowded places to begin with…

But this was just my opinion. There was always the chance Kanade felt differently.

Thinking about that made me restless. The thought, Shouldn’t we be doing something!? kept nagging at me.

“Knowing you, it’s not surprising you feel a bit antsy. You’ve got that ‘can’t sit still’ energy, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess. But seriously, you always manage to see right through me. Doesn’t that make my private thoughts or inner monologues kind of pointless?”

“Ehehe~. You’re making me blush. Don’t flatter me so much~.”

“I’m not flattering you!”

When I shot back, Kanade burst into laughter, clearly enjoying herself.

Her laughter was contagious, and before I knew it, I found myself smiling wryly.

After a while, Kanade wiped at the corners of her eyes, then placed a hand gently on my knee.

“For now, why don’t you close your eyes and take a moment to feel the nature around us? It’s really refreshing.”

“Close my eyes?”

“Yeah, yeah! Just trust me.”

“Alright…”

The sound of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze reached my ears.

Each time the wind brushed past, it felt like it was wrapping around me, light and soothing.

Maybe it was the natural surroundings, but my heart felt surprisingly calm. I didn’t want to leave this place.

Closing my eyes only deepened those feelings.

I exhaled deeply, opened my eyes, and looked at her.

“How was it?”

“…The breeze felt nice.”

“Right~? It’s such a good vibe, isn’t it?”

“But, you know, when you close your eyes and let yourself relax like that…”

I almost let out a yawn but quickly covered my mouth.

Yawning during a date felt like a big no-no—a reflexive action on my part.

Kanade noticed and chuckled, then playfully poked my cheek.

“Oh my, could it be that you’re feeling sleepy?”

“A little, yeah. I mean, it’s shady here, the breeze feels great, so… but I’m not that sleepy… yawn.”

“Ahaha! That was a huge yawn! But hey, it feels nice here, so it can’t be helped, right?”

Kanade shifted to sit in a proper seiza position, then smiled softly.

“Hey, why don’t you come over here?”

She tilted her head slightly, looking a little uncertain.

Then, she patted her thigh and gestured for me to lie down.

“Uh, Kanade? Don’t tell me you’re suggesting I lie down there…?”

“What else would it be~?”

“…Are you serious?”

“Totally. Don’t overthink it—just go ahead.”

Before I could protest, she gently tugged on my arm and placed my head on her lap.

Soft…

Not because she was overweight—far from it.

In fact, she was so slender that I couldn’t help but wonder, somewhat inappropriately, if lying on her lap might actually hurt.

But Kanade’s lap pillow felt more luxurious than any pillow I’d ever experienced.

“The breeze feels so nice, and even though it’s summer, it’s cool here… It’s the perfect setting for a nap. Just relax and sleep if you want.”

“But Kanade, isn’t it kind of bad to fall asleep during a date…?”

“It’s fine. Besides, dates are supposed to be relaxing, aren’t they? Forcing ourselves to do something would be pointless. There’s no rule saying a date has to go a certain way.”

“But won’t you get bored, Kanade? A lap pillow must make your legs go numb.”

“I just want you to take it easy, Ariga-cchi. I’m not bored at all.”

“No, no, sitting still like this has to be boring.”

“Hmm? Not really. I’m just watching your sleeping face. It’s so cute~. All relaxed and unguarded.”

“Don’t look at that…”

“Ehehe, I don’t think I can help it~.”

She laughed innocently, like a mischievous child.

That enchanting smile made my heart skip a beat.

…I see.

So, this is one kind of date too.

“And besides, isn’t getting a lap pillow from a college girl a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? So, you know, no need to hold back!”

“Haha… Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”

“That’s the spirit!”

From below, I looked up at Kanade’s face. She appeared as gentle as a goddess radiating compassion.

Of course, the angle came with the added awkwardness of not knowing where to focus my eyes…

“Don’t push yourself. If it gets uncomfortable, wake me up.”

“Got it! And if it’s hard for you to sleep, make sure to let me know, okay?”

“…Yeah.”

Surrendering myself to the soothing breeze and the comforting sensation of her lap, I closed my eyes.

I thought it might take some time to fall asleep… but I drifted off surprisingly fast.