“I’m back!”

Yarai-san returned from a quick run to the convenience store.

“Welcome back… Wait, did you seriously go out dressed like that?”
“Hm? Oh, you’re right!”

She was still wearing the Mari Girls’ uniform. Considering how tight it was around her chest, I couldn’t believe she’d actually gone outside like that.

“I should change into pajamas. You too, Kaidou-san—come here, I’ll lend you a set.”

She beckoned me over as she began stripping off her uniform——and then I saw something I probably shouldn’t have.

“Hold on, Yarai-san! Where’s your bra!?”

She’d just been outside, yet she wasn’t wearing one. There was nothing under that uniform. Thankfully, the fabric was thick enough that it didn’t show through. Didn’t show, but still!

“Oh, right, I forgot.”
“You forgot? At least act a little alarmed!”
“It’s not like I’m losing anything.”
“You’re losing your dignity as a lady!”
“I just got out of the bath, so it can’t be helped.”

She stuck out her tongue with a playful tehe, and I wished she wouldn’t make that face while completely naked.

“Do you want the Mr. Bear or the panda?”

She held up two animal onesie pajamas.

Why was the panda the only one she didn’t put Mr. on?

“Either’s fine… Wait, are those the only ones you have?”
“Yup!”

They looked way too warm for this season… and honestly, kind of embarrassing to wear. I usually slept in a T-shirt and shorts, so fluffy, cutesy pajamas like these felt a bit out of my league.

“Okay then, I’ll wear the panda, and you can have Mr. Bear.”
“Ah, sure… thanks.”

For someone who wasn’t showing as much respect to the panda, she sure chose it for herself.

I unzipped the back and stepped into the suit, pulling it up to my arms when—

“I’ll zip you up.”

Yarai-san came closer. Right, this thing couldn’t be put on alone. And taking it off would be the same. Great—now I’d have to rely on her help for that too. What a hassle.

“Okay, make sure you put the hood on too.”
“O-okay…”

I did as I was told, pulling the hood—complete with its cute little ears—over my head. As expected, it was stiflingly hot.

“Kaidou-san, help me with mine toooo.”
“Yeah, yeah… Excuse me—wait, you’re wearing that without anything underneath?”
“Yup. It’s hot, you know?”
“Then just wear normal pajamas! …Hold your hair up, you’ll get it caught in the zipper.”
“Okaaay.”

Her pale neck came into view. With how thick the onesie fabric was, her back was already a little damp with sweat.

She had such slender shoulders. Well, I was smaller overall, so I guess that was one thing I had over her. Not that it mattered—why was I even feeling competitive about that?

“…Two girls in onesies standing side by side like this—it’s quite a sight.”

Reflected in the mirror were two high school girls in animal pajamas. It somehow suited Yarai-san, I thought. As for me… I wasn’t about to comment on my own appearance.

“Ehehe, you look so cute, Kaidou-san. Can I take a picture?”
“…As long as you don’t show anyone.”
“No worries, I’ve got no one to show it to anyway.”
“…Sorry to hear that.”

I apologized out of reflex, but Yarai-san didn’t seem remotely bothered. She grabbed her phone and stood beside me.

Then she leaned in close, our faces nearly touching. A faint scent of shampoo drifted from her hair—but come to think of it, we were using the same brand now. Realizing that made the moment feel oddly intimate.

“Say cheese!”

*Click.* The shutter sound echoed.

Then Yarai-san started fiddling with her phone.

A notification pinged on mine—I checked it, and there was the photo she’d just taken.

Looking at it, we actually did look pretty close. So this was what people called a pajama party, huh? I’d never done one before, so technically this was my first.

*“You can post it on ‘Insta!’”*

For some reason, Yarai-san sent that as a message. Even though she was sitting right in front of me.

If I actually posted a two-shot with Yarai-san, my friend group would probably have a meltdown—most likely not in a good way.

*“I’ll pass.”*
“Then it’ll be our little secret.”

She said aloud this time, with a mischievous smile. Great. Now we were having half a text conversation and half a spoken one.

“It’s really not that big a deal, you know. A sleepover’s something you can do anytime if you feel like it.”
“You mean—you’ll do it again!?”

Ah. I messed up. That was a slip of the tongue. Yarai-san’s eyes were sparkling, and now it would feel cruel to take it back—especially since I was the one who said it.

“I’ll… do my best to consider it.”
“Yay! I’ll look forward to it!”

She nodded happily, completely unfazed by my bureaucratic-level answer. I almost felt guilty for being so noncommittal.

“When we do, I wanna have it at your place this time.”
“I’ve got a little sister, though… And there probably wouldn’t be room for you to sleep. I’ve only got a bed.”
“Then we can share it!”
“Absolutely not…”

My bed wasn’t made to fit two high school girls side by side. Sure, we could squeeze in, but that would mean being pressed right up against each other.

So she really was serious about coming over to my house, huh? She’d perked up earlier when I mentioned my sister, too. Well… maybe that was normal for someone who wanted to visit the home of the person they liked. Personally, I’d rather avoid having to meet anyone’s parents, so I’d pass.

“I am trying to decline gently, you know?”
“I figured out that you’re bad at saying no, Kaidou-san. So I think I can get away with pushing a little.”

So insufferable.