第１５６７堀：朝起きてまた寝るのは気持ちがいい (Part2)
I cast a glance toward Kiyu and Covil, wondering if I was about to be ordered to get some "perfect sleep."
"I don't think there's a problem, personally, but if I side with you, Brother, I'll be the one getting scolded. Please, just eat your breakfast and go to sleep," Kiyu replied.
"Exactly. I don't doubt that Yuki’s precision would waver over something like this, but as a leader of an organization—and with wives to consider—you shouldn't be in that state. Go to bed."
And so, having been officially granted a "perfect sleep" order, I shoveled down my breakfast and retreated to my room, where I was promptly pinned down by Lyushi for a nap.
"Lyushi, I’m going to sleep just fine, so you don't have to cling to me like that."
I knew full well that if I didn't sleep after being told to, further "punishment" awaited. I wasn't about to put up any futile resistance. More importantly, considering her past, I felt it was cruel to force her to sleep with me, even if I had no intention of doing anything. She had been tortured by those bandits, after all. I hadn't dared to ask about it, and since she hadn't shown any outward reaction, I’d assumed she was fine with our daily interactions, but I figured sleeping in the same bed was a different matter entirely.
But...
"You’re saying such foolish things at this late hour," she murmured.
"Indeed. That matter has already been resolved. I mean, I do have a lingering fear of men, but the moment I became Yuki-sama’s guard, I prepared myself for this much—or rather, I’m ready for anything. Rurua-sama and the others have even encouraged it."
"…I see. Is that so?"
Was she puffing out her chest, trying to emulate Rurua? Perhaps I’d been overthinking it. She’d been assigned to my side for over a month now, and she’d been working as a nurse-in-training at the hospital. It was only natural that they would have checked to see if she had any lingering trauma or psychological issues regarding men.
"…That you’d be so hesitant is just like you, Yuki."
"It’s because you cherish your wives so much. *Nufufu*, but I will gladly accept this opportunity to sleep by your side."
I don’t think there are many married men who would be happy to have a woman assigned to them like this. And Lyushi—why are you so eager? Is this just how you are once you’ve set your mind on something? As your superior, that kind of tunnel vision worries me. And what is this "gladly accept" business? Does she mean a comfortable sleep? Well, I suppose I could use one right now.
"Well then, Boss, just eat your fill of cucumbers and get some sleep," John said, bringing the conversation to a close.
Honestly, it’s the same old story, but your obsession with cucumbers never changes, does it? If you ate a bit more meat, you might actually lose the "vegetable" part of your species name.
"Right, I’ve heard everyone’s opinions. Deryu, I’m leaving the acting command to you."
"Mm. Leave it to me. I’ll wake you by noon, is that acceptable?"
"Yeah, thanks."
If I didn't sleep now, I’d likely be barred from exploring the castle this afternoon. I finished my breakfast—which included a generous portion of cucumber salad—and headed back to my assigned room, promptly collapsing onto the bed. True to her word, Lyushi climbed in after me.
"Um, I know what I said earlier, but if you find you can't sleep, I can move away?"
"No, it’s fine. I sleep with my wives all the time, and it’s not like this is new for you, Lyushi."
It was true. Even if we weren't "sleeping together" in the romantic sense, Lyushi was my attendant; we’d often played together, gotten exhausted, and fallen asleep in the same room.
"That’s true. Then, excuse me."
Lyushi slid into the bed. Fortunately, the bed provided was large enough for two, so there was no sense of confinement. In fact, I was genuinely tired, and with my stomach full, sleep began to pull at me almost immediately.
"Yawn... alright, I’m going under. You’ve been up just as long as I have, Lyushi, so get some sleep yourself."
"Yes, sir..."
Lyushi seemed just as drowsy, her response thick with sleepiness.
"Ah... I don't know if this counts as a second nap, but this feels nice..."
"It really does..."
"Don't feel the need to narrate every thought, just be quiet and sleep. Or do you want me and the missus to climb on top of you if you need a bit of 'moderate exhaustion'?"
"Goodnight."
"Wait, you're really going to sleep?"
I’m sleeping. I don't dislike it, but if I did that, there’s no way it would end with just the two of us, and I have work to do later.
Goodnight.
It’s amazing how well you can sleep when you eat a full breakfast and then immediately lie down. Ah, but then you wake up and realize you still have to wash the dishes. That is a lesson learned from experience.