Nami gave a little huff. "They might well have done everything before dozing off." She glanced behind her. "Right, Kaya?"
"I—I don't know," Kaya stammered, obviously flustered. "Weren't we here to ask Arton and Uta to come eat with us? They're still sleeping… Shall we wake them, or wait a bit longer?"
No sooner had the words left her lips than Nami blurted out, "Of course we wait! Actually, I'm getting sleepy myself. I'll just rest up a bit."
With that, she headed over to Arton's side.
"Hmph, think you can hog the best spot?" Carina snorted. She swiftly lay down on the bed next to Arton.
Eyes widening, Nami almost raised her voice in protest, but Carina brought a finger to her lips—shh—pointing at the sleeping pair. Left with no choice, Nami stomped a foot in silent frustration, then lay down on Arton's other side.
Both Carina and Nami then turned simultaneously to gaze at Kaya, as if silently asking, 'And you?'
"Ugh…" Kaya let out a tiny whine. She wanted to turn back and leave, but when she thought of all three of them from the Flame blade Pirates—everyone except her, basically—she felt awkward about bailing out. 'They'll think I'm the odd one out if I leave now…'
So, forcing herself to comply, Kaya took off her neat little sandals and cautiously approached. She tried to lift her foot to step over Arton's legs so she could lie near Uta, but in that exact moment Arton shifted, lifting his leg. It brushed against Kaya's ankle, tripping her. She toppled face-first onto him.
Their faces collided… and Kaya felt an unmistakable softness pressed against her lips.
"Wo-ow!" Nami raised an eyebrow. "It turns out you're the sneakiest one, Kaya—pretending you accidentally kissed Arton on the mouth."
"Right? I need to worry about both you and Kaya now, Nami," Carina added with a teasing grin.
Despite their banter, both Carina and Nami glanced instinctively at Arton. His timing—lifting his leg just as Kaya passed—was all too perfect. And the fact that he still hadn't opened his eyes? Clear sign he wasn't really asleep anymore.
Sure enough, he proved their point with his next move.
Kaya, cheeks flushing bright red at their teasing, hurriedly pressed her hands on Arton's chest, trying to push off and stand. Yet Arton's arm shot out faster, slipping around her waist and pulling her in tight. As he exerted more force, the pressure caused certain parts of Kaya's body to flatten against his chest.
Kaya's eyes went wide; she realized instantly that Arton was awake. Throwing him a reproachful look did no good—he kept his eyes shut, and her struggling only brought their bodies closer. Finally, her face burning, she gave up, resigning herself to lying right on top of him.
At the same time, Carina and Nami both opened their Diary Copies. Moments later, each wore a satisfied smile and tugged one of Arton's arms so that they could lie down with him as well.
Watching from their own Diary Copies, other holders either sighed with envy or frowned in concern.
…
East Blue – Foosha Village
Having just seen off the last customer of the day, Makino took out her own copy of Arton's diary. The moment she did, she noticed some new photo updates and immediately furrowed her neat brows.
[Photo: The Sylvan's Four Beauties Together, Angle 1]
[Photo: The Sylvan's Four Beauties Together, Angle 2]
[Photo: The Sylvan's Four Beauties Together, Angle 3]
"Four women and one man, all piled up together? …What's this now?"
"He was just alone with Uta, and in no time at all, there are three more girls? Won't Uta be hurt by this?"
Makino murmured worriedly, but soon she let out a long sigh.
***
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