The night had grown deep.
In the Moon Residence, only a single small lamp was lit in the room, casting a warm orange glow across a small patch of the tatami floor. Outside the window, the chorus of insects came in waves, mingling with the murmur of the distant stream, making the night feel even quieter.
You lay in his futon, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
Tomorrow, they were returning to Tokyo. This week in Hakone had been packed with too many events. From first meeting Hitomi, to Amaterasu’s Divine Descent, to the old man showing up, to Futaba drinking the Divine Grace, and then that phone call today—it felt like months had passed, even though only eight or nine days had gone by.
He rolled over, facing the sliding door.
He closed his eyes.
His mind was still churning over today’s events. Chihaya’s look, Mai’s “we’re coming along too” smile, Futaba’s “accept your fate,” Hitomi’s “I believe in you, You-kun”—
You sighed.
Forget it. No point thinking about it now. He still had to get up early tomorrow.
Just as he was about to roll over again, he heard the sound of the sliding door opening.
It was very soft. So soft that if it weren’t for the dead silence of the night, it wouldn’t have been noticeable at all.
You’s body went rigid.
He didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, just opened his eyes.
Moonlight spilled in from the direction of the sliding door, casting a person’s silhouette on the floor at the entrance. The figure was petite, trembling slightly.
It was Mai.
You’s heart suddenly raced.
She stood at the doorway for a moment, as if confirming that You was asleep.
You quickly shut his eyes, leaving only a sliver open, pretending to breathe evenly.
He watched her walk in, her movements light, as if afraid of stepping on something. She was wearing a pale pink camisole dress, the hem ending just above her knees, revealing a stretch of fair, lovely calves and delicate, pretty feet. Her hair hung loose, falling to her waist. Afraid Mai might notice, he closed his eyes again.
A few seconds later, he heard faint footsteps on the tatami, step by step, growing closer.
Then a corner of his blanket was lifted.
A warm body slipped in.
Mai’s breath hit his neck, quick and trembling slightly. Her skin pressed against his through the nightgown, cold to the touch, as if she had been standing outside for a long time.
You knew he couldn’t keep pretending.
He opened his eyes and turned his head.
Mai’s face was inches away. Moonlight leaked through the gap in the curtains, illuminating the side of her face. Her eyes were bright, as if water were glistening in them. Her cheeks were tinged with a soft pink, and her glossy lips were pressed together, trembling slightly. You could see a resolute determination in Mai’s eyes. He knew that someone as shy as Mai must have gathered an immense amount of courage to attempt a night attack like this.
“Mai…”
Your voice was a little hoarse.
“You-kun.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, so quiet it was almost inaudible.
“I… I can’t sleep.”
You looked at her without speaking.
Mai lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
“We’re going back to Tokyo tomorrow.”
Her voice grew even softer.
“After we return… Onee-chan and the others will be around, so I… I won’t have another chance.”
You’s heart clenched suddenly.
“A chance? What chance?”
Mai didn’t answer.
She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Those big eyes no longer held their usual “childlike innocence” but something deeper, heavier.
“You-kun.”
Her voice trembled.
“The task Lady Moon Princess gave me isn’t finished yet, and… I don’t want to be treated like a child by You-kun anymore.”
Those words hit You like a thunderbolt. So this was what Mai wanted to say? She didn’t want to be treated like a child? He realized then just how little attention he had given Mai. He was always focused on Chihaya, Futaba, and Hitomi.
Mai hugged him tightly, as if trying to press herself into his body. He could feel her heartbeat, rapid, like a drum pounding in her chest.
“You-kun’s heart is beating so fast.”
Mai said softly.
“So is yours.”
You said.
Mai froze for a moment, then smiled. That smile was different from usual—not the sweet, coquettish kind, but one tinged with a hint of allure.
“You-kun.”
“Yeah.”
“Hold… hold me… just… tonight.”
Her voice trailed off, the last few words nearly inaudible. But You heard them.
His hand covered hers, intertwining their fingers.
Mai’s body trembled, but she didn’t pull back.
“Mai.”
Your voice was low.
“Have you really thought this through?”
Mai nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I have.”
You was silent for a moment, then slowly pulled her closer. Mai leaned into his chest, burying her face against him. She felt like her face was hot enough to fry an egg.
“You-kun.”
Her voice was muffled, coming through his chest.
“Yeah.”
“Do you… do you think I’m… that kind of…?”
“What kind?”
“Like…”
Mai’s voice grew even smaller.
“Indecent.”
You was taken aback, then laughed.
“No. Mai is very brave.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Mai lifted her head from his chest and looked at him. The moonlight fell on her face, softening her features. Her eyes were bright, the tip of her nose red, her lips slightly parted.
You looked at her face and suddenly felt that she was different tonight. No longer “Chihaya’s little sister,” but Mai. A Mai who got nervous, who got scared, who gathered the courage to do something she was afraid of. He kissed her forehead, and Mai let out a small “ah,” as if she’d been shocked.
She took a deep breath, then slowly began to take off her clothes.
You stopped her.
Mai’s eyes reddened.
“You-kun… is it that… you still see me as a child?”
You smiled reassuringly.
“How could that be? But Mai, if we go all the way tonight, Chihaya and the others will definitely find out tomorrow.”
Mai blushed.
“Then…”
She paused, then her fingers began to trace along You’s chest.
“Let’s… save it for later.”
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
“For now… let’s use… something else.”
You’s body tensed.
“Mai…”
“You-kun, don’t talk.”
Mai’s voice was trembling, but her tone was earnest.
“I… I’m not very good at it, but…”
Her fingers brushed against a burning heat, and with a slight tremor, she wrapped her hand around it.
You let out a sharp gasp. The sensation of her soft, tender palm and the faint perspiration was overwhelming.
Mai’s face was red enough to ignite, but she applied a little pressure. Her fingers moved tentatively.
“Like… this?”
Your mind went blank with a loud buzz. He couldn’t think of anything anymore.
The insects continued their chorus outside the window, the stream continued its murmur. Moonlight leaked through the gap in the curtains, drawing a thin white line across the floor.
The room was quiet.
Only the sound of their increasingly rapid breathing, mixed with a growing, ambiguous intimacy.
After a long time—maybe minutes, maybe half an hour, You couldn’t tell—Mai’s hand finally stopped.
“So… a lot, and I’m so tired.”
She leaned against his chest, face buried, not moving.
You looked down at her, only able to see the top of her head. Her hair was loose, slightly damp with sweat, sticking to her forehead.
“Mai.”
“Yeah.”
“Good work.”
Mai didn’t answer. After a moment, she lifted her head from his chest, eyes still red, but the corners of her mouth curved up.
“You-kun.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m… not a child anymore.”
You looked at her and smiled.
“Yeah. You’re not.”
Mai’s tears finally fell, but she was smiling brightly.
She playfully extended her hand into the moonlight, where the residue between her fingers dripped and formed into thin strands. Mai watched this and giggled softly.
“This is… You-kun’s…”
You blushed at her boldness. Wasn’t Mai supposed to be the shy type? How was she this skilled?
Mai leaned back into his embrace and closed her eyes.
“You-kun.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m so happy.”
You said nothing, just held her even tighter.
Outside the window, the moon emerged from behind the clouds, blanketing the entire courtyard as if a layer of frost had settled. Bamboo swayed gently in the wind, leaves rustling softly.
Mai thought of the warmth on her fingers just moments ago, and silently said in her heart, ‘Onee-chan, Futaba-nee, I won this round.’
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