The next morning.
Morning Light filtered softly through the heavy curtains, casting gentle patches of light onto the bedroom floor.
The air was faintly scented with jasmine, and outside the window, a few crisp bird calls could be heard in the distance. Everything felt calm and peaceful.
Aphrodite’s consciousness rose slowly from the depths like surfacing from the ocean, gently awakened by this tranquil morning glow. Memories from the previous night came flooding back.
Ah… I remember now…
She groaned softly in her heart. Before she could fully open her eyes, the mixed feelings of shame and torment from last night were already vivid in her mind.
Being forced to act as a Human-Shaped Pillow all night… being rubbed and hugged in all sorts of ways… and only managing to fall asleep after using a little trick…
Just recalling it made Aphrodite’s ears start to burn faintly again.
What a… painful experience…
She instinctively reached up to rub her temple, only to realize that something was still tightly wrapped around her, immobilizing her.
Sigh… That Bella girl… she’s still so strong even when asleep…
Aphrodite sighed helplessly in her mind, preparing to carefully break free just like she had planned last night, before Bella woke up.
However, at that moment, she suddenly sensed something was wrong.
Breathing… seems a bit difficult?
On her face… it felt like something extremely soft and elastic was pressing tightly against it. The warm breath was blocked, giving her a slight sensation of suffocation.
Ugh… what is this…
Aphrodite tried to turn her head but found her cheek completely buried in a softness she couldn’t move from.
It’s pressing… I can barely breathe…
This touch… so soft… and carrying a faint scent of jasmine…
Her sluggish brain took a few seconds to process before she suddenly realized something!
She struggled to open her eyes—what came into view was a large expanse of delicate pale skin and the soft fabric of a pale purple silk nightgown. The fabric rose and fell gently with her breathing, outlining an astonishingly full and rounded curve…
Boom——!
Aphrodite’s mind went completely blank. Blood rushed all the way to her head in an instant! Her cheeks, ears, and even her neck flushed bright red!
It’s Bella’s… chest?!
When did I turn over?! I clearly slept with my back to Bella last night! How am I now facing her, and my whole face is almost buried in there?!
Help me——!!!
A silent scream echoed inside her heart. Aphrodite panicked instantly and instinctively tried to struggle backward.
But Bella’s arms, like the strongest vines, still held her tightly, locking her firmly in this “deadly” position.
Aphrodite struggled hard but found her strength was no match for Bella’s grip at all!
Worse, her struggling caused her cheek to rub even more against that softness, bringing a dizzying sensation…
I-I’m going to suffocate… I really can’t breathe…
Shame and lack of oxygen hit her simultaneously, and Aphrodite felt like she was about to faint!
I can’t stay like this any longer! I have to break free immediately!
“Be… Bella!” Aphrodite finally couldn’t hold it anymore and forced out a muffled voice from under that soft “pressure,” “Wake up! Bella! Let me go!”
The one being called seemed disturbed from her deep sleep by the muffled voice, emitting a lazy, dissatisfied grunt: “Mmm…?”
The arms holding Aphrodite finally loosened a bit, and one of them lifted as if to rub the eyes.
Aphrodite immediately felt the pressure on her face ease considerably, fresh air filling her nose. She quickly took several deep breaths.
“What is it… my lady?” A sleepy, hoarse, and lazy voice came from above, sounding utterly innocent. “Is it morning… already?”
Now’s the chance!
Seizing this rare opportunity, Aphrodite tossed aside all concern for decorum and forcefully wriggled free through the gap Bella’s loosened arms left!
Her movement was so swift it almost stirred a gust of wind!
She rolled and scrambled to the other side of the bed, quickly pulling the covers around herself, her cheeks burning so red it seemed blood might drip out. Her heart pounded wildly, and her breathing was still uneven.
Bella seemed thoroughly awakened by Aphrodite’s sudden frantic action.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, the strap of her pale purple nightgown slipping slightly off her shoulder, revealing a delicate collarbone and a tempting curve of flawless skin.
The morning light outlined the graceful lines of her neck and shoulders, and beneath the slightly open neckline, the soft contours were faintly visible. Her sleepy expression carried a lazy yet seductive charm.
Bella looked at Aphrodite, who was curled in the corner of the bed, wrapped in the quilt, cheeks flushed and eyes darting away, with a hint of confusion and bewilderment on her face.
“My lady?” Bella tilted her head, her eyes still glazed with the haze of sleep, her tone innocent and sincere, “What’s wrong? Did you have a bad dream? Why is your face so red?”
Aphrodite: “…”
A bad dream?! She’d rather it had been just a bad dream!
Seeing Bella’s completely unaware, even somewhat concerned expression, Aphrodite’s embarrassment and frustration suddenly clammed up in her throat, leaving her speechless.
She certainly couldn’t say her face had just been pressed against Bella’s chest.
“N-nothing!” Aphrodite finally forced out, not daring to glance Bella’s way, “I-I’m just… a little hot! Yes, a little hot! I-I’ll go wash up first!”
With that, she practically scrambled out of bed, the soft carpet’s fuzz brushing against her bare feet with a tickling sensation.
But she had no time to look for her slippers. Wrapping herself tightly in the Cat Ear Pajamas—her shame-inducing pajamas—she ran out barefoot, not looking back, and slammed the door behind her as if some monster was chasing her.
Watching the door close tightly, Bella blinked, the confusion and puzzlement on her face gradually fading, replaced by a sly, triumphant smile.
She looked down, leisurely eyeing the slightly opened neckline of her nightgown and the enticing curve beneath. She slowly, with a touch of self-appreciation, lifted the silky strap that had slipped off her shoulder and slid it back into place.
At the same time, she savored the memory of Aphrodite’s flushed, panicked expression, the curve of her lips deepening into a grin.
Bella could even recall the subtle feeling of their delicate skin pressed together moments ago, and the nerve-tingling tickle caused by Aphrodite’s breath brushing over her chest.
Such a pity… she hadn’t stayed a moment longer.
Lightly patting her own face, Bella cheerfully began tidying the slightly disheveled bed, softly calling out toward the door through which Aphrodite had just left.
“Good morning, Lady Aphrodite.”
“Occasionally turning the Human-Shaped Pillow over, checking its fit, making sure it’s comfortable… is a perfectly normal thing to do, right?”