"I'm really sorry, but my room can't be used tonight."

After it was decided that they would stay the night at Yotsuya Miko's house, Miko began arranging the sleeping arrangements for the three of them.

The room belonging to Miko's mother was immediately ruled out by Hikigaya Hachiman.

After all, that middle-aged man (her father) was still somewhere lurking in the house.

Then, her younger brother's room was also excluded. The reason being that a child's pride is very strong—if they entered his room without permission, it might cause a future argument between Miko and her brother.

Which only left Miko's own room.

"Umm… my room can't be used either…"

Head lowered, hands fidgeting in front of her, Miko stammered as she explained that her own room was also currently out of commission.

"Then we'll just sleep in the living room."

Anyway, the sofa in her living room was big enough.

It was more than sufficient for both Hachiman and Komachi.

"Umm… Can't we sleep on the floor instead?"

"Huh?"

Hachiman turned his head in surprise to look at Miko.

Why sleep on the floor?

Wasn't the sofa more than enough?

"I want to sleep in the living room too…"

Miko explained quietly.

Even though she knew there wouldn't be any danger whether she slept in her own room or the living room since Hachiman was here, she still felt safer being closer to him.

Besides, given the awful state of her bed, she really couldn't use it anyway.

"This is your house, so it's your call."

Hachiman shrugged, indicating he didn't mind either way.

Honestly, sleeping on the floor or the sofa didn't make much difference to him.

"Okay, I'll go get the blankets!"

Hearing Hachiman's agreement, Miko's tone revealed her obvious happiness. She turned and ran upstairs to grab the spare bedding from the storage room.

"Wait…"

Hachiman called out to her. Taking a candle from the coffee table, he walked over to her side.

"I'll go with you."

"Eh?"

Miko blinked in surprise, then blushed and nodded.

"Then I'll wait in the living room~ Just don't take too long, okay?"

Komachi, who had been playing with her phone on the sofa, looked up at Miko's reaction and grinned mischievously, giving Hachiman a sly wink.

"We won't take long!"

Hachiman rolled his eyes and, half-exasperated, followed Miko upstairs.

The storage room in Miko's house was at the end of the hallway on the second floor.

The moon didn't appear that night.

The corridor was pitch-black, with only the dim light of the candle in Hachiman's hand barely illuminating the path ahead.

Tap... tap... tap...

Walking cautiously through the hallway, even though she knew nothing was going to happen, Miko's footsteps slowed down. From walking ahead of him, she gradually ended up walking side by side with Hachiman.

"A little scared?"

Seeing how nervous Miko looked, Hachiman asked casually while continuing forward.

"A little..."

Taking the opportunity as she spoke, Miko reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Hachiman's shirt, holding onto him as they walked together.

"Don't worry. I'm here tonight. Nothing's going to happen."

Feeling the faint tug on his sleeve, Hachiman turned his head and gave Miko a reassuring smile.

"Mm, I believe you!"

Miko nodded.

Her hand that was clutching his sleeve subtly moved upward.

Soon, they reached the door to the storage room.

"Hold the candle for a moment..."

Standing outside the room, Hachiman handed the candle to Miko.

After all, he would be the one carrying the blankets.

"Okay…"

Taking the candle, Miko casually placed it on the nearby window ledge.

Then she opened the storage room door and began searching under the faint candlelight.

"Found it…"

Looking up, Miko quickly spotted the large cardboard box that held the spare bedding.

Rising on her tiptoes, she stretched her arm as far as she could toward the box.

Suddenly, footsteps came from behind her—and then a warm body pressed up against her back.

"!"

What is Hachiman doing?

Feeling the warmth behind her, Miko's body froze in an instant.

It was pitch black. And they were alone in the storage room.

Could it be…?

Her heart began to pound as she recalled those things she'd accidentally seen online while browsing her phone.

What should she do?

Should she scream for help?

After all, Komachi was just downstairs—if she called out, Hachiman would surely stop.

But… did she really want to do that?

Hachiman had saved her multiple times. If they were together, she'd never have to worry about her safety again.

And besides those dead fish eyes, he wasn't bad-looking.

Not to mention how gentle and thoughtful he was...

Fwoosh!

While Miko's thoughts spiraled, the candle outside the storage room suddenly went out.

"Ah…"

Darkness suddenly enveloped the room, and Miko instinctively stumbled backward.

Hachiman, who had just reached for the box, was caught off guard and also stepped back, still holding it up.

Then—she accidentally stepped on his foot.

Thud!

A loud crash echoed from the storage room, and then silence fell over the entire second floor.

"..."

Hearing the noise from upstairs, Komachi looked up.

Something happened?

Impossible, right?

Her brother was the type who didn't even have the mind of a thief, let alone the nerve to do anything to Miko.

.

.

.

Back in the second-floor storage room—

Thanks to Hachiman cushioning the fall, Miko wasn't injured.

However, the sudden darkness and the sensation of falling caused her to curl up in his arms and remain motionless.

"Umm… Isn't it about time you got up?"

Lying spread-eagle on the floor of the storage room, Hachiman raised his head with difficulty.

Just moments ago, everything in the room had been neatly stacked.

But with just one fall, the entire place had turned into chaos.

Honestly, it was a little uncomfortable.

"Can I stay like this for a while?"

Miko clutched the front of his shirt and quietly asked.

Hearing that, Hachiman lowered his head to look at her.

Through the darkness, he could make out her tear-filled eyes and pitiful expression.

"Was the sudden incident too much for her emotionally?"

Thinking that, Hachiman obediently lay back down on the floor.

He pretended to be a piece of wood.