Chapter 54

*Thud*.

He felt something soft press against his chest.

On top of him, Arisa was trembling violently.

"O-oi, Arisa. Are you okay?"

"A-A-Apologies. I-I'm fine!"

The lightning struck again, making Arisa's body shudder.

Yugen sat up.

Arisa plopped down as if her legs had given out.

"Afraid of thunder?"

"I-It's just that I was surprised. If I'm prepared, I'm not scared."

As she said this, another bolt of lightning struck.

She flinched... but didn't scream.

Then, she looked at Yugen with an expression that seemed to say, "See, I'm fine."

"But, this is a problem. ...Maybe we should take a taxi?"

"W-Wait. What if it strikes the car?"

"No... but apparently, it's safe inside a car?"

While it was knowledge he had picked up...

Lightning that strikes a car or building travels along the surface and into the ground.

So the inside is safe.

"...But, if the traffic lights stop working, it could be dangerous."

"Hmm. That's true, I guess."

If a power outage occurred while driving, it could trigger an accident.

Considering that, a car was also dangerous.

However...

"But, the train is even more dangerous, right?"

"That's... t-true, but..."

"Can't exactly stay here, can we?"

"That's it!"

Arisa suddenly shouted loudly after Yugen muttered.

Yugen's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait, 'that's it!'... Are you serious?"

"I'm serious. ...I absolutely won't go home. I won't leave this room."

Arisa declared she would stay in the room.

Yugen couldn't help but scratch his head.

It wasn't good for an unmarried man and woman to spend the night in the same room.

"Hey... Arisa. You might have forgotten, but I'm a guy, you know? It's dangerous."

"Between lightning and you, the lightning is more dangerous. With you, nothing will happen to me."

"Well... that's true, but..."

It seemed her fear of lightning had skewed her judgment and awareness.

Of course, Yugen had no intention of taking advantage of Arisa, so it was safe... but...

There are no absolutes in this world.

If something were to happen, it could be very bad.

"We don't have any pajamas or futons, though..."

"I'll sleep on the floor. I don't need a change of clothes."

"...I see."

There were no futons or beds, but they did have sleeping bags.

For a change of clothes, he could lend her the school's designated gym uniform.

"Then... if your guardian gives permission, it's fine."

"Understood. I'll call my adoptive father."

Arisa said this and went to the corner of the room to make a call.

After a while, she hung up.

"How did it go?"

"Permission was granted."

"I see..."

Yugen couldn't help but sigh.

Considering that Yugen and Arisa were engaged and in a relationship, it shouldn't be a problem to stay overnight.

Of course, on the condition that nothing goes wrong.

"Then... can I take a shower first?"

"A-Ah, yes. Please go ahead."

Yugen got permission from Arisa and quickly took a shower.

He dried off and changed into a gym uniform as a substitute for pajamas.

...Since he usually lived alone, he often walked around naked, but today he couldn't do that.

After changing, Yugen called out to Arisa.

"Arisa"

"Y-Yes... W-Wait a moment..."

Arisa blushed and looked away.

Confused, Yugen tilted his head.

Then Arisa pointed to his chest.

"Y-Yugen. Please... button it up properly."

"Ah, sorry."

While he was fine with swimsuits, this was apparently still not good.

Yugen had left his chest slightly open, revealing some skin, so he buttoned it up properly.

"Then, what is it?"

"Do you want to take a shower? I can lend you a bath towel, and my gym uniform and track suit if you want."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Arisa bowed to Yugen.

"It's no problem," Yugen said, handing her the bath towel and his gym uniform and track suit.

After a moment of thought, Arisa asked Yugen.

"A-Arisa?"

"What is it?"

"...What about underwear?"

"I don't have any new women's underwear on hand, unfortunately."

If he did, that would be a different story.

Of course, they could go to a convenience store in the rain, but Yugen didn't want to do that.

"That's... of course, understandable, but... if possible, I'd like to change. You see..."

"Even if you want to, I don't have any. You can either keep wearing what you have on or go without. It's up to you."

Arisa's face showed a struggle.

She wanted to change her underwear.

At least, she didn't want to wear the same thing all day until the next morning.

But going without was a bit much...

Yugen, for the sake of her mental stability, would prefer if she kept wearing the same thing.

"...I'll think about it."

It seemed there was room for consideration.

However, since he had said it was up to her, there was nothing he could do.

Yugen watched as Arisa went into the changing room.

After a while, the sound of water started.

"..."

It was a bit awkward.

While thinking this, Yugen picked up his smartphone and started playing with it.

...And then, it happened suddenly.

"Huh?"

The room went pitch black in an instant.

Then, a scream came from the bathroom.

"Aaaaaah!! H-Help, help me!! Yugen!!"

"...Please, spare me."

Yugen sighed heavily.

Thunder: "Good work today..."

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