Chapter 3
“—Thank you so much for today.”
The warm and lively welcome party for Luna came to an end, and she bowed with a radiant, beaming smile.
Even after everything, she’d kept slipping in what felt like boasts about me rather than just talking about herself, and she seemed to have enjoyed that a lot. It left me feeling a bit squirmy, but all in all, I was just glad Luna had a good time.
“You’re sure you don’t want to join us for the after-party?”
As we were saying our goodbyes after the party, one of the girls asked reluctantly, her tone tinged with longing. Looking around, the others were nodding in agreement—clearly, they all wanted to keep the celebration going.
But Luna—
“My apologies. I have important plans afterward… Please don’t worry about me and enjoy yourselves,” she said.
It didn’t seem like she had any intention of joining them.
Plans? I was pretty sure she didn’t have anything lined up. Was she just being considerate of the others?
“Oh, okay… Well, no helping it then.”
The girls, understanding they couldn’t push her, gave wistful smiles. They really were great classmates.
“What about you, Class Prez?”
Like Luna, the class president had also said she couldn’t make the after-party. We’d all helped clean up the café’s decorations, but apparently, she worked part-time here and needed to stay to help her aunt.
“You guys go have fun without me,” she said with a bright smile, waving them off.
Being one of the most popular people in class, her absence drew disappointed sighs from the girls.
If we stayed any longer, someone might try convincing Luna again, so—
“Alright, we’re heading out. Thanks again, everyone,” I said, taking Luna with me to make a quick exit.
Luna gave one last polite bow to the group, then lined up beside me with a cheerful smile. As expected, she refrained from clinging to me while everyone was still watching.
“—You sure you’re okay not hanging out with them more?” I asked Luna as we walked far enough to be out of the girls’ sight.
“Yes, I had plenty of fun already. It’s a rare day off, so I’d like them to enjoy themselves without worrying about me,” she replied.
As she spoke, she casually slipped her fingers into mine, intertwining our hands in a lover’s grip. Then, with her free hand, she hugged my right arm and happily rested her head on my shoulder.
Already in full clingy mode.
“You’re always so thoughtful, Luna,” I said, my heart racing from her affection.
Trying to keep my composure, I gently patted her head with my left hand. Luna squinted contentedly, tightening her grip on my arm.
Thanks to that, her ample chest pressed firmly against me, which was very bad for my heart.
The fact that she does this so unconsciously is what makes it so intense… Her natural charm is practically a weapon.
“No plans in particular, right?”
I was pretty sure there weren’t any, but just in case I didn’t know something, I checked.
To my surprise—
“Oh, but there are,” she said.
My concern was right—there was something important I didn’t know about.
But then—
“Oh, really? What’s that?”
“I have very important plans to be thoroughly spoiled by Seito-sama,” she said.
“—!”
Her “plans” were on a completely different level from what I’d been thinking.
Luna started rubbing my hand like she did back at the café, her face glowing with a mischievous smile as she continued.
“Aira has errands and will be late, so since it’s a rare day off, how about we wash away the day in the bath and then slip into bed?”
It was clear Luna had every intention of spending the rest of the day being as lovey-dovey as possible—specifically, in the way she’d mentioned earlier, “lingering in bed.”
Yeah… her clingy switch is definitely flipped.
---
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said, stepping out of the bathroom and addressing Luna, who was sitting primly on the bed in a ladylike pose.
She’d already bathed and was now wearing one of my school uniform shirts. With nothing but her underwear beneath, it was her usual “boyfriend shirt” look for bedtime.
“I’ve been waiting for you♪” she chirped, her face lighting up as she hopped off the bed and scurried over to me.
Her reaction was like a puppy greeting its owner after a long day. Looking up at me with expectant eyes, she waited for me to say something.
“Uh… shall we get into bed, then?”
Inviting her felt a little embarrassing, and I spoke with a hint of nervousness. Luna nodded eagerly, immediately latching onto my arm.
“Don’t you think you don’t need to cling to my arm right now…?” I teased, since the bed was literally right there.
“I want to be close to Seito-sama all the time,” she replied, her honesty disarming me completely.
She’s surprisingly straightforward about her desires, isn’t she? Though she does put on a proper front when it’s not just me or Aira around.
“Haha… thanks for saying that,” I said.
Her clinging didn’t bother me at all. Sure, it’s a bit embarrassing in front of the school crowd, but Luna knows where to draw the line, so it’s fine. I love when she gets affectionate, and her wanting to be close makes me happy—there’s no issue there.
If anything, the only challenge is keeping myself in check when certain… soft parts of her press against me.
…Yeah, that part’s kind of a struggle.
“…”
As we moved to get into bed, Luna let go of my arm. She glanced up at me, fidgeting with her fingers together, her eyes pleading.
I knew exactly what she wanted.
“C’mere,” I said, sitting on the bed and opening my arms.
Her face lit up, and she dove into my embrace.
“Hehe…”
Letting out a happy giggle, she pressed her cheek against mine.
She was acting almost childlike, but it was clear she just couldn’t get enough of being close.
“Not lying down yet?”
“I’d like to stay like this a little longer…” she murmured.
Apparently, she wasn’t ready to lie down just yet—she wanted to keep hugging me like this.
Granting her wish, I stayed seated and stroked her head. Meanwhile, Luna, fully in clingy mode, nuzzled her cheek against mine.
An entire kingdom’s princess, and yet such a cuddlebug.
Knowing she’s like this only with me makes it even more special.
“By the way, you always wear my clothes after a bath, don’t you?”
Well, specifically my uniform shirt, but still.
“It’s the ‘boyfriend shirt’ I’ve always admired, and it feels like I’m wrapped up in Seito-sama, so I love it,” she said.
“—!”
I’d asked casually, but her response hit me like a sneak attack.
The things she says so effortlessly are just unfairly adorable.
“I-I see…”
Her overwhelming sweetness made me flush with embarrassment.
She’s so honest that she just says these things straight out. It’s wonderful, but it’s also kind of dangerous.
Luna’s not just a natural charmer—she’s a boyfriend charmer.
“Hehe, it’s Seito-sama’s warmth…”
Nestled in my arms, Luna hugged me tightly, savoring the moment.
She really does love clinging like this.
It’s not just ridiculously cute—her knack for affection has my heart racing nonstop.
“So, the reason you skipped the after-party… was it because you wanted to cuddle like this?” I asked, gently stroking her head as the thought crossed my mind.
Luna looked up at me with a sheepish smile, a little embarrassed.
“It would be a lie to say that wasn’t part of it,” she admitted.
So, wanting to be spoiled was definitely a factor.
She’s so honest.
“Well, it’s you, Luna, so I just want you to do what makes you happy,” I said.
Back in Arcadia, living as a princess probably came with all sorts of restrictions. So now, as a student in Japan, I want her to feel free to do whatever she wants, whenever she wants.
Of course, I’d step in if it might bother someone else or cause problems, but otherwise, she should enjoy herself.
I have complete confidence that Luna can handle things like that just fine.
“You’re so kind, Seito-sama…”
“It’s nothing special,” I replied.
It’s not about being kind. Anyone would feel that way about someone they care for.
“…”
Luna started sneaking glances at my face again, as if she was ready to lie down.
She’s so honest, but the way she hesitates to say it in moments like this is adorable.
—Though sometimes, she does hit me with something completely direct.
“Wanna lie down?” I offered.
“Yes…♪”
As if she’d been waiting for me to say it, Luna nodded with a bright, beaming smile.
We both flopped onto the bed, and instantly, she pressed her face into my chest.
When we sleep, she loves nestling into me like this.
But today… I wanted to pamper her even more.
After all, her welcome party had left me all stirred up too.
“Luna, could you scoot up a bit?”
Her face was buried in my chest right now, but I needed her higher up for what I had in mind.
“…?”
She looked puzzled but obediently wiggled upward as I asked.
“Sorry, could you lift your head a little?”
Now that her face was closer to mine, I asked her to raise her head slightly.
Still wearing that confused expression, she complied without protest, lifting her head.
In that gap—between the bed and her head—I slipped my arm.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“S-Seito-sama…!?”
Being as sharp as she is, she seemed to catch my intention instantly, staring at me in shock.
But I could hear a hint of joy mixed in with her surprised tone.
Trying to suppress my own embarrassment, I gave her a smile.
“Not a fan of this kind of thing?”
I could tell she was happy, but I played dumb to cover my nerves.
Luna shook her head vigorously.
“N-No…! It’s something I’ve always dreamed of…!”
Her voice bubbled with excitement as she eagerly rested her head on my outstretched arm.
And just like that, the classic lover’s arm pillow was complete.
It’s obvious, but I could feel her warmth, her weight, and the softness of her body directly against my arm.
Now that I’d actually done it, my heart was pounding so loudly it felt deafening.
My throat felt dry, and I was definitely getting nervous.
In contrast, Luna—
“Hehe… I can’t stop smiling…♪”
She gazed at me from point-blank range, her face radiating joy.
She subtly pressed her body closer, occasionally nuzzling her cheek against my arm.
Judging by her delighted demeanor, she really must have been longing for this arm pillow.
Good thing it didn’t flop.
“Comfortable enough?”
It was my first time doing this, so I checked just to be sure.
It’s got to be less comfy than a regular pillow, at least.
“It’s perfect♪”
“—! G-Glad to hear it,” I stammered.
I’d half-expected her to say something like that, but her dazzling smile at such close range left me tripping over my words.
As always, she’s terrible for my heart.
“…”
Luna kept staring at me, her eyes sparkling with expectation.
I didn’t need to ask what she wanted.
“Like this…?”
Drawing on past experience, I ignored my racing heartbeat and reached out to gently stroke her head.
“Hehe… I’m too happy…♪”
It was the right move. Luna’s face melted into a blissful, goofy smile as she pressed her face into the crook of my neck.
It tickled, and it was embarrassing.
I’m starting to think she secretly loves doing this too.
“To be honest… I never imagined you’d be the one to suggest this, Seito-sama,” she said, pulling back slightly from my neck with a shy smile, as if she’d had her fill.
“Haha… yeah, it’s not very ‘me,’ is it?”
Normally, I wouldn’t have been the one to initiate an arm pillow.
That’s how much Luna’s adorableness at the welcome party had gotten to me.
“But it makes me so happy,” she said, nuzzling her cheek against my arm again.
She probably prefers being invited like this over asking for it herself.
I’m not the best at picking up on cues, but I want to keep finding ways to pamper her that make her this happy.
Or rather, I wanted to pamper her.
“Should we do this more often when we go to bed?” I asked, taking another step since she seemed so thrilled.
But—
“It’s a very tempting offer… but for the sake of your body, I’ll have to decline…”
She gave a troubled smile, gently turning me down.
Her expression looked a little disappointed.
“Huh? No, it’s fine, really. It doesn’t bother me at all,” I said.
Sure, her head added some weight to my arm, but it wasn’t a burden.
If anything, it felt like a happy kind of weight.
“Just as sitting in seiza for too long makes your legs go numb, I imagine an arm pillow is similar. If you indulge me like this whenever you feel like it, that’s more than enough for me,” she said, resting her hand on my arm with a kind smile.
She’s so thoughtful, always.
“Oh… I see.”
I hadn’t thought much about it, but she had a point. Seiza feels fine at first, but the numbness creeps in over time. It’s probably the same deal.
“I really do love it when you do this, you know?” she added, peering at me with a hint of worry.
Maybe she was afraid I’d misunderstand and think she didn’t like it, so I’d stop offering.
I’m not that oblivious about her, though.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks,” I reassured her.
I could see how happy the arm pillow made her, and I knew she was only declining to spare my body. Her words just now were genuine concern.
So, I planned to keep offering it whenever the moment felt right.
“I’m glad… And I love this too,” she said, relieved.
She slid her head off my arm, returning to her usual spot, and pressed her face into my chest.
Maybe she was pointing out that she couldn’t do this when I was giving her an arm pillow.
“G-Got it…”
Completely swept away by the direct affection of this clingy princess, I smiled and reached out to stroke her head again.
“…♪”
As I ran my fingers gently over her silky, fluffy hair, Luna closed her eyes, savoring the sensation.
She was probably focusing entirely on being petted.
We fell silent, but the quiet felt comfortable—a happy, peaceful vibe.
“—Spending time with everyone in class is fun, but… I love spending time with you like this the most, Seito-sama,” she confessed in a warm, heartfelt tone as I continued to stroke her head.
As a princess who’s also a total cuddlebug, she clearly treasures these moments of being spoiled.
“Same here,” I said.
Pampering someone this adorable and not feeling happy about it? Impossible.
Spoiling Luna is pure bliss for me too.
“Hehe… I’m so glad we live next door… It means I get to spend almost the whole day with you, Seito-sama…”
It’s less about living next door and more about her spending nearly all her time in my room—except during baths—but pointing that out felt unnecessary.
If she hadn’t moved in next door, we wouldn’t be able to sleep together like this.
“There probably aren’t many high school couples in Japan living like this,” I mused.
To begin with, my situation is pretty unusual. Most high schoolers live with their parents. Those who don’t are usually in dorms because they’re attending a school far from home for clubs or studies.
Living alone as a high schooler is already rare, so that narrows things down. And having a girlfriend who can practically live with you? That’s got to be almost unheard of.
Most parents would probably put a stop to it, even if the boyfriend lives alone.
“It’s the same in Arcadia. All my selfish requests were worth it,” Luna said, happily nuzzling her cheek against my chest.
Living together wasn’t allowed, and even living next door probably took a lot of convincing.
As royalty, she should technically be in some ultra-secure location, so the fact that we’re together like this must mean Luna fought hard for it.
She’s incredible in every way.
“Thanks, Luna.”
“What are you thanking me for?” she asked, looking up at me curiously after my sudden gratitude.
“For everything you’ve done. Because of you, we get to be together like this,” I explained.
All her efforts made this moment possible.
I probably couldn’t have done anything to make this happen myself, so I can’t thank her enough for creating this situation.
Above all, she’s royalty, yet she chose me—a regular guy from another country. That alone is extraordinary.
“…Then there’s no need to thank me. I did it because I wanted to be with you, Seito-sama,” she said, her warm, radiant smile reminding me all over again just how lucky I am to be with such an amazing girl.
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