Chapter 1 | “An Afternoon of Bliss”

“Suu… suu…”

The morning after Charl and I became one, I opened my eyes to find her adorable sleeping face mere inches from mine. Nestled against my arm as her pillow, she wore a faint, contented smile that made her look utterly at peace.

“It’s not a dream, huh…” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.

We lay in bed, bare as the day we were born, the undeniable reality of last night’s intimacy anchoring my thoughts. “It feels like everything before now was a lie,” I said softly, “and I’m so happy…”

Gently, I rested my hand on Charl’s cheek, my gaze lingering on her serene expression. The contrast between my life before and after meeting her was stark—like night and day. Back then, existence felt hollow, sometimes even painful, with no clear purpose to guide me. But now, with her by my side, warmth filled my heart, growing stronger each day. Meeting Charl had transformed my world in ways I could never have imagined. Though only four months had passed since we met, the depth of our bond was nothing short of extraordinary.

“She’s sleeping so soundly,” I noted, a smile tugging at my lips. Normally, Charl would stir the moment I woke, as if sensing my consciousness before the alarm. But today, there was no sign of her rousing. Considering we’d stayed up until the birds began their dawn chorus, it wasn’t surprising.

A sudden awareness hit me—my body felt heavy, aching in places I hadn’t noticed before. Getting up seemed like a daunting task. I’d matched her pace through the night, but… Charl’s passion had been relentless. Even after exhausting me with her insatiable desire, the moment I slipped the engagement ring onto her finger, it was as if a new fire had ignited within her. I’d thought her stamina was limited, but last night proved otherwise. Still, her cuteness, the joy we shared, and the pleasure of it all made every ache worthwhile. If this soreness was the price, I’d pay it gladly.

Lost in these thoughts, I gently stroked Charl’s cheek. Then—

“Nnh…?” Her eyes fluttered open, slow and drowsy.

“A-kun…?” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep as she caught sight of me.

“Sorry, I woke you…” I said, guilt creeping in. I’d been caught up in memories of last night, but knowing how tired she must be, I’d wanted her to rest longer.

“…………” Still half-asleep, Charl blinked slowly, her gaze fixed on my face in silence. I wondered if staying quiet might lull her back to sleep. Holding her gaze, I remained still—

“Ehehe…” Like a child, her expression softened, and she nuzzled her face into my chest with a contented giggle.

“Sha, Charl…?” I stammered, caught off guard by her sudden closeness. Her affection warmed my heart, but with both of us naked, the way our bodies pressed together was… dangerous. The softness of her skin, the warmth of the girl I loved—it was impossible not to react. Realizing the risk, I shifted away slightly, still within the bed’s confines.

“…………” Charl’s drowsy eyes turned lonely, as if my movement had saddened her. Slowly, she slid closer, closing the gap I’d created.

“W-Wait—!” I blurted, reaching out to stop her before she got too close, rendering my retreat pointless.

“—Nnh…!” A soft, seductive moan escaped her lips. My hand, aiming for her shoulder, had accidentally grazed her chest. For someone as sensitive as Charl, even that fleeting touch was enough to stir her. The haze in her eyes cleared, replaced by a spark of awareness.

“Ah, um…” I faltered, her wide-eyed stare from such close proximity making me awkward. My gaze darted away. Even half-asleep, she’d likely registered what happened, but addressing it directly felt unwise. So, I stayed silent—

“~~~~~~~!” With a wordless, anguished sound, Charl’s face flushed crimson, as if the full weight of the moment—and last night—had come rushing back.

“For now… good morning,” I ventured, hoping to ease the tension with a casual greeting.

“Uu… good morning…” she replied, her voice trembling with embarrassment, stumbling over the words as if she’d bitten her tongue. Her head seemed to steam with how flustered she was.

“You okay?” I asked gently.

“I-I’m fine… It’s just, I remembered what happened just now and last night…” Her words tripped over themselves, betraying her nerves. She was clearly far from fine.

“You were half-asleep, so it couldn’t be helped,” I reassured her. “Besides, I love the clingy Charl—she’s so cute.”

“Au… thank you…” she mumbled, but her blush deepened, her shyness only growing. Her adorable reaction prompted me to stroke her head gently.

“Ah…” Charl, who loved being petted, melted instantly, her eyes narrowing in comfort. I loved petting her, and she loved receiving it—a perfect match.

“—Calmed down?” I asked after a few minutes, noticing the redness fading from her cheeks.

“Yes…” she replied softly, sliding closer to snuggle against me. Our skin pressed tightly together, her warmth enveloping me. Unlike her half-asleep nuzzling, this was deliberate, and I couldn’t bring myself to push her away. I fought to stay calm, though my heart raced. Happiness mingled with the challenge of restraint—what was this feeling?

“Being this close… my heart feels so warm, and I’m so happy…” Charl murmured, pressing her cheek and hands against my chest, her eyes closing in bliss. Her words mirrored my own feelings, yet my racing heart—pounding loudly enough for her to hear—betrayed my struggle. My adorable girlfriend, naked and defenseless, was a test of willpower.

“By the way…” Charl suddenly looked up, her face close to mine, as if recalling something. “A-kun, you’re such a sadist…”

“A sadi—!?” I choked, stunned by her accusation.

“I mean… you teased me and enjoyed making me moan so much…” Her voice carried a heated edge as she buried her face in my chest, her cheeks and ears glowing red with renewed embarrassment.

“No, I didn’t mean to tease you…” I protested. As a first-timer, I lacked the skill or intent to tease her deliberately. I’d been utterly overwhelmed.

“But you don’t deny enjoying making me moan, do you…?” she pressed, still hiding her face, picking up on my hesitation.

“That’s…” I trailed off, unable to deny it. Charl’s moans, laced with pleasure, had been irresistibly cute, spurring me on. Still, I hadn’t pushed her beyond her limits or targeted sensitive spots like her ears to prolong her reactions. I’d maintained some restraint, hadn’t I?

“Sorry, you were so cute I couldn’t help myself…” I admitted, apologizing sincerely since her point held some truth.

“…I’m not upset… so please, pamper me again…” Rubbing her face against my chest, Charl’s words hinted at her desire to relive last night, her embarrassment cloaked in affection. Her cuteness, coupled with our bare closeness, was overwhelming—

“Ah… it’s getting bigger…” she remarked, noticing my body’s natural reaction.

“…………” Her pure, innocent eyes met mine, yet a hidden heat glimmered within them.

“After all that, and only a few hours later… A-kun, you’re so strong…” she said, her breath warm, her meaning clear. But to me, Charl’s libido far outstripped mine. We’d gone so many rounds because she kept asking for more—though I’d matched her, so I wasn’t blameless.

“Sorry, should we put on some clothes?” I suggested, easing away slightly.

“Ah…” A soft, lonely sound escaped her as I moved. Undeterred, she closed the distance again, just as she had when half-asleep. Her behavior, awake or not, remained consistent.

“Isn’t it tough like this…?” I asked, concerned.

“It’ll calm down if we leave it alone,” I added, trying to be practical.

“…………” Charl’s eyes lowered, disappointment flickering across her face. She’d clearly hoped for more, but with her birthday party looming, giving in would derail our plans. I’d learned her passion wasn’t easily sated with just one round.

Just then, a notification chimed from my phone. “No way…” I muttered, a sinking feeling in my chest. Grabbing the device from beside the pillow, I read the message:

[Everyone, I’ll come pick you up, so Akihito-kun and the others, please return home when the birthday party starts. When entering the house, please let Charlotte-san go first. I’ll explain to everyone that Akihito-kun took Charlotte-san out to prepare for the birthday party.]

It was from Kanon-san. Another message, sent two hours earlier, read [Good morning]. My failure to mark it as read had likely tipped her off that we’d overslept. Sleeping until noon probably confirmed her suspicions about our activities.

“Who’s it from?” Charl asked, still nestled in bed.

“Kanon-san,” I replied, sending a quick [Got it]. “She says to come back home when the birthday party starts.”

“Then… we can still take our time?” Charl’s eyes sparkled with hope as she snuggled closer, her gaze expectant.

“That said, it’s almost noon, so maybe we should go buy something,” I suggested. We’d planned to return to Kanon-san’s house in the morning, so we hadn’t bought lunch supplies. With the party at 3 PM, a light meal would tide us over.

“Let’s go to the supermarket to buy some side dishes later. It’s still a bit early, I think,” Charl said, her tone surprisingly calm. Unlike last night’s fervor, she seemed content to simply be affectionate, perhaps craving closeness more than anything else.

“Then, shall we take it easy?” I offered, gently pulling her into a hug.

“…♪” Charl happily pressed her face into my chest, her joy evident. It seemed her desire for intimacy had shifted to quiet affection when I’d declined anything more intense.

“We’re not wearing anything, aren’t you embarrassed?” I teased lightly.

“The blanket is covering us, so it’s fine,” she replied. With the blanket draped over us, only her upper body was visible, her private areas concealed by our closeness. To her, this was acceptable. For me, the direct contact with her skin was a constant test of restraint.

“That’s amazing. Even just cuddling like this makes me shy,” I admitted.

“Of course, I feel shy and embarrassed too. But more than that—being able to cuddle like this makes me so happy.” Her words clarified her earlier “fine”—it was within her tolerance. Happiness trumped her embarrassment, driving her to stay close. Feeling her warmth, I understood her choice, and we lingered in that blissful embrace.

◆ ◆ ◆

“—Shall we go shopping?” Charl asked, now dressed for the outing. She intertwined her fingers with mine in a lover’s hold, her bright smile lighting up her face. On her left hand gleamed the engagement ring I’d given her, a sight that warmed my heart. She clearly cherished it.

“We don’t have to buy side dishes. Eating out is fine too,” I suggested, noticing her slightly awkward gait. My own body ached, and she was likely sore or tired as well.

“I want to cook for A-kun,” she insisted, squeezing our joined hands affectionately. Her devotion shone through—she genuinely wanted to care for me.

“Thank you,” I said, grateful for her kindness. Together, we left the room.

“—Will they tease me about the ring?” Charl asked as we stepped out of the apartment, her shy smile tinged with excitement. Her sparkling eyes suggested she secretly hoped to be teased—or perhaps to show off the ring. Knowing her, she was likely restraining herself from bragging, deeming it improper.

“They’ll probably tease you,” I replied. “But I think they’ll congratulate you too.” With the kind people we’d invited, genuine well-wishes were certain.

“Fufu… you’re right,” Charl giggled, covering her mouth with her right hand, her gentle smile confirming her anticipation. She wasn’t upset—she welcomed the playful attention. Chatting like this, we headed to the supermarket.

After shopping and returning home, Charl stowed the ingredients in the fridge and promptly wrapped her arms around me from the front. “Just a little recharge…” she murmured.

“You’re extra clingy today, huh?” I teased, reaching out to stroke her head.

“…You pampered me so much… I can’t stay away…” she replied softly. Though she’d always been affectionate, her clinginess seemed heightened since our relationship deepened. In short, she craved even more closeness now.

“We have plenty of time, so you can be as clingy as you want,” I assured her.

“Yes, thank you…♪” Charl thanked me, rubbing her face against my chest, a gesture reminiscent of Emma-chan. The sisters shared this trait, and Charl’s openness with her feelings was a positive sign.

“It’s more comfortable to sit, right? Come here,” I said, settling onto the sofa and opening my arms. Her face lit up, and she promptly sat on my lap. Lately, Charl’s behavior occasionally reminded me of Emma-chan—their patterns of affection were strikingly similar. But since it was undeniably cute, I found it endearing.

“When we get home, Emma will take you away…” Charl said, clinging to me. “And since it’s the birthday party today, I want to be extra clingy now…”

At home, Charl could only be openly affectionate when Emma-chan was asleep. Otherwise, I was often occupied with Emma-chan, making it challenging for Charl. Though Sophia-san sometimes watched Emma-chan, work or Emma-chan’s preference for staying with me often interfered. I tended to prioritize Emma-chan when she was awake.

“Even if Emma-chan is awake, you can be affectionate without holding back,” I reassured her. While Emma-chan came first, that didn’t mean I neglected Charl. If she wanted closeness, I’d welcome it, finding ways to balance pampering both her and Emma-chan.

“If I’m affectionate with A-kun, Emma will probably get mad…” Charl recalled a time when Emma-chan had grown competitive after I’d pulled Charl close, calling it “unfair.” Charl’s concern was valid, but I’d seen Emma-chan soften when properly pampered.

“Emma-chan is a kind-hearted girl, so it’ll be okay,” I said. Though Emma-chan might bicker with Charl, her real sister, out of familiarity, she loved her and could restrain herself for Charl’s sake. She’d likely understand.

“Emma is slowly growing up, isn’t she… It feels a bit lonely,” Charl mused, gently closing her eyes. Having cared for Emma-chan since infancy, Charl likely felt like a mother watching her daughter mature.

“Well, she’s still a kid, so we need to keep looking after her,” I said. Emma-chan’s intelligence made her seem to grow quickly, but at just five years old, she still needed guidance. She’d make mistakes, learn, and eventually grow independent from me, her brother figure.

“Fufu… that sounds like something a dad would say,” Charl teased, her mood brightening as she covered her mouth and smiled happily.

But her words gave me pause. “Am I… really thinking like an old man?”

“N-No, that’s not it…! Why do you take it that way!?” Charl flailed on my lap, panicking at my interpretation.

“But you said dad…” I pointed out.

“I meant like Emma’s dad in a positional sense…! Not about mental age…!” she clarified hurriedly, flustered. I started to feel a bit guilty for teasing her.

“Yeah, you’re right… sorry,” I said, offering a wry smile.

Charl cupped my cheeks with both hands, her gaze locking onto mine from close range. “I think it’s true that A-kun has mature thoughts and a calm demeanor unlike a typical student,” she said, as if explaining to a child. “But as I’ve said before, that’s a good thing, and there’s no need to see it negatively.”

I could sense a hint of annoyance beneath her words—she was used to me, after all. “Got it, I’ll try not to worry about it,” I replied.

“Yes♪” Charl beamed, her smile radiant. She slid off my lap and flashed another grin. “Then, I’ll make lunch.”

Switching to serious mode, the clingy Charl seemed to settle. As I waited for her delicious cooking, I couldn’t help but think I might end up henpecked by her in the future.

By the way, after lunch, Charl hinted at wanting intimacy, saying, “Once we go home, we won’t have alone time…” But knowing her insatiable passion wouldn’t be satisfied with one round, and with the birthday party approaching, I gently declined.