"Hey, it's almost time. You two should set off now."
Sayuri Sawamura clapped her hands, her voice cheerful as always. From behind the sofa, she pulled out a neatly packed suitcase she had prepared for her daughter.
Having known Eriri Spencer Sawamura her entire life, Sayuri was all too familiar with her daughter's tendency to procrastinate. If left to her own devices, Eriri might have spent hours just deciding what to pack.
"Mom, I could've done it myself…" Eriri muttered, her cheeks turning pink as she took the suitcase.
Sayuri smirked knowingly. "Sure, dear. That's why I saved you the trouble." Then, her gaze shifted to Shiro Sakamaki, standing quietly at the door. With a glint in her eye, she added, "Take care of her, Shiro."
Shiro smiled and gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up. "Don't worry, I've got this." His playful response earned an approving nod—and a suggestive wink—from Sayuri.
"Let's just go already," Eriri huffed, grabbing Shiro by the wrist and dragging him out of the villa. Her twin tails bounced as she stomped down the steps, determined to hide her embarrassment. Behind them, Sayuri waved goodbye, still smiling.
---
The driver was already waiting at the front of the villa. As the two approached, he gave a polite bow and took the luggage from Eriri's hands. Opening the car door, he gestured for them to enter.
Eriri flicked her golden twin tails over her shoulder, her usual haughty demeanor on full display as she climbed into the car. Shiro followed, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
He couldn't help but think that Eriri's confidence wouldn't last long. She was proud now, but he knew her all too well—her nemesis wasn't him, but the winding mountain roads ahead.
---
Not five minutes into the drive, it began. Eriri, who had been sitting with her arms crossed and chin raised, started to look pale. The faster the car went, the worse she seemed to feel. By the time they hit the third sharp curve, her golden twin tails looked like they'd lost their shine, drooping as though they shared her misery.
"Ugh…" she muttered weakly, resting her head against the window. Her usual sharp glare had softened, replaced by an almost pitiful look of discomfort.
Shiro, originally content to watch her squirm, began to feel a pang of sympathy. "You okay there, princess?" he teased lightly, though his tone was softer than usual.
Eriri shot him a halfhearted glare but didn't have the energy to retort. Seeing her like this, Shiro sighed and gently pulled her toward him. "Here, lie down," he said, patting his lap.
Too tired to argue, Eriri leaned against him. She rested her head on his knees, her cheeks tinted pink, either from embarrassment or the nausea—it was hard to tell.
Shiro brushed her bangs aside, his fingers lightly stroking her forehead. "Relax. We'll be at Tōtsuki Resort soon. You can take a nap until then."
Her lips moved as if to protest, but no sound came out. Shiro chuckled softly. For someone who was usually so fiery, she looked surprisingly vulnerable like this. He leaned back in his seat, watching her as she dozed off, her breathing evening out.
Looking at her peaceful face, Shiro thought to himself: This feels kind of backward. Isn't the guy supposed to get the lap pillow? Still, he had to admit, there was something oddly satisfying about petting this little golden retriever like a spoiled cat.
---
An hour later, the car pulled up to the grand entrance of Tōtsuki Resort, part of the prestigious Tōtsuki Culinary Academy. The resort was as luxurious as Shiro had imagined, with elegant architecture and staff moving with polished precision.
The moment the car stopped, a sharply dressed waiter approached. After confirming Shiro's identity as a guest, the staff retrieved their luggage and prepared to escort them to their room.
Shiro glanced at Eriri, still fast asleep on his lap. She hadn't stirred, likely exhausted from staying up late to finish her manuscript the night before. Shiro considered waking her but decided against it.
Carefully, he slid out of the car, lifting Eriri into his arms in a gentle princess carry. Her head rested against his chest, her breathing steady and soft. Even in her sleep, her twin tails framed her face perfectly, golden strands catching the light.
The waiter gave Shiro an approving nod as he led the way. After confirming their room number, Shiro carried Eriri to the top floor, where their suite awaited.
---
Once inside, Shiro laid Eriri down on the plush bed, tucking her in under the warm quilt. The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the sunset. Drawing the curtains closed, Shiro darkened the room to let her rest peacefully.
After ensuring everything was in place, Shiro sat down beside her. The day's events had left him feeling a little drowsy as well. Before long, he found himself lying next to her, his eyes drifting shut.
---
By the time Eriri woke, the sun had dipped low on the horizon. The warm orange light filtered through the edges of the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, only to realize Shiro was lying next to her.
Her heart skipped a beat. Why is he here? she thought, her face heating up. Panicking, she quickly squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to still be asleep.
Shiro, however, had already noticed. He smirked to himself, staying still to see what she would do next.
To his surprise, Eriri didn't lash out. Instead, after a few moments, she carefully sat up. Her gaze softened as she picked up the quilt and gently pulled it over Shiro's shoulders.
Just as she was about to step away, Shiro's hand shot out, catching her wrist.
"Caught you," he teased, his smirk widening.
"Wha—!" Eriri gasped, but before she could protest, Shiro pulled her back onto the bed, flipping her over so they were face-to-face. Her face turned bright red as she felt his breath on her skin.
Her usual fiery personality seemed to vanish in the moment. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her lips slightly parted but unable to speak. The sunset's golden glow illuminated her features, making her look softer, almost doll-like.
Shiro, captivated, found himself lost in her gaze. For once, he didn't feel like teasing her. Instead, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and said softly, "You're full of surprises, you know that?"
Eriri's cheeks burned, but she didn't pull away. For a moment, neither of them said anything, the warmth of the sunset wrapping around them like a cocoon.
---
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