Cuddles and Blushes

Author's note: Hello! I originally wanted this to be a short fluff, but I guess I am incapable at short stories 😋. Even my horrible oneshots are at least 1000 words! Well, here's another story from me. Hope you enjoy! And Happy Diwali to my fellow countrymen!

Kashino looked at the sleeping and drooling Ichigo and then at Vanilla.

"Man, it's no use. She's fast asleep."

"Let's try moving her, then."

So, with great difficulty, Kashino and Vanilla moved Ichigo so that she really was occupying half of the bed. Kashino stood red-faced, and Chocolat and Vanilla sighed.

"Good night, Kashino." The two Sweets Spirits said and went to their tiny beds. Kashino nodded.

He took the cardboard thing that would be separating him and Ichigo and kept it between them.

"Phew, finally done!" He sighed, and hunted for blankets.

He stood in shock for a while.

There was only one blanket.

And it was a chilly night.

He slowly brought the blanket and lifted the divider. He put half of it on Ichigo's slender frame, and lay on the other side, covering himself. He put the divider back, and he was about to close his eyes when he heard something coming out of Ichigo's mouth.

"Kashino.."

He immediately blushed.

He sat up. "What is it, Amano?"

"He acts like a devil."

Kashino's veins bulged. "Why you-" He realised that she was sleep talking.

"But he is the one who pushes me, improves me and motivates me. I know that Hanabusa kun and Andou kun care about me, but with Kashino it's hard to tell."

Kashino stared at her. "Amano.."

"I care a lot about him, though."

Kashino flushed deeply. I think I should wake her up.. She wouldn't want me hearing this.. He thought.

"Why does he get mad whenever I mention Henri sensei?"

Kashino scratched his head. He didn't know either. Yet.

"How is he so amazing? And.. Why do I care for him this much if he's mean to me?"

The divider was on the floor now. Kashino breathed unsteadily, taking in Ichigo's words.

No, it can't be! She's asleep!

Her thoughts are surprisingly rational though..

Even if she's asleep, she's thinking about you!

His face became red hot. He looked back at Ichigo, only to see her shiver. One blanket wasn't enough.

He sighed. If Choco teases me about this, I'm dead.

But he did it anyway.

He moved closer to Ichigo and wrapped his arm around her. Now he could feel her shivering.

She stopped.

He fell asleep.

Ichigo yawned and opened her eyes. She looked around blearily. I don't wanna get up.. This is so warm and soft and-

Her thoughts abruptly stopped when she saw where she was.

Kashino's arm was wrapped around her, and her face was buried in the crook of his neck. His face was a mere few inches away from hers.

"K-Kashino.." She was completely red.

And suddenly there was an unexplainable warmth that spread in her chest. A bright smile shone on her face as she looked at Kashino, smiling in his sleep with his lips slightly parted.

She moved closer and wrapped her arm around him. The sun rose as Ichigo hugged him.

"Amano. Don't you think we should get out of bed?"

She looked at Kashino, startled and blushing again. He hadn't opened his eyes yet.

"But this is so comfy!" She protested.

He opened his eyes and gasped, taking in their position.

"A-Amano…"

"Your face is completely red!"

His face became even redder. "Yours too." He muttered. "Well, we should get up. We have training today."

Ichigo yawned. "Fine." And she tried to get up.

"Kashino! You're lying on top of my hand!"

"You're on top of mine!"

After a few minutes of struggle they finally managed to sit up. The two red-faced middle schoolers disappeared into bathrooms.

"That Kashino devil.." Ichigo muttered, her face burning red.

"That Ichigo pig.."Kashino mumbled, his ears turning red when he heard her first name come out of his mouth.

"Good night, everyone! I'm gonna sleep now." Ichigo told Hanabusa, Andou and Kashino.

Kashino kept stirring his chocolate bowl, the tips of his ears turning pink. The other two wished her and went back to work.

"Umm, Ma kun?" Andou asked. "Isn't the chocolate getting hot?"

Kashino looked at the white chocolate. Which was now at 98°C.

"Shoot!"

This happened a few more times until Kashino gave up.

"Ma kun, it's not like you to feel sleepy so soon! What's wrong?"

He looked at the ground, his ears pink. "Nothing."

Hanabusa added, "But your ears are pink!"

His face turned pink. He shouted "Good night!" and ran to his room.

Meanwhile, Ichigo looked at the cookbook she was holding. She wanted to read it once more before sleeping. She turned to page 37, with a chocolate crêpe recipe.

There was a note on it. She peered at it curiously. It said:

I really care about you a lot, though it may not seem that way. And I don't know why Okay, I do know why I get angry when you mention Henri sensei. He.. He had the special place in your heart I wish I could have.

And you talk in your sleep. Which is how I know that you care for me a lot. Why, though? Why a person who's so mean to you? I don't know either. Goodnight.

MK

She immediately realised who the note was from. And when she realised that he was JEALOUS of Henri Sensei, she almost fainted.

"Too… much in one day.." She fell asleep clutching the note.

Vanilla and Chocolat were giggling with Caramel and Café, telling them what had happened. By morning, even Hanabusa and Andou knew.

Hanabusa made a flower bouquet.

"Congratualtions, you two! Hope you get married!" He grinned.

Andou said, "Can I be in charge of the food? Hanabusa, you can do the décor."

You can only imagine Ichigo's and Kashino's reaction.