Chapter 18: Five Months
It's a little past one in the morning. Hayate had just finished his homework. But this time, he finished on his own. He smiled, as he crashed down onto his bed considerably early as a Sanzenin butler, as a small reward for finally progressing in school.
'And it's all thanks to her...' he thought.
He turned off his lights and prepared for another sleep that he was ready for. His vision blurred easily as his body gave in to the comfort of a simple futon. As he gradually lost consciousness, Hayate couldn't help but think of how hard it was for him to sleep before, to having no sleep at all. He couldn't help but smile more, as his present self is nothing like how he used to be.
Hayate felt very grateful. So much, that he felt like crying out of happiness before his sleep once more.
But he was suddenly distracted. Subtle footsteps can be heard from the hallway. However, Hayate had no worry. He knew very well who's footsteps those are.
Those footsteps could be heard coming towards his room. Hayate closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. He heard his door slid open, then close shortly after. He could then hear the steps slowly coming towards him, as if it had never wanted to be heard.
He felt his blanket slowly rise up, as a small and yet warm figure laid down next to him, joining him under the covers. Hayate blushed, as the sweet aroma of strawberries reminded him of just how girly this figure is. This caused him to panic a little.
"Uh-uhm, Hina..."
He opened his eyes to her, and was once again reminded to how beautiful she is, just staring at him back with her piercing chartreuse eyes.
"S-sorry, Hayate-kun," Hinagiku said. "I didn't mean to wake you up..."
Hayate looked at the mild blush that she shared. Apart from the covers, he could only see a glimpse of what she wore. It was his old shirt, rugged and loose enough to see her shoulders. The thought of a girl wearing his clothes had never made his ears any warmer.
"Do you like it?" she asked, noticing his glimpse. Hayate nervously nodded. Hinagiku smiled and embraced him closely; arms wrapped around his torso.
He brushed off of how he got nervous, remembering the fact that she is always open to his arms, as he is to her. He embraced her back, tighter than how she wrapped him.
"Hayate-kun..." she mumbled, surprised by his force.
"... I love you," he said.
A moment of silence went by. Eventually, she said it back.
"I love you, too."
And eventually, they would fall asleep into each other's arms, as usual. Because Hayate knows that when he'll wake up, she won't be there laying next to him.
And when Hinagiku wakes up, she knows that she can't wait to see him again.
Almost every night has been like this.
"Happy five months, Hayate-kun."
This night however, became a little more special.