The faint glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the cozy room, casting soft shadows against the walls. Shido sat at the edge of his bed, a hesitant smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Tohka. The girl stood nearby, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, looking uncharacteristically shy. The vibrant energy she usually carried seemed to have softened, replaced by a quiet vulnerability.

Tonight was special. It was Tohka's birthday, and after a day filled with laughter, surprises, and enough food to satisfy her insatiable appetite, not to mention her identical visitor from the alternate timeline, the two of them were finally alone.

But now, as they prepared for bed, the atmosphere had shifted.

"Shido," Tohka murmured, her indigo eyes meeting him briefly before darting away. "T-Today was amazing. I don't know how to thank you for everything."

"Don't give me too much credit, Tohka," Shido replied, his voice warm. "Everyone else has contributed to your birthday party as well."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she took a small step closer, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her nightgown. "Even so, I... I want to be closer to you tonight. Can we... um..."

Shido's heart skipped a beat. He had an idea of what she was trying to say, but hearing it from her lips was something else entirely. "Tohka, are you sure? I mean, I'd love to, but I don't want the other you to pressure you—"

"It's not that!"

She interrupted, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself. She looked down, her blush deepening. "I want to... to sleep next to you, if that's okay."

Shido swallowed hard, his own nerves bubbling to the surface. Sleeping next to Tohka—this wasn't the first time they'd been in the same bed, after all, he used to be put in Tohka's bed in the middle of the night thanks to his mischievous non-biological little sister. Still, the earnestness in her voice made it impossible to refuse.

"Alright," he said softly, patting the space beside him on the bed. "Come on, Tohka."

Her expression brightened, though the shyness lingered as she approached and climbed onto the mattress. The bed dipped slightly under her weight, and she settled beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound in the room the quiet hum of the night.

"This feels... strange," Tohka admitted after a pause, glancing sideways at Shido. "But it's nice. I like being close to you like this."

Shido smiled. "I'm glad. I feel the same way."

They sat like that for a while, their shoulders brushing occasionally. The warmth of Tohka's presence was comforting, yet it also sent a flurry of butterflies through Shido's chest. Although he wasn't a virgin anymore, he would still develop this funny feeling whenever he was intimate with this girl.

As for Tohka, her heart was racing as wildly as an overloaded computer.

Finally, Tohka broke the silence. "Shido, can I hold your hand?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, and Shido felt his cheeks heat up at the request. But he nodded, reaching out to take her hand in his. Her fingers were soft and delicate, yet there was a subtle strength to her grip. Their hands fit together perfectly, as if they were made for each other.

Tohka let out a small, contented sigh. "Your hand is warm."

"So is yours," Shido replied, his voice gentle.

The quiet between them grew heavier, filled with an unspoken tension that neither of them could ignore. Shido's gaze wandered to Tohka's face—her wide, beautiful eyes, her soft lips, the faint blush painting her cheeks. She was looking at him too, her expression a mix of curiosity and nervousness.

"Shido," she said softly, her fingers tightening around him. "There's something else I want to try."

"What is it?" he asked, his heart thudding loudly in his chest.

She hesitated, biting her lower lip. "I... I want to kiss you."

Shido almost let out a chuckle. He had imagined her asking him to lower his pants, but this innocent girl was not that advanced. It seemed that he better take things slowly with her.

"Wh..Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, I just can't help it when you are too cute."

Despite the girl's pouting, Shido remained collected and gave her a smile.

"Calling me cute won't cut it!" she said quickly, her blush deepening. "It's just... I'm a little scared I'll mess it up….Hm!"

Her eyes suddenly widened as her mouth was blocked by Shido's, their lips intertwining with each other, their breaths mingling as they tasted each other's saliva.

The kiss was soft and gentle, sending a spark of electricity through both of them. It lasted only a few seconds, but when they pulled apart, their faces were bright red, their eyes locking in an unspoken understanding.

"That was… different..." Tohka began, her voice trembling. "I mean, in a good way, so…wonderful."

Shido smiled, his own cheeks burning. "Yeah. It really was."

They sat in silence for a while, their hands still clasped and their hearts pounding in unison. The weight of the moment hung between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable—it was warm, intimate, and filled with the promise of something deeper.

"Shido," Tohka said softly, breaking the silence. "Thank you. For everything. Today was the best birthday I've ever had."

"I'm glad," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "You deserve it, Tohka. You deserve to be happy."

She smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I am. Because of you."

With that, she rested her head on his shoulder, her hand still firmly in his. Shido leaned his cheek against her hair, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent. They laid side by side on the bed, hands still entwined, their earlier kiss a vivid memory that neither could shake.

"Shido," Tohka whispered, her voice barely audible against the quiet. "Can we... stay like this a little longer?"

Shido smiled, his heart swelling at the innocence of her request. "Of course, Tohka. We can stay like this as long as you want."

Tohka tilted her head to look up at him, her violet eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions. "I... I've never felt like this before. It's warm, and safe, and... special. Being this close to you feels amazing."

Shido felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks. "I feel the same way, Tohka. You're... really special to me."

Her blush deepened, but instead of pulling away, she moved closer, her body pressing softly against his. The warmth of her touch sent a jolt through Shido, his heartbeat quickening as he became acutely aware of her every movement. She wrapped her arms around him hesitantly, her fingers resting lightly on his back.

Then, she tightened her embrace, her body molding against his.

Shido's hands hovered for a moment before he gently placed them on her back, returning the hug. The closeness was overwhelming, yet neither of them wanted to let go.

He smiled, his hands moving slightly to rest against her sides. But as he adjusted his grip, his hand accidentally brushed against her lower back—lower than he intended.

His palm grazed the curve of her butt, and she flinched slightly.

"T-Tohka! I didn't mean to—I wasn't trying to—" He quickly pulled his hand away, worried that she might detest his action.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them charged with tension. But then, to Shido's surprise, Tohka giggled softly, her cheeks tinged pink.

"It's okay, Shido," she said, her voice gentle. "You don't have to apologize."

"I—wait, really?" Shido asked, his eyes wide. He examined her pupils and stared curiously. "You're not mad?"

"No. It didn't feel bad or anything." She shook her head, her expression earnest. "Actually, it felt... nice."

She took his hand in hers, guiding it back to where it had been moments ago. Her eyes locked with his, a soft determination shining in their depths. "It's okay. Really. You can touch me if you want."

Shido's breath hitched, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure she could hear it. "T-Tohka... are you sure?"

She nodded, her cheeks glowing. "I trust you, Shido. And I... I want to feel closer to you."

Her honesty took his breath away. Shido hesitated for a moment before letting his hand rest gently on her hip. The fabric of her nightgown was soft under his fingers, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of her body beneath it. He moved slowly, his palm tracing small, tentative circles as he explored the curve of her waist.

"Y-You're so soft," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Tohka's blush deepened, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she pressed closer, her own hands roaming over his back in return. "And you're warm," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I like it."

As their hands explored each other's bodies, their movements grew bolder, though the shyness never quite left them. Tohka's fingers trailed up his back to his shoulders, pulling him into a tight embrace. Shido's hand slipped lower, resting gently on her thigh before returning to her hip.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world seemed to fade away. Slowly, tentatively, they leaned toward each other, their lips meeting in another soft, lingering kiss. This one was different from the first—deeper, more intimate, filled with a growing passion that neither of them fully understood.

Tohka's arms tightened around him, and Shido found himself pulling her even closer, their bodies pressed together in a way that left no space between them. His hand slid back to her lower back, his fingers brushing the curve of her ass again. This time, she didn't flinch. Instead, she let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh, her lips parting slightly against his.

Shido's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The softness of her body, the warmth of her touch, the sweetness of her kiss—it was almost too much to handle. He had to fight to keep himself from losing control, from letting his hands wander too far in a short amount of time.

…

(Meanwhile….)

"Shido surely holds his gun like no one else."

"Boy is so romantic ~ taking things slow for the innocent princess~"

"Ara ara, that's Shido-san for you…"

"..."

"Baka Oni-chan, just bang her already."

"Nushi-sama is so gentle, Muku loves this part of him the most."

"...let go…."

"Kuku, the knight still refuses to take the princess with his sword, disappointment!"

"Expose. Kaguya wants lovey-dovey talk in bed."

"Darling was like that in our first time too ~ Be still, my cute little Natsumi-chan, I mean, my beating heart~"

A dozen girls gathered together in the hostess bedroom, a giant Queen's bed placed in the center. Some of them were sitting on the bed, the others laid against the soft mattress. In front of them was a huge projector, the scenery of a young couple making out in bed was in full display.

"Is it really alright for us to watch them?"

Beast Tohka asked hesitantly.

"Don't worry about it, they won't mind even if we are caught red-handed."

"Easy for you to say, Origami."

Even though these two girls are from two different timelines, they still quarreled like an old married couple.

"Okay, they seem to be moving toward the next step, we should stop watching now." Marina held up her hand, the projection froze in its scene. "Any objections?"

"I object!" X 10

"Pass."

The AI Spirit sighed, but with a wave of her hand, the projection disappeared anyway.

"Hey, no fair~ We won't tell nothing, just let us watch~"

Miku made an exaggerated wail.

"Nope, not happening."

Marina rejected her plea nonetheless.

"Then, what are we supposed to do now?"

Beast Tohka asked.

Everyone fell silent for a moment, wondering what was next on their list, until Origami raised her hand.

"Hope. Yes, Master Origami?" Yuzuur asked.

"Cards Against Humanity." The doll-like girl took out a huge box, opening the lid and revealing the deck of cards that seemed delicate and exquisite to the many eyes. "We will definitely not be bored with playing these."

(Cards Against Humanity: A popular party game that is simple to play but is designed for adult audiences due to its mature content.)

Kotori took those cards and examined them closely, then gave them to Marina, who also examined them extensively. They both looked surprised.

"Relax. I won't pull a trick this time." Origami shuffled the cards, placing them on the table. "It feels good to be like this every once in a while."

Everyone relaxed their nerves, taking the cards into their hands one by one. They were relieved that Origami, for once in her life, did not pull a trick that could lead to chaos on them. But when they looked at the content of their cards, their expressions changed.

"Yes, I'm the Card Czar!"

Nia jumped happily after being lucky enough to be the first to ask everyone the million-dollar question. She put out her hand to the deck of cards and was ready to draw.

(Card Czar: The person holds either a statement with one or more blanks or a question that needs to be completed or answered.)

Everyone else held their breath and stared at her hand intently, until the Card Czar revealed the question:

"[My boyfriend wants to have sex with me tonight, but what do I give him instead?]"

…

A/N:

Tohka's way too innocent in this kind of stuff, so this chapter will explore just that. But in the next part, things will get quite steamy.

Need to edit a few things, but the next chapter will be here in two days :)