How much time had passed?
…Well, it didn’t really matter.
Anya frowned as she watched the faint light slowly seep through the gap in the curtains, illuminating a small corner of the dark room.
She lifted her hand into the beam of light and closed her eyes, quietly sensing the weak energy flowing into her body.
So this is the light of this world…
On this planet called Earth, the source of light—the star called the sun—only provided this much power. Still… better than nothing.
After a moment, she realized that holding her hand up took more effort than the energy she gained. With a small sigh, she lowered it again.
Today was Sunday. Angels would be gathering for morning prayers, receiving the baptism of holy light…
But that had nothing to do with her anymore.
A loud ringing suddenly came from Lirina’s room.
An alarm clock… way too loud.
Anya frowned slightly, but the noise quickly stopped—Lirina must have turned it off.
She must be the type who sleeps deeply…
Otherwise, why would she need something so loud to wake her up?
Her thoughts drifted lazily.
After a while, she heard the door open, followed by a soft yawn… then footsteps.
Lirina walked to the window and pulled open the curtains.
SHHK—
The room was instantly flooded with light.
“Ahh… today’s a beautiful day too,” she said with a stretch.
This girl… a useless succubus, yet she loves life so much…
Anya squinted for a moment before slowly adjusting to the brightness.
Lirina hummed an off-key tune as she headed toward the bathroom.
…She didn’t notice that Anya was awake.
Well, that made sense. The back of the sofa blocked her view, and she had been moving around behind it the whole time.
So Anya couldn’t see her either.
Anya touched her nose and frowned.
…What’s this feeling?
Why am I… a little unhappy?
Because Lirina didn’t come greet her?
That shouldn’t matter at all.
So why did it bother her?
Her brows furrowed deeper.
It feels like I’ve been… forgotten.
But why would that make me feel… lonely?
That doesn’t make sense.
“What’s wrong with me…”
She rubbed her temples.
“Ah, Anya, you’re awake.”
Lirina had finished washing up and walked into the living room, spotting Anya.
Anya didn’t respond.
“You’re up so early. You looked really tired yesterday—I thought you’d sleep for a long time,” Lirina said casually, not noticing her mood.
“…I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t fall back asleep,” Anya replied, lowering her hand and looking at her.
“Huh?”
Lirina froze, staring at her face.
Anya had her eyes half-closed, brows slightly furrowed—dark circles were clearly visible.
…That meant she hadn’t slept properly for two nights. One of those nights, she hadn’t slept at all.
“Anya… why? You can’t do that—your body won’t handle it!”
Lirina rushed over immediately.
“Hey… don’t shout so loudly.”
Anya opened her eyes slightly.
“…I just had a nightmare. It’s nothing.”
“……Anya.”
Lirina crouched down, looking at her with undisguised concern.
Anya frowned, clearly not used to such direct worry.
“It’s nothing serious,” she turned her head away. “I’ll just catch up on sleep.”
“…No, Anya… I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
Anya turned back, confused.
“…I didn’t think it through. Sleeping alone in a place where you don’t know anyone… of course you’d feel unsafe. That’s why you had nightmares, and couldn’t sleep…”
Lirina’s voice was filled with guilt.
“I didn’t consider it properly… I made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”
“Ah…”
Anya hesitated.
Her words warmed something inside her…
…but they weren’t exactly right either.
“‘Happiness,’” Anya said after a pause.
“Huh?”
“It’s my sense of happiness… it’s not enough.”
She closed her eyes, frowning deeply.
“The nightmare was… people from Heaven scolding me. Saying I don’t understand my duties, that I’m irresponsible as an angel…”
“…and it hurt so much I couldn’t fall asleep again.”
“Ah…”
Right—Anya had said before…
She had given away her happiness to others.
So that’s why she dreamed such painful things.
“Then… what should we do? About your… happiness?” Lirina asked softly.
“…How would I know?” Anya sighed.
“……”
Lirina looked at her quietly.
“Forget it. You don’t have to worry about me… when I’m exhausted enough, my body will force me to sleep anyway,” Anya added, closing her eyes again.
“Mm…”
Lirina stood up.
Happiness… happiness…
She pressed her lips together, thinking.
Then suddenly—
She leaned down and hugged Anya.
“Mm?”
Feeling herself being enveloped, Anya opened her eyes in surprise.
All she could see was Lirina’s head resting against her shoulder.
“…What are you doing?”
Realizing she was being hugged, Anya felt a bit embarrassed.
“…Um… I thought… hugging might make you feel happier… maybe…”
Lirina sounded just as shy, yet she held on tightly.
Anya opened her mouth, but no words came out.
A soft, sweet scent filled her senses.
Lirina’s scent.
Was it her hair?
It filled her nose completely.
Even though the blanket carried the same fragrance…
the scent coming directly from her body was far richer, far more overwhelming.
Her heartbeat quickened.
And as it did, her cheeks gradually warmed.
…What is this?
I said it was about happiness, and now it turned into this…
She’s so shy too…
But…
…it’s warm.
Anya felt her eyes sting slightly.
Then—sleepiness.
Wrapped in the embrace of a soft girl… even through a blanket…
that gentle sense of safety began to pull her under.
“Lirina…”
She murmured faintly.
Her consciousness blurred.
…Maybe it really works…
Or maybe…
what I actually wanted… was just someone to stay with me…
Even if ‘lack of happiness’ isn’t a lie…
all night long, waiting for morning… wasn’t I really waiting… for this girl to hold me?
…Whatever.
Anya exhaled softly, letting her thoughts drift away.
Sleep rose like a tide, washing over her mind.
Hearing Anya’s breathing gradually become steady, Lirina let out a quiet sigh of relief and gently released her.
Then she hurried back to her room, crouched down, and covered her face.
Ah—ah!! What did I just do!?
Hugging her like that… what was I thinking!?
That’s so embarrassing!! So, so embarrassing!!
How would hugging suddenly create happiness!? What was I even doing!?
She took a deep breath, her mind spinning with self-criticism.
…But she fell asleep, right?
Yeah… she did…
“…Well… I guess it worked by accident…”
Lirina stood up and patted her cheeks.
If she hasn’t slept properly for two days… she’ll probably sleep for a long time.
Then… I should go find Etsuyuki-chan to do homework. I had work yesterday, after all.
She took out her phone and dialed.
“Mos—hello?”
“Hey, Etsuyuki-chan, it’s me, Rina,” Lirina said softly.
“Oh, Rina-chan! I was just about to call you. Let’s go find Tamako-chan to study together.”
Etsuyuki’s voice sounded like she was eating something.
“Sure—ah?”
Lirina agreed instinctively, then paused.
“Math is seriously hard,” Etsuyuki continued after swallowing. “Tamako-chan’s grades are amazing—she’ll definitely help us figure it out. And her older sister is Motoko-senpai, right? She’s a second-year student. If we go to them, we’re set!”
“Ah, that’s true,” Lirina smiled.
“Then it’s settled! Let’s meet at the bus stop. I’ll call Tamako-chan too. See you in twenty minutes!”