She had given lap pillows to those close to her countless times before—Ei, Kokomi. She knew what it felt like to let someone rest on her lap, and she understood the meaning behind the gesture. It was a privilege reserved only for those extremely close to her.
However—
Even so, she herself had never experienced resting on someone else's lap.
Whenever she looked at someone lying across her thighs in the past, she would occasionally wonder what it felt like to be the one resting there instead. It should have been... very comfortable, perhaps. Of course, that was thanks to her thighs being rather soft to begin with.
Now... she had finally learned what it felt like to lie upon another's lap.
Looking at the Kamisato Estate's sitting room from such a low angle, the distance between her gaze and the tatami was only a few centimeters. All she could feel was the softness beneath her head—soft, cool, and carrying the fragrant scent belonging to those thighs, like a delicate aroma before sleep.
"So... this is what a lap pillow feels like?"
Lying on her side across Ayaka's thighs, she spoke softly in wonder.
"...Is it uncomfortable? Are Ayaka's legs too hard? Or is it because of the skirt armor?"
Hearing that, Ayaka immediately asked with concern, lifting her skirt hem slightly.
"No... very soft. Very comfortable."
She slowly shook her head. As she did, the smooth strands by her ears brushed lightly against Ayaka's skin.
"Mm... haa..."
The faint ticklish sensation made Ayaka instinctively raise her folding fan to cover her lips, letting out a light and enticing breath. Even the white tabi covering her lovely feet shifted unconsciously, her toes curling slightly.
"...What is wrong?"
She seemed to hear that faint sound and asked with concern.
"Nothing... it only tickled a little."
Ayaka lowered the fan again, calming the blush on her cheeks as she answered gently.
It was also her first time giving her beloved Shogun a lap pillow. Some nervousness was inevitable. And when one was nervous, the body became more sensitive. Still, most of what she felt was joy and delight.
"Oh... then I will stay still."
She nodded obediently. Since she was ticklish as well, she understood the feeling. She buried her face against Ayaka's thighs once more, slowly narrowing her eyes and savoring this unusual moment.
"It is fine. I do not mind, Shogun-sama~"
Ayaka reassured her, then unconsciously began stroking the head resting on her lap. From hair to cheek, her touch was practiced and smooth, like petting a beloved cat.
"Actually... I have never rested on anyone else's lap before."
Enjoying the caress, she spoke quietly with her eyes half-closed in comfort. Though soft, her voice was especially clear in the silent room.
"Your first time...?"
Ayaka's eyes widened slightly.
"Mm...///"
The beautiful woman on her lap nodded shyly and gave a soft nasal hum.
"Then does that mean... Shogun-sama's first time... belongs to Ayaka~?!"
Something she had dreamed of had finally happened today.
Yes.
She was first—earlier than anyone else.
Ayaka's usually composed expression finally broke into open delight.
"I-It is my first lap pillow. Haa... do not phrase it like that...///"
She protested, face red.
"Ah... that is true. Hehe... though I am surprised you understand such things."
Ayaka said in mild astonishment.
Naturally, by "such things," she meant the teasing implication from earlier.
"What a foolish question. Of course I do. It is not as if I understand nothing."
She replied in dissatisfaction.
"Pfft... true enough..."
Ayaka smiled indulgently, brushing aside the hair near her ear. With one hand, she opened the folding fan again and gently fanned the treasure on her lap.
For a time, silence filled the room.
Though no words were spoken, there was no awkwardness between them.
Perhaps that was simply how childhood friends were.
"That folding fan... it has some years on it, does it not?"
She opened her eyes and glanced toward the fan in Ayaka's hand.
"Mm... it was the gift you gave me on my ninth birthday. I have always kept it close, never apart from me. Though many years have passed, its surface still carries the same shine as before. It remains in perfect condition..."
Ayaka slowed the motion of her wrist and looked at the camellia painted upon the fan. In the lower right corner were the inked words, White Heron Princess—personally written there by the beauty resting in her lap.
"Would this also count as... Eternity?"
She asked with a complicated expression.
"...Mm. It is Eternity. The Eternity of feelings... the Eternity woven from Ayaka's heart and yours together."
Ayaka smiled and answered gently, fingers softly combing through her silky hair.
"Ayaka..."
"Mm?"
"Recently, I... haa..."
She stopped halfway, suddenly hesitating.
"...? Shogun-sama?"
Ayaka looked down in confusion.
"I..."
She still hesitated. Only that single word left her lips, carrying a trace of vulnerability.
"...Shogun-sama, what is wrong?"
Ayaka lowered her head worriedly, slowly smoothing the furrow in her brows with gentle fingers.
"Whatever is troubling you, you can tell me. Do not keep it all inside."
She spoke softly to the woman on her lap.
"...Recently, I have been feeling... unwell."
At last, she began describing the symptoms she had been experiencing.
"...Unwell?"
Ayaka immediately frowned.
"Mm... I often have headaches. I feel dizzy sometimes. At times it feels as though my thoughts and body are separated. And sometimes... I hear things that are not there."
She recalled each symptom in order, brows knit tightly.
"The headache... here?"
Ayaka set the fan aside and gently held her forehead with both hands, massaging with surprisingly skillful movements.
"Mm... but I think it is not such a simple headache. It feels like a deeper... symptom."
She spoke slowly while allowing Ayaka to massage her forehead and temples.
"Deeper...? Your brain? Your internal programs?"
Ayaka did not truly understand. This was far outside her expertise.
"I do not know either..."
She shook her head.
"Have you told Lady Ei about this?"
Ayaka asked.
"..."
Hearing that, she slowly shook her head.
"I did not want to tell her. Inazuma's affairs already leave her overwhelmed. If I burdened her with my problems as well, it would only distract her further."
She turned slightly so her face was angled toward Ayaka.
"I see... Though I do not understand such matters either, and I would not dare give you medicine carelessly. If it worsened things, that would be terrible."
Ayaka's expression filled with guilt.
"It is all right. I was not asking you to treat me. I only wanted to tell you these things so the burden in my heart would feel lighter... so I could feel a little more at ease. Would you mind?"
"How could I? Never... You may tell me anything. I will always listen."
Ayaka hurriedly shook her head.
Rustle...
The Shogun slowly pushed herself up from Ayaka's lap. Since she was dressed casually, her beautiful violet hair fell loose over her shoulders.
The peerless woman smiled gently at her.
"Thank you... for listening to all of this. I feel a little better after you massaged my forehead just now."