Chapter 80: A Restless Night

Night had fallen, and as he finished writing, Anho stretched lazily. By now, he had completed the entire Aincrad arc of Sword Art Online; only the Death Gun arc remained untouched. Anho planned to wait until the Aincrad arc was officially published before continuing.

He carefully put away his pen and notebook, rose, and went to the bathroom. After a simple wash, he was about to return to the living room when, remembering what Sayu Amamiya had said earlier, he was compelled by some strange impulse to try pushing the bedroom door.

With a creak, the wooden door opened. The bedroom lights were off, but moonlight filtered faintly through the window, revealing two blurry figures on the bed. One lay sprawled in a rather wild pose, pink pajamas riding up to expose a smooth, pale belly.

From the golden hair and flat chest, it was easy to recognize Shiori Amamiya.

Anho stepped forward, drew up the quilt to cover her again, and was about to leave when Sayu Amamiya’s voice sounded beside him.

“Did you finish writing?”

She spoke while rubbing her eyes and sitting up in bed. As the quilt slipped from her shoulders, two imposing peaks suddenly entered Anho’s view.

He swallowed hard, gaze fixed on those snowy mountains, his steps halted, turning instead to approach Sayu’s side. He reached out and poked at the peaks, then asked, curious, “Why are you sleeping without anything on?”

Sayu made no move to stop him. Instead, she lifted and jostled them, a troubled look appearing on her face. “They’ve been a bit swollen lately, so I thought I’d relax.”

“A bit swollen?” Anho raised an eyebrow, a peculiar smile appearing as he tempted her, “If they’re swollen, that means there’s impurities inside. Need my help?”

“How would you help?” Sayu blinked, still curious as Anho leaned down.

The next moment brought a strange sensation to her chest, and Sayu immediately understood what he meant by “help,” her cheeks blooming with blush.

Nervously, she glanced at her sister, still sound asleep. Relieved, Sayu turned to Anho and whispered sharply, “Keep it down!”

“Don’t worry,” Anho replied, muffled, then pushed Sayu down onto the bed and climbed in beside her.

...

“Mmm~”

A strange sound echoed nearby, rousing Shiori Amamiya from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes, confused, and looked toward the source.

“Sis…”

The next moment, her pupils contracted, words dying on her lips as she quickly turned away.

“Did I just hear Shiori’s voice?” Sayu wondered aloud.

“You must’ve heard wrong. Shiori fell asleep early,” Anho replied without raising his head, his voice indistinct, clearly occupied with something in his mouth.

“Mmm~” Sayu made a soft, melodious noise, bashfully knocking Anho on the head, though he paid no mind. Seeing this, Sayu could only pull the quilt over him and close her eyes, quietly savoring the moment, the occasional hum slipping from her nose.

Beside them, seeing her sister lose interest in questioning, Shiori breathed a sigh of relief. Yet the memory of what she’d just witnessed brought a flush to her cheeks.

“Why is Brother-in-law biting Sister there? Does it taste good?” Shiori wondered, glancing down at herself only to see nothing but a flat expanse.

...

After a silent moment, Shiori withdrew her gaze and closed her eyes again, intending to sleep. But the sounds in her ears, like a fairy tale, stroked at her heart.

Gradually, her legs pressed together, rubbing gently.

“This feels so strange… Maybe I should take another look?”

The sudden idea startled her, and she shook her head, banishing the thought.

Minutes passed.

The noises from Anho and Sayu did not abate; if anything, they grew louder, making Shiori’s curiosity swell as she pretended to sleep.

In a haze, Shiori imagined two tiny figures in her mind.

A little demon, red horns atop its head, barbed tail and bat wings, whispered sharply, “Go on, look—just one peek won’t hurt. Aren’t you curious what they’re doing?”

Beside it, a little angel with a golden halo, clad in white and bearing pure wings, chimed in, “Yes, just take a look.”

...

Beset by their persuasion, Shiori took a deep breath and made up her mind.

“Just one look—afterward, I’ll turn right back!”

---

Thinking thus, Shiori sneakily turned her head, emerald eyes peering through the darkness, taking in the scene behind her.

[In the depths of night, the gaze of innocence; tonight, you will open the door to a new world for her. Yet before that, perhaps there is more you might do…]

The sudden narration made Anho pause.

Sayu, noticing his abrupt halt, asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…”

Anho shook his head, resuming his previous actions—though, with the narrator’s warning, his attention shifted toward his side.

In the gloom, he could barely make out a pair of blinking eyes, whose owner seemed unaware she’d been discovered, a hand slowly reaching downward.

“Caught in the act!” Anho thought, suddenly freeing a hand to seize Shiori’s wandering fingers.

Shiori’s body trembled, but she dared not make a sound.

But Anho was careful, holding her hand without going further.

Even so, that night, the actions of Anho and Sayu shook the foundations of Shiori’s once pure worldview.

...

The following noon.

Anho awoke from sleep.

Last night, thanks to a certain someone joining in, he’d stayed up late, barely catching a few hours of rest before dawn.

Yawning, he sat up.

The bed beside him was empty and cool to the touch, suggesting the sisters had risen some time ago.

He got up and left the bedroom.

The bathroom door was closed; water could be heard running inside.

Looking toward the living room, he saw Shiori sitting upright on the sofa, eating chips and watching television.

Anho approached, and the moment she saw him, her cheeks turned scarlet, legs instinctively pressed together.

“Did you sleep well last night, Shiori?” Anho asked, deliberately probing, wanting to test her—after all, Sayu’s reward for ending route four was quite tempting.

At his question, Shiori’s heart raced, but she feigned composure, nodding.

“I slept well. By the way, Brother-in-law, why did you sleep with us?”

At this, Shiori frowned, put down her chips, and crossed her arms, looking as if she wanted answers.

Seeing she hadn’t revealed anything about last night, Anho grinned inwardly.

It was clear she didn’t realize she’d been discovered, and Anho wasn’t foolish enough to expose the truth.

Girls, after all, are shy by nature.

To be honest, Shiori’s hand was incredibly soft—truly fitting for a privileged young lady.

Recalling its texture, Anho couldn’t help but sigh.

Shiori, oblivious to his odd expression, was about to continue her questioning when the bathroom door opened and Sayu emerged.

“I asked him to sleep in the bed,” she said, drying her damp hair with a towel. “After all, Anho is the host here; always making him sleep on the sofa isn’t right.”

“But…” Shiori tried to argue, but as she opened her mouth, memories of last night made her swallow her words.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Sayu said, bumping her sister’s shoulder in comfort. “Anho sleeps quietly, doesn’t snore, and you slept soundly too, didn’t you?”

Was snoring really the issue?

Shiori pursed her lips.

She wanted to say: The noise wasn’t from Anho, it was you, my silly sister, making strange sounds all night!

But considering the consequences, Shiori chose silence.

“I can sleep anywhere, really,” Anho chipped in, though his face wore a wounded expression, making Sayu roll her eyes, but she still turned to her sister to suggest, “How about I sleep in the middle from now on, with you and Anho on either side?”

“Mm, mm…” Shiori nodded, though she knew this wouldn’t change much.

Sure enough, that night, Sayu and Anho started again.

Fortunately, this time Sayu was in the middle, so Shiori didn’t have to worry about a repeat of the previous night.

---

Yet, just as she had that thought, a large hand reached from beneath Sayu and caught Shiori’s small hand.

...

The next day.

Monday arrived—time for school.

Early in the morning, Anho got up to prepare breakfast.

He hadn’t stayed up too late last night, and lately, with Shiori around, Sayu wasn’t willing to help him with certain matters, so he was feeling pretty energetic.

After a simple breakfast, the three left for the day.

The Amamiya sisters opted for a taxi to school, the fare covered by the wealthy Shiori herself.

Though cut off from her family, she’d saved up “just a bit” of pocket money over the years, so taking a taxi was nothing to her.

As for Anho, he still rode his motorcycle.

Arriving at school, thanks to his previous school trip experience, Anho found his popularity in class had improved, especially among the girls.

No sooner had he entered the classroom than girls came to greet him.

“Morning, Anho! Your little girlfriend isn’t here again today~”

That was Ino. Since Anho helped her with her odor problem, she’d become much more confident and cheerful.

“Morning, Anho! Rena isn’t here again—want me to play your girlfriend instead?”

That was Hanako—the only girl bold enough to tease him even after learning about his relationship with Serizawa Rena. Her personality was boisterous and careless, and Anho was used to her antics.

After greeting them all, Anho returned to his seat.

Just as he sat down, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was from an unknown number in Tokyo.

He thought for a moment, then answered.

“Hello, is this Mr. Anzui?” came a young male voice.

Anho paused, realizing the caller was using his pen name. “Yes, this is Anzui. Who’s calling?”

“Hello, Mr. Anzui, I’m Yamamoto Yohji, an editor from Yuewen Publishing. The light novel you submitted has passed review and is eligible for contract and publication. I’d like to discuss the details with you—are you available now?”

“Right now?” Anho glanced around the noisy classroom and explained apologetically, “Sorry, I’m still in class. Would this afternoon work?”

“That’s fine. I’ll book a café and send the address to your phone. See you this afternoon.”

“Alright, see you then!”

Ending the call, Anho smiled at the screen.

From the tone and manner, it was clear the editor valued this meeting highly.

“At last—I’m going to make some money!” he thought, stretching as he looked forward to the afternoon.

Soon, the school day ended.

After saying goodbye to Sayu, Anho drove directly to the café where he’d arranged to meet the editor.

When he arrived, he parked and entered the café.

It was fairly busy, but Anho managed to find his contact via phone.

Yet when he saw the young man seated inside, he was taken aback.

“Mr. Anzui?” the other greeted him first, his attitude very respectful.

Anho’s mouth twitched as he tentatively asked, “You’re Editor Yamamoto Yohji?”

“Yes!” Yamamoto nodded, gazing at Anho in surprise.

He simply couldn’t believe that the author of “Sword Art Online” was a boy still in high school uniform.

Anho was equally surprised—he’d met Yamamoto just two weeks ago.

Back then, he’d beaten him up over the matter with Kurorai Fuyuko.

Had the underworld expanded its business so broadly now?

Anho fell silent.

Seeing his hesitation, Yamamoto grew nervous.

After being beaten by that masked figure two weeks prior, he’d resolved to leave the organization. Luckily, he’d been a minor player, so the group didn’t trouble him much.

Afterward, using family connections and over a decade of experience in publishing, he managed to secure an internship at Yuewen Publishing. “Sword Art Online” was a submission he’d discovered by chance.

(End of chapter)