Continuation from post #1045575

就寝時に、「今日も一緒に寝てくれぬか？」と布都ちゃんが懇願して

ちょっと、戸惑ってしまったけど、いいよと承諾すると布都ちゃんは「うむ、有難う」と照れくさそうに微笑んだ。そうして、布都ちゃんは僕の肩に頭を預けるように僕と寝床を共にした。僕の胸に寄り添う布都ちゃんの体温が心地よく、でも、慣れてない、その体温の存在に僕は緊張していた。「お主は暖かいな・・・ただの布団より、よほど暖かいぞ」と布都ちゃんが僕の胸の中で呟く、布都ちゃんの無防備さに戸惑いながらも、僕は、布都ちゃんも暖かいよと言い返した。「ふむ、では、我がお主の布団になろうか？こうすれば、我も独りで眠らずに済むし、主も温まる。一石二丁ぞ」と布都ちゃんはいい事を思いついたという風にどやっと顔を歪めて、「ふふ、冗談ぞ」と微笑んだ。「今朝はすまぬな。いつもの癖でな。」と 布都ちゃんは、少し顔を赤らめて、言った。恐らく、僕が朝目覚めた時、抱きついていた事を差しているのだろう。「我が長い眠りに着く前は、こんな風に『たいし』と『とじこ』と一緒に寝ていてな。だから、誰かが居ないと落ち着かないのだ。」と僕の体を抱きしめて布都ちゃんは言う。『たいし』と『とじこ』と言うのは以前、布都ちゃんが言っていた、仲間の人々なのだろう。彼らを失ったらしき布都ちゃんに僕は彼らの事は聞きづらく、そう、と返事をした。しかし、ただそっけなく返事をするのも気まずく。でも、女の子が見ず知らずの男と寝床を共にするのは、あまり感心できないなぁ。と軽く話題を逸らす。「ふふ、大丈夫だ。伊達に我は尸解仙をやっておらんぞ。お主ぐらいならけちょんけちょんぞ」とふんすと息を吹いた。「それに、お主は我を祝福してくれたではないか。そんな事しないぐらい判るぞ」とにこりと微笑む。どうやら買いかぶられたようである。布都ちゃんはぎゅっと僕の胸を抱き、「お主が外に出かけている間、お主の部屋にあるものを見た、本当に、我は千年の時を越えてきたのだな・・・」と僕の胸の中で呟き、「・・・もう少し、我をここに置いてくれ。我が、現の世に復活した、意味を見つけられぬのだ。」と僕の目を見て言った。そうだ。彼女は長く眠った事で、時間に取り残され、独りなんだよな。僕は布都ちゃんの頭を撫でて、今度の休みに、里に下りてみないかい？きっと、今の世の事が色々知れると思うからと言うと、布都ちゃんは暫し間を置いた後「有難う」微笑んでわっふるわっふる

well this story was sweet, at least.

A question from Futo-chan when going to bed: "Will you allow me to sleep with you tonight as well?"

Although a bit taken back, I accepted her proposal. She thanked me with an embarrassed smile, then got in the bed with me, tucking her head next to my shoulder. The warmth of her body snuggled up against my chest was nice, but I was still nervous, unable to get used to it. "You are so warm... quite a bit more than the futon," she murmured into my chest. While still bewildered at her complete innocence, I told her that she was also warm. "Then shall I become your futon? I will not have to sleep alone, and I shall keep you warm as well. It will accomplish two things at once," she said with a smug grin on her face as if she had just come up with a great idea, before giggling and following up with, "I jest." "I am sorry for this morning. That was a habit of mine," she continued, her face reddening. I figured she was referring to how she clung to me earlier. "Before my long sleep, I would sleep in this same way with Taishi and Tojiko. Thus, if no one is around I am unable to feel calm," she explained while latched on to me.

So "Taishi" and "Tojiko" must have been the companions she mentioned before. Finding it too hard to ask her about the friends she had just lost, I replied only with "I see." Such a curt reply was in itself making the atmosphere uncomfortable, though, so I jokingly mentioned that a girl who jumps in bed with a guy she doesn't know isn't very admirable. She giggled again before replying with, "It is fine. I did not become a shikaisen for the glamor of it. Someone like you would have no chance," she assured me, exhaling a quick puff of air. "Besides, did you not give me your blessing? I already know you would not do something like that," she smiled. It seems I had underestimated her. She was clutching my chest tightly. "While you were out, I looked at some of the books in your room... it seems I really have traveled over a thousand years," she whispered. "Please, allow me to stay here a bit longer. I have yet to find the meaning of my resurrection in this modern world," she asked, looking into my eyes. That's right, I figured. Time had left her behind and alone. Petting her head, I offered, "Why don't we take a look around the neighborhood the next time I'm free? I'm sure there's plenty for you to learn about this world." "...Thank you," she said a few moments later, smiling... to be continued

Beautiful story it is. Does the story to a picture or series of pictures qualify it for pools? Futo=futon seems like it should be put into the "Clever" pool.