Story Chapter 45: A Familiar Comfort

Haruka remained seated on the edge of her bed, her breathing finally steady again. As the last traces of panic faded, she looked down at herself. Her eyes widened. She was still wearing her familiar white athletic crop top and blue shorts. “...Huh?” Haruka lightly tugged at the fabric of her top, looking down with a puzzled expression. “When did I put this on?” She frowned, trying to remember. The nightmare had left her so shaken that she couldn't even recall changing clothes before going to sleep. Her cheeks slowly turned beet red. “Wait... was I really sleeping in this?” She glanced down again and immediately became embarrassed. “Why am I getting embarrassed over my own clothes?” Haruka pulled the hem of the crop top slightly, then let it fall back into place. She sighed. “Still...” She shifted against the soft mattress. The comfortable fabric and familiar fit made her shoulders relax. “It's actually really comfortable.” She paused. Then she nodded to herself as though trying to convince herself. “Very comfortable.” Her cheeks remained bright red. “There's nothing strange about wearing something comfortable in my own bedroom.” Haruka looked away, still embarrassed. “That's right. It's completely normal.” After another quiet moment, she finally smiled faintly. “...And I'm not changing it.” She settled more comfortably onto the bed, grateful for the familiar surroundings after the terrifying nightmare. For the first time since waking, Haruka felt completely at ease. The chapter ends.