"Good work today, Hare."
The pile of work I had today was particularly intimidating due to various clubs celebrating New Year's in unique ways, leading to all sorts of forms needing to be submitted to even more offices.
"I didn't do much, Sensei. I just made a rudimentary program that analyzed which ones needed your attention, and another that would look through other papers to see if any numbers repeated, both in case any work wanted to know a trend but also to potentially clear two of them at once."
She said that, but it wasn't a joke to say that it made what would have otherwise taken half of January complete in just one day. Though, as I looked at the clock...
"Already that late?! I'm sorry I kept you for so long!"
Hare smiled at my concern for her well-being.
"You don't need to worry about me, Sensei. Us hackers like the late hours of the night, and I couldn't leave you alone this late. It's a good idea to reach a stopping point before ending the day, after all."
I still sheepishly rubbed the back of my head.
"Millennium runs their transportation 24/7, right?"
Hare nodded before adding her opinion.
"Since I'm already here, it's fine if I stay the night, right? I've heard your office can accommodate that. It'd be safer, too."
"Hmm... That's a good point. If you're already here, and have no plans for the rest of the day, I don't see any issue with letting you rest for tonight here."
To be honest, I wasn't convinced on seeing Hare off in the dead of night, either. Even if Millennium was one of the safest campuses, it just didn't feel right. However, it also didn't feel right to immediately state her ability to stay the night, so I decided to give a noncommittal answer to see what Hare wanted.
I pulled out two futons as Hare brushed her teeth in the bathroom. It was comforting to know that, even if she still drank a few too many energy drinks, she at least tried to have good dental care. After I set up both futons, I waited for Hare to finish her nightly routine. It was then that I got a MomoTalk from Kotama. It read:
"Hare's staying the night?"
I looked at it, stone-faced. Knowing Kotama...
I walked up to the picture hanging near the bathroom.
"Yes, Kotama. Hare's staying the night. We both agreed it would be safer."
I didn't bring my tablet to the painting, but wasn't surprised when, as I walked back to it, a new MomoTalk message from Kotama came up wishing me a good night. I didn't have much to do while I waited for Hare to finish up in the bathroom, so I spent the time having small talk with one of her drones. I didn't think much of the conversation until I noticed a trend with how it kept talking about ways to sleep better.
I recalled Chihiro getting on me about not clearing my search history some time ago. I wasn't naive enough to look at anything inappropriate with my work account, but Chihiro did bring up good points about how, if Kronos caught wind of just how much I spent on mecha figures, I might have to deal with the Engineering Department making the fictional toy but better- or worse. As I wondered how to approach the subject of Hare's sleep, the door to the bathroom opened.
"Thank you again, Sensei. Your shower felt really nice, which is why I took so long."
"It's no worry. If anything, I'm glad you think so!"
I couldn't help but look at her face. Her calm, emerald eyes helped soothe me, as did how her hair naturally draped itself around her, swishing to and fro as she walked to a futon, and I did my own nightly routine.
It's something that's done so often that I don't even notice it's done until I turn the bathroom light off. As I entered the now unlit rest area, Hare's eyebrows raised.
"I knew you're reliable, but finishing up in the bathroom so quickly... That's impressive."
It wasn't the first time someone said as much, but I still didn't understand what it has that made it so impressive. Maybe it's just muscle memory and experience working in my favor? So I responded as such:
"I just let the routine take over, and before I know it I'm done."
Hare, surprisingly, accepted that answer. We talked for a bit longer, before wishing each other a good night.
I wasn't surprised to hear Hare shifting around every so often. It was when I heard her quietly sighing in frustration that I decided to intervene.
"Can't sleep?"
Hare buried herself a bit into the blanket, embarrassed at being called out.
"...Yeah. Normally I'm out like a light, but I lately, I've been having trouble."
Before I could get up, Hare quickly added:
"And it's not because of Youkai MAX, either! I've been doing my best to have decaf at this time."
I thought about it, but then I realized that she didn't have many energy drinks at all today, which might be influencing her insomnia. That didn't matter to me, though, as I happened to have something for this exact occasion.
"Hold on a second, let me get you something that might help."
Hare watched as I went over to the bed supplies cabinet and pulled out what seemed to be a simple pillow. She didn't hide her confusion as I gave it to her.
"If I remember, you normally have a second pillow that you cling onto, right? So I thought this might help. If it doesn't, then try switching the pillow you're resting on right now with this."
She looked unsure, but swapped them immediately. She closed her eyes, and seemed to almost immediately drift off, still holding the original pillow. I was surprised at how fast that was, as I entered my futon with a smile on my face.
I woke up before my alarm, and, as I took stock of my surroundings, I noticed the gentle rhythmic breathing of Hare. I moved like a mouse as I went through my early morning routine, then got to work. It was well into the morning when Hare finally opened the door to the rest area, still somewhat groggy but seemingly well-rested.
"Sensei, I put my futon away, but what should I do about the pillow?" She yawned, reminding me somewhat of a Hyakkiyako student. I smiled at that thought.
"Well, seeing how much it helped, feel free to keep it. I have plenty anyways, and it might help you with any insomnia you have."
Hare alerted somewhat, but then relaxed as she figured that even if I somehow figured it out, I was at least trying to help.
"Thank you, Sensei. Then, I'm off. Have a good day today!"
"You too, Hare."