The Void's System-Chapter 42: Midnight Mayhem

Zane was just beginning to relax, his body finally sinking into the softest mattress he'd touched since arriving in this world, when Sera grumbled beside him.

"Ugh, I need another pillow," she said, shifting slightly.

"Then take that one by your side," Zane mumbled.

"That one's flat. The one behind you looks fluffier."

Zane cracked an eye open. "So switch sides with me."

"Nope. Too cozy."

Before he could argue, Sera suddenly swung a leg over him.

"Wait—what are you—?!"

"I'm getting the pillow, duh."

Zane froze as she climbed halfway on top of him, her weight pressing against his side as she reached behind him, her fingers digging at the corner of the pillow he was resting on.

"You are literally on top of me right now!"

"I'm almost done—just—move your head—"

Click.

The door creaked open.

"Role call—"

The voice stopped dead.

Zane's head turned slowly toward the open door.

Standing in the doorway was a senior student, clipboard in hand, staring at them with an expression that could only be described as a mental scream. His eyes took in the sight: Zane lying on his back, Sera halfway straddling him, arm stretched behind his neck for a pillow.

A long silence.

Sera froze like a statue. Zane's brain completely short-circuited.

Finally, Zane raised a hand weakly. "This... isn't what it looks like."

The senior blinked. "It looks like she's trying to steal your pillow."

Sera scrambled off Zane in a blur of limbs and embarrassment, flinging herself to the other side of the bed.

"We were just... getting comfortable!" she said quickly. "Not—that kind of comfortable!"

Zane sat up. "I told her to stay in her compartment!"

"You literally didn't," Sera hissed.

The senior pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't get paid enough for this."

He checked the clipboard. "Zane and Sera. Separate rooms. Just like I thought."

"I was cold!" Sera offered.

"You're wearing pajamas."

"Spiritually cold," she corrected.

He stared at them both for a moment longer. "Look, I'm not going to report this. But if someone else had walked in, this could've looked very bad. Move to your proper rooms in the morning. Understood?"

"Yes sir," they both said in unison.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Zane sighed. "Told you someone would get the wrong idea."

Sera, red-faced, hurled the pillow at him. "You were hogging all the good ones!"