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As autumn deepens and the cold increases, it's a weekend like any other. The setting is a typical izakaya.
"Cheers!"
I, Senior, Nene-san, and Tetsuya-san clinked our freshly delivered glasses with that toast. Today was the celebratory gathering Nene-san had invited me to earlier. I truly feel blessed to have such wonderful people around me, to go to the trouble of arranging a special occasion like this.
"Oh, finally, finally you two are dating, aren't you? My emotions are running high!"
"Seriously. We finally started dating."
I replied with a lot of feeling to Nene-san's words, which I'd heard countless times today. If even those around us feel that way, it's even more so for me.
"She's talking about you, Hikigaya-kun."
"No, well... I guess I can't really argue with that, so there's no excuse."
Seeing Senior looking a bit uncomfortable from our conversation, I found it somewhat amusing. Well, there are parts where I think, "it can't be helped" if they knew the reason, but it's fine since we're properly dating now.
"By the way, Iroha-chan."
As Senior and the others started talking about something else, Nene-san made a gesture as if to whisper. The restaurant was quite noisy, so our conversation probably wouldn't be heard by them.
"You managed to execute the strategy I taught you perfectly, didn't you?"
"Huh?"
Not understanding what she meant, I looked back at Nene-san's face. This time, Nene-san tilted her head.
"Hmm? Didn't you intentionally create distance, mimicking how I started dating Tet-chan?"
With that, I finally understood what Nene-san was referring to. One summer day, I had asked Nene-san how she and Tetsuya-san started dating, what triggered it. Nene-san had said that she intentionally created distance, and then he confessed to her, I remembered her saying that.
"No, I didn't intend to do that..."
"Really? You suddenly started keeping your distance, so I totally thought that's what you were doing."
"Ahaha," Nene-san chuckled, a shy smile on her beautiful face. Indeed, it was a situation where it couldn't be helped if she thought I was mimicking her method, and it's strange how it resulted in us dating.
"Alright, let's drink today! I'll listen to any complaints or anything you have!"
"Isn't it bad to have complaints right after you start dating? Though I do have some."
"You actually do?!"
Nene-san giggled, and I found myself laughing along. Senior looked at us, laughing quietly, with a puzzled expression.
â--------
"Ugh, I'm swaying..."
How many times has this happened now? After the celebratory gathering hosted by Nene-san and Tetsuya-san, I was walking Isshiki back to her apartment, letting her lean on my shoulder.
"Why does it always end up like this...?"
Thinking back, the first time I took Isshiki home, she couldn't walk properly, so I had to give her a piggyback ride. Compared to that, maybe it's gotten a little better. As I walked, lost in thought, we eventually arrived at Isshiki's apartment building. I opened the door to her second-floor apartment and helped her inside, still supporting her.
"Well then, I'll be goingâ"
It was at that moment. Isshiki cut me off, sealing my lips with hers.
"...Hehe."
A sweet voice tickled my earlobe. A testing, alluring smile. Isshiki Iroha's second kiss, in a situation completely devoid of romance due to being fueled by alcohol, was nevertheless a kiss that etched itself into my heart.
"You can't go home yet."
Isshiki said just that and then disappeared into the changing room. Or so I thought, but she peeked back out into the hallway.
"Want to join me, Senior?"
"...Are you an idiot?"
When I replied, Isshiki gave a faint smile and re-entered the changing room. This feels like it happened before, and "you can't go home yet" means, well...
Back then, I thought it was incredibly naive of her to act like that towards a guy who wasn't her boyfriend, but the situation is different now. Completely different.
Being lovers is a relationship that results from a deep connection of hearts. But is it just hearts that are connected? No, it's not. That act is indispensable for humanity to have etched its history and continued to develop this far.
Does this mean... that? But in terms of timing, it feels too hasty. After all, we've only just started dating, but if you ask when it would be appropriate, there's no specific guideline.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
First of all, I'm not mentally prepared, and "fueled by alcohol" and so on... While I was thinking about that, Isshiki came out of the bath. Perhaps because she just got out, her flushed face looked strangely enchanting.
"Come on, let's go to sleep."
"Eh, wait..."
With that, Isshiki pulled my hand and led me to the bedroom. No, I haven't even had a shower yet!
"Phew..."
Caught up with Isshiki as she collapsed onto the bed, we both lay down. Isshiki pulled up the duvet as if to escape the chill. Wrapped in the down comforter, Isshiki pressed her body close to mine. I couldn't help but feel the softness of her chest pressed against me. The usual scent of her shampooâ
"Senpaaaai."
A sweet voice vibrated in my earlobe. I desperately tried to suppress the shiver running through me.
"I love you."
And then, chu.
Isshiki's lips pecked mine. Like a small bird singing. Or like a light greeting.
"Mmm~"
Then Isshiki pressed her forehead against my chest and rubbed it. Huh, what is this girl, so cute. I knew it, but she's super cute. When she does this, it stimulates my protective instincts, or rather, she's really manipulative, but she's just irresistibly cute.
"I-Isshiki..."
"Ahhh, Senior's smell..."
Rubbing her nose around my solar plexus, Isshiki murmured with a melted voice. Just when I thought she was doing something so fetishistic, she slowly shifted her body to meet my gaze.
"Senior."
Her eyes, looking at me, were moist. They were like clear jewels, yet her thinly pulled-up lips were utterly alluring.
"I looove you."
And again, my lips were taken. She bit my lip, as if seeking something.
Suddenly pulling her lips away, Isshiki closed her eyes, still using my arm as a pillow. And then, she waited for something. Did this mean... she was leaving the rest up to me? Indeed, I hadn't expressed any intention regarding this act. Or perhaps, from a woman's perspective, there's a desire to be led in such matters.
If that was the case, then Iâ
"...Snnk."
âJust as I thought that far, I heard a somewhat idyllic snore. No way, I thought, and leaned my ear closer to Isshiki's mouth, but sure enough, only sounds that could only be interpreted as snoring escaped.
"Isshiki?"
"Mmm..."
Even when I poked her cheek, Isshiki only mumbled with her mouth. Seriously, this girl. She's really asleep...
"Haaa," I exhaled towards the ceiling. What was I getting all worked up about on my own?
"Senpai, love youuu..."
When I turned back to Isshiki, she immediately uttered that sleepy murmur. I wonder what kind of dream she's having.
"...Good night."
I whispered softly so as not to wake her. Gently pressing a kiss to her forehead, I closed my eyes, as if to burn the sight before me into my memory.
â--------
The chirping of birds announced the morning. Ah, I'm tired. I could feel the weariness in my body even before opening my eyes.
As I wondered why my body felt so... and opened my eyes.
"---!"
I was speechless at the sight before me. Just a few centimeters away, Senior's sleeping face. His arm was under my head, and his other arm was wrapped around my back, as if embracing me. Checking my body, we were both clothed. Feeling both relief and slight disappointment, I remembered yesterday's events... I felt like we had been incredibly lovey-dovey before falling asleep. Not remembering clearly somehow felt like a loss.
"Mmm..."
As I gazed at Senior's sleeping face, thinking, "I did it again...", his eyelashes twitched slightly. Senior slowly opened his eyelids, and his eyes clearly found mine.
"...Morning."
"O-good morning."
This was the third time something similar had happened. Perhaps he'd gotten used to it, as Senior didn't seem flustered.
âBut.
I noticed it. The foreign sensation pressing against my thigh.
"Ah, well..."
I thought, "This didn't happen before...", and then I realized it was obvious. Today, I was firmly embraced by Senior. This meant, probably...
"Did I leave you hanging...?"
"Huh?"
Perhaps not understanding what I was saying, Senior reacted with a strange sound. What was that? A little cute. I love it. Senior rubbed his eyes, and as he gradually understood what I was saying, his body stiffened. Then, averting his gaze from me, he slowly moved only his lower back away.
"No, well, you see... It's not like that..."
He started mumbling something, but it was a rather strained excuse. But today, I was largely at fault too.
"Uhm... I'm sorry for falling asleep even though it looked like I was inviting you..."
"Ah, no... Well, you know... Those things will happen in due time. In due time..."
So, he did intend to do something. Or rather, in Senior's mind, there was such a plan for the future. Thinking that, I felt that Senior was a proper guy after all. I had even thought he might say something like, "No doing that until marriage," so I felt a little relieved. ...No, I feel like I'm relieved about the wrong thing.
"Besides, for these kinds of things, it's better if I'm the one to initiate it, right? ...Probably. I don't know, though."
Perhaps he was thinking about the futureâabout that moment. Senior said that with slightly flushed cheeks, in an attitude that was subtly both manly and unmanly.
"...Well, maybe so."
My answer to that might have been a little manipulative. But that answer was my honest feeling. I'm a girl too, and if Senior has that intention, I want him to lead.
"Ah, I'll make breakfast."
"Oh..."
When I said that to change the subject, Senior sighed after replying. His warm breath on my nose was unusually ticklish.
"Uhm..."
And Senior didn't move. He continued to embrace my body, not moving at all.
"If you don't let go, I can't make breakfast."
"Ah... Right."
Perhaps realizing it only when I pointed it out, Senior released my body. I actually wanted him to hold me a little longer, but unfortunately, I had plans today. Thinking about what lay ahead today... my heart suddenly felt heavy. But this was definitely not something to be left vague, and it was something I had to do. I got out of bed and leaned over Senior's face.
And thenâ
"Wake up soon, okay?"
I deliberately kissed Senior's forehead, not his lips.