( first kiss arc )
Miko and Hina sat together at a desk in the library. The atmosphere around them was silent so still that the sound of even a page turning felt loud. Open books lay in front of both of them, but while Miko quietly read, Hina's mind kept drifting away. She tried to focus, but something kept bothering her.
She pressed her pen against her lips, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if Haruki's lips were brushing against hers. Her heart skipped a beat Startled, she glanced around nervously, half expecting Haruki to be standing nearby, but the library was empty.
A thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead. She quickly wiped it with her hand—only to feel as if Haruki himself had leaned in, kissed her forehead, and vanished into thin air. Once again she looked around panicked.
What's happening to me? she whispered to herself confused. She rested her palms against her cheeks, but it only made her imagine Haruki tugging playfully at her face before running off. Embarrassed and frustrated, Hina smacked her own cheek hard enough for the sound to echo.
Miko lifted her head instantly. "What was that noise?" she asked a little startled.
"Nothing," Hina replied quickly flipping open her notebook pretending to study.
But Miko noticed the faint red marks on her cheeks. Raising a brow she said, "Then what's with this… decoration on your face?
Hina forced a smile. "I was just getting sleepy." She laughed it off as though nothing had happened.Miko wasn't convinced. She kept staring at her friend, already irritated because Hina's restless behavior was distracting her too. "I've been watching you all morning, you've been acting really strange.
Blushing Hina leaned closer to her and whispered softly, "Miko… Then she stood from her chair, bent down until her face was almost touching hers, and asked, "Tell me, are my cheeks soft?Miko dropped her forehead into her palm. "What kind of nonsense is this now?"Come on, tell me,Hina insisted stubbornly.
Sighing, Miko gave in. She reached out, brushed her fingers across Hina's cheek, and gave it a light pinch. To her surprise she muttered, almost in disbelief, "Wow… your cheeks really are softer than mine.Hina's eyes lit up. She leaned closer.her curiosity growing. "And what about my lips?Miko groaned. "Have you completely lost your mind?"Just tell me!" Hina pouted, her tone like a stubborn child refusing to back down.
With no choice left, Miko touched Hina's lips lightly and then paused, reluctantly admitting, "They're so soft that… honestly, if anyone touched them, they wouldn't be able to resist kissing you.Hina's cheeks burned red. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Then why didn't he kiss me…?Miko frowned. "He? Who didn't kiss you?
Flustered, Hina shook her head. "No one… forget it." She quickly brushed off the topic.
Already annoyed, Miko snapped, "Then stop distracting me and study properly. Let me study too.
The two fell into silence again, books open before them. Still, Miko couldn't help but glance sideways at Hina. She's been like this only because of Haruki, she thought.
Meanwhile across town Haruki and Kazuki had just finished their work and sat down to rest. Haruki looked visibly unsettled as he gulped down water. Kazuki studied his face carefully before asking, "So you went to see Hina. How did it go?"
Haruki let out a heavy sigh. "It was fine. She was angry at me… because I hadn't even tried talking to her for so many days. That's why she was upset.
Kazuki grinned. "That's a good sign, isn't it? Then why do you still look so down?"
It was the kind of question Haruki didn't know how to answer. Instead he stood up and muttered, "It's nothing.But as he turned back, his heart skipped a beat.
There she was.
Hina stood right behind himnsmiling. Haruki froze, a mix of joy and fear rushing through him all at once. "H-Hi, Hina! Y-you're here?" he stammered nervously.Her face lit up with warmth. "Yes, it's me.
"You… shouldn't you be home right now?" Haruki asked, but inside his mind was chaos. Did she come here to scold me?
Instead Hina's voice was soft, sweet, almost musical. "I'm fine now. So I thought… why not join work again?"
There was no trace of anger in her tone—only happiness. Haruki blinked surprised. "Then why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to surprise you, she said with childlike excitement.
But instead of excitement, Haruki only felt his stomach knotting tighter. He nodded awkwardly. "Oh… I see."
Hina tilted her head, hopeful. "So… how was my surprise?" She wanted him to say something nice, something that would make her heart flutter"It was… nice," Haruki muttered weakly.
Her smile dropped. Disappointment twisted into anger in an instant. "So you're not happy to see me?"No, no! Of course I'm happy!" Haruki panicked sweat forming at his temples.
"Really?" she demanded glaring at him.
Kazuki biting back laughter teased, "Hina, does his face look happy to you?
Hina huffed glaring even harder at Haruki. "Fine then I'll leave. You enjoy yourself.She turned away sharply.
Why does she get angry so easily? Haruki cursed under his breath before rushing to stop her. "Wait, please!""What now?" she snapped.
"You're listening to her? She's just teasing," Haruki said desperately, glancing at Kazuki.
Hina shot Kazuki a look. Kazuki only gave a mischievous grin. "Sorry.
Walking up to her Hina narrowed her eyes. "So you're Kazuki?"
"That's right. And you're Hina,Kazuki replied smoothly.
They shook hands. "Nice to meet you," Kazuki said"Same here, Hina smiled.
"You know Haruki's always talking about you.Kazuki begins to tell about Haruki
Hina blinked. "About me?
Kazuki nodded. "Yes. He praises you so much, my ears hurt.
Her anger melted instantly, replaced by a glow of happiness. "Really?" she asked eagerly, her cheeks lighting up. She had completely forgotten she was angry just moments ago.
Trying to divert the topic, Haruki quickly cut in, "Hina you're wearing your apron. We should get to work"Right, she said cheerfully heading off.
As soon as she was gone Haruki glared at Kazuki. "What was that?!Kazuki widened her eyes innocently, though her lips curved in a sly smile. "What did I even say?"You idiot! What if she misunderstood you? She'll kill me before I can explain!" Haruki hissed.
But Kazuki chuckled. "Relax. Didn't you see her? She looked happy, not angry."That's not the point," Haruki muttered, still paranoid.
Kazuki shrugged, suppressing her laughter. "Fine, fine.
Just then, Hina returned, and all three of them went back to their work.
To be continued