Chapter 34: The Feeling of a First Kiss?
<b>Chapter 34: The Feeling of a First Kiss?</b>
My mom was asking if its true that Matsuda-kun used to be a delinquent.
Those were Miyukis words as she sat on the bed.
What are you talking about?
She said he was exceptionally polite today, and that he ate well and
looked good... She even asked me to tell you toe over more often.
I got up from the chair, shaking my head in surprise, and sat down next to
her. Miyuki seemed quite flustered by my action, hurriedly smoothing out her
clothes. It was amusing to watch her pretty toes wiggle.
Looking at her, I chuckled and asked.
Really? What do you think?
I guess... I feel the same way...
Thats a relief.
As ifforted by Miyukis favorable opinion, I spoke, prompting Miyuki to
nce at me with a start.
A relief?
Uh.
Had my slightly altered demeanor caught her off guard? Miyuki swallowed, her
throat making a barely audible sound.
What are you thinking right now?
.... Right, it must be a relief. If even my family approves of Matsuda-kun,
then hell be more motivated going forward, wont he?
At Miyukis attempt to y it safe, I tried to infuse some energy into my
reply, struggling to lift the dampened atmosphere.
But what to do? I wasnt in the mood to y along. So, letting out a soft
chuckle, I casually shrugged my shoulders.
I guess so.
.....
Miyuki was rendered speechless once again, as if shed swallowed honey.
She seemed slightly ufortable at first, but judging by the fact that she
hadnt moved away from me, it looked like she was just nervous.
Looking at Miyuki, I spoke.
Hey.
.... Yes?
Whats that on the ceiling?
Ah... that... well, Tetsuya-kun and I put it up when we were kids.
You put it up when you were kids? So, this house has been around for quite
some time, huh? It looked so clean from the inside and out that I thought it
was recently built.
Its well-maintained... thats why... Matsuda-kun also takes good care of the
house... even looks after the nts...
Flinch!
Miyuki visibly jolted. It was because, while pretending to adjust my posture,
I subtly ced my hand over hers.
In a typical romanticedy, if such a situation were to ur, both the
protagonist and the heroine would be startled to the point of falling over,
their faces turning red as they apologize to each other.
But not me.
I have no intention of being such an oblivious protagonist.
.....
When I touched the back of her hand, Miyuki seemed instinctively startled, but
she didnt make any move to pull away.
She couldnt hide her confusion, though. It made senseout of the blue, Id
sat next to her and initiated physical contact without much prior
conversation.
I left my hand resting on the back of hers, perfectly still. Just as Miyuki,
unable to bear the awkward silence, was about to say something, I began to
gently poke her slender fingers with my fingernail.
Mat... Ahem...
She began to call my name but broke off into a small cough instead, as if
clearing her throat.
Her hand tensed. I noticed the bed sheet around her palm, which she was
pressing down on, began to fold in slightly. But she still didnt remove my
hand.
It seemed like I could take it a step further.
Just as I had made my decision and began to spread Miyukis fingers apart to
intece them with my own,
Knock, knock.
A knocking sound came from the door.
Ah!
Miyuki nearly shrieked, her entire body expressing her surprise as she
abruptly stood up from her seat.
Miyuki! Matsuda-kun! We have lots of fruit left, what are you doing just
going upstairs? Take some with you.
It was Midoris voice. She must have brought up the te that had been left
in the living room.
Uh...! Iming...!
Staggering a few times, Miyuki made her way to the door, grasped the doorknob,
and weed Midori in.
Fruits...?
Yes. Isnt it hot?
Midori asked as if oblivious to the atmosphere.
With an awkward smile, Miyuki replied,
I left the window open. Its fine...
Is that so...? Matsuda-kun is studying?
Upon hearing that, Miyuki quickly nced back at me. She found me, now seated
at the desk, and stared with a dumbfounded expression before swiftly turning
her head back to Midori.
I said,
Right... Midterms are just around the corner, so naturally, I must study.
Midterms...? Isnt that still a while away?
From Matsuda-kuns perspective, its right on top of us.
What do you mean by that?
It means Im not doing well in my studies, so it feels that way.
This one sure speaks her mind, doesnt she?
Uh, anyway, thank you. Well enjoy the fruit!
Sure,e down if youre bored. Matsuda-kun, study hard... hang in there.
At Midoris gentle words, I responded with a warm smile.
Yes, maam.
I had expected Midoris arrival. Why? Because this is a romanticedy, after
all.
One of the hallmarks of a romanticedy is the unexpected intrusion. The
protagonist and the heroine get a chance for some serious physical intimacy
either in the early or middle stages of the story.
However, the moment physical intimacy is initiated, or the atmosphere builds
up for it, its usually interrupted by friends, teachers, or family members,
After that, you either awkwardly pretend everything is normal, making up this
excuse or that to gloss over the situation, or you get caught and teased about
it.
Casual lines from side characters like, What were you doing? or noticing the
characters flushed faces and saying, Ooooh...! Whats going on here? are
some of the ssic clichs in this genre.
Thats why I intentionally kept the physical contact light. I anticipated this
clich would happen to me, so I wanted to quickly move past it and start the
real deal.
If I had attempted a kiss right away, even Miyuki wouldnt have been able to
maintain herposure.
Click.
As Midori left, Miyuki carefully closed the door and set the te of fruit on
the desk. Then she lightly tapped my shoulder.
When did you move over there?
When you got up to answer the door.
Youre really something... Lets have some fruit.
Alright! There shouldnt be any interruption event now.
I looked at Miyuki, who was munching on melon, and skewered a neatly cut
strawberry with a fork and offered it to her.
Your favorite.
You should eat more, Matsuda-kun.
If you eat, then Ill eat too.
Miyuki hesitated before extending her hand to take the fork. Seizing the
opportunity, I quickly grasped her wrist with my free hand.
Hic!
An immediate hup escaped from Miyuki, evidently startled by my sudden
action. I chuckled lightly, gazing tenderly at her.
...Hic! Hic!
She was adorable, covering her mouth with her hand. It might be best to wait
until her hups subside, but I felt that even now, it would be okay to
proceed.
However... Im anxious.
Holding hands might be within the realm of eptable physical intimacy, but a
kiss might not be.
I had resolved to go beyond just a peck today, but now that I think about it,
I may be rushing things. Maybe it wouldnt hurt to hold off until the uing
cultural festival event.
No. Screw it.
Inwardly grappling with negative thoughts, I unleashed a string of curses at
myself.
For nearly three months, Ive been seeing her almost every day, taking care of
special events, filling up the likability meter, and going on frequent
dates.
Even before entering the room, right in the flower bed, Miyuki was nervous,
thinking that something would happen today.
So why am I hesitating like this?
If I keep trying to calcte the perfect timing, Ill end up as timid as
Tetsuya.
I resolved to be true to myself, didnt I?
Attempting a kiss after three months isnt even rushed; its overdue.
So, lets just go for it.
I stood up from the chair, still holding onto Miyukis wrist, and gingerly
took steps toward her. With every step I took, she took a matching step
backward.
Hic...! Hic!
The frequency of her hups quickening was a clear sign of just how tense she
was.
But do you know something? If you step back just a bit more...
Thunk.
Hic!
Miyukis voice, a tone higher and almost like a moan, escaped her lips as she
stumbled back, cornered against the edge of the bed.
Her eyes, dted to the fullest, were darting frantically in every direction.
Thud.
I felt Miyukis knee touch my leg.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I leaned forward, bringing my face closer to hers.
This time, Miyukis body shifted backward, her back finally settling against
the bed.
Now that you have nowhere to run, what will you do?
I released her wrist and ced my hands on either side of her ribcage.
... Hic!
In Miyukis trembling gaze, two emotions were intertwined: anticipation and
fear, with thetter prevailing.
If I continue now, the kiss would carry a slight tinge of coercion.
However, I want Miyuki to fully savor the sweetness of her first kiss. It
cant be all about me... so lets dispel that fear.
Locking eyes with Miyuki, I said,
Im sorry, Miyuki.
My tone, strikingly gentler than usual, carried a heartfelt apology. In
response, a significant portion of the fear in Miyukis eyes dissipated.
Thats good enough. This will do for now.
While saying I love you wouldve been better, Ill save that for another
opportunity.
I scrutinized Miyukis face intently.
Hic!
Her muscles, once taut with tension, were starting to rx. The frequency of
her hups had decreased, and her trembling body had calmed down.
I slowly reached out, gently removing the hand that Miyuki had ced over her
mouth.
Her arm dropped to the side, utterly devoid of strength.
.....
.....
Miyuki couldnt seem to keep her eyes still, perhaps out of embarrassment.
Her lips, tightly pressed together, were incredibly tempting.
Though I wanted to lean in right away, I decided to give Miyuki a moment to
prepare herself.
With my burning impatience under control, I continued to gaze only at her.
As soon as I sensed that her trembling had stopped, I brought my face closer
to hers and slightly tilted my head.
Miyukis eyes slowly closed.
A perfect, unspoken consent.
With a silent Hooray! in my mind, I managed to calm my wildly racing heart
and finally pressed my lips onto her plump ones.
Hic!
As if on cue, Miyuki huped, causing her head to jolt upward ever so
slightly.
Our lips pressed more firmly together, transforming a soft touch into a strong
connection.
Amused by Miyukis unintended reaction, I let out a soft chuckle through my
nose.
At that, I could feel all the tension leave her body, even her lips, which had
been pressed against mine, began to part.
Should I introduce my tongue, or should I hold back?
Lets go for it. Havinge this far, Id regret if I stopped here.
But I should be mindful not just of my own desires; I should also consider how
Miyuki will feel.
Alright. Ill take it just a bit further.
With a short moment of deliberation, I subtly extended my tongue while our
lips were still touching, gently sliding it into Miyukis mouth.
Then, as though I were painting, I softly grazed her teeth with my tongue.
...Eek!
Startled, Miyukis body jerks, and her open teeth snap shut.
If I had given in to desire and slipped my tongue between them, it wouldve
been a disaster.
Good thing I held back.
By now, she mustve opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Even though shes startled enough to jump out of her skin, the fact that she
isnt pushing me away means she doesnt seem to think we should stop.
Is she holding back because shes seen this sort of thing in dramas or movies?
Or is it because shes heard what a kiss feels like from her friends who have
boyfriends?
If its neither, has she watched some porn alone?
Whatever the case may be, it couldnt be anything but good news for me.
With my eyes politely closed, I was gently rolling my tongue against Miyukis
teeth when I felt a long breath escape from her nose, tickling my nostrils and
philtrum.
I cheered, internally.
That breath signaled that her tension hadpletely melted away.
Relieved, I chose not to go any further this time.
As if foreshadowing a more intense kiss next time, I lightly grazed the outer
edge of Miyukis teeth.
Finally, I used the tip of my tongue to gradually erase the lingering taste of
melonsomething she had just eatenfrom my mouth.
As a finishing touch, I ever-so-lightly bit her lower lip with my teeth,
pulling it just a tad, thus bringing our first kiss to a close.
*