Episode 52 – Is that a real kiss?

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The School’s Top Idol Is Acting Like She’s My Childhood Friend for Some Reason and Just Keeps Closing the Distance on Her Own…?! ~Stop Getting All Gloomy on Me Just Because I Turned You Down!~

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Nineteen days left until the cultural festival.

Yesterday, Rino and I almost kissed.

We didn’t actually touch.

A call from our manager interrupted us at the last second.

So nothing happened.

In theory, at least, that’s how it should have been.

“Good morning, Seita.”

“…Good morning.”

The next morning, the moment I ran into Rino in front of our usual convenience store, we both looked away at the same time.

That wasn’t the reaction of two people between whom nothing had happened.

Rino’s cheeks were flushed, and she was clutching the handles of her bag with both hands. I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the face either, so I stared pointlessly at the product names on a nearby vending machine.

The closeness from yesterday came flooding back.

Her face was so close I could feel her breath.

Eyes that reflected only me.

[I don’t mind.]

The words that came out of my own mouth.

And then I said one last thing.

[You can look forward to it.]

What exactly should I look forward to?

What on earth did I just give permission for?

If I could catch my past self, I’d grab him by the shoulders and demand an explanation. Why did I spout a line straight out of a romantic comedy protagonist’s final act? Your story is still in the “cultural festival preparations” phase, you know. Think about the pacing.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“Do you regret what happened yesterday?”

Rino wasn’t looking at me.

Her voice was soft.

Up until yesterday, she would have asked me much more forcefully. But right now, Rino is afraid of my answer.

Afraid that I might pull away.

Or that I might say it was a mistake.

She must be thinking that.

“No, I don’t.”

I replied.

It’s not that I’m not scared.

Just remembering it makes my heart race, and even now, I still feel a little like running away.

But I didn’t regret it.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I think it was probably for the best that we stopped right there.”

Rino’s expression began to cloud over.

“But it’s not that I didn’t like it.”

When I continued, her eyes widened.

“I just haven’t caught up with my own feelings yet. It’s not that I didn’t like you getting close to me, and I’m not taking back what I said yesterday.”

“Does that mean I can get my hopes up?”

“…Yeah.”

“Until when?”

“Don’t ask me for a deadline.”

“I’ll wait, but I want some kind of timeline.”

“Don’t make this sound like I’m taking reservations for a confession.”

Rino smiled ever so slightly.

Seeing that smile, I finally relaxed a little.

“There’s no need to rush.”

As she said that, Rino tugged on my sleeve.

“But don’t run away, okay?”

“I’ll tell you if I start to run away.”

“And then?”

“Just wait a little while.”

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

Still holding onto my sleeve, Rino walked alongside me.

We didn’t hold hands.

Up until yesterday, I might have felt like something was missing. But today, this slight distance felt just right.

Close enough to touch, yet not quite.

Even so, neither of us made a move to pull away.

We walked to school just like that, a little quieter than usual.

　※　※　※

That afternoon, Rino left school early for a photo shoot.

“I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“You don’t have to push yourself. It’s going to be late, right?”

“But I want to talk to Seita.”

“I’m staying late again today to help with the cultural festival preparations, so my reply might be delayed.”

“Then, work hard for me too.”

“Are you trying to dump your share of the work on me?”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“What are you planning to do?”

When I asked that, Rino blushed all the way to her ears, as if she’d just remembered what happened yesterday.

“…It’s still a secret.”

“I shouldn’t have asked.”

Rino left the classroom, looking back repeatedly as if she were reluctant to leave.

Her back eventually disappeared from view.

Just that alone made the seat next to me feel strangely empty.

After the closing assembly, preparations for the cultural festival began.

Today’s tasks were decorating the classroom and practicing for the customer service team.

After finishing the final draft of the accounting sheet, I took on the task of checking the costume team—which Rino was supposed to be in charge of.

It wasn’t just for Rino’s sake.

As a member of the executive committee, I simply needed to catch up on the work that was falling behind.

Just as I was telling myself that, Hara peered over from the seat next to me at the accounting sheet.

“Takahara-kun, it’s quiet without Rino, isn’t it?”

“It’s just the same as always.”

“I mean you, Takahara-kun—not the classroom.”

“I’m naturally quiet.”

“But today, you looked at Rino’s seat about three times.”

“I didn’t.”

“Five times, actually.”

Shinozaki, who was making paper flowers, corrected her.

“Don’t make it up.”

“I was counting, after all.”

I stopped arguing and turned my gaze back to the accounting sheet.

It was true—I had looked over at Rino’s seat a few times.

Usually, whenever I looked over, Rino would be looking right back at me. If our eyes met, she’d smile, and sometimes she’d even toss me a note.

But not today.

It should have been quiet and perfect for focusing on my work, but I felt a little restless.

“Aren’t you feeling lonely?”

Hara asked with a smirk.

“She’ll get in touch once the shoot is over.”

“That’s not really an answer, but I guess you’ve already decided.”

I ignored her

But deep down, I couldn’t deny it.

I’m lonely.

I guess that’s probably true.

Without even realizing it, I’d started taking it for granted that Rino was right beside me.

I, who used to be afraid of getting close to people, now feel lonely when someone isn’t there.

Back in the day, that would have been an unthinkable change.

By a little past six in the afternoon, the only students left were me, Hara, and Shinozaki.

“Should we head home soon?”

Hara said, stretching.

“What about Takahara-kun?”

“I’m going to finish up this seating chart before I leave.”

“Can’t you do that tomorrow?”

“I have to prepare some other materials tomorrow.”

“For Rino?”

“For the executive committee.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Hara laughed cheerfully and left the classroom with Shinozaki.

I was left alone.

The classroom after sunset looked like a completely different place from what it had been during the day.

It was dark outside the window, and there were few voices coming from the hallway.

I turned my attention back to the seating chart for the cultural festival.

The old me would never have stayed behind alone in the classroom after school.

Just being at school used to be agonizing.

If I was left behind in an empty classroom, I felt like I was the only one cut off from the world.

But now it’s different.

Decorations we’d all made together were placed around my desk.

The finished sign was in front of the blackboard.

On my phone is a group photo.

And when I get home, Rino will contact me.

My place in the world is slowly taking shape.

Just as I finished filling in the last column of the schedule, the classroom door opened.

“Seita.”

It was a voice I knew well.

I looked up.

Rino was standing in the doorway.

She wasn’t wearing her school uniform.

Perhaps she’d worn it for the photo shoot—she had a light-colored dress on with a sheer jacket draped over it, and her hair was styled differently than usual. Traces of her light makeup remained, making her look far too glamorous for the classroom.

“What are you doing here?”

“My shoot just wrapped up nearby. I thought you might still be here.”

“The school gates are about to close.”

“I asked my manager, and I got permission from the teacher, too.”

She went to all that trouble just to come here?

Rino looked around the classroom, then lowered her gaze to the stack of materials on my desk.

“Did you do my share, too?”

“I was behind, so I just caught up.”

“Thank you.”

“It was part of my job, so what can I say?”

Rino walked up to me.

Then, without saying a word, she spread her arms wide.

“……What?”

“To thank you.”

“Is hugging me your way of saying thanks?”

“You choose, Seita.”

“I don’t see any options here.”

“Either I hug you, or you hug me.”

“So either way, we’re hugging.”

“Yeah.”

Rino was serious.

I looked around.

The classroom was empty.

There was no sign of anyone in the hallway either.

But that wasn’t a reason to hug her.

It shouldn’t have been.

I’d seen that empty seat so many times today.

I felt lonely knowing Rino wasn’t there.

Now, seeing her right in front of me, I feel relieved.

I didn’t want to gloss over that feeling with just words.

“Rino.”

“What?”

“Welcome back.”

Rino’s eyes flickered.

The next moment, she threw herself into my arms.

Her soft body brushed against my chest, and a sweet scent filled the air.

I staggered slightly as I caught Rino.

I wrapped my arms around her back.

I hugged her back of my own accord.

“Seita.”

“Yeah.”

“I missed you.”

“We saw each other this morning, didn’t we?”

“I couldn’t see you all afternoon.”

“It was only a few hours.”

“It felt like forever.”

Rino pressed her cheek against my chest and tightened her grip on my back.

I didn’t let go either.

Holding someone close.

It’s even closer than holding hands.

I could feel everything—Rino’s body heat, her breath, and her shoulders moving gently against my chest.

“Me too.”

The words died on my lips.

Rino looked up.

“You too, Seita?”

Her eyes shimmered with anticipation.

There was no turning back now.

No—I didn’t want to turn back.

“I missed you, too.”

Tears welled up in Rino’s eyes.

“I looked over at your seat a few times today.”

“How many times?”

“I don’t remember.”

“What about Hara and the others?”

“They said three or five times.”

“Seita was looking for me.”

“Don’t exaggerate.”

“But it makes me happy.”

Rino laughed, on the verge of tears, and buried her face in my chest again.

“Did you miss me when I wasn’t there?”

“……A little.”

“Just a little?”

“You’re really pressing me on this.”

“I want to know.”

I moved my hand, resting on Rino’s back, just a little.

As if to stroke her.

Rino’s body trembled slightly.

“I missed you.”

I answered honestly.

Rino’s arms wrapped around me even tighter.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to go home today.”

“I have to go home, don’t I?”

“But if I let you go now, the Seita I know today will be gone.”

“I’ll still be here tomorrow.”

“The same Seita?”

“Don’t ask me such philosophical questions out of the blue.”

“The Seita who came looking for me today.”

“I’ll still remember that tomorrow.”

“The Seita who told me he wanted to see me.”

“I won’t forget.”

“The Seita who held me close.”

Rino looked up.

We remained embraced, gazing into each other’s eyes from close range.

“Will that still be there tomorrow, too?”

“It will be.”

“Forever?”

“……I’ll make sure it stays.”

When I answered, Rino closed her eyes.

Just like last night.

Our faces drew closer, little by little.

This time, the phone didn’t ring.

There was no sign of anyone coming in.

My arms remained wrapped around Rino’s back.

Her arms wouldn’t let go of me.

“Seita.”

At a distance where we could almost touch, Rino called my name.

“Can we pick up where we left off yesterday?”

My heart was pounding.

If I wanted to run away, I still could.

Rino wasn’t forcing herself on me either.

She was just waiting for my answer.

I’m scared.

If I cross this line, something will truly change.

It’ll become harder to gloss over things with vague phrases like “more than friends,” the way we’ve done until now.

Even so.

Just not having Rino around today made me feel lonely.

I was happy to see her.

It was me who hugged her, and it’s me who doesn’t want to let her go right now.

“……Just a little bit.”

Rino’s eyes wavered.

“Just a little?”

“I’m still scared.”

“Yeah.”

“But I don’t want to run away.”

“Yeah.”

Rino didn’t come any closer.

Instead, she waited for my answer.

Yesterday, Rino was the one who made the first move.

Today, it was my turn to choose.

I touched Rino’s cheek.

A soft sensation spread through my fingertips.

Her eyelashes trembled.

I slowly leaned in.

Just a little closer.

Our breaths mingled.

And then I—gently brushed my lips against Rino’s forehead.

Just for an instant.

The moment our lips touched, I couldn’t bear the embarrassment and pulled away.

Rino was completely frozen.

“…Seita?”

“Let’s call it a day.”

“Did you just kiss me?”

“Just on the forehead.”

“You did that?”

“You can see for yourself, can’t you?”

“Me?”

“Who else would it be?”

Rino’s face flushed bright red all at once.

She pressed her hand to her forehead and almost crumpled to the ground right there.

I hurriedly caught her.

“Rino?”

“I can’t.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m too happy to stand.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Seita did it to me.”

Rino buried her face in my chest and repeated in a trembling voice.

“I was waiting, and Seita came to me.”

“We couldn’t kiss yet, though.”

“That’s fine.”

Rino lifted her face and smiled through her tears.

“Since Seita chose it himself, anything is fine.”

Hearing those words, my heart swelled with warmth.

Keeping my hand on Rino’s cheek, I wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with my thumb.

“Don’t cry.”

“It’s Seita’s fault.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll forgive you if you do it some more.”

“Don’t get too cocky.”

“Then, just one more time.”

“I told you that’s it for today.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Don’t make a reservation.”

Rino laughed and leaned her body against my chest once more.

We stayed embraced for a while in the empty classroom.

In front of the blackboard hung the sign we’d all made together.

On the wall were unfinished decorations.

Outside the window lay the schoolyard, now completely dark.

The after-school classroom I’d spent my entire middle school years running away from.

And right now, in that very spot, I was holding the person I wanted to see more than anyone else.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“I want you to do this on the day of the cultural festival, too.”

“You mean we’re going to hug in a classroom?”

“I’ll find a place where we can be alone.”

“What do you think the cultural festival is?”

“A day to make memories with Seita.”

“It’s a class event.”

“Both are important.”

Rino pulled away from me just a little.

Even so, her hand was still clutching my uniform.

“Should we go home?”

“Yeah.”

“Want to hold hands?”

“Are you asking me that now?”

I reached out my hand.

Rino looked surprised at first, then happily took my hand.

We intertwined our fingers.

We turned off the lights in the classroom and stepped out into the hallway.

On Rino’s forehead was the spot I’d touched a moment ago.

It wasn’t visible to the eye.

But every now and then, she’d touch it, as if to check.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“I’ll never forget today for the rest of my life.”

“I know.”

“The day you kissed me for the first time, Seita.”

“It was on my forehead, though.”

“A first is a first.”

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Is it just our secret?”

“……Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Yeah. Our special secret, just between the two of us.”

Rino brought our clasped hands up to her chest.

Nineteen days left until the cultural festival.

Our lips haven’t touched yet.

Even so, the boundary between us had definitely grown thinner than it was yesterday.

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Maigetsu

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