Chapter 4

That night, Sei Shimada... was lying on the bed, writhing.

"What is he, what is he...!"

What came to mind was, of course, today's after-school incident.

It was a regular day at school, just like any other, until she was called by Shihō.

Shihō said she wanted to consult about something and asked Sei to stay after school. They talked alone in the classroom.

When Sei heard the story, Shihō had been asked out on a date by Jūhon Yūichi, whom she had a crush on.

But there were rumors that Jūhon was dating and even engaged to the rich girl, Tōjōin Kashiho.

Shihō was asking if it was okay to go on a date with him and even if she should confess her feelings.

Sei answered her best friend's consultation very sincerely.

When Sei gathered information about Jūhon, she learned that the two were childhood friends, the dating rumors were false, and the engagement was also a lie.

However, it seemed that Tōjōin Kashiho really liked Jūhon, and the rumors were spread by Tōjōin to keep Jūhon close to her.

When Sei told Shihō this, she visibly relaxed.

Shihō seemed to think that Jūhon was not the type of guy who would ask out another girl while having a girlfriend or a fiancée, so she decided to accept Jūhon's date invitation, but she was still a bit worried.

However, Shihō showed hesitation when she heard that Tōjōin liked Jūhon.

She wondered if it was okay to confess her feelings.

So Sei said, "Tōjōin doesn't matter. What's important is how Shihō feels."

Hearing this, Shihō finally regained her composure and decided to confess during the next date.

Sei thought that Shihō's worries were resolved and the consultation was over...

"But then, he...!"

Yes, he... Kusumura Tsukasa came.

Recently, Sei had been talking to Kusumura a lot to gather information about Jūhon for Shihō.

At first, Kusumura looked at Sei suspiciously, but when Sei explained that she was doing it for Shihō, Kusumura started to talk to her normally.

Kusumura's suspicion towards Sei, who was investigating his best friend Jūhon, showed how much he cared about Jūhon as a friend.

Sei, who had a best friend like Shihō, could empathize with this and thought, "He's a good friend."

When Sei said she wanted to investigate Jūhon further, Kusumura introduced her to Jūhon, which was very helpful in determining if Jūhon was suitable for Shihō.

...Well, as a result, Sei also found Jūhon attractive and developed a crush on him.

However, even though she had a crush, it was just a slight interest in a boy.

She kept her feelings in check because of Shihō, and maybe because she didn't want to get too excited herself.

But Kusumura quickly saw through her feelings for Jūhon.

That's why she didn't want to meet Kusumura today.

Because her efforts to suppress her feelings for Shihō's sake would be exposed.

And as Sei expected, Kusumura quickly figured it out.

Up to that point, everything went as expected, up to that point.

But... what happened after that is the reason Sei is writhing on the bed.

"Because, Sei-chan, I will make you happy."

"Ugh...!"

"Sei-chan, I like you. I will definitely make you happy, so please go out with me."

"Ah! I can't believe I'm remembering this, me!"

She covered her head with a pillow, trying to forget the scene.

But of course, she couldn't forget it. Instead, by blocking out the surroundings, she remembered not only the words but also the scene.

His straightforward eyes, the sincerity in his words, were unmistakable.

Sei stumbled back and tripped at the podium, and Kusumura caught her.

She was pulled close, and their bodies touched, feeling the warmth of his body.

Their faces were so close that if either of them wanted to, their lips would have touched in just a moment.

"Mmm...!"

Her muffled groan echoed in her room as her face was buried in the pillow.

And the final straw was being cornered against the blackboard, with a "wall push"...

"Because, Sei-chan, you didn't answer. Plus, your blushing face is too cute, I couldn't help but get closer."

"Ugh...!"

"Sei-chan, I really like you. I will definitely make you happy, so please go out with me."

"Ah! Why do I remember every word!"

She cursed her own memory and couldn't help but shout.

In fact, Sei was very smart and had always been in the top ten in her class.

But whether her intelligence and memory were being used effectively or wasted in this situation, it was hard to say.

If the first confession she ever received was that passionate and memorable, it was understandable that she would remember it.

Her mild crush on Jūhon was blown away by Kusumura's intense confession.

"I, I said I would think about it... but, what should I do..."

Kusumura was strangely insistent on getting an answer right there, but Sei was too shocked to give an answer on the spot.

If she had answered then... she might have agreed without thinking.

(No, even if I had thought about it calmly, I wouldn't have definitely said no... rather, the possibility of saying yes...!)

"What am I thinking!"

She punched a cute stuffed animal near her pillow repeatedly, as if taking out her frustration on it.

But Sei was glad she had managed to stay calm and get out of the situation.

Thinking about what would have happened if she had agreed on the spot—

"I, I understand... if you don't mind me, then, let's... go out..."

"Don't say 'if you don't mind me.' I like you, Sei-chan. I can't be with anyone else but you."

"U-Um, nice to meet you..."

"Likewise. I'm really happy, Sei-chan."

They remained in the same position, with Kusumura surrounding Sei with the wall and his right arm.

They were so close that they could hear each other's breathing, a newly formed couple in such close proximity.

With her beloved Sei so close, it was impossible to hold back...

"Sei-chan, I can't hold back... Is it okay?"

"Eh...?"

When Sei looked up in confusion, Kusumura's face was even closer than before.

Realizing what Kusumura was about to do, Sei's face turned as red as if it were boiling.

"Wait, wait, right after we just got together...?"

"If you don't want to, push me away..."

Kusumura placed his left hand on Sei's chin, tilting her head up to make it easier.

Their lips were just a few centimeters apart...

"Ahh—"

Sei thought about pushing Kusumura away by placing both hands on his chest, but her hands just rested on his chest.

And then their lips—

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