Part-2 Ch-10 Ep-04

 Maki’s POV

――I kissed Mari for the first time.

The kiss was nothing more than a light touch, yet it was unbelievably soft, like a marshmallow.

If it was like a marshmallow, did that mean it was sweet as well?

I felt the urge to check by licking it, but I restrained myself.

I still did not have the courage to go that far.

After all, Mari was my first for everything too.

I pulled my lips back slightly and asked her,

“Can I kiss you one more time?”

Mari looked at me with eyes faintly moist, gave a small nod, and closed her eyes again. I kissed her once more, just barely touching, and then pulled away.

Then I touched her lips again, and pulled back once more. Little by little, I began to understand how much pressure to use.

I made sure our teeth did not touch, keeping everything soft, gentle, and careful.

Once I grew accustomed to it, mere touching was no longer enough, and I began pecking her lips over and over.

The flame that had been lit deep in my chest had grown far too large to be called a candle anymore, and the heat bottled up inside me made me feel as though I were melting from within.

Wanting to savor every part of Mari’s lips, I kissed her as though I were devouring them.

When I caught her upper lip lightly between mine and tugged, the inner softness of our lips brushed together.

“Nn…” A sound slipped from Mari’s mouth.

Even though I had held myself back once, the desire to go further pressed insistently at my back. Should I slip my tongue in like this?

How far was I allowed to go?

If I went further and Mari told me to stop, would I really be able to stop then?

“Nn…”

Another faint sound escaped Mari, but this time it carried a hint of pain.

I realized I had been pressing too hard, enough that our teeth were starting to touch, and I quickly pulled myself away.

Even though it had only been a short while, it felt as if I had been savoring Mari’s lips for a long time.

“A-are you okay…?”

“…Yeah, I’m okay.”

Hearing Mari answer in a dazed voice, I reflected that I might have gone a little too far. Truly, whenever it comes to Mari, I tend to lose control.

I began to worry that I had been forcing my feelings onto her.

“…Do you hate me now?”

“Why? I love you.”

I had asked out of anxiety, but the words “I love you,” spoken so casually and naturally, completely caught me off guard, and my face grew hot.

“Maki, your face is red,” Mari said with a laugh, clearly amused.

Who do you think made it red?

Mari is always strangely cool in moments like this. Annoyed, I took the opportunity to tickle her side.

“Ah…!”

“……”

Just touching her side drew out a much sweeter voice than I had expected, and both Mari and I froze.

Mari’s cheeks were flushed as well.

This was bad. If this went on any further, my heart would not be able to handle it. I would not be able to stop. The room felt as hot as if the heater had been turned on.

“Ah, the rain stopped.”

“Yeah.”

I forced myself to change the subject.

When I looked out the window, sunlight was streaming in. The rain clouds from earlier had vanished as if they had never existed, revealing a clear sky.

No, more than a clear sky, it was already sunset.

“…I guess I should head home soon.”

“Eh.”

Startled, I reflexively grabbed the hem of Mari’s clothes. As if asking what was wrong, Mari looked at me. Her eyes were so gentle that my chest ached.

Mari always refuses when I tease her lightly, but whenever I approach her seriously, it feels as though she always accepts me.

Mari’s heart is like a bottomless swamp.

I am indulged, indulged again, sink deeper and deeper, and cannot escape.

“Um, I’m sorry for suddenly kissing you today. Even though I said I would wait.”

When I said that, Mari let her gaze drift as if recalling something, then nodded.

“It’s okay. I wanted it too. But right now, my heart is racing so much that I might be at full capacity.”

When she said that with a laugh, I hugged her tightly and apologized again.

“I’m sorry. I’ll treasure you more.”

“You’re already treasuring me plenty.”

“No. I’ll treasure you even more.”

“…Um, Maki, don’t go overboard, okay?”

Seriously, what does she think I am? I thought, tightening my arms around her. During the school trip, I’ll buy matching souvenirs and give her one.

Holding Mari in my arms, I gazed over her shoulder at the guidebook that had been left open and forgotten, and thought that to myself.

Chapter 10 end