Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 4: "I Do Like Him?"

“I Do Like Him?”

For two consecutive days, I kissed my childhood friend. A total of two times. Upper lip and lower lip, two lips, two kisses.

I don’t even know what I’m saying. I don’t understand the meaning of “best friends” that Sagiri talks about. If you’re best friends, it seems okay to kiss every day.

What is a best friend?

Sagiri after the kiss was normal. Well, the definition of normal is already vague, but it was normal. It was the familiar figure of my childhood friend that I know.

So, what about during the kiss?

There was a side of Sagiri that I didn’t know. Despite being best friends, a bold childhood friend who comes to kiss. This should either be brought up as the next topic, or maybe it’s better not to… Can I even bring up something like this?

Kiss, kiss, kiss.

The usual partner for a kiss is, well…

“…Hey, Hasegawa. Could it be that Sagiri likes me?”

“Akahori, are you half-asleep again today?”

My universal question was dismissed by Hasegawa, a smart classmate.

“No, I managed to sleep somewhat last night.”

“Really? After napping so much during the day, you’re healthy enough to sleep well at night… That’s not fair!”

Bam!

A lively retort echoed, and Hasegawa lightly tapped my desk. However, the blow emanating from his sturdy frame produced a deep bass, spreading through the morning classroom.

In other words, it fell silent.

“…Sorry.”

Contrary to his appearance, Hasegawa is a timid person. Other familiar classmates returned to their conversations with a nonchalant “Oh, it’s Hasegawa,” and moved on.

“They almost got me…”

“You did it, Hasegawa.”

“It’s your fault!”

A heartfelt cry from the mighty man was directed at me.

To put it mildly, the pressure was incredible.

“Because you ask weird questions like whether Yakumo-chan likes you.”

“…She’s my childhood friend, there’s no way she likes me.”

“Why would you even think that!?”

Bam!

Due to Hasegawa, who leaned forward from the front row, my desk resounded with a thunderous noise.

“…Seriously, sorry.”

The second time.

My classmates, who had quickly adapted, returned immediately, and Hasegawa sat back down as if nothing had happened.

“Sigh… I wish Yuzuru-chan would come back soon. I want to discuss something, and I can’t handle this blockhead alone.”

“Who’s the blockhead?”

“It’s you, the meddlesome, sleeping fool who’s too serious.”

I don’t know if he’s praising or berating me, but the rhythm of the meddlesome, sleeping fool who’s too serious was good.

“Listen up. The most beautiful girl in the school who hasn’t accepted any confessions in the past year, Yakumo-chan, has been with you and only you all this time. If this doesn’t make her like you, then what will?”

“No, she’s just a childhood friend.”

“I don’t need that! I don’t need such a cliché response! If you’re serious, show more of yourself!”

“Right now, I’m talking about Sagiri, not me.”

“That’s why I’m talking about you!”

I was unreasonably scolded by the big guy. But there was no third Bam!; he was showing definite growth in this short period.

“Jeez, if you like her, don’t tell me, just tell Yakumo-chan already.”

“W-well, it’s not like I like her or anything…”

“Are you in puberty?”

“I am in puberty.”

“Hmm? What are we talking about today?”

“Whoa!?”

Once again, I was taken by surprise by the unexpected attack from my childhood friend. I felt a flutter in my heart at the successful prank and that smiling face.

“Hey, Yakumo-chan! It’s perfect timing.”

“Good morning, Hasegawa-kun. Perfect timing for what?”

“I was wondering whether you like Akahori.”

What are you saying!?

“Me, like Renji?”

“Well, Sagiri! You don’t have to answer; this guy is just confused!”

“I do like him?”

—Rustle!

With that casual remark from Sagiri, the entire class fell silent. Meanwhile, the person in question looked bewildered.

Of course, my inner turmoil was anything but calm.

S-Sagiri really likes me…

“Renji and I—”

Placing her index finger on her lips, Sagiri stated,

“—are best friends.”

Yes, she smiled at me.

“…Uh, best friends?”

Hasegawa expressed his confusion.

“Yeah, best friends,” Sagiri immediately responded.

“…Seriously, sorry.”

After a pat on the shoulder, Hasegawa left looking awkward. In tune with that, the entire class, which had fallen silent, gradually returned to its normal routine. It felt as if they were averting their eyes from someone uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on here?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“Hmm?”

Unable to comprehend Sagiri’s head-tilt, all I could do was shake my head.

Let me say it again. I am not calm right now.

Because, at least for Sagiri…

“Hey, best friend.”

“Huh!?”

What does best friend mean?

“You like me, don’t you?”

“I-it’s not—!”

Since we’re partners in kissing.

“Here you go.”

“…Huh?”

A purple can was taken out from the shoulder-slung school bag and placed on my desk.

Grape juice.

It was the well-chilled favorite canned juice that I always drank when waiting for Sagiri. The one that had indirectly shared many kisses…

“To make sure you don’t fall asleep today, a present from your best friend.”

Yes, with a smile as usual.

Sagiri traced the opening of the can with her index finger.