Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 46: "...Should we?"

“…Should we?”

I and Sagiri entered the park at dusk.

This scene of a boy and a girl in school uniforms holding hands would surely look like lovers to onlookers.

But in reality, we’re childhood friends, not lovers.

Even though it feels like making excuses, there was no one else in the small park in the residential area besides us.

I don’t know if it’s because it’s still hot outside even though the sun is setting due to global warming, or if it’s because the culture of play has changed due to the internet environment.

What is clear is that Sagiri and I sat side by side on a bench in the empty park.

“…Nobody’s here, huh?”

“…Yeah.”

Just hearing those words murmured next to me made my heart race.

It might be because of Sagiri’s suggestive words or maybe because of the situation of us snugly pressed together on this long bench.

It’s our usual detour on the way home, a visit to the park we sometimes make.

What do you call this if not an after-school date?

“…”

Our hands remained intertwined as they lay between our pressed knees.

Now, Sagiri’s hand tightened around mine. So I squeezed back without saying anything.

The warmth and softness of my childhood friend spread through my left hand.

Though we’ve held hands since we were kids, and though we might be doing more now, and even though we’re not saying anything, my heart has been racing this whole time.

“Um, about… last week…”

Her words stumbled awkwardly.

In this space filled with a contradictory mix of comfort and tension, her approach carried an unexpectedly potent impact.

Last week.

It’s undoubtedly about me kissing her.

This morning, thanks to my mom’s interruption, it became something left unsaid, but both Sagiri and I seem to remember it vividly.

So, I don’t think I should avoid the topic.

“Uh, yeah…”

For some reason, I felt thirsty.

I opened my mouth, feeling it become heavy, and shifted my gaze to my childhood friend sitting quietly beside me.

His eyes, tinged with warmth, met mine as she looked up at me.

“…”

In that moment, my mind went blank—

“It’s be-becase… we are… b-best f-friend… right…”

The words came out with a trembling voice, completely different from what I had expected.

“Y-yeah…”

As Sagiri heard my words, she lowered her gaze again.

I… I messed up…

Despite being her childhood friend who could talk to her about anything, for some reason, I became scared to say it outright, and so…!

“Ehehe.”

However, contrary to my panic, Sagiri smiled happily.

“S-so umm— Sagiri!?”

She gently rested her head on my shoulder.

It was a July evening. Despite the heat, our sweaty arms, exposed in short sleeves, intertwined. There was no discomfort in that soft, warm sensation; it was as if I had become one with Sagiri, a comforting feeling taking over my head.

“Hmm?”

Rubbing her cheek against my shoulder, she looked like a capricious cat.

If combining two cute things makes for the strongest, then combining cute Sagiri with a cute cat makes for a good judgement.

…What am I saying?

“Uh, isn’t it hot!?”

My attempt at humor, now that I was acting strangely, missed the mark.

“Is it?”

Receiving such a nonchalant response left me speechless.

No, maybe I was just mesmerized by the beauty right in front of me.

By the face of my childhood friend, whom I had been seeing since we were kids.

“But, you’ll warm me up, won’t you?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“About two weeks ago, maybe even more?”

It seems my words have no statute of limitations.

This contradiction of being asked to warm up despite the heat probably wasn’t something new.

This relationship of kissing because we’re friends is exactly that.

“Ah, I might catch a fever if it’s this cold. If this continues, I’ll end up being alone in bed again.”

Sagiri, my childhood friend, skillfully and deliberately hits my weak spot.

“You said it’s cold… Besides, even if that happens, I’ll be here.”

And being all mushy towards her like that was me.

Sagiri stops abruptly and slowly leans against my body.

“That’s just like you, isn’t it?”

I heard every word murmured beside me.

“Hey, best friend…”

Before I could respond, Sagiri continued.

“…We haven’t done it today yet.”

Despite leaning out of the chair, our bodies are getting closer and closer.

“…Should we?”

Before I could answer, my arms naturally wrapped around my friend’s slender waist.