Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 47: “Do you... like me?”

“Do you… like me?”

In a small park nestled within a residential area, illuminated by the setting sun, Sagiri and I sat on a bench, almost embracing each other, in a public space where anyone could come and see us at any moment.

As my childhood friend leaned out from beside me, I wrapped my arm around her waist to pull her closer, ensuring she wouldn’t fall.

Our upper bodies touched through our shirts, overlapping, bringing happiness along with their softness.

I wanted to stay like this with Sagiri forever.

“…Mm…~”

But at that point, neither I nor Sagiri could stop what we were about to do.

Our beautiful and cute faces drew closer, and our lips met.

The kiss, after about three days, felt incredibly long, as if filling the void left during that time.

“Renji…~”

As we parted our lips and caught our breath amid rough breathing, she called my name.

Her figure looked so endearing.

“A~h… Mm…”

This time, it was me who initiated the kiss.

For the second time, I covered her lips with mine, while holding her trembling body gently.

“Ha… Hoo…”

The impulsive kiss didn’t last long, turning into a heated, sweet sigh.

Both Sagiri and I were breathless. Just two kisses, yet our breaths became ragged, almost suffocating.

“Once again, from Renji…”

“Was it bad?”

“No, I just want more…”

Our eyes met, then closed itself.

“~Mm…”

Our lips met again.

The summer heat, the rustling trees in the breeze, the incessant buzzing of cicadas—all faded into the background.

Just the touch of our lips brought happiness.

“Sagiri…”

Despite thinking that, the clear desire I had unleashed sought the next step.

I released her lips, called out her name, and kissed her again.

Seeking the deeper warmth that lay ahead, I gently slipped my tongue between Sagiri’s lips…

“Wait!? N-No, we can’t!!”

—But my plea didn’t reach my friend.

With a firm push on my shoulder… Sagiri moved her lips away from mine.

“That’s because… we wouldn’t be able to stay… just friends anymore…”

Her eyes were moist, her gaze downcast, cheeks flushed, and her barely open right hand, unable to fully grip, covered her pale pink lips. Despite the clear rejection, for some reason, my heart was still captivated by her.

Even though the mystery of Sagiri’s boundary with how she perceived this relationship had deepened with this clear rejection, I felt like I understood something I hadn’t known before.

No, it might be more accurate to say that I wanted to know more.

“Ah, sorry…”

Setting that aside, I apologized firmly for my actions.

But perhaps Sagiri wasn’t angry because we’ve been childhood friends who’ve always spent time together.

“N-No… I-I just got a little surprised… I-I’m sorry…”

It was Sagiri who was apologizing.

My childhood friend was fidgety, alternating between stealing glances at me and averting her gaze.

Even in this situation, she managed to perform cute gestures, a discovery for me.

“Hey, Ren… best friend?”

She tried to say my name but corrected herself to “friend” at the last moment.

This must be the line, the boundary, of what she considers a childhood friend.

But whenever Sagiri calls me a friend, it’s always when she’s clearly about to ask…

“Do you… love me?”

When she directs her affection towards me and seeks it.

As a childhood friend, I can say that Sagiri, this beautiful girl, has grown up to possess an unbelievable charm. It may be inherent, or perhaps it developed over time—it doesn’t matter.

Calling me a friend, thinking of me as a friend, asking because we’re friends—these are the words only she can say.

Do you… love me?

In this place, in this situation, in this relationship.

After being together for so long, after kissing countless times, I still found myself unsure of my own words and actions.

For my selfish and lonely childhood friend, there’s only one response I can give.

“Yeah, I love you.”

Since long ago, always.

Words that were too embarrassing to say because they became too commonplace, I could say them without hesitation for Sagiri’s sake.

“Yeah, I know.”

Because I can see that beloved face smiling happily.

“Well then, friend.”

For now, that’s enough.

“Should we… kiss again?”

Because that’s what my friend is asking for.

“M~m.”

“M….m.”

So today, too, as friends, we kissed.

For Sagiri and me, childhood friends… and to move forward from being just friends.