Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 7: "We're not dating?"

“We’re not dating?”

Rumors spread faster than people’s steps.

Interest, curiosity, imagination, ideals—various factors converge, embellishing the story.

“Hey, Akahori… Did you really kneel down to see Yakumo-chan’s panties during lunch break yesterday, got slapped, and then blown away, licked her indoor shoes, and got forgiven… Seriously?”

“…What happened exactly!?”

But this is more like a chimera than a simple embellishment. Yakumo is undoubtedly the most beautiful girl in the school. With her long, beautiful white hair, well-defined face, great figure, and the mysterious aura she exudes, she naturally attracts attention wherever she goes, making her the center of attention.

Certainly, yesterday during lunch break, we were seen together carrying printouts. Well, that’s natural for a school setting. However, the facts have been grossly misinterpreted.

“…Hey, Akahori… I heard that you and Yakumo-chan are in a master-servant relationship, and after school, you walk around the school building like a dog on all fours… Is it true?”

“I actually heard from a senior that Akahori is the one threatening Yakumo-san… Is that true!?”

“Hey, aren’t you two secretly in a romantic relationship and enjoying that kind of play?”

“Akahori can only get excited by strangling necks…”

The rumors have taken on a life of their own. The countless chimeras born from different interpretations of the situation resemble the changes in Earth’s history and ecosystems. My head hurts.

The classmates swarm around me like carp being fed. Everyone is opening and closing their mouths, trying to get to the bottom of the truth.

“Good morning… Hey, Renji, are you becoming popular?”

In this chaotic classroom, the central figure of the rumors, Yakumo, appears.

“Good morning, Yakumo-san! What’s going on between you and Akahori-kun!?”

“Is it true that you’ve already had a physical relationship!?”

“Who confessed first!?”

“What should we be careful about when strangling someone!?”

My childhood friend has become a prime target, and most of the girls turn their attention to her. The rumors, now evolved into their own creatures, are being fed and nurtured.

“Uh? Me and Renji?”

No, more importantly, what is Yakumo’s answer now? Well, it’s Yakumo, so she won’t say anything strange, right? Even yesterday, she deliberately took me to a place away from prying eyes, and we… we kissed.

I-I hope everything’s fine, Yakumo.

“We’re not dating?”

Calmly, succinctly, in just one sentence, Yakumo declared. I knew it, I had an inkling. But for some reason, a sense of unease begins to spread in my chest.

“Really? But…”

Trying to gossip even with the chime ringing for the morning homeroom, one girl, not satisfied with the previous answer, was about to ask a new question.

The bell announcing the morning homeroom echoes.

“Oh, no! Sit down, sit down!”

“You’ll get in trouble if you’re late!”

“We’ll talk later, Yakumo-san!”

Everyone hurriedly returns to their seats. Our homeroom teacher is known to be quick to anger and frightening.

Freed from the turmoil, Sagiri and I returned to our seats, the rearmost ones by the window.

“They asked if we’re dating.”

“…You denied it, didn’t you?”

While the homeroom teacher is not looking, my childhood friend, with a mischievous smile, whispers to me from the adjacent seat. Her every move and word seem to be poisonous to my eyes, ears, and heart.

“Hmm, hmm?”

From that moment on, other than the occasional wave of questioning during break time, peace returned.

While I continue to ponder what it means to be best friends, Sagiri seems to concentrate on the lesson, gazing at the blackboard while tilting her head. With her pen touching her lips, she appears deep in thought. Her lips, tinted a pale peach color, look soft and…

“Is it bothering you?”

“Ah!?”

Suddenly, she turns to me and gives a sly smile. Her every gesture and word become a potent toxin to my eyes, ears, and heart.

Shocked by her sudden smile, I nearly let out a sound.

The school day comes to an end. I exchange glances with Sagiri, who is now smiling contentedly, and we decide to meet after school.

“Renji, sorry to keep you waiting! Oh, today you have two grape juices?”

“Well, it’s hot…”

As usual, we meet at the park, and as usual, Sagiri rejects other’s confession.

“Hey, best friend.”

On the way home, I’m unexpectedly pulled by my tie.

“Wanna do it?”

Before I can answer, I’m kissed.

“Hehe… Well, see you tomorrow!”

She releases my lips and runs away with a cute smile, disappearing into the distance. After that, I take a deep breath and…

“…I don’t understandddddddddddd!!”

Facing the setting sun, I shout at the top of my lungs.

What does she want from me… What is she trying to do!?