Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 79: "Uh, welcome back..."

“Uh, welcome back…”

The one who can’t resist and kisses first loses.

It was a serious match that started between Sagiri, who wants to remain friends with me, and me, who wants to move our relationship forward from there.

It was an early morning event where neither of us wanted to lose. The heat of that moment has yet to subside, and now alone, I quietly mutter to myself.

“What am I doing…?”

I was burning with regret.

I had planned to meet Sagiri and apologize, but our reunion escalated from an argument, and before I knew it, winning had become more important than talking and apologizing to her.

“What am I even saying…”

I kept muttering something so embarrassing just to think about. The embarrassment flashed back, and I rolled around alone on the bed.

But it was Sagiri’s fault, really. She insisted she could resist kissing me, even though it’s impossible…

“Sigh…”

But no matter how much I regret it, what’s said is said, and what’s begun is begun.

And in a way, it was refreshing to finally speak out what I’d been thinking. Though my surface is clouded with embarrassment, at least I managed to say some of what I wanted to Sagiri.

“I’m hungry…”

As I gaze at the familiar ceiling, I murmur to myself in the quiet of my room and glance at my smartphone.

The display reads ‘7:34.’

It’s really early. Meaning, Sagiri invaded my place again at a ridiculously early hour.

Why is she always such an early riser?

“Well, let’s eat for now…”

By the way, Sagiri has gone home.

My childhood friend suddenly appeared, said what she wanted to say, and then abruptly left. There’s no point thinking about her anymore when I’m still hungry, so I sluggishly get up and leave the room.

“Oh, Renji, you’re finally up!”

“Mom, where’s my insurance card?”

“The usual place!”

“Ah, found it, Mom! Love you!”

“I love you too, Renji! Hey, don’t just stand there, go wash your face!”

“What… What’s going on, Mom, even Dad…?”

As I walk down the hallway towards the living room, I see my parents bustling about. And their attire is not what you’d usually lounge around the house in—it’s more like what you’d wear for hiking or camping.

“What… You’re still half-asleep? Didn’t we tell you that we have a neighborhood trip this weekend?”

“…Huh?”

It was news to me. I’m still trying to catch up to what’s going on, but my mother furrows her brow at me.

“What? Don’t tell me you don’t know?! I told you during dinner yesterday, and the day before, and even before that, didn’t I? You were out of it, but you did answer, didn’t you?”

“…”

Now that she mentions it, I vaguely recall something like that. But at that time, I was preoccupied with thoughts of me confessing to Sagiri and making her cry…

“…Renji, you weren’t seriously not listening, were you?”

“I-I was listening! I just wasn’t fully awake, that’s all! Oh, now I remember!”

Mom is scary. Especially when she’s mad.

So I nod vigorously, trying to convey that I knew all along.

“Well, as long as you remember. Honestly, you’re so weak in the mornings… I wish you were more like Sagiri-chan. How about next time, you join Mom for some morning yoga? It’ll freshen you up.”

“Uh, I’ll pass…”

Why do I, a high school student, have to do yoga with my mom in the park in the morning?

Weekdays are for yoga, and weekends are for hiking trips.

I felt like I was living a summer vacation more than a high schooler.

“Okay, here you go.”

“Huh, what’s this for?”

Mom sighs and takes out her wallet, handing me a bill.

It was 10,000 yen..

For a high school student who doesn’t work, it’s rare to have such a venerable figure in their hands.

“Why? It’s for food expenses. Your father and I won’t be back until Monday.”

“Well, that’s appreciated, but… isn’t this too much?”

It’s always appreciated to receive something like this, but suddenly being handed a Mr. Yen bill is just surprising. I start to wonder if she’s borrowing from next month’s allowance or something like that. I can’t help but have some suspicions.

Since summer vacation just started, I can’t afford to waste money.

“Because it includes Sagiri-chan’s share too.”

“…Huh?”

But as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, Mom says,

“The Yakumo’s are joining us on the trip too. So make sure you and Sagiri-chan enjoy some good food together.”

“W-Wait, Mom! Are you serious!? I really didn’t hear about this!?”

“Oh? You didn’t hear from Sagiri-chan either? Well, it’s fine, isn’t it? You two are so close, you even sleep in the same bed!”

“…”

“Honey, it’s time to go!”

“Yeah, coming!”

I witnessed a scene where I couldn’t refute, so I couldn’t say anything to my mother.

In response to my father calling for her, my mother replied in a cheerful voice.

My mother’s exuberant chase after her made me feel mentally drained, and in no time, the two of them were ready.

“Alright, Renji, I’m off. Take care of the house and Sagiri-chan.”

“Okay, bye Renshi, I’m off. Be nice to Sagiri-chan.”

“…Yeah, take care.”

I waved off my cheerful parents at the front door as they set off on the neighborhood association trip.

It’s nice that they trust their son, but it’s so embarrassing that Sagiri’s name always comes up from both of them.

“…Unbelievable.”

I muttered to myself at the now empty entrance of our house.

It seems like this world is tough on me.

I tried to calm down and think about my future competition with Sagiri, but inevitably, it was confirmed that I would have to have a meal with her.

“No, there’s still time. For now, until Sagiri arrives—”

Ding dong.

Interrupting my thoughts, the doorbell chimed.

“…”

I had a bad feeling.

If my parents left the house so early, I couldn’t help but think that maybe the same was true for the Yakumo family next door. It felt like I was just trying to escape reality by pondering such thoughts.

But since there was indeed a visitor, I slowly opened the heavy feeling door.

“I-I’m back…?”

Sagiri being back now is really awkward.

She was still in her loose-fitting T-shirt, with a big backpack slung over her back, just as I had seen her before. The sweat trickling down her cheeks was probably not just because of the summer heat.

She was lifting her face, but subtly avoiding eye contact. I guessed she might have had a similar exchange before coming here.

“Uh, welcome back…”

So, I just offered a sympathetic response and let her inside.

The Kiss-Resisting Contest with Sagiri.

It began with plenty of awkwardness, spending our holiday together alone.