Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 82: “Renji. You've got ice cream on your mouth."

“Renji. You’ve got ice cream on your mouth.”

The moment we stepped outside, it was classic summer weather—clear skies, the sun shining brightly, a vast expanse of blue above, with scattered white clouds creating a picturesque scene. The gentle breeze swept through the quiet residential neighborhood, adding to the serene ambiance.

“…It’s so hot.”

Damn hot.

The blazing sun, the achingly blue sky, the scattered clouds offering no respite, and the tepid breeze only making it worse. The asphalt absorbed heat, making it torturous for us pedestrians.

Harugiri, walking beside me on my left, seemed to have forgotten her earlier smile, succumbing to the heat just like me. Apparently deciding that a loose-fitting T-shirt wasn’t suitable for the outing, she had donned a lightweight half-sleeve hoodie she had pulled out of the large backpack she carried that morning, with a cap on her head, exuding a boyish summer style. Despite adding layers, her natural beauty couldn’t be concealed, and even slouching, she looked effortlessly chic, solidifying her reputation as the most beautiful girl in the class.

“Renji, it’s so hot…”

With my beautiful childhood friend melting in the heat beside me, I let out a heavy sigh. Using my free right hand, I wiped my own cheek and said,

“…That’s because you’re clinging to my arm.”

Indeed she was.

Harugiri walked on my left, clutching my left arm tightly instead of holding hands. Sweat mingled as her arm pressed against mine, and the situation, regardless of the heat, was making me feel heated in another way.

“That’s also part of my kindness, you know?”

“…Want to hear something?”

“What?”

“By hugging my arm like this, you can’t kiss me, right?”

Physically, yes, but it was a bizarre logic.

While it may be true, the cost seemed too high.

“True, but don’t collapse from heatstroke, okay?”

“You know, Renji, heatstroke, when you say it slowly…”

“I’m not going to.”

“You’re so stingy, Renji.”

Could she stop adding insults and complaints before my name?

Despite clinging to me, she was trying to set a heatstroke trap. Maybe her brain was indeed melting from the heat.

“Well… I guess there’s no helping it.”

“Huh?”

I pulled Harugiri, still clinging to my arm, as we made our way out of the residential area and onto the main road. We entered a convenience store we passed along the way, and the moment we stepped inside, the cool air hit us like heaven.

“It’s so cool!”

As Harugiri tried to stop at the entrance, I pulled her along, making a full circle around the store to cool off. I grabbed two vanilla ice creams from the freezer before pulling her out of the store. Maybe it was because Harugiri didn’t let go of my arm during checkout, but the cashier gave us a significantly meaningful look. I was relieved there wasn’t anyone behind us in the queue.

“It’s hot, but it’s cool…”

Heading outside, the relentless summer heat enveloped us once more. Embraced by the chill of the ice in our bags, my childhood friend and I finally reached our first destination: the bus stop.

The sheltered bus stop resembled a simple shack, offering refuge from the harsh sunlight despite poor ventilation. Inside, there was only one long bench, with no one else around. Finally releasing my arm, my friend made a beeline for the bench.

“Renji, Renji! Here, have some ice cream! Hurry, let’s eat!”

“…You really managed to endure the cold in winter clothes at school the other day with such little heat resistance…”

“Hehehe, you can praise me more if you want!”

“Looks like the heat got to you after all…”

As my friend enthusiastically pounded on the bench, I sat down beside her, shaking my head in disbelief. Seizing the moment, she pulled out a cup of vanilla ice cream from the bag and handed it to me.

“Thanks!”

“…Yeah.”

Her beaming smile was overwhelming. It was a smile so radiant, it outshone even the summer sun.

“It’s so cold and delicious!”

“Haven’t had this in a while, but it’s good stuff.”

With a spoon made of wood in her mouth, my elated friend pressed her cheeks in excitement. Seeing her joy, I realized it was definitely the right decision to stop by the convenience store.

“Eh? Renji, you don’t usually eat ice cream?”

“My dad and mom don’t eat sweets much, so…”

“Really!? But what about the snacks they have when I come over?”

“Oh, those are stocked up by my mom specifically for you.”

“Hehe, I see… sorry about that…”

“What’s with that weird laugh?”

“Then thanks to me, Renji gets to enjoy delicious treats?”

“You’re shameless…”

“No no no! I’ll thank your mom next time!”

“Yeah, she’d probably appreciate that.”

It was peaceful.

It didn’t feel like we were fighting at all.

To be honest, I didn’t want to fight. It’s just a clash of egos, really. If she’s in such a good mood, maybe if I explain seriously, she’ll listen? But I won’t. Because I know the answer she came up with after crying and parting ways was a fight and a kissing contest.

It sounds ridiculous when put into words, but it was a good opportunity to clarify which of our feelings is stronger. I have no intention of losing, but if I do, I want to challenge it with all my might, so I have no regrets.

“Oh, Renji. You’ve got ice cream on your mouth.”

“Huh? Oh, it’s probably melted, huh? Is it here?”

“No, the other side.”

“Oh… how about now?”

“Yeah, got it.”

“Darn, this ice cream is tough…”

“Wait, don’t move…”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over from the side.

Sitting beside me, Sagiri placed her hand on my shoulder and stood up. Peering into my face, she opened her small mouth and moved closer to mine—

“……”

“……”

—But just before her hand could touch me, she stopped.

Her pale-colored eyes gradually widened as she stared ahead. A small sigh escaped her lips, and the sweet scent of vanilla ice cream wafted through the air.

“…J-just kidding! D-did I surprise you!?”

“…Y-yeah.”

Sagiri quickly jumped back and covered her mouth with her hand, laughing exaggeratedly as if trying to cover up. Despite her attempt to disguise it, her face turned bright red, clearly unable to hide her embarrassment.

Meanwhile, my heart was pounding so loudly it felt like it might jump out of my chest.

“……”

“……”

We fell into silence, sitting next to each other. The bus still hadn’t arrived, and we both held cups of melting ice cream in our hands.

“Th-that was close…”

Sagiri muttered softly, averting her gaze. I heard every word of her muttered remark.

And I, too, felt it was close.

The attempted kiss that came out of nowhere after declaring we wouldn’t kiss. It made my heart race even more than our usual kisses, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this excitement was audible to her… I had been agonizing over it in my head the entire time until the bus arrived.