Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 86: "You want me to...?"

“You want me to…?”

“I’m back! It was so hot!”

“Is that your first impression after coming back home? I mean, this is my house, you know?”

“Which means, it’s also my house.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

“Hmph!”

After finishing shopping at the drugstore, we headed to the nearby supermarket. There, Sagiri pushed the cart again, purchasing ingredients for the upcoming meals. Then, we returned home on the bus, retracing our steps while the sun was still high in the sky.

Upon returning, my childhood friend, who had been affected by the heat, melted at the entrance. Of course, it’s a metaphorical expression, but she sat down sloppily, as if she had melted completely.

“…Carry me.”

“I can’t, my hands are full with shopping bags.”

“You cheapskate!”

Physically impossible, right?

Even if I could, it would be impossible to carry you while holding shopping bags in both hands, right?

“…If you don’t mind the dinner ingredients getting all messed up, I can carry you.”

“Yay! I love Renji who makes delicious meals!”

She was delighted.

I knew how Sagiri felt. After all, I had overheard her. But even though we were currently arguing, it was still nice to hear her say she loved me while joking around.

I am a man who spoils Sagiri endlessly.

“I’ll put the ingredients in the fridge, so could you turn the air conditioner in the room to the highest setting?”

“Roger!”

“And make sure to wash your hands and gargle properly!”

“Yes!”

With a swift stride, Sagiri dashed through the hallway of our house. Just from her back view, I could tell that her earlier meltdown was an act of seeking affection.

It was nice to see her in such high spirits after our outing, but I also had some concerns about what would happen next.

Well, there’s no use worrying about it. I left the living room and headed to the kitchen to put away the groceries.

“Hmm, maybe here… or here?”

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, Renji. I was just thinking about where to put the microwave!”

After leaving the kitchen and finishing washing my hands and gargling, I went to my room. There, I was greeted by the cooling air conditioning and the sight of Sagiri pondering over the layout.

In my room, which lacked any semblance of interest, my childhood friend was tilting her head as she repeatedly rearranged a wolf plushie with a scarred face that she had bought at a stuffed animal store.

“…Are you going to put that in my room?”

“Geez, Renji, it’s not ‘that,’ it’s a microwave!”

“It’s confusing.”

The subtle difference in pronunciation could be discerned, but if someone unfamiliar heard it, they’d surely wonder what was being said.

But hey, is she just ignoring my question or what?

“…Well, for now, let’s put it here. Come on, Renji, sit down, sit down!”

“Huh? Uh, what is it!?”

For now, the microwave was placed right in the middle of my study desk. It wasn’t a suitable place for it, just for now.

Before I could even comment on that, Sagiri grabbed my hand and made me sit on the bed.

Then, she kneeled in front of me, straddling my legs…!?

“H-Sagiri!?”

“Don’t move.”

Her hands were placed on my shoulders, and Sagiri filled my field of vision.

In an instant, my room’s scenery was completely filled with my childhood friend’s smile.

“Hehehe… ta-da!”

“Huh, what’s that…?”

With a successful surprise, Sagiri laughed and took out a small stick-like object. It was something I recognized.

“From now on, Renji will become the prey for my favorite lip balm!”

Yes, it was lip balm.

It was a surprisingly expensive lip balm that Sagiri had bought at the drugstore.

“W-Well, it’s not like I… I mean, I can do it myself…”

“Come on, come on, let Lip Balm Senpai Sagiri-chan take care of this!”

“Lip Balm Senpai? What the heck!?”

My question was drowned out by Lip Balm Senpai, sealing my lips with lip balm.

The smooth, slippery sensation flowed over my lips.

“Hehe, Renji, you’re so cute!”

“…”

There’s no way I’m cute!

I wanted to say that, but I couldn’t speak because my lips were being coated with lip balm.

“Hehe. Well? How is it?”

“W-What do you mean…”

It was a strange sensation.

My lips felt slick and oily from the lip balm. Despite the slickness, there was no discomfort at all. Yet, it felt like they weren’t my own lips… It was more like the sensation of melting in my mouth, or the feeling of touch.

“Wow, they’re so soft.”

“D-Don’t stare at them too much…”

“Are you blushing?”

“Of course I am! Who wouldn’t be embarrassed in a situation like this?”

In an unfamiliar state where I didn’t even know what was happening to my own lips, being stared at so closely was inevitably embarrassing.

“It’s okay! It’s cute!”

“I don’t feel particularly happy about it…”

“Aww, but it’s cute. Here, take this.”

“…Huh?”

Sagiri handed me the used lip balm.

“You want me to…?”

“Just do it.”

“Hmm~…”

Closing her eyes, she pushed her lips forward.

It was clearly a face waiting for a kiss, a trap I was well aware of.

Yet, despite knowing it was a trap, my hand holding the lip balm was trembling dangerously.