"I Wanna Fondle Them Too" (Oppai Momitai) - Chapter 49

Chapter 49

What grabbed Natsuhiko’s attention was a Corkboard hanging on the wall. [TN: a physical board usually decorated with pictures]

Of course, he had no interest in corkboards. Among the several pinned photos in it, he saw a nostalgic photo.

It was a photo of Natsuhiko and Miko from their elementary school days.

It was apparently taken on the day of a local summer festival, with Miko in a cute yukata and Natsuhiko in a T-shirt with short pants.

Perhaps because the photo was taken abruptly, the image of the two holding hands was somewhat out of focus.

Miko then realized what he was looking at.

“Natsu-kun, do you remember that day?”

“Let’s see… That was when we were looking for Nina together. I think I was in fifth grade.”

“Pinpon♪” It was the right answer.

“I was also lost at that time, though.”

“No, no, no. My sister was the one who got lost. I mean, she was too carefree.”

The details of the incident were as follows:

While Natsuhiko was enjoying the summer festival with his friends, he spotted Miko alone among the crowd.

“What’s wrong, Miko-chan?”

“! N-Natsu-kun…? You see… I got separated from Nina-chan!”

Though it was a pretty small summer festival, he couldn’t just leave her sister’s friend, a frail little girl who looked like she was about to burst into tears, alone.

The good-natured Natsuhiko reached out to Miko, who seemed to be overwhelmed by anxiety.

“Let’s look for her together!”

“… Are you sure?”

“Of course! Come on, let’s go!”

“U-un!”

Miko took Natsuhiko’s hand, and together they searched for his sister, Nina.

Fifteen minutes after beginning the search, they found Nina at a lottery stall.

“Mii-chan, Natsu-nii, I got a toy camera ♪” Natsuhiko poked his foolish sister’s forehead as she ran up to him, and the incident came to an end.

“It brings back memories.” Natsuhiko said, as he recalled his sister’s carefree attitude.

“This was one of the pictures Nina-chan took with the toy camera she won as a prize.” Miko said with a smile.

“Ahh. That’s why it’s so out of focus.”

Natsuhiko couldn’t help but smile as he stared at the photo. Even though the picture was out of focus, he could still see their expressions.

Natsuhiko was dumbfounded, and Miko was laughing…

Maybe it was just a tiny memory.

But for Miko, it was one of her most precious memories.

“That time. I was relieved when we found Nina-chan. But…”

“But?”

“I was also sad that the summer festival with you was over and I had to let go of your hand.”

Even though it was a story from the past, there’s no way Natsuhiko could hide his embarrassment at the maiden’s confession.

And then with a smile that seemed unfair, she continued,

“So, you know… This is the only picture where the two of us are together, so it’s my most treasured one ♪”

“! Hahaha… I’m not sure if I should be happy or honored… But thank you for cherishing it.”

“No-no ♪”

Even though it was only for 15 minutes, it was a precious moment for Miko.

There was nothing dramatic about the moments they spent together. “Did you finish your summer homework?” and, “I haven’t finished mine at all!” and, “What! Did you go to Okinawa? That’s great!” Natsuhiko only had conversations that were appropriate for elementary school students.

However, Miko knew that such an ordinary conversation was to cheer her up because she could tear up at any moment. Therefore, it was not an ordinary memory, but an irreplaceable moment that she treasured in her heart.

Natsuhiko suggested to Miko, who was leaning on his shoulder with a hum, “Miko-chan. This summer, let’s go to the summer festival together.”

“! The two of us?”

“Of course. I mean, I’d like to make more memories with you too, Miko-chan.”

Just the invitation for a date to the summer festival was enough to make her heart flutter, but more so because her dear boyfriend wanted her to have more memories with him.

“Mou~… Natsu-kun, that’s unfair!”

Miko couldn’t help but bury her face in his arms, embarrassed to show any more of her flushed face.

After a few seconds of being soothed by Natsuhiko’s scent, Miko started rubbing her cheeks and said, “I have something to look forward to again…♪” and agreed to the summer festival date.

She didn’t stop at just agreeing and retrieved the phone that was lying on the floor.

With her tiny fingers, she started up the camera. She stretched out her arm so that her reflection was on the screen and prepared to take a picture.

“From now on, let’s take lots of pictures of our memories.”

“O-okay!”

As a normal high school boy, Natsuhiko was not used to taking selfies with a camera, so his smile was somewhat awkward.

However, the awkward smile instantly disappeared.

“!!!”

The moment he heard the shutter sound, he felt Miko’s lips on his cheek.

A two-shot, or a chuu~ shot.

“Ehehe…♪ It’s embarrassing, but I wanted to keep it as a memory of our first date.”

Because of her daring actions, Natsuhiko sank deep within his dreamland… but it wasn’t the time to be dreaming.

He yearned for that picture.

“M-me too! Send me that picture!”

“It’s not free ♪”

“Eh?”

No way… She was Miko-chan… the Devil.

3 Hideyo-san… No! 1 Yukichi-san should be fine, right? Natsuhiko reached for his wallet, but Miko wasn’t looking for money.

[TL: Person on the Japanese currency notes, 1 Hideyo = 1000 Yen note, and 1 Yukichi = 10,000 Yen note. https://president.jp/articles/-/22046?page=1]

“Can we trade?”

“Eh, trade?”

“Yes, ♪ You’ve to exchange your two shots with me!”

“Y-you mean…”

Does that mean he has to kiss her on the cheek?

No need to ask anymore because Miko offered her cheek to Natsuhiko, saying, “I’m always ready.”

Natsuhiko was so pumped with happiness that it was extremely difficult for him to even retain his original form. He was now Gel-Hiko.

“Oh… I don’t think I’m going to get used to this thrill any time soon.,” He thought, but also wondered if it was okay to kiss her.

Thus he turned on his mobile camera with his sweaty hands, while gazing not at the camera, but Miko’s pure white cheeks.

Preparing for the shoot and his mind, he slowly approached Miko.

To kiss her soft cheek…

As he was about to kiss…

“…?”

He was frozen stiff before he could kiss her…

Was it a cork board hanging on the wall, again?

Or was it a memento of some kind?

Or perhaps the stuffed animal (Natsu) came to life?

None of the above.

“Whoa!”

Natsuhiko shouted as he looked at the door.

Through the half-open door, a man in his forties was glaring at him.

“!?!?!?!?!?!?”

Natsuhiko couldn’t speak once the door was opened and the man’s full face was revealed.

The first impression he got was of a muscle man. His large body, beard, and black glasses made him look like a wrestler like he was once a world champion and now working as a commentator.

Why was a pro-wrestler in Miko’s house? In contrast to Natsuhiko, who was in a state of confusion, Miko noticed him a little later and muttered in surprise.

“D-dad…!”

“??? Dad…? … !!! Mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-Miko-chan’s father?”

Miko’s father appeared.