"You can't kiss me can you?" When I accepted my childhood friends challenge, she unexpectedly softened and is acting like a love-struck girl [Dropped] - Chapter 17 - The precious times

“Umu, Now then… Shall we start?”

“Y-yeah…”

The two of them began to play at a slow pace, trying not to be conscious of the camera.

Airi was trying her best to adjust her speed to match Ibuki’s.

“Oops… sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Ibuki made several mistakes during the performance…

But somehow, they managed to play until the end.

“Alright, let’s move on. How about this piece?”

“Well, the difficulty level is quite high…”

“But Ibuki, you used to love this song.”

“Did I? Either way, it’s an old story.”

Ignoring Ibuki’s opinion, Airi started the accompaniment.

Ibuki had no choice but to begin playing with her.

Midway through, Airi started humming along with the melody.

And Ibuki was also tempted to sing along as well.

“Phew…”

“…Haah.”

After finishing the performance, both of them took a deep breath.

Playing the piano efficiently took more physical stamina than they had originally expected.

Nevertheless, both of them had soft expressions on their faces as they succeeded in playing the piano while making only minor mistakes.

“It’s not bad to play again after a long time.”

“That’s good to hear. It’s nostalgic… ehehe~.” Airi said and smiled softly.

“Ibuki-kun, do you remember how you used to hate going to piano lessons and would always cry?”

“Stop digging up old stories.”

“And then you said you’d only go if I would be coming with you… and that’s when you started practicing piano lessons too… Remember?”

“I don’t remember. Stop lying.”

“You’re just pretending not to remember.”

With a grin on her face, Airi lightly poked Ibuki’s elbow.

Ibuki’s cheeks slightly reddened due to embarrassment as all the things she had said were true.

…It was because memories of those childish tantrums resurfaced from their kindergarten days.

However, he didn’t want to be teased without a comeback.

“Speaking of which, when I started karate… didn’t you throw a tantrum and said you wanted to join too?”

“What are you talking about?”

“’I want to be with Ibuki-kun!!’ you cried hard to persuade your parents, right?”

Ibuki started practicing karate during elementary school.

When he was about to leave Airi’s house because it was time for his karate practice, Airi threw a tantrum, not wanting to end their playtime.

And then, she pleaded with her parents to let her join with Ibuki.

As a result, she started karate a little later alongside him.

“Don’t lie. I never said anything like that.”

Even though she said that, Airi’s ears were slightly blushing.

It seemed like she remembered that time as well.

“You always imitate me… Is my company really that good for you?”

“Weren’t you the same back then?!”

Ibuki and Airi challenged each other…

And they ended up giving each other a cold look.

“Today, it was you who suggested playing the piano together, right?”

“You won’t play unless it’s with me… If you’re going to say that, then I won’t go to school with you from now on!”

“Don’t get it wrong. I’m only going with you because you’ve always been together with me.”

“Ibuki-kun, baka!”

“You are an idiot as well!”

The two of them continued arguing… but eventually, their faces turned red, and they fell silent.

It was because they noticed Ibuki’s mother was happily filming them.

“Oh…? Are you stopping now? Ibuki? Airi-chan?”

Ibuki reached out and blocked the camera lens, protesting, “Stop it, Mom! Don’t film us!!”

“Oh, come on, it’s fine. Moments like these will become cherished memories someday.”

“I just want to erase those embarrassing memories, so please delete them!”

“No way! I won’t delete it! I’ve already filmed everything.”

Ibuki and Airi raised their voices in protest, but Ibuki’s mother paid no attention. She hugged the camera as if to say she wouldn’t delete it for sure.

“Enough…”

“…Fine.”

Both Ibuki and Airi sighed in unison.

Seeing the two like that, Ibuki’s mother smiled and made a suggestion.

“By the way… about the talk of extracurricular activities earlier. Maybe it’s still on the recording? Shall we check it?… To see who’s right.”

“Yeah…”

“That’s right…”

Though the conversation had diverted along the way, they were originally arguing about who was the culprit among them. With the video acting as an evidence, they could determine who was lying.

“That’s true. Let’s check it.”

“Yes. Let’s make it clear.”

And so, they decided to confirm the past video footage…

“Hey, it’s already time, you know? If we keep this up, we’ll be late. Come on, let’s go. I’ll buy you ice cream later…”

“No, no, no!! I won’t gooo!! Absolutely not, I won’t gooo!! I hate this so much!!”

“Hey, back off… Airi! …Cut it out already!”

“No wayyy!!”

“This… where did this strength come from? Come on, you! Instead of taking pictures and laughing, persuade him!!”

“Ibuki-kun, why don’t you want to go?”

“B—because… I don’t wanna go without Airi!”

“Airi… is it really because of Airi?”

“Airi doesn’t have to go, so why should I be the only one forced to go? Unfair, unfair!! I don’t want to!”

“Because Airi hasn’t learned much of it… right! Then, if Airi agrees to go, will you also go?”

“Mmm… But, I don’t wanna…”

“Once it’s decided, we’ll contact Kamishiro-san…”

“Nooo!! I want to play more!! I want to play more with Ibukii-kun!!”

“Hey, hey… Ibukii-kun has lessons to attend now. Don’t be selfish. Look, Ibuki-kun is troubled too, you know?”

“No way! I want to play more!!”

“Airi! Don’t be selfish!”

“But… but…”

“Ibukii-kun is going to karate practice from now on… How about we go together to see him off?”

“Nooo…”

“…..”

“I want to go too!”

“…Huh?”

“I want to do karate too…! See? It’s okay, right, Mom? I can go if Ibuki-kun is going, right?”

“Well, that’s… but Airi is a girl, and karate is so sudden…”

“I want to go, want to go!! Right, Papa? It’s okay, right?”

“What should we do?”

“Isn’t it fine? It’s rare for Airi to say she wants to go.”

“Really? …Yes, I suppose. For now, let’s contact Kazami-san.”

In the end both of them ended up embarrassed together.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

If you are enjoying the translation, do rate the novel 5 stars on our site and novelupdates.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment your opinions below! 

Also, if you enjoyed my translation, support me by donating a cup of Coffee through Ko-Fi.
The button is available on the top of the page.

Found any errors or typos? Feel free to contact me on Discord. 

TL : Zenon#4120