"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 20 - The Infamous Pocky Game

The Pocky Game

The Pocky game involves two people holding the ends of a Pocky stick (or any long, thin snack) in their mouths and slowly eating little by little towards each other.

The person who lets go of the Pocky stick first loses the game.

“…Hmm.”

“Well, if you’re scared, you don’t have to do it, you know?”

“No, I’ll do it. I accept the challenge.”

Ibuki might seem easygoing, but he’s actually quite competitive. And if he backs down here, he’ll be teased by Airi for being a “bashful pervert” forever.

“Um, sure… Shall we do it then?”

“But before that, can I confirm one rule?”

“…What?”

“If neither of us lets go, what should we do?”

“…Huh?”

In other words, if they both refuse to back down and end up kissing, how do they decide the winner or if it’s a draw?

Ibuki asked this question which was quite important in itself.

“Well… um, I hadn’t really thought about that.”

“I see. Then let’s say the one who eats more wins. And the same applies if we both let go at the same time.”

Ibuki added this rule while confidently believing he’ll win.

Airi hadn’t considered the possibility of them kissing. Of course, she hadn’t considered losing either. In other words, she’s hoping that Ibuki will give in and let go midway.

And Ibuki is determined not to back down either. He’s resolute.

‘…Airi will definitely give in first, right?’

While Ibuki hopes that Airi will give in on her own, he hasn’t realized that it was a mutual feeling.

“…Well, alright. Let’s get started then.”

Airi accepts Ibuki’s proposal, puts the Pocky in her mouth, and offers the other end to Ibuki.

Ibuki carefully takes the other end of the Pocky.

Facing each other, their eyes met and they gazed at each other competitively.

‘This… is a bit different than I expected…’

Ibuki rarely makes direct eye contact with Airi. After all, there’s over a twenty-centimeter height difference between them. They probably haven’t been at eye level since Ibuki surpassed Airi in height.

For some reason, this situation makes him feel a bit embarrassed.

‘But I can’t let embarrassment get the best of me…’

He has to start early and get the lead.

Just as he thinks this, Airi squeezes her eyes shut and starts eating with enthusiasm.

Ibuki hurriedly starts eating too.

And just as their lips are about to touch, they both let go.

“Haah… haah…”

“Phew… That was close…”

Both of their faces turned beet-red, as they started breathing heavily.

But… Airi was the one whose face broke into a smile.

“I won, didn’t I?”

The truth was that they had let go of the Pocky at the same time.

However, Airi had eaten more of it.

“Wait, objection. What just happened was a false start.”

“What’s that? The starting point is clearly when we bite down.”

“And closing your eyes is cheating too.”

“That’s just an excuse, no post-analysis allowed.”

Certainly, the fact that it’s post-analysis is true.

However, it’s also true that Ibuki is not satisfied with this as it is.

“…Do you think you can’t win unless the rules change?”

“Huh? There’s no way that’s true.”

“Then that’s fine… Let’s make it a best of three. I’ll give you this round’s win, Airi.”

“Ugh…”

“Well, if you’re not confident, it’s okay.”

At Ibuki’s words, Airi’s expression turned sour.

“Fine. I’ll make it a best of three… Well, if I win the next round, there won’t even be a need for a third round.”

“What will be the benchmark for starting the match?”

“Both of us biting down for three seconds?”

“Sounds good, let’s do that.”

Once again, Airi and Ibuki bit down on the Pocky sticks.

And then Ibuki used his fingers, three, two, one, to signal…

At the same time, the two started eating.

At first, they were eager, but then they slowed down…

Their faces got closer.

And then…

“Ah…!”

Unable to endure, it was Airi who pulled away.

Her face turned bright red, and she hugged herself with both hands.

“I win.”

Eating the remaining Pocky, Ibuki smirked and said.

Without averting their gaze from each other, and if not for the false start… Ibuki was convinced he would have won.

“That… just now…”

“If you think it’s a foul, you can add your own rules, you know? But… fairness is assumed.”

“…Yes, I know.”

In response to Ibuki’s words, Airi seemed lost in thought for a moment.

And then…

“Um, hey…”

“Yeah?”

“…Can we, um… stop now?”

Out of the blue, Airi brought this up.

Seems like she’s become timid.

It’s probably a plan to call off the match amid a draw.

“No, that’s not happening.”

However, Ibuki believes he can win in the next round.

He won’t agree.

“But, still…”

“You’re the one who suggested this in the first place.”

Saying that, Ibuki firmly grabbed Airi’s shoulder.

Airi’s expression contorted slightly.

“Open your mouth.”

“N-No, but…”

Ibuki looked straight at Airi and said in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Airi seemed embarrassed and tried to avoid Ibuki’s gaze.

“Hurry up and open.”

Ibuki urged Airi.

And then, holding the Pocky stick in his hand, he ordered:

“Bite it down.”

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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