Vol. 2 Chapter 58 – KISS IS (1)

— Saturday, the day after Hikaru’s TV appearance.

She came over to my room as if nothing at all had happened.

“Okay, let’s see… STAR IS PUSH… then back to DADA IS YOU…” (Hikaru)

Just like always, she was sitting on my bed, controller in hand, engrossed in a game. Today, she was playing “DADA IS YOU,” released a few years ago. It’s a masterpiece puzzle game where you change the game’s rules by moving text objects placed on the stage. For example, if you create the rule “◯◯ IS PUSH,” then ◯◯ becomes pushable, and if you create the rule “✕✕ IS WIN,” then touching ✕✕ clears the stage. While racking her brain, trying this and that, Hikaru was progressing through the game at a good pace with her characteristic flexible thinking.

“Hm? Is there something on my face?” (Hikaru)

She noticed I was staring intently at her face, not the TV screen.

“No, it’s nothing…” (Reiya)

I hurriedly averted my gaze, but of course, I wasn’t looking at her for no reason. It’s just that I couldn’t possibly admit that the reason was jealousy or possessiveness.

Two days had passed since that video was posted. Boosted by the TV feature, the video’s likes had surpassed a staggering five hundred thousand. Her total followers across all social media platforms had finally crossed the one million mark and continued to grow. She was truly living up to the title “person of the hour” with this viral explosion.

“Move the rock, then… ROCK IS WIN, and… yay! Cleared!” (Hikaru)

She cleared the stage, raising both hands in delight. Even after going viral and appearing on TV, she hadn’t changed a bit, acting just like always. She shouldn’t have changed at all… and yet, ever since then, I haven’t been able to shake this anxiety that she, already so popular, would become even more famous and go somewhere far away.

“Puzzle games are fun once in a while too. It feels good, like I’m using parts of my brain I don’t normally use~!” (Hikaru)

Her mother had said they were inundated with interview requests. Magazine interviews and TV appearances would surely increase even more from now on. She’d be invited not just to daytime talk shows, but also to primetime variety programs, and with Hikaru’s personality, she’d undoubtedly become even more popular. If she started appearing in dramas or movies, all sorts of people would flock around her. Famous celebrities, producers, business tycoons… Eventually, she might even make her Hollywood debut and join the ranks of Western celebrities… At that point, would I still be the one chosen? My negative thoughts spiraled endlessly.

Of course, I knew this was all just absurd, needless worry. I knew that, but—

“Hey, can I… come over there…?” (Reiya)

Unable to shake off the anxiety, I impulsively sought physical closeness.

“Hm? Sure, but… isn’t it rare for you to say something like that, Reiya-kun?” (Hikaru)

“R-Really…?” (Reiya)

“Yeah, being the clingy one is usually my role.” (Hikaru)

“I-It’s not like I want to be clingy or anything… I just thought it might be easier to see the screen from over there…” (Reiya)

As if seeing right through me, Hikaru silently patted the bed with a smug look, beckoning me over. If I opened my mouth any further, I felt like I’d give myself away, so I silently went to her side.

“Alright then, as you wish, allow me to show you my super play!” (Hikaru)

When I sat down next to her, leaving about two fists’ worth of space between us, Hikaru smiled contentedly.

“Does this game even have ‘super plays’…?” (Reiya)

While retorting, I felt a sense of relief that she was acting just like usual. Yes, I was just overthinking things like an idiot, Hikaru hadn’t changed at all. If I sit next to her like this, she should soon lose all restraint and start clinging to me affectionately.

KISS IS WIN.

If she asks for a kiss from her side, like always, this anxiety will vanish in an instant.

“Hmm… What should I do here…?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru held the controller with both hands, tilting her head as she looked at the screen. On the screen, a bizarre, extremely stylized quadrupedal creature was carrying letters. In less than ten seconds, she should lean her body against mine first. Hikaru’s clinginess really is something else… Maybe today, just for her, I’ll readily agree to any request she makes…

“Okay, um… first, change WALL to KEY…” (Hikaru)

Alright, the countdown begins. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6…

“Then next, remove PUSH…” (Hikaru)

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0… Here she co—

“Alright, solved it!” (Hikaru)

Sh-She’s not coming…!?

At this unexpected turn of events, I hurriedly looked beside me.

“Okay, let’s keep clearing these stages!” (Hikaru)

Saying that, Hikaru readjusted her grip on the controller and focused on the screen. Based on experience, she should have definitely leaned against me the moment she cleared the stage. No, there was even a good chance she’d suddenly hug me.

“Next up is… hmm, this looks like a tough one!” (Hikaru)

However, today’s Hikaru showed no such signs, completely engrossed in the screen. Could it be, really, Hollywood…!? This unbelievable development didn’t dispel my anxiety; instead, it swelled even further.

＊＊＊＊＊

— One hour earlier.

Just before ringing her boyfriend’s doorbell, Asahi Hikaru had made a firm resolution.

‘Today, I’ll be modest and restrained!!’

What led her to this decision stemmed from an incident at the kimono shop a few days prior. Inside the fitting room, she had gotten excited by her boyfriend’s yukata appearance and had shared numerous passionate kisses. It was fine since no one saw them, but one wrong step and it could have become a huge issue. In addition, public attention was currently focused on her. If she continued to behave like that, she might eventually cause trouble for him. Before that happened, as someone who would eventually turn pro, she needed to cultivate self-control.

“Today is a day for endurance, no being too clingy! Especially kisses – I have to hold back while it’s light out! Absolutely hold back!” (Hikaru)

Saying the words aloud further solidified her resolve, and she rang the doorbell.

KISS IS DEFEAT.

And so, the curtain rose on the battle of these two, exquisitely out of sync.