Vol. 2 Chapter 74 – The Irregular Double Date (8)

“Eh? K-kisses…? Wh-what? What’s with the sudden question?” (Reiya)

I was bewildered by the question that suddenly came from my cousin’s mouth.

“Um… you were kissing earlier, in the haunted house, right? With Hikaru-chan…” (Ichiru)

“Ah, ahh… Yeah, we were, but…” (Reiya)

“I was wondering if they’re so good that you’d do it in a place like that… You were doing it in the fitting room before, too…” (Ichiru)

“Y-you remembered…?” (Reiya)

Being reminded of a blunder I myself had almost forgotten made my face flush slightly.

But to think she’d been conscious of something like that ever since then…

So innocent… or rather, maidenly…

“I kind of assumed you had experience with that sort of thing, Ichiru-san… You know, back when you used to hang out with Minami-san a lot in high school.” (Reiya)

“No, no, no! Back then, Senpai had many male friends she was close to, but I had absolutely no connection to that sort of thing…” (Ichiru)

She shook her head frantically, then continued, looking slightly ashamed.

To say she had no connection was probably an understatement.

Needless to say, Ichiru-san was beautiful, and male customers at the restaurant often hit on her.

However, she herself didn’t seem to recognize it as an approach and continued to brush them off daily.

In other words, it wasn’t that she had no connection, but simply that she herself was too dense.

Considering that, it seemed like a good thing now that Minami-san had made her conscious of Taiju-san that day, even if it was somewhat forced.

“So, what are they like? Are they really that good?” (Ichiru)

Contrary to her calm tone, her slight lean forward and keen interest were unconcealable.

“Even if you ask me what they’re like…” (Reiya)

Faced with her question, I hesitated to answer.

What was a kiss with Hikaru like for me…?

While it was happening, I was simply happy and comfortable.

I wanted it to last forever, and when it ended, I immediately wanted to do it again and again.

It could be called a special act that went beyond mere contact between mucous membranes.

However, explaining something like that to a relative was, needless to say, incredibly embarrassing.

“It’s a bit difficult to explain in words…” (Reiya)

“R-really…?” (Ichiru)

“Yeah. So, for that… wouldn’t experiencing it yourself be the quickest way to find out?” (Reiya)

So, while I was at it, I decided to lay some groundwork as I dodged the question.

“M-myself, you say… I’m asking because I don’t have anyone like that…” (Ichiru)

As she said that, looking slightly sulky, I didn’t miss the fleeting glance she shot towards Taiju-san for just an instant.

She was definitely more conscious of him now than ever before.

At this rate, a desire began to sprout in me: ‘Maybe we can get them together today.’

“Reiya-kuun! Mizumori-san! What are you doing! Over here, over here~!” (Hikaru)

At just the right moment, Hikaru called out to us from the line, waving her hand.

“Look, those two are already lining up for us, so we have to go quickly.” (Reiya)

“Y-yeah…” (Ichiru)

Cutting the conversation short, the two of us walked towards the line together.

“Were you talking about something?” (Hikaru)

As we joined the end of the line, Hikaru asked.

“Hm? Just sowing some seeds, you could say…” (Reiya)

Hikaru tilted her head, looking puzzled by my answer.

Right now, a vague dissatisfaction from not getting a clear answer must be swirling inside Ichiru-san.

But I didn’t think these two timid people would take a step forward just because of that.

So, I decided to give Taiju-san an additional push.

I took out my phone from my pocket and opened the group chat for the three of us.

“Ah! It’s our turn next, next!” (Hikaru)

While I was typing the message, our turn came.

Pulled by Hikaru’s hand, I moved in front of the approaching gondola.

“Watch your step.” (Staff)

“Okay, I’m good! Well then, excuse us for going first!” (Hikaru)

Guided by the attendant, I sent the message just as we boarded the gondola.

Target is currently in a staggered state. Please attack during this opportunity.

Translating the current situation into terms Taiju-san would easily understand, the stage was now set.