Kissing the Goddess?

After class that day, Mikoto-san came to my seat, blushing, and said, "We're going on a date, right?"

It was a promise to go to an aquarium in a neighboring town with Mikoto-san.

 

My classmates around us were paying attention to us, but not as much as in the morning.

If we kept pretending to be lovers like this, it must gradually become the norm and no one would care.

 

However, only Kaho was staring at us with a stronger gaze than in the morning.

When I returned her gaze, she looked away awkwardly.

 

Should I explain the situation to Kaho?

But I would have to get Mikoto-san's approval before I did that.

 

We left the school, took the bus to the Japan Railway station, and stood on the platform.

We could see the mountains and the setting sun further away on the other side of the platform.

 

A six-car train arrived at the platform.

It had a silver body with orange lines.

 

When I entered the door first, the car was empty and rattling.

 

I sat down on the far end of the row of long seat chairs, and Mikoto-san sat down right next to me.

Our legs and hips were quite close to each other, and I could feel the soft sensation.

 

I looked at Mikoto-san with a red face, and she looked back at me with a blush on her cheeks.

 

"Haruto-kun, what's wrong?"

 

"No... there is no one here, and I thought it would be okay to be further away from you."

 

“I want to be right next to you, Haruto-kun. Can't you stay?"

 

"It's not bad, but..."

 

"Then, is it okay?"

 

I was sitting at the very end of the row, so even if I wanted to run away, I couldn't. I gave up.

 

Well, maybe it helps that there is no one else in the train.

Mikoto-san replied in a bouncy voice.

 

"We've got the whole place to ourselves!"

 

"Certainly, it is in such a state."

 

"With this, no matter how much we flirt, nothing will be said about it, right?"

 

Mikoto-san smiled beautifully and looked into my eyes.

Silver hair swung softly.

 

I chuckled.

 

"There's no point in pretending to be a girlfriend when no one is around."

 

"It's not meaningless."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"It's good practice, isn't it? Before the show at school. Besides, I think it's better to be aware of the fact that we are lovers at all times so that we are less likely to be caught off guard in a moment of crisis."

 

"Something like that?"

 

"I think that's the way it is. Then, what are you going to do?"

 

"Isn't that up to you, Mikoto-san?"

 

"I want you to decide, Haruto-kun."

 

When I said this, Mikoto-san lightly laid her cheek on my shoulder like she was spoiling me.

I think we've already done enough loverly things.

 

What more is there to do?

Mikoto-san is running around calling me by my first name. We hugged.

 

I was in trouble, and then I realized that there was something I needed to tell her before that.

 

"Um, it's about Kaho."

 

"Sasaki-san?"

 

“I thought I should just tell Kaho that Mikoto-san and I are pretending to be lovers."

 

"I don't like that."

 

"Why?"

 

“I don't think it's necessary to treat Sasaki-san in a special way. I think she should think of us as boyfriend and girlfriend just like anyone else."

 

"But…"

 

"After all, do you like Sasaki-san, Haruto-kun?"

 

"That's... probably true."

 

Mikoto-san mumbled and looked a little hurt.

Then she puffed out her cheeks and glared at me.

 

"We're pretending to be lovers, aren't we?"

 

"You don't need me to confirm that, do you?"

 

"Do you usually talk about other girls when you're flirting with your girlfriend?"

 

"Ah... I don't think so."

 

"Isn't that right? Haruto-kun, you're mean."

 

"I'm sorry."

 

"I won't forgive you if you don't do something very sweet for me instead!"

 

When I said that, Mikoto-san grabbed my hand in a way that said, "I'm not going to let you get away."

I'm in trouble.

What should I do?

What would be the most loverly thing to do?

 

"Um, do you want a hug?"

 

"That's what we did at lunch today."

 

"Or patting your head."

 

"That's tempting... but isn't that less loverly than a hug?"

 

"Hmm."

 

I turned my head.

What could it be?

 

"Kissing... is no good, right?"

 

I mumbled to myself.

I thought about it for a moment this morning, but it was out of the question.

 

I don't think it's the kind of thing you do when pretending to be lovers.

 

"K-kiss?"

 

Mikoto-san's face turned red as she looked at me.

I think it's no good after all.

 

“Mikoto-san probably doesn't want to kiss me, so I don't want to do it."

 

"No, I don't mind."

 

"Eh?"

 

"If Haruto-kun wants to do that, I'm totally fine with it. I'm not afraid of it. If we show it off in front of everyone, I'm sure no one will suspect a thing, so let's practice, shall we?"

 

Mikoto-san said this in an enthusiastic voice and looked at me expectantly.
Her blue eyes were slightly moistened and her cheeks were upturned.

 

It seems that she really means that it is okay to do it.

 

"No, but, as expected, that's ..."

 

"If you don't, I won't forgive you. Haruto-kun will do what I want, right? I want Haruto-kun to kiss me."

 

"Yes, but... but..."

 

I hesitated and looked at Mikoto-san's fresh and soft lips.

I would be lying if I said that Mikoto-san's proposal is not attractive.

 

I may never be able to kiss such a pretty girl again, being desired by such a pretty girl.

 

I made up my mind.

I hugged Mikoto-san's shoulders, knowing that she had said it was okay.

 

Mikoto-san's eyes widened and her face turned bright red, as if there was nothing more she could do.

 

"Ho, are you really going to do it?"

 

"Because Mikoto-san wanted me to do that."

 

"Uh-huh."

 

Mikoto-san closed her eyes and surrendered herself to me.

All that was left was for me to kiss her.

 

I gently approached Mikoto-san's face.

A little, my lips touch it.

 

"What's that?"

 

Mikoto-san murmured curiously.

I moved away from her.

 

Mikoto-san opened her eyes and rubbed her cheek.

I smiled.

 

"I thought it would be wrong to kiss you on the lips."

 

"So you kissed me on the cheek?"

 

"That's what I did."

 

Well, as expected, we are not really dating, but I can't casually kiss others on the lips.

Mikoto-san glared at me in frustration, and after a while, chuckled.

 

"I was disappointed in my expectations."

 

"You were expecting it?"

 

"Do you have to ask me that?"

 

"No, I take back the question I just asked."

 

"I'll answer it. I would be happy with a kiss on the cheek, but I would be even happier if you kissed me on the lips. I'm hoping that you will do that for me, Haruto-kun."

 

“Well, Mikoto-san hates men, so I thought you didn't like that sort of thing."

 

"That's okay, because it's you, Haruto-kun. I've never done that with anyone else. Have you ever kissed a girl, Haruto-kun?"

 

I shook my head.

Of course, I never did that with Kaho.

 

"So, when we kiss each other, it's our first kiss, right?"

 

"If we ever do that, yes."

 

“I… I think it would be nice ... I'd be happy if Haruto-kun would think so, too. I would be happy if you came to think so too, Haruto-kun. When that happens, I want you to kiss me properly."

 

Mikoto-san smiled very happily.

 

Hearing Mikoto-san's words, I also realized something.

Considering Mikoto-san's words and actions since this morning, I came to a conclusion.

 

I have been under the misconception that Kaho liked me for a long time, so I am not sure if I can be confident in my own senses.

 

Maybe Mikoto-san doesn't just want to pretend to be lovers.

 

Maybe she really likes me.