Chapter 3: Perfect Lipstick Gets Messy with Love?

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After my part-time job, I noticed two LINE messages from Nanase.

A few hours after [Going shopping with Sacchan], she sent [I bought a swimsuit!]. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind she got, imagining it made me restless. But with exams coming up, was it really okay for her to go out like this?

Returning to the apartment and studying for my exams, the intercom buzzed. Checking my phone, I saw it was almost midnight. It was probably Nanase. Had she been with Sudo this late?

As soon as I opened the door, something rushed into my chest.

“Whoa!”

“Sagara-kun, I’m home~!”

Suddenly tackled, I stumbled but didn’t fall, catching the soft thing that had jumped at me.

“…Wha… Na-Nanase?”

“Hehe, Sagara-kun, I missed you~”

Nanase, more giggly than usual, hugged me tightly, her cheeks flushed red. She smelled a bit like alcohol.

“…Nanase, have you been drinking?”

“Yep! I had dinner with Sacchan!”

“Are you drunk?”

“Nope, not at all! Not at all!”

She laughed, but her flushed cheeks felt warmer than usual when I touched them. She was definitely drunk.

“Just sit down. Drink some water.”

I sat Nanase on the tatami mat, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her. She took it with both hands, her eyes glazed, and attempted to drink. She ended up spilling water down her blouse.

“Oh man, what are you doing…”

I grabbed a towel and wiped her mouth and neck. Her white blouse, now wet, clung to her skin, making me gulp.

The soaked blouse outlined her body, revealing the shape of her chest clearly. I tried not to stare but couldn’t help it. Seeing the futon laying out added to my discomfort.

…What am I thinking? I can’t take advantage of her in this state. She’s drunk and out of it…

“…Did you drink a lot?”

“Uh-uh… not much… just a little…”

Nanase answered in a soft, dreamy voice. The usually serious Nanase like this was a bit scary. I decided I’d be careful when I turned twenty.

After gulping down the water, Nanase sighed softly.

“…I got drunk…”

“I can see that.”

“Hug me.”

She spread her arms and half-forced herself onto my lap. Straddling me, she hugged me tightly, her soft chest pressing against me. The wet blouse felt cold, but that was the least of my worries.

This position was too dangerous.

The way she was sitting, certain urges I couldn’t ignore were bubbling up. It was a natural response, a biological one. If Nanase moved even a little, it’d be over. To stay calm, I desperately chanted the Heart Sutra in my mind.

Despite my efforts, Nanase wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered near my ear.

“…Sagara-kun, I want a kiss.”

Her hot breath and words made my body temperature rise even more. The Heart Sutra was no longer helping.

Her slender arms pulled me closer, and despite being able to resist, I didn’t. Our lips met clumsily, repeatedly. Her breath, mixed with the faint scent of alcohol, made me feel tipsy too.

Suddenly, Nanase pushed my chest. Losing balance, I fell backward onto the futon. Straddling me, Nanase looked down with unfocused eyes.

“Sagara-kun.”

With a determined expression, she grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. Though her grip wasn’t strong, I couldn’t pull away. Lifting my hand, she hesitantly pressed it to her chest.

“…!?”

I couldn’t speak, stunned by her actions. Nanase blushed deeply, squeezing her eyes shut.

Under my palm was a soft, yielding sensation. Her long hair tickled my nose, threatening to shatter my self-control.

…Maybe I don’t need to overthink this. She loves me, and I love her. We’re a couple, so doing “couple things” should be okay…

Just as I was about to give in to that thought, Nanase opened her eyes and whispered, “I-I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

“I don’t know how to make you happy…”

“…Huh?”

“A-Aren’t couples supposed to do these things…? So, um… should we…?”

Her hands trembled as she held mine, her expression serious, cooling my head a little.

What am I thinking? I can’t take advantage of her like this.

“…We won’t.”

Forcing the words out, I sat up and gently pulled away from her. She looked shocked and dazed. I pulled her to her feet.

“Come on, go back to your room.”

I pushed her back into her room and firmly said,

“Lock the door from the inside. Your clothes are wet, so change before you catch a cold.”

“O-Okay…”

Seeing her nod, I closed the door. Hearing the lock click, I sighed in relief.

I knew I had made the right choice. If I had given in to my desires, I would have regretted it forever.

But returning to my room, I couldn’t shake the thought that I might have missed a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

The soft sensation in my palm wouldn’t go away. Either way, I knew I wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.