Sweet Cohabitation Romcom With My Senior Girlfriend and Alcohol Starts At Twenty - Volume 1 Chapter 1.5

Can Legally Drinking Alcohol and Living Together After Turning Twenty

While I understand Senpai’s insecurities, I start to feel anxious myself, “Does Senpai really like me?”

I know Senpai isn’t the type to casually suggest living together with someone she doesn’t like, but since we haven’t even kissed yet, I can’t help but worry, “Is Senpai’s ‘like’ not really ‘love’?”

In addition to these concerns, the idea of hiring a printing service doesn’t sit well with me.

If we use a service to print a book, at least the workers there would end up seeing Senpai’s selfies. Senpai’s naughty selfies…

That’s something I want to prevent at all costs. I don’t want anyone else to see Kureha Senpai’s naughty selfie photos. It’s enough that only I know about Senpai’s slightly wild side.

Still, I can’t bring myself to tell her directly…

“Why don’t you try drinking some alcohol, Takashi-kun? I’ve bought some that even beginners can enjoy.”

“Ah, yes! Please go easy on me!!”

Before I knew it, I was handed a glass and had cheerfully replied. It’s a bad habit of mine. I can’t break the flow and end up letting my thoughts and feelings slide without expressing what I really want to say.

Everything’s just sliding by. I can’t confirm whether Senpai truly likes me, I can’t express my desire to kiss her, and naturally, anything beyond that…

It’s my birthday, and yet I’m starting to dislike myself a little. It’s my first birthday with a girlfriend, but my mood just keeps sinking.

To break out of this state, I decided to drink the alcohol Senpai recommended without hesitation, hoping to lift my spirits a little.

“First, try the Calpico Sour. It’s low in alcohol content and has an easy-to-drink sweetness, so it’s recommended for your first drink.”

“It’s kind of like Calpico soda!”

“Well, it’s basically that soda with alcohol in it.”

The sweet tartness spread through my mouth, followed by a faint sense of discomfort.

Surely, this aftertaste must be the flavor of alcohol.

It wasn’t as bad as I thought. On the contrary, I felt my spirits lifting. The gloominess that weighed on me seemed to lighten.

Encouraged, I grabbed the next drink after Senpai introduced it and took a big gulp.

“Next up, Choya Umeshu. It’s a classic among classics, so it’s worth remembering the taste.”

“It kinda tastes like those plum juice drinks you see in vending machines, pretty good!”

“Well, it’s plum, after all.”

The intense aroma of plum hit my nose directly, and the delicious taste spread across my tongue. Unlike when I drank the Calpico Sour, there was no discomfort, just the pure deliciousness of the plum itself.

However, what I was drinking was definitely alcohol, and I could feel a tingling sensation throbbing at the back of my throat.

Still, the “high” I wanted to feel was far off. In the end, I didn’t hesitate to reach for the last drink that was prepared…

“Finally, this one. You’ve got to try it at least once. Asahi Super Dry!”

“Bitter…! But there’s a subtle taste… this could become addictive…!!”

“Good job! You might be ready to drink outside soon!!”

Despite Senpai’s happy reaction, I was filled with joy inside. My head felt light and airy, yet my excitement was rising.

I was quietly delighted to have reached the “high” I had been seeking.

But my self-satisfied joy was short-lived as my vision suddenly distorted.

“Hey… Senpai, did you learn magc tricks? Everything’s looking really wobbly?”

“Ah, it’s because you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk at all!!”

“People who insist they’re not drunk are usually the worst off. Just wait here, I’ll go get you some water.”

Saying that, Kureha Senpai tried to step away from me for a moment. Without realizing it, I had grabbed onto the hem of Senpai’s shirt.

“Um, Takashi-kun…?”

“Senpai, I want to ask… do you… really like me…?”

Even though I was supposed to be feeling high-spirited, words that sounded not so manly slipped out of my mouth. My head felt light and fluffy, yet my emotions were heavy and oppressive.

“Of course I like you.”

“Really…? It’s not some kind of joke, is it…?”

“There’s no way. I truly like only you. I’m seriously in love with you.”

“Then… please kiss me…”

I wanted to stop myself, but the words I had been thinking in my heart kept spilling out of my mouth regardless of my will. The shackles I had been holding back fell from my eyes, and the overflowing anxiety reached Senpai’s ears.

Kureha Senpai just stared at me intently with serious eyes. Her expression, so different from the frivolous one she had earlier, became serious.

With her lips moistened by alcohol, she slightly opened them and asked softly.

“…Do you want to?”

“I want to kiss you, Kureha Senpai… Don’t you feel the same?”

More of my true feelings spilled out. My anxiety spilled out.

My desire to become more intimate with Senpai grew.

It’s a bit pathetic that it’s only about a kiss, which seems like me… But I can’t do something irresponsible. Just because I turned twenty doesn’t mean I can take responsibility for everything…

‘If anything happens to Kureha, you know how her father will become…’

The voice of Senpai’s mother echoed in my mind. Even though I had her blessing, the fear of that ‘something’ would happen prevented me from moving forward.

I had heard several times from Senpai herself that her father was strict.

But still… a kiss should be okay for now, right…?

I wait. I wait for Senpai’s reply with anticipation. Anticipating what answer she will give me. Anticipating those lips touching my skin. But, it’s times like these that Senpai can be so mean.

“Of course, I want to. But maybe not right now.”

“Is it because you don’t really like me…?”

“That’s not it. I just don’t want to give away something important in the heat of the moment when you’re drunk.”

Senpai sits down next to me again, takes a half-finished bottle of tea from her bag, and presses it to my mouth.

The tea that was suddenly poured into my mouth tasted several times stronger and more bitter than usual, almost unrecognizable from Senpai’s preferred sweet tea.