Episode 14 – The first time a girl asked me to “take it off”
Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622170980398031
I could feel my heartbeat through her palm as she squeezed mine back. My heart was pounding so loudly that it was almost deafening.
“Just for today, can you call me by my name?”
Asahina said this in a tone that sounded like a small child begging their parent for something they wanted.
“…Touka.”
Feeling embarrassed, I ended up calling her by her name. Ugh, I felt like my face was on fire. But I also wanted to call her by her name.
“Hehe, thank you.”
Asahina smiled shyly, but still looked up at me firmly.
“I’m just being shy.”
“Me too.”
We said that to each other, and even though it was just a casual conversation, we both ended up laughing.
“Ryo-kun, I want to eat yakisoba.”
“Wait a minute!”
“Alright, today we’re going to conquer all the food stalls!”
Asahina pulled my hand firmly.
“No, there’s a limit to how much my stomach can hold!”
“It’s okay, we can just split everything in half!”
“Besides, I don’t have that much money…”
Asahina stopped abruptly.
“Ryo-kun, you’re such a spoilsport.”
“What do you mean, spoilsport? Money is important…”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“Absolutely not! We have to be strict about money, no matter what!”
“Ryo-kun’s serious side is showing.”
“On the contrary, Asa… Tohua is the one who’s not serious.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true…”
“I was aware of that.”
We looked at each other and laughed again.
◇
That evening…
After fully enjoying the festival, we returned to Asahina’s house. Well, it’s weird to say that I returned to Asahina’s house, but anyway, we returned.
“Ugh, I can’t eat anymore.”
As soon as we got home, Asahina collapsed onto the bed. I think that’s a little too careless…
“Wash your hands when you come home from outside.”
“Yes, yes.”
“And you can sleep, but at least take off your clothes first! I just bought them yesterday!”
“Are you my mother, Ryo-kun?”
“No.”
Saying that, Asahina lazily threw off her white cardigan. She called me by my name so naturally that I didn’t mind it anymore.
“Ryo-kun, take it off for me~”
Asahina stretched out both hands toward me. Here, for the first time, a girl was asking me to take off her clothes… I thought I’d hear that line in a more important situation!
“No way.”
“Tch.”
“What’s with the ’tch’? You know what you’re saying.”
“Well, I guess it would be weird if you just took them off normally.”
“Then don’t say it in the first place.”
Maybe it was the effect of her calling my name, or maybe it was because we had returned from the festival, but I couldn’t look Asahina in the face. It’s impossible not to be conscious of what happened after something like that.
“Ryo-kun, catch!”
Asahina threw a paper bag at me.
“That’s the pajamas I bought for you yesterday. I think you should get comfortable.”
The way she handed it to me was pretty casual. And she was talking as if she assumed I’d be staying for a while.
“Asahina, I really need to go home soon. My parents will worry.”
“Oh, so how long can you stay?”
“Until around seven o’clock should be okay…”
“Then let’s just hang out together until the last minute.”
After saying that, I heard the sound of water running and gargling coming from Asahina’s direction. It seems she’s doing exactly as I told her to.
Hmm, it feels bad not to wear it even though she bought it for me… I should quickly change into it before Asahina comes back.
“Asahina!”
“Yes!”
“I’m changing clothes right now, so don’t come over here!”
“Isn’t that usually my line?”
Alright! I’m done changing!
I changed into sweatpants and stretched my legs out in the middle of the room. I’m a little tired from walking around today.
“It looks good on you! We’re matching!”
“Ugh! Why did you wear something similar?”
“I just wanted to match.”
Asahina came back wearing sweatshirts similar to mine. Oh, being in the same room wearing such outfits…
“Hehe.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
Touka’s cheeks were slightly pink. Probably thinking the same thing as me. But I couldn’t say it out loud…! Because it’s so embarrassing!
“Ryo-kun, today was fun, wasn’t it?”
Asahina smiled brightly.
During her child acting days, Asahina had acting skills that could be called genius. Crying, laughing, getting angry, being happy—all her performances were so natural that they didn’t seem like those of a child, and they captivated the audience. She was truly a girl with a seven-colored expression.
But I’ve never seen this expression before. It’s like she’s blushing, embarrassed, but also happy, joyful, and satisfied—a very nice smile. It’s different from the smile of Asahina Touka’s SSR that I want to get back.
…In a word, she looks very happy.
“Ryo-kun, are you okay? Your face is red.”
“Wow, don’t touch my cheeks naturally!”
“It’s fine, it’s not like it’ll make a difference.”
“You get mad when I touch yours right!”
“It’s fine, though?”
Asahina offered her cheek to me. Her face is so close! The distance between us is definitely off!
“Don’t misunderstand! I don’t want to touch Asahina’s cheek!”
“Ryo-kun, you sometimes act like a tsundere.”
“Who’s a tsundere!”
I thought to myself, I don’t want to show this smile to anyone… That’s weird, isn’t it? I should want Asahina Touka to spread that smile to everyone again.
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