How To Ruin A Love Comedy

Chapter 34: The Feeling of a First Kiss?

“My mom was asking if it’s true that Matsuda-kun used to be a delinquent.”

Those were Miyuki’s words as she sat on the bed.

“What are you talking about?”

“She said ‘he was exceptionally polite today,’ and that ‘he ate well and

looked good’... She even asked me to tell you to come over more often.”

I got up from the chair, shaking my head in surprise, and sat down next to

her. Miyuki seemed quite flustered by my action, hurriedly smoothing out her

clothes. It was amusing to watch her pretty toes wiggle.

Looking at her, I chuckled and asked.

“Really? What do you think?”

“I guess... I feel the same way...”

“That’s a relief.”

As if comforted by Miyuki’s favorable opinion, I spoke, prompting Miyuki to

glance at me with a start.

“A relief?”

“Uh.”

Had my slightly altered demeanor caught her off guard? Miyuki swallowed, her

throat making a barely audible sound.

What are you thinking right now?

“.... Right, it must be a relief. If even my family approves of Matsuda-kun,

then he’ll be more motivated going forward, won’t he?”

At Miyuki’s attempt to play it safe, I tried to infuse some energy into my

reply, struggling to lift the dampened atmosphere.

But what to do? I wasn’t in the mood to play along. So, letting out a soft

chuckle, I casually shrugged my shoulders.

“I guess so.”

“.....”

Miyuki was rendered speechless once again, as if she’d swallowed honey.

She seemed slightly uncomfortable at first, but judging by the fact that she

hadn’t moved away from me, it looked like she was just nervous.

Looking at Miyuki, I spoke.

“Hey.”

“.... Yes?”

“What’s that on the ceiling?”

“Ah... that... well, Tetsuya-kun and I put it up when we were kids.”

“You put it up when you were kids? So, this house has been around for quite

some time, huh? It looked so clean from the inside and out that I thought it

was recently built.”

“It’s well-maintained... that’s why... Matsuda-kun also takes good care of the

house... even looks after the plants...”

Flinch!

Miyuki visibly jolted. It was because, while pretending to adjust my posture,

I subtly placed my hand over hers.

In a typical romantic comedy, if such a situation were to occur, both the

protagonist and the heroine would be startled to the point of falling over,

their faces turning red as they apologize to each other.

But not me.

I have no intention of being such an oblivious protagonist.

“.....”

When I touched the back of her hand, Miyuki seemed instinctively startled, but

she didn’t make any move to pull away.

She couldn’t hide her confusion, though. It made sense—out of the blue, I’d

sat next to her and initiated physical contact without much prior

conversation.

I left my hand resting on the back of hers, perfectly still. Just as Miyuki,

unable to bear the awkward silence, was about to say something, I began to

gently poke her slender fingers with my fingernail.

“Mat... Ahem...”

She began to call my name but broke off into a small cough instead, as if

clearing her throat.

Her hand tensed. I noticed the bed sheet around her palm, which she was

pressing down on, began to fold in slightly. But she still didn’t remove my

hand.

It seemed like I could take it a step further.

Just as I had made my decision and began to spread Miyuki’s fingers apart to

interlace them with my own,

Knock, knock.

A knocking sound came from the door.

“Ah!”

Miyuki nearly shrieked, her entire body expressing her surprise as she

abruptly stood up from her seat.

“Miyuki! Matsuda-kun! We have lots of fruit left, what are you doing just

going upstairs? Take some with you.”

It was Midori’s voice. She must have brought up the plate that had been left

in the living room.

“Uh...! I’m coming...!”

Staggering a few times, Miyuki made her way to the door, grasped the doorknob,

and welcomed Midori in.

“Fruits...?”

“Yes. Isn’t it hot?”

Midori asked as if oblivious to the atmosphere.

With an awkward smile, Miyuki replied,

“I left the window open. It’s fine...”

“Is that so...? Matsuda-kun is studying?”

Upon hearing that, Miyuki quickly glanced back at me. She found me, now seated

at the desk, and stared with a dumbfounded expression before swiftly turning

her head back to Midori.

I said,

“Right... Midterms are just around the corner, so naturally, I must study.”

“Midterms...? Isn’t that still a while away?”

“From Matsuda-kun’s perspective, it’s right on top of us.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means I’m not doing well in my studies, so it feels that way.”

“This one sure speaks her mind, doesn’t she?”

“Uh, anyway, thank you. We’ll enjoy the fruit!”

“Sure, come down if you’re bored. Matsuda-kun, study hard... hang in there.”

At Midori’s gentle words, I responded with a warm smile.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I had expected Midori’s arrival. Why? Because this is a romantic comedy, after

all.

One of the hallmarks of a romantic comedy is the unexpected intrusion. The

protagonist and the heroine get a chance for some serious physical intimacy

either in the early or middle stages of the story.

However, the moment physical intimacy is initiated, or the atmosphere builds

up for it, it’s usually interrupted by friends, teachers, or family members,

completely shattering the delicate mood that had been established.

After that, you either awkwardly pretend everything is normal, making up this

excuse or that to gloss over the situation, or you get caught and teased about

it.

Casual lines from side characters like, “What were you doing?” or noticing the

characters’ flushed faces and saying, “Ooooh...! What’s going on here?” are

some of the classic clichés in this genre.

That’s why I intentionally kept the physical contact light. I anticipated this

cliché would happen to me, so I wanted to quickly move past it and start the

real deal.

If I had attempted a kiss right away, even Miyuki wouldn’t have been able to

maintain her composure.

Click.

As Midori left, Miyuki carefully closed the door and set the plate of fruit on

the desk. Then she lightly tapped my shoulder.

“When did you move over there?”

“When you got up to answer the door.”

“You’re really something... Let’s have some fruit.”

‘Alright! There shouldn’t be any interruption event now.’

I looked at Miyuki, who was munching on melon, and skewered a neatly cut

strawberry with a fork and offered it to her.

“Your favorite.”

“You should eat more, Matsuda-kun.”

“If you eat, then I’ll eat too.”

Miyuki hesitated before extending her hand to take the fork. Seizing the

opportunity, I quickly grasped her wrist with my free hand.

“Hic!”

An immediate hiccup escaped from Miyuki, evidently startled by my sudden

action. I chuckled lightly, gazing tenderly at her.

“...Hic! Hic!”

She was adorable, covering her mouth with her hand. It might be best to wait

until her hiccups subside, but I felt that even now, it would be okay to

proceed.

However... I’m anxious.

Holding hands might be within the realm of acceptable physical intimacy, but a

kiss might not be.

I had resolved to go beyond just a peck today, but now that I think about it,

I may be rushing things. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to hold off until the upcoming

cultural festival event.

‘No. Screw it.’

Inwardly grappling with negative thoughts, I unleashed a string of curses at

myself.

For nearly three months, I’ve been seeing her almost every day, taking care of

special events, filling up the “likability meter,” and going on frequent

dates.

Even before entering the room, right in the flower bed, Miyuki was nervous,

thinking that something would happen today.

So why am I hesitating like this?

If I keep trying to calculate the perfect timing, I’ll end up as timid as

Tetsuya.

I resolved to be true to myself, didn’t I?

Attempting a kiss after three months isn’t even rushed; it’s overdue.

So, let’s just go for it.

I stood up from the chair, still holding onto Miyuki’s wrist, and gingerly

took steps toward her. With every step I took, she took a matching step

backward.

“Hic...! Hic!”

The frequency of her hiccups quickening was a clear sign of just how tense she

was.

But do you know something? If you step back just a bit more...

Thunk.

“Hic!”

Miyuki’s voice, a tone higher and almost like a moan, escaped her lips as she

stumbled back, cornered against the edge of the bed.

Her eyes, dilated to the fullest, were darting frantically in every direction.

Thud.

I felt Miyuki’s knee touch my leg.

Slowly, ever so slowly, I leaned forward, bringing my face closer to hers.

This time, Miyuki’s body shifted backward, her back finally settling against

the bed.

Now that you have nowhere to run, what will you do?

I released her wrist and placed my hands on either side of her ribcage.

“... Hic!”

In Miyuki’s trembling gaze, two emotions were intertwined: anticipation and

fear, with the latter prevailing.

If I continue now, the kiss would carry a slight tinge of coercion.

However, I want Miyuki to fully savor the sweetness of her first kiss. It

can’t be all about me... so let’s dispel that fear.

Locking eyes with Miyuki, I said,

“I’m sorry, Miyuki.”

My tone, strikingly gentler than usual, carried a heartfelt apology. In

response, a significant portion of the fear in Miyuki’s eyes dissipated.

That’s good enough. This will do for now.

While saying “I love you” would’ve been better, I’ll save that for another

opportunity.

I scrutinized Miyuki’s face intently.

“Hic!”

Her muscles, once taut with tension, were starting to relax. The frequency of

her hiccups had decreased, and her trembling body had calmed down.

I slowly reached out, gently removing the hand that Miyuki had placed over her

mouth.

Her arm dropped to the side, utterly devoid of strength.

“.....”

“.....”

Miyuki couldn’t seem to keep her eyes still, perhaps out of embarrassment.

Her lips, tightly pressed together, were incredibly tempting.

Though I wanted to lean in right away, I decided to give Miyuki a moment to

prepare herself.

With my burning impatience under control, I continued to gaze only at her.

As soon as I sensed that her trembling had stopped, I brought my face closer

to hers and slightly tilted my head.

Miyuki’s eyes slowly closed.

A perfect, unspoken consent.

With a silent “Hooray!” in my mind, I managed to calm my wildly racing heart

and finally pressed my lips onto her plump ones.

“Hic!”

As if on cue, Miyuki hiccuped, causing her head to jolt upward ever so

slightly.

Our lips pressed more firmly together, transforming a soft touch into a strong

connection.

Amused by Miyuki’s unintended reaction, I let out a soft chuckle through my

nose.

At that, I could feel all the tension leave her body, even her lips, which had

been pressed against mine, began to part.

Should I introduce my tongue, or should I hold back?

Let’s go for it. Having come this far, I’d regret if I stopped here.

But I should be mindful not just of my own desires; I should also consider how

Miyuki will feel.

Alright. I’ll take it just a bit further.

With a short moment of deliberation, I subtly extended my tongue while our

lips were still touching, gently sliding it into Miyuki’s mouth.

Then, as though I were painting, I softly grazed her teeth with my tongue.

“...Eek!”

Startled, Miyuki’s body jerks, and her open teeth snap shut.

If I had given in to desire and slipped my tongue between them, it would’ve

been a disaster.

Good thing I held back.

By now, she must’ve opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Even though she’s startled enough to jump out of her skin, the fact that she

isn’t pushing me away means she doesn’t seem to think we should stop.

Is she holding back because she’s seen this sort of thing in dramas or movies?

Or is it because she’s heard what a kiss feels like from her friends who have

boyfriends?

If it’s neither, has she watched some porn alone?

Whatever the case may be, it couldn’t be anything but good news for me.

With my eyes politely closed, I was gently rolling my tongue against Miyuki’s

teeth when I felt a long breath escape from her nose, tickling my nostrils and

philtrum.

I cheered, internally.

That breath signaled that her tension had completely melted away.

Relieved, I chose not to go any further this time.

As if foreshadowing a more intense kiss next time, I lightly grazed the outer

edge of Miyuki’s teeth.

Finally, I used the tip of my tongue to gradually erase the lingering taste of

melon—something she had just eaten—from my mouth.

As a finishing touch, I ever-so-lightly bit her lower lip with my teeth,

pulling it just a tad, thus bringing our first kiss to a close.

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