The string of balls -

Episode 4: First Impact

No… aren’t you just getting carried away? Are you being deceived?

Isn’t this just Kotone dragging me along at her usual pace…?

“Um, Kotone…?”

“Kotonoha…”

Ugh! That handsome face makes it way too easy to forgive her…

People always say that it’s not a big deal if it’s between two girls, but maybe that’s just something straight people say.

It did feel good… but I can’t kiss Fumie anyway. So…

“Just this once, okay? Once it’s over, we’re back to being friends!”

“Yeah, I know.”

Wait—did she just grin? Did she look sad for a second there?

Maybe it was just a nervous smile, and I misread it. I’m overthinking, right?

“Um, well then… go ahead.”

She tilted her face up and closed her eyes tightly.

Kotone is tall. Am I close enough…?

“Fufu… I love you, Kotonoha. You’re so cute…”

“Hmm…”

Her hands rested gently on my cheeks and back, and then—something soft brushed against my lips.

Warm, moist, and tender.Kotone’s lips, just like before.

We were only barely touching, yet I could feel how much she cared. It made me feel strangely ticklish inside… but also safe.

Being kissed by someone who loves you…It’s warm. It’s comforting. Kotone looked so happy…

I wonder—how happy would it feel to kiss the person you love?

“…Konoha, Kotonoha…”

“Mmm… just this once… hmm…”

Kotone didn’t stop at one.

She kissed me again and again, gently but insistently, as if trying to pour her feelings into me.

My heart fluttered a little. It felt brave. It felt… sweet.

“I love you… mmm…”

“Hmm… mmm!”

Wait—what!?

It’s wet… her tongue!?

Kotone was trying so hard… for someone like me…

Even though she always acts so composed and perfect, right now she’s desperate, vulnerable.

…That’s cute.

Just a little more. Just this once. It’s okay…

I hesitantly met her tongue with mine.

“Kotonoha…! I love you. I love you… mmm… Ree…”

She looked so happy. She wanted me.

Even though we were both awkward, she tried to move her tongue carefully, trying to entwine it with mine.

It was the first time for both of us. Of course, we’d be clumsy.

But seeing Kotone—this girl who always seemed like she could do anything—struggle like this…It was adorable.

And honestly… it felt good.

How do I even describe it?

Her tongue—it felt alive.

We weren’t doing it “right,” but that didn’t matter. Our tongues stuck and separated with these little, wet, clumsy sounds. They were warm and slick, like they were melting into each other…

Wait—

“Stop! Umm—I can’t go any further than this. We’re just friends…”