A Pretty Girl Has Her First Kiss Stolen By an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 4.14

Kaede Wakamatsu gave a soft kiss to the ring finger of Shizuku Mizuhara’s right hand.

“I’ve always wanted to touch you, Mizuhara.”

While still in her arms, Mizuhara felt a gentle kiss on her ear.

Fresh from the bath, Wakamatsu’s body was warmer than usual, and she smelled like flowers.

“I like you. I really do, Mizuhara.”

As if to make sure Mizuhara was real, Wakamatsu ran her fingers along her back.

It tickled, and Mizuhara flinched. Maybe Wakamatsu took that as a rejection, because she quietly whispered, “Don’t run away,” and held her tighter.

“I’m not running away anymore…”

She paused, then spoke again.

“I thought that if I stayed away from you, these feelings would fade someday.”

“What…?”

“But you’re amazing, Wakamatsu. You never disappeared from my heart.”

Mizuhara reached out to Wakamatsu and gently cupped her cheeks with both hands.

She traced her thumb under Wakamatsu’s soft eyes, where tears were starting to form. Then, she pressed her lips against Wakamatsu’s.

“I like you, Kaede.”

Hearing the confession, Wakamatsu’s cheeks turned red and her eyes filled with tears.

She covered her mouth with her hand, as if trying to hide her face.

“I’m sorry for being unfair and hurting you so much.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“I know saying sorry doesn’t make it right, but still…”

Wakamatsu gently placed her hand over Mizuhara’s mouth, stopping her words.

She shook her head. She was saying, “Don’t apologize anymore.”

“I always felt bad for dragging you into everything. That’s why I kept thinking I had to let you go, as soon as possible.”

Wakamatsu listened quietly to Mizuhara’s words.

“I realized your feelings. And I realized mine, too.”

“…Yeah.”

“That’s why I wanted to stay like this, without saying anything, just being with you.”

Being with Wakamatsu felt so natural and comforting, Mizuhara couldn’t let her go.

“I thought so.”

Wakamatsu narrowed her eyes and smiled. Her teary eyes stood out even more.

“You don’t have to worry anymore, Mizuhara.”

“…”

“You don’t need to feel guilty about me.”

Mizuhara had tried to find someone to take her sister’s place.

She got close to Kaede Wakamatsu, someone respected by their classmates, and tried to force a bond with her.

But little by little, she was drawn to Wakamatsu’s honest way of living, and the time they shared became something she treasured deeply.

At the same time, guilt towards Wakamatsu started to grow, and she wanted to run from it.

“You don’t have to feel guilty toward your sister either.”

It felt like she was ignoring her sister’s place.

It made her feel heartless, like someone who could just replace her sister so easily.

“But it’s okay now, Mizuhara.”

With warm eyes full of emotion, Wakamatsu looked at Mizuhara. She held her hands gently as Mizuhara struggled to find the words.

“…My mom…”

Her feelings for Wakamatsu overflowed, and it felt like something heavy was being lifted from her heart.

“…Right now, I still can’t let go of my mom…”

Wakamatsu had said she would accept Mizuhara, even her weak parts.

Mizuhara leaned into that kindness and spoke honestly. Even now, with Wakamatsu in front of her, she was still worried about her mother.

“Tell me more about yourself, Mizuhara.”

“Okay…”

“Let’s think about things together. I’ll always be here to support you.”

Her words made Mizuhara want to cry.

She had been selfish and stepped on Wakamatsu’s feelings. So why was she being so kind?

“I might not be able to understand everything you feel, Mizuhara…”

“…You don’t have to. That’s okay.”

Wakamatsu opened her arms wide and hugged Shizuku Mizuhara tightly.

“I don’t know how to overcome sadness. Maybe there’s no right way.”

Held in Wakamatsu’s arms, Mizuhara quietly closed her eyes.

“Your sister will only come back if she wants to. And maybe… there’s nothing we can do about your mom either.”

“But it’s okay, Mizuhara.”

Wakamatsu gently took her hand.

“Because I’m here with you.”

She kissed the small mole on Mizuhara’s wrist.

It was just a light touch of her lips. And yet, Mizuhara’s body shivered.

“Let’s find a way to face the things we can’t change.”

“…Thank you…”

Mizuhara held her tightly, with all her strength, never wanting to let go again.