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Chapter 279. He Kissed Her Lips
🕑 Added 2025-04-10 07:01:01 +0000 UTC(TL Music Recommendation: " the peggies「センチメートル」Music Video " )
...
What confused him wasn't the fact that his simulated self had stopped Matsuzaka Satou from lifting her skirt.
After all, he had always believed in his own noble and pure character.
A model student who never took advantage of girls.
How could he possibly stand by and let something like that happen?
No, stopping her made perfect sense.
Thinking this, Minami glanced sideways at Nishikigi Chisato, who was napping.
He reached out and lightly pinched her cheek, then settled back comfortably, continuing to watch the simulation.
[You stopped her from lifting her skirt any further.]
[You're not some saint. This was, without a doubt, an enormous temptation. But you didn't want to take advantage of her under unclear circumstances like this.]
[She seemed displeased but said nothing, simply adjusting her clothes before standing quietly beside you, waiting for you to speak.]
[You explained everything to her, that what she saw was all a misunderstanding.]
[December 3rd, her birthday.]
[The reason for your frequent meetings with Matsuzaka Sayuri was to prepare a birthday gift for her.]
The simulated memories surged into his mind.
In reality, Minami closed his eyes to process them.
The rooftop of Shuka High.
The midday sun shining brightly, almost blinding.
He held back the hand attempting to lift her skirt.
Taking in a deep breath of fresh air to steady his racing heart, he let out a small chuckle as he looked at the pink-haired girl before him.
Of all things—
Who would have thought that this usually composed, gentle girl—
Would resort to such an extreme method to stop him from getting involved with Matsuzaka Sayuri?
But—
"In reality, you've got it all wrong, Matsuzaka-san."
"…Wrong?"
Matsuzaka Satou lifted her head.
Beneath the tousled black strands of his hair, Minami's eyes shone.
Bathed in sunlight, he almost looked like he was glowing.
Even his smile carried the warmth of the sun.
Leaning against the railing, he gazed at the students wandering below and spoke,
"I don't have that kind of relationship with your aunt."
"…Is that so?"
Her voice was quiet.
If it had been anyone else saying this—
She wouldn't have believed them.
But because it was Minami—
What choice did she have?
She had already been caught in his web.
She had no choice but to believe him.
Minami noticed her shift in emotion.
He smiled.
"Matsuzaka-san, I think you might have forgotten something."
"…Forgotten?"
He nodded.
"Your birthday is coming up."
Leaning against the railing, his voice was steady.
"My outings with your aunt weren't because we had some kind of relationship. I wasn't being blackmailed, tempted by money, or seduced. We were simply trying to figure out the best birthday present for you."
Matsuzaka Satou froze.
She had never once considered that possibility.
That he and Matsuzaka Sayuri had been going out—
Just to buy her a gift.
"…I didn't expect this either."
As she stood there, still processing, Minami stepped closer.
She instinctively tilted her head up.
And what she saw—
Was Minami's teasing gaze.
He smirked.
"To think that our ever-composed princess—"
"—Would actually get jealous."
"…Jealous?"
Matsuzaka Satou tilted her head slightly.
Under the sunlight, her soft features looked even more delicate.
Minami felt an itch in his heart.
So he reached out, brushing his fingers along her cheek.
"Yes. Jealous."
He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.
"Calling me to the rooftop, telling me not to get too close to your aunt, even going so far as to tempt me—"
"Isn't that all just jealousy?"
For some reason—
Maybe because his words hit too close to home.
Or maybe because she could feel his breath against her ear.
Or maybe it was both.
But for the first time—
Her usually steady heart wavered.
She instinctively reached up to touch her cheek.
Because on her skin—
She could feel an undeniable warmth.
And as Minami's golden eyes locked onto her,
Even his gaze felt sharp—
Almost prickling her skin.
"D-Don't look at me, Minami-senpai."
For the first time in her life, Matsuzaka Satou felt flustered.
Lowering her head, she murmured softly.
But the more she tried to hide—
The more 'Minami-senpai' refused to let her.
With a mischievous grin—
He reached out and gently pulled her hand away.
She had wanted to cover her face, to keep him from seeing her expression.
But—
"Don't block it."
Just a simple sentence whispered into her ear.
Yet it felt like a spell from Harry Potter had been cast upon her—
Her hand could no longer rise.
Nor could she stop Minami from what he was about to do next.
He backed her into a corner.
"So now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, how should I punish this overly jealous princess?"
He smiled, reaching out to gently caress her delicate cheek.
This was something he had wanted to do for a long time.
Her refined, exquisite face carried an undeniable allure—
An urge to do as he pleased.
Yet, Matsuzaka Satou hurriedly lowered her head, shrinking away in embarrassment.
Being touched like this—
Was far more intimate, far more humiliating than when she had lifted her own skirt.
"Don't move."
His voice was soft.
Then, with slow, deliberate motions, he brushed aside the pink strands of hair that blocked her gaze.
And as he did—
His eyes locked onto hers.
Her pink irises, shimmering with emotions too deep to name and her lips, softer and more inviting than a ripe peach.
Beneath the sunlight, everything about her looked breathtaking.
"Do you like me, Matsuzaka-san?"
His forehead pressed lightly against hers as he asked.
She felt her skin heat up.
Faced with his question—
Faced with the closeness between them—
A girl who had always struggled with emotions suddenly found herself at a loss.
She could only lower her head and let out a quiet, barely audible,
"…Mm."
Did she like Minami?
She had always known the answer.
Of course, she did.
So she gave her answer.
And then, she lifted her gaze, hoping for his response.
But what she got instead—
Was disappointment.
The boy simply smiled and said, "Is that so?"
And then—
Nothing.
As if his previous actions—
Their exchange, their moment of mutual vulnerability—
Had all been an illusion.
She turned her head slightly, looking at him with eyes that held a hint of grievance.
"…Minami-senpai."
"Hm?"
He turned to her, puzzled.
"T-That… your answer…"
For the first time, she took the initiative.
Hesitant, uncertain—
But she spoke up.
However—
"My answer, huh…"
Minami blinked, as if just realizing. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, he asked,
"How would Satou like me to answer?"
"… …"
Matsuzaka Satou.
This man—
Was far more cruel than she had ever imagined.
She had already taken the first step.
If love was supposed to be a mutual effort—
Then she had already taken ninety-nine steps forward.
All Minami had to do was take that final step.
And yet—
He refused to make a move.
Instead, he was half-guiding, half-forcing her to be the one to confess everything.
I've already done so much…
Can't you take the lead just this once?
She felt frustrated.
But she swallowed that frustration and steadied herself again.
"…Minami-senpai… you like me, don't you?"
As she spoke, she grasped his sleeve.
Her face was flushed.
Her voice was clumsy, awkward—
Yet she was baring her heart to him.
Her pink eyes carried a silent plea.
But—
"No, I don't."
A firm rejection.
Matsuzaka Satou looked at him, eyes suddenly damp.
Since the day she was born—
This was the first time she had ever felt the urge to cry.
However.
Just as despair began to settle in—
He reached out, pinching her cheek lightly.
"I mean, it's not like."
"It's love."
In an instant—
The despair vanished.
Matsuzaka Satou stared blankly, her wide pink eyes gazing up at him.
And what she saw—
Was his warm, gentle expression.
Softer than the midday sunlight that poured over them.
A gaze that seemed to reach deep within her—
Touching the parched, barren corners of her heart that no one had ever been able to reach before.
She looked at him.
At his lips, dyed a faint red under the sun.
And for the first time—
She felt a certain urge.
She recalled scenes from romance dramas—
Where a boy and a girl, after baring their feelings, would slowly lean in—
And their lips would meet.
Back then, she never understood it.
What was the point of that simple contact?
Why did the audience cheer, why did some even cry over a mere kiss?
But now—
She understood.
She stared at his lips, dazed.
It wasn't until Minami seemed to notice and turned toward her—
That she hurriedly averted her gaze.
"…Looks like our princess still has some other desires?"
He smirked.
His teasing smile made her drop her head instantly.
Even with her pink bangs covering her vision—
She still felt embarrassed.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed against her lips.
She was thinking.
If I kissed Minami…
What would it feel like?
The moment the thought took root—
It spread.
Uncontrollably.
Rapidly.
And it left her flustered.
She had been willing to use her body to tempt him.
Yet now, at the thought of something as simple as a kiss—
She was at a complete loss.
Maybe this is what it means to be a girl.
Her emotions were all over the place.
She was conflicted.
But at the same time—
She lifted her head, hoping that her eyes, her gestures would be enough to hint at her current thoughts.
For her—
Just implying her feelings to Minami felt like an enormous effort.
Yet Minami—
Acted like he didn't notice at all.
He simply continued talking about random happenings at school.
How the calligraphy club ran out of ink.
How the judo club captain got caught cheating by his girlfriend and was publicly humiliated.
But Matsuzaka Satou didn't care about any of that.
She didn't care about the judo club's captain or his messy love life.
Right now—
Her lips ached with longing.
And finally—
After much hesitation, she stammered out,
"Mi-Minami-senpai…"
"Hm?"
He turned to her, confused.
"Um… we're… dating now, right?"
Her voice was uncertain, barely above a whisper.
And this time, Minami didn't tease her any further. He simply smiled and nodded.
"This goes without saying."
Those words eased her previously anxious heart.
Then, in a small voice, she murmured,
"Then… should we do something that only couples can do…?"
"Something only couples can do…? What exactly are you referring to, Satou?"
Minami's expression turned playful as he leaned in toward the pink-haired girl.
"T-That… um… the kind of scene that always happens in dramas…"
Her head lowered in embarrassment, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh—"
Minami was sharp.
It only took him a moment to realize what she meant—
Kissing.
But—
"Are you asking me for this, Satou?"
Minami didn't immediately agree. Instead, he threw the question back at her.
"Eh…? No, I mean… um…"
Caught off guard by his response, the girl started to panic.
She waved her hands slightly, about to say more—
"Are you asking me for it?"
Minami cut her off, repeating his question.
"I… ah… uh…"
"If you don't answer me, then we won't do it."
Clearly, Minami was the one taking advantage of the situation.
Yet somehow, he was the one acting as if he held all the power, coercing her into admitting it.
Matsuzaka Satou was completely thrown off.
Her lips parted slightly.
After a long moment, she turned her head to the side and gave a small nod.
"Mm…"
Then—without waiting to see if Minami agreed—
She slowly closed her eyes.
Tilting her head up slightly—
Her soft, pink lips trembled ever so faintly.
She was waiting—
Yearning for his 'love.'
And seeing her take the initiative like this—
Even Minami's playful smirk softened.
It wasn't as if he wanted to bully her on purpose.
But because of her emotional deficiency, there were times when he had to push her—
To force her into making a choice.
Only by doing this—
Could she learn how to express her emotions.
Just like now—
Taking the initiative to ask for a kiss.
If he didn't push her, she would never have done this.
Because taking the initiative meant acknowledging her own feelings.
It meant yearning for love.
And putting in the effort to receive love.
That alone was a victory.
It meant that the once emotionless, indifferent girl, was slowly regaining her ability to feel. And the desire to be loved, was one of the strongest emotions a person could have.
Looking at the girl who still had her head tilted expectantly—
Minami had no reason to hesitate anymore.
"…Though a part of me does want to tease her a bit more…"
Minami chuckled to himself.
But this time—
He let it go.
After all, Matsuzaka Satou had already worked so hard to express her feelings.
Even if her way of doing it was still clumsy and awkward—
She was trying.
With that thought—
Minami lowered his head.
Bang—
From the nearby baseball field, the sharp crack of a bat hitting a ball rang out.
The cheers of students filled the air—
"Home run! Home run!"
Down below, the vibrant energy of youth burned bright.
And on the rooftop of the winter campus—
[Minami pressed his lips against Matsuzaka Satou's.]
