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Thinking about it, maybe that was the first time.
Flirting and teasing were pretty normal among Regloss members, especially when Ao was involved, and the good looking girl usually seemed to enjoy it.
But that day, Ririka was pushed away.
It wasn't even a push, just a light tap, yet it felt like she was about to tumble to the floor.
Ichijou Ririka got rejected? That not even the worst part, but that the other person was Ao-kun.
The soft fingertips lingered on her shoulder, not pressing at all, but not moving away either.
"Please don’t do that, Ririka-chan," the tall one whispered. "During a live stream is one thing, but please don’t say that off-stream."
Ririka chilled down to her spine. She felt numb. The answer popped into her head even before she could ask
No?
Why?
Am I disgus—
Just the thought of it made her let out a muffled sob. It was then that the arms of the person in front of her moved, loosely hugging her back as if to comfort her.
"Thank you," the gentle voice, which now painful to hear, continued. "I'm really happy. Thank you."
Ririka didn't reply. She does not even know what to say.
Was she wrong to think that if they hugged now, even Ao would understand it wasn't an act? Was it her fault for thinking that confessing her feelings after Ao graduated wouldn't be a burden to her?
Where did things go wrong? Even when her whole body was so numb she could barely move her fingers, why did the warmth of Ao's embrace feel so good?
Even though she had done something so cruel to Ao.
To let herself drown in this last blissful embrace is allowed, right?
–
Have you ever watched a fireworks show?
If you watch from the start, you'll see a streak of light moving from the ground up to the sky with a whistling sound. That's when you know a beautiful sparkle is about to appear above your head, followed by an even louder boom.
You can predict it in advance.
But even if you know the fireworks are coming, you never know how booming the sound or lightworks will be.
"I like you."
Ririka's fireworks were just those two words. But it were so bright it blinded her, and so deafening that all she could hear in her head was her own heartbeat.
Is that allowed? The first question popped into her mind. Could something like this happen to someone like me?
The small arms wrapped around her waist were burning hot—scorching like the sin that had revealed itself when she was not prepared.
Of course, it is. A wicked whisper held her hands from hugging her girl back. The only question was, how long would she keep liking you?
Ao touched her shoulder without looking at her face, allowing herself only that much.
"Please don’t do that, Ririka-chan,"
Please don't ever stop liking me.
"During a live stream is one thing, but please don’t say that off-stream."
Please keep liking me forever. Don't let this be something that has to end like all the other times.
The faint sob was barely audible. Ao knew well that if she made eye contact, she would give in. If it were one second, she would accidentally hug her back. If it were two seconds, she might blurt out, I like you too.
"Thank you." Wait, I didn't even look at her face. "I'm really happy. Thank you."
Oh well, I already hugging her, aren’t I?
Ao buried her face in the crook of Ririla’s neck. These small shoulders felt so nice, safe, and so kind that she didn't want to let her go.
If we weren't genmates anymore, would I still have the right to stand by your side?
At least for now.
If I keep you, in this moment, as mine forever.
That would be fine, right?