Chapter 3: Public Display of Affection Three-Legged Race Derby Arc
That happened on the day of the Sports Festival.
As always, I was busy teasing and seducing Kanata-kun.
"...Hey, come here a sec."
"Eh? Ah, wait... hold on! D-Don't be so forceful..."
Kanata-kun grabbed my shoulder and pulled me with strong force.
Unable to resist, I was dragged behind the gymnasium where there were no people.
"W-What is it... bringing me to a place like this..."
Bringing me to a deserted place means... well, that, right?
Meaning he intends to do something we can't do where people are watching...
C-Could it be, he's going to kiss me right here?!
T-There's no way Kanata-kun would do something that bold...
"Manaka."
"Eh? Kya!"
While my heart was pounding, Kanata-kun cornered me against the wall in the blink of an eye.
And then I realized.
Kanata-kun's eyes were directed at my chest.
"W-What...?"
Kanata-kun's hand slowly moved toward my chest.
H-He plans to do something lewd...
N-No... I have to resist, but...
With my heart racing, I instinctively closed my eyes.
The transfer student—Amasawa-san—arrived, and a month was already about to pass.
Fortunately, the relationship between the two hasn't progressed.
They talk occasionally and seem to get along, but that's it.
Maybe it's just a one-sided crush on Kanata-kun's part.
...Though it kinda pisses me off that he likes her but she's not interested.
I'm glad Kanata-kun is a wimp.
On the other hand, my relationship with Kanata-kun is... stagnant.
We hug sometimes, or kiss on the cheek.
But that's it.
Kanata-kun, who was bewildered at first, seems to have gotten used to it.
He acts like it's nothing.
E-Even though my heart is pounding like this...!
S-So frustrating.
Of course, not wanting to lose, I try to keep my cool attitude too.
But unlike me, Kanata-kun might really be getting bored.
It’s what they call a rut.
It seems hugging and cheek kisses aren't enough to seduce Kanata-kun anymore.
I guess we have to have sex…
Just kidding.
I have a secret plan.
A supreme event that, if executed, will definitely close the distance with Kanata-kun and even create a fait accompli.
Asking him is embarrassing, but I can't be choosy about my methods.
I have to do it!
If it's the same as last year, it should be soon...
Just as I was thinking that, during the SHR (Short Homeroom) before dismissal.
Finally, the class representative distributed the handouts regarding the Sports Festival.
It's here!!
I immediately tried to call out to Kanata-kun to invite him, but...
"Heeh, we can enter whatever events we like?"
"Well, the popular ones are decided by lottery. You can enter multiple events, but you have to participate in at least one."
Amasawa-san beat me to it.
Gununu...
I really want to interrupt, but I have to suppress it here.
Because Amasawa-san is the person Kanata-kun likes.
If I'm mean to her, Kanata-kun might come to hate me.
I don't want an ending like one of those "Villainess Gets Banished" stories.
...W-Why does his childhood friend have to hold back!!
It's frustrating!!
I mean, aren't they standing too close?
They aren't even dating... how promiscuous!
This is totally illicit heterosexual interaction!!
"What is this Mixed Gender Three-Legged Relay?"
"Ah... yeah, well, as you read, it's for couples."
Ba-thump. My heart leaped.
That is the event I was aiming for.
I planned to enter it with a vibe like, "Want to practice so you can do it with the person you like next year?"
Under the pretext of practicing for the three-legged race, I would seduce Kanata-kun, create a fait accompli in public, and if things went well, carry that momentum into an athletic meet on the bed.
"Heeh..."
Amasawa-san listened to Kanata-kun's explanation and smirked.
W-What?! What is that smile!
D-Don't tell me Amasawa-san was aiming for it too...
"Then, why don't you and Himemiya-san enter, Takabane-kun? You two are lovey-dovey, so it's perfect, right?"
"W-We aren't a couple or anything! And we aren't lovey-dovey!"
Shoot!
I denied it reflexively.
B-But it can't be helped... we aren't lovers yet.
And we aren't lovey-dovey.
If I affirmed it, and then Kanata-kun said something like, "No, we aren't in that kind of relationship," with a serious face, I would die.
"Aha."
Amasawa-san laughed quietly at my words.
She raised the corners of her mouth slightly, then hid her lips with the application form.
W-What is it...
"Hmm, is that so. Then..."
Amasawa-san pointed to herself with her index finger.
"How about... entering with me?"
She said that, tilting her head slightly.
"Eh?"
"Hah?"
What... is she saying?
Together... the three-legged race? Amasawa-san and... Kanata-kun?
S-She got me!!
That earlier comment was a trap to make me deny it!!
"U-Umm... why?"
"I don't have any friends yet, so... I thought an event where I can participate with someone close to me would be nice. ...Is it no good?"
The two of them practicing the three-legged race for the Sports Festival.
Falling, getting tangled, their breathing gradually syncing up.
Touching each other's skin, feeling body heat, the scent of sweat—feeling embarrassed but hearts pounding.
And then, after school, once the Sports Festival is over.
—Hey, Takabane-kun. Can I go to your house after this?
Thus, the two of them start a three-legged race on the bed...
"Ah, no, well..."
"That's no good!!"
I screamed instinctively to deny the future that flashed through my mind—a future that must not exist.
The classroom fell dead silent.
Everyone was looking at me.
I-I did it now...
"U-Um... i-if you enter something like that, people will misunderstand and think you're lovers, a-and it'll be a huge mess! So I-I think you shouldn't..."
I will absolutely not accept a three-legged race between Kanata-kun and Amasawa-san.
I rambled excuses at Amasawa-san.
Amasawa-san, perhaps overwhelmed by my intensity, nodded slightly.
Next, I have to persuade Kanata-kun...
"I'm happy you invited me, but. A three-legged race is a bit embarrassing for me too... If it's another event, that's fine."
...It seems Kanata-kun didn't intend to enter the three-legged race with Amasawa-san from the start.
R-Right? I mean, he hates the idea of doing it with me, right?
There’s no way he’d say no to me but yes to Amasawa-san, right?
Saying he was happy to be invited... was just social etiquette, right?
"Aha. Just kidding."
Amasawa-san laughed merrily.
I see, a joke...
...Really?
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Dismissal time.
""......""
For some reason, Manaka was quiet.
She didn't seem to be in a bad mood, but she looked like she was thinking about something.
And occasionally, she would glance at me as if she wanted to say something.
"Manaka."
"Kanata-kun."
""......""
I resolved to speak to her, but we spoke at the same time.
Awkward.
"Go ahead, Manaka."
"Go ahead, Kanata-kun."
""......""
Can't be helped.
I'll state my business first.
"Umm... about the 'practice'."
"P-Practice?! W-What...?"
Manaka braced herself at my words.
Being treated with that much caution hurts a little.
"No, actually, never mind."
"That makes me the most curious! Say it to the end!!"
When I retracted what I started to say, Manaka glared at me.
What she says is reasonable.
"Actually... there's something I want to do."
"H-Heeh, something you want to do. ...Depending on the content, what is it?"
"Umm... well."
Bringing it up myself really makes me nervous.
Will she say no?
Will she hate me?
Amidst such anxiety, I squeezed out the words.
"The three-legged race."
After saying it aloud, I felt my face heat up.
Wanting to do such a normie-oriented event together is like saying "I want to be your lover."
It's embarrassing...
I looked down once, then resolved myself and checked Manaka's expression.
"...Eh?"
Manaka's mouth was hanging open.
Her expression said she never expected to be proposed such a thing.
"Why...?"
"W-Why, you ask... well, as part of the 'practice'..."
When I saw a mixed-gender three-legged race for the first time in my first year of high school.
I thought I wanted to do it with Manaka.
Being close to the girl you like, running in sync—I think it's the best event.
No, of course, it's embarrassing...
But the fun would surely outweigh that.
Above all...
I want to show off how close we are to that guy Manaka likes, whoever that horse's bone may be.
I want to show everyone that Manaka is my childhood friend.
I had that desire.
...But, if Manaka doesn't want to do it with someone like me.
If she thinks she doesn't want to be mistaken for my lover.
"N-No, actually, let's forget it. Pretend I didn't..."
"T-That's not it!"
When I tried to take back my words, Manaka stopped me.
Manaka's face was bright red.
There was no color of disgust... there.
"You don't want to do it with Amasawa-san?"
...?
Why does Amasawa's name come up there?
Doing a three-legged race with a girl I don't like and am not even close to would just be awkward and not fun.
"Why her?"
"N-No, why...?"
When I instinctively asked back, Manaka looked confused.
Her eyes swam, and then she spoke fearfully.
"Earlier, Amasawa-san... invited you, didn't she?"
"Oh, yeah..."
Since Amasawa-san invited me, shouldn't I invite her first instead of Manaka?
Is that it?
Indeed, asking Manaka instead of another girl... explaining why is a bit... embarrassing.
"She said she was joking."
"But you refused before that. ...You said it was embarrassing. Is it okay with me? Why?"
Why... well, because I didn't want to do a three-legged race with Amasawa.
Doing a three-legged race with a girl I don't like would just be awkward.
But if I say that, it's the same as saying "I like Manaka."
"With Amasawa... I guess I'd be nervous. I don't think we could run well."
Rather than nervous, saying I'd have to walk on eggshells is more accurate.
I trust Manaka, so I don't think she'd make a fuss about "groping," but I don't know what Amasawa would say.
I don't think she's a bad girl, but we haven't known each other long.
"N-Nervous, huh... I-I see. So it's practice..."
Manaka seemed convinced by my reply.
I let out a sigh of relief.
"So... umm, how about it? Manaka, do you... not want to do the three-legged race?"
It would be terrible if we were mistaken for lovers.
Manaka said that about the three-legged race.
Manaka has someone she likes.
Participating with me and having that person misunderstand that "I am Manaka's lover" would be inconvenient for her.
Until now, our "Lewd Practice" has been in deserted places, just the two of us.
Doing something lover-like in public is a different story.
I'm prepared to be rejected.
"...Okay."
"Eh?"
But Manaka gave her permission easily.
Since I thought she would say no, I let out a weird voice.
Finding that funny, Manaka giggled.
"You're the one who brought it up, Kanata-kun. Why are you surprised?"
"No, well..."
"I'm happy, you know? That Kanata-kun brought up wanting to 'practice'."
Grind grind grind!
Manaka nudged me with her elbow while making sound effects with her mouth.
I-It feels kinda embarrassing...
"Cut it out...! By the way, what did you want to talk about, Manaka?"
"Me?"
"We spoke at the same time. Didn't you have something you wanted to say too?"
At my point, Manaka started scratching her reddened cheek.
Her gaze started wandering.
"Ah, yeah. What was it again... I forgot."
"Hmm."
Really?
It looks like she's just playing dumb.
"W-Well, if I don't remember, it probably wasn't important. Surely."
"Is that so?"
Is she hiding something inconvenient?
But even if I pressed her, she probably wouldn't tell me.
"There's no way a mixed pair more in sync than us exists. We're sure to win."
"I wonder. I won't deny we're in sync, but I've never done a three-legged race before."
Considering the difference in height and running ability, it might be surprisingly difficult.
Though, that just means we have to practice a lot...
That means I can touch Manaka that much more.
"Let's practice until we can run properly. Let's show Amasawa-san... ah, everyone at school."
"...Why Amasawa?"
She seemed to cover it up instantly, but Manaka definitely said "Amasawa."
I think it's not bad to have everyone see how close we are.
But why Amasawa specifically?
"Ah, umm... I heard Amasawa-san used to be in the track and field club! So I wanted to show off my speed!"
"If that's the case, a relay or a sprint would be better..."
"You want to do the three-legged race with me, don't you?!"
"Ah, well, yeah, I do, but."
I was glared at by a bright red Manaka.
While feeling something was off, I'd be in trouble if she got moody and said "I'm quitting after all."
I had no choice but to nod.
And while we were doing that, we arrived in front of our houses.
"What are you doing today?"
"Today... I'll go home and take a shower first. We had P.E."
"Okay. Then, bye for now."
Saying that, Manaka turned to the side with a natural motion.
And she directed only her gaze toward me.
I nodded, bent down slowly, and pressed my lips against Manaka's cheek.
"See you later."
"...Yeah."
Manaka looked shy, placed her hand on my shoulder, and stood on tiptoes.
Manaka's lips pressed against my cheek.
"See you."
Saying that, Manaka ran into her house in a trot, looking embarrassed.
I touched my cheek where Manaka had just kissed me.
It's still hot.
My heartbeat shows no sign of calming down; it's pounding violently.
I felt absolutely no sign of getting used to this.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
My application for the three-legged race with Manaka was accepted without issue.
If there is a problem, it's what Amasawa thinks about me participating with someone else after declining her invitation, but...
"Ah, you're entering after all."
Amasawa was smiling.
She didn't show any signs of minding it particularly.
As expected, that "How about... entering with me?" was a joke.
For a moment, the possibility crossed my mind—Does Amasawa like me?—but it seems it was a needless worry.
The only girl I've decided on in my heart is Manaka.
Being approached by other girls would only be trouble.
It's a relief.
◆
And so, the day of the Sports Festival arrived.
"Even so, isn't it the first time since elementary school that we're in the same event?"
"I guess so. ...It feels a bit nostalgic."
It's not limited to the Sports Festival, but opportunities to be separated by gender increase once you hit junior high.
Inevitably, it’s been a long time since I really took a good look at Manaka in her gym uniform.
"Well, a lot of things are different from elementary school, though."
Manaka crossed her arms and puffed out her chest as if to emphasize it.
Manaka has a large chest.
But her waist is thin, so the gap makes it look even more magnificent.
And thanks to the gym uniform, clothing that tends to reveal body shape, it looked even more emphasized.
"Where are you looking? Kanata-kun."
"What are you talking about?"
I looked away, but it seemed obvious that my gaze had been directed at Manaka's chest.
Manaka nudged me with her elbow while wearing a smirking grin.
"You closet pervert, Kanata-kun."
Manaka laughed merrily.
I'm being completely teased.
It's very frustrating, but I can't argue back.
Men cannot win against boobs. Even more so if it's the girl you like.
"Do I look that attractive to you?"
"...Not really."
Our school's gym uniform is reasonably stylish.
There are no tacky bibs; it has a collar and two buttons at the chest.
So when a beautiful girl like Manaka wears it, it looks pretty good.
Also, personally, I think the high-value point of this uniform is that the girls' bottoms are quarter pants.
Since they are shorter than half-pants, the legs look longer.
Manaka has slender, long, beautiful legs, so it suits her very well.
There's no way she doesn't look attractive.
"Stop talking nonsense and let's get ready. ...We don't have much practice time."
"Muu."
Manaka puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
But she recovered her mood immediately.
"Do you want to stick close to me that much?"
"It's just dangerous if we don't practice properly."
"You're not honest."
Manaka is in a great mood.
Is it that fun to tease and toy with me?
...I want to get back at her at some point.
"Come on, stick your leg out. I'm tying it."
"Okay."
I tied our legs—Manaka's right leg and my left leg—with a hand towel.
Then I stood up carefully.
"I'm going to touch your shoulder."
"Okay."
After giving a warning, I placed my hand on Manaka's slender shoulder.
If I extended my hand just a little, I would touch her chest.
Thinking that made me a little nervous.
"Don't touch my boobs in the confusion, okay?"
"As if I would!"
Was it coincidence, or a woman's intuition?
Having my wicked thoughts guessed, my heart looked like it was going to overheat already.
S-Somehow, my hands are getting sweaty...
"I'm going to touch your back."
Meanwhile, Manaka put her arm around my back and grabbed my gym uniform near my flank.
It felt kind of ticklish.
"Come on, Kanata-kun. Stick closer."
"I am."
"More! If we don't align our bodies properly, it's dangerous, you know?"
"...Got it."
Doing as told, I readjusted my hold on Manaka's shoulder.
I grabbed it firmly as if pulling her in.
Then Manaka also pressed the side of her body tightly against mine.
I felt something soft go squish against me.
"Yes, yes, that's good."
"Hey, don't move..."
Manaka swayed left and right as if twisting her body.
Then Manaka's soft chest went pat-pat against my body.
T-This girl... could she be doing this on purpose?
"What's wrong? Kanata-kun."
Manaka looked up at me with a smirk and a cheeky grin.
She's definitely hitting me on purpose.
"Nothing."
However, if I said "Don't press your chest against me" here, Manaka wouldn't admit it.
On the contrary, she'd surely tease me saying, "Ehh, Kanata-kun. You get conscious just from my chest touching a little?"
Ignoring it is the best option.
"We still have a little time, so let's practice lightly."
"Fufu, right."
Starting slowly, then gradually increasing the pace, we ran in the corner of the schoolyard.
Naturally, her chest bounced up and down.
I felt Manaka's chest with a slightly different sensation than before.
This might be a little dangerous.
"Yeah, doesn't feel bad. We should be okay with this."
Perhaps because of the light exercise, both our gym uniforms began to dampen with sweat.
The uniforms clung to our skin due to the sweat.
Her white underwear was visible through the fabric.
"What's wrong? Kanata-kun."
"N-No, nothing!?"
I-It's too erotic...
My heart won't stop pounding.
I might be done for.
Manaka's deliberate seduction offensive continued after that.
Each time, I reacted in an easy-to-understand way.
As a man, nothing is more pathetic.
...Though nothing is happier, either.
Still, I somehow endured it and got through the three-legged race.
Eh? The result?
We won by a landslide.
Obviously.
◆
"Fufu, that was fun, right? Kanata-kun."
"Yeah. I'm glad we did it."
It's frustrating to be teased and toyed with by Manaka, but there was happiness that more than made up for it.
I'm glad I invited her.
Let's definitely do it next year too.
I won't hand her over to anyone.
"Umm, Kanata-kun? My shoulder hurts a little..."
"Ah, sorry."
I seem to have used too much force.
I hurriedly removed my hand.
"The event is over, so let's untie it."
There's no need to keep our legs tied any longer.
I'm reluctant to part... but we can't stay like this forever.
Mainly for the sake of my rationality.
"Ehh, why not stay together a little longer?"
"No, but the race is over..."
"It's fine, isn't it? Untying it is a hassle."
Squish. Something soft hit my body.
Manaka looked up at me with a smirk.
Ghk...
"W-Well... I guess I don't really care either way."
I had no choice but to yield.
Frustrating.
Having yielded to Manaka's seduction, I ended up watching the Sports Festival with my leg still tied to hers.
Next after the three-legged race was the mixed-gender relay.
And one of the runners was Amasawa.
"Ooh, Amasawa is fast."
Seeing Amasawa putting up a good fight against the boys, I instinctively voiced my thoughts.
I heard she was a former track and field member, so I guess it's to be expected.
But she isn't in the club right now...
"I'm fast too, you know."
For some reason, Manaka puffed out her cheeks next to me.
We aren't in elementary school, so there's no point in competing over something like that.
"I know."
When I answered that, Manaka made a smug "Humph" face.
She's annoying, but cute…
"How was it? I was fast, right?"
After a while, Amasawa returned after finishing the relay.
Perhaps because she had just run, her skin was flushed and lightly perspiring.
I couldn't help but think she looked a little glossy.
"It was beyond my imagination. Amazing. Have you ever won awards?"
"Well, yeah. Even so... moving around really does make you hot."
Amasawa undid a button at her chest and fanned herself with a pat-pat motion.
White skin peeked out from the gap.
Trying not to be blatant, I gently looked away.
My eyes met Manaka's.
"...True. It has gotten a little hot."
Then Manaka also undid one button at her chest.
Even though she wasn't fanning herself, her cleavage was flickering in and out of view.
Naturally, my gaze was sucked in there... and I hurriedly looked up.
"Where are you looking?"
There was Manaka, wearing a cheeky grin.
I knew it was a trap, but I fell for it.
"It gets even hotter from noon. Ahh, how depressing."
Saying such things, Manaka undid yet another button.
And started fanning her chest pat-pat.
Her white underwear was peeking out.
"Hey, Manaka. ...Stop it."
I'll allow her doing that to me (it's not good, but fine).
But there are other guys' eyes here too.
In fact, the surrounding boys started noticing Manaka's glossy appearance and gestures.
I felt their gazes gathering.
Manaka is my childhood friend.
Looking without permission...
I started getting irritated.
"Ehh, what do you mean?"
However, whether Manaka didn't notice the surroundings or simply didn't care.
She just kept smirking and provoking me.
She surely wouldn't stop even if I pointed it out.
...I can't stand letting other guys see Manaka like this any longer.
"...Hey, come here a sec."
"Eh? Ah, wait... hold on! D-Don't be so forceful..."
I grabbed Manaka's shoulder and started walking, forcibly pulling her along.
Since our legs were tied, if I started walking, Manaka had no choice but to follow.
"Have a happy life together~"
Listening to Amasawa's somewhat goofy voice, I dragged Manaka behind the school building.
"This should be fine."
There's no one here.
"W-What is it... bringing me to a place like this..."
Manaka looked around nervously.
Could it be, she started being wary of me now?
Use that wariness on guys other than me.
And it's too late for that anyway.
"Manaka."
"Eh? Kya!"
Using our tied legs as a pivot, I spun around to change the direction of my body.
Standing in front of Manaka, I cornered her against the school wall.
"W-What...?"
I reached out toward the chest of the anxious-looking Manaka.
Then Manaka squeezed her eyes shut.
I grabbed... not Manaka's chest, but her gym uniform.
And I buttoned it.
"Ugh... eh?"
"Don't do... things like this in front of guys other than me."
One, two.
I buttoned Manaka's gym uniform, hiding her exposed chest.
...Good.
The only one allowed to look at Manaka's chest is me.
Of course, the only one allowed to touch is me, too.
◇ ◇ ◇
I tried seducing Kanata-kun, but he forcibly dragged me behind the school building.
And I was cornered against the wall.
This is definitely the part where lewd things happen...!
I had high hopes.
However, Kanata-kun didn't do anything lewd to me...
"Don't do... things like this in front of guys other than me."
Saying that, he buttoned up my chest.
I felt my face heat up with anger and humiliation.
"S-Sexual harassment! Sexual harassment!!"
I instinctively covered my chest and glared at Kanata-kun.
G-Guys other than me, he says...
It’s not like I belong to Kanata-kun!
If he talks with such possessiveness, my heart is going to pound!
That's cheating!
"You won't fix it even if I tell you."
"Y-You're exaggerating! It's no big deal to open my chest a little, right?"
"It wasn't a little. ...Your underwear was showing."
"Eh?"
N-No way...
T-Then that means I'm an exhibitionist.
E-Embarrassing... but I can't admit it.
Getting embarrassed after initiating it myself is even more embarrassing!
"A-Anyway, you're exaggerating over just underwear."
"Just underwear..."
"It was only showing a little, right? Normally people wouldn't notice. Unless it's someone like Kanata-kun who only looks at boobs!"
"Ugh..."
Kanata-kun was at a loss for words.
As I thought, it wasn't my imagination that he was glancing at my chest.
"You get all worked up just because my chest touched you a little. Do you like girls' boobs that much?"
"No! ...I was just being considerate."
He should just honestly admit it.
If he did, I might let him touch a little.
"Then."
Frustrated, I blurted it out.
"Are you a gym uniform fetishist or something?"
"Hah?! Why does it come to that!"
Kanata-kun's expression changed as if to say that was outrageous.
But now that I've said it, I can't stop.
"Then, do you like sweat and smells?"
"Like I said, why..."
"Because you were getting excited over me, right?"
At my remark, Kanata-kun looked away.
I knew it.
Kanata-kun feels attracted to my body.
Now I just have to make him admit it!
"Or did you find me that attractive?"
To my question, Kanata-kun...
"...No, not really? I don't feel anything, and I didn't think anything."
He said with a composed face.
Then he smirked slightly.
W-What?
"Does that mean you have that kind of fetish, Manaka?"
"W-W-Why does it turn into that?"
"No, well, you were sticking strangely close to my body."
"T-That is..."
I don't particularly have such perverted fetishes.
I'm perfectly normal.
...Just wanting to feel the body heat of the boy I like.
Wanting to secretly smell his scent.
Thinking that if our sweat mixed, it would practically be sex.
I only think about those things a little bit.
"I was just teasing Kanata-kun for fun! Don't lump me in with a pervert like you."
"Don't lump me in with an exhibitionist."
Gununu... I-If it's come to this!
"Then prove it."
"Prove it?"
I spread both arms toward Kanata-kun.
"If you don't feel anything... you can hug me as I am now, right?"
"If you don't feel anything... you can hug me as I am now, right?"
Manaka said that to me while spreading her arms.
My gaze went to her chest where her white underwear was faintly visible through the fabric, and I instinctively looked away.
"W-Why does it have to come to that?"
"We did hugs before, right? The conditions haven't changed. If you don't feel anything, hugging me right now should be easy, right?"
There's no way it's easy.
Even a normal hug makes my heart pound, so I hesitate to hug Manaka as she is now.
Of course, I don't have the weird fetishes Manaka is talking about.
However, as a matter of common sense, if the girl you like is more lightly dressed than usual or sweating, I think it's natural to become conscious of it.
"Come on, hurry. Try it. You can't do it?"
With her usual cheeky expression, Manaka provoked me.
S-She doesn't have a clue how I feel... damn her!
"If you can't do it, then Kanata-kun really is a pervert..."
"Isn't it just that you want me to do it, Manaka?"
Surely that's not the case.
Thinking that, I retorted with a half-hearted provocation.
Then...
"W-W-W-Wha!"
Manaka opened and closed her mouth like a fish, then began to tremble.
Her face turned red in an instant.
"No way! I-I don't... want Kanata-kun to squeeze me, or try to smell you in the confusion, I'm not thinking that!"
"I-Is that so..."
"I'm not thinking that!"
You don't have to deny it so defensively...
Somehow, it makes me suspect she does have those inclinations.
Of course, that's impossible for Manaka.
"In that case, why don't you try doing it, Manaka?"
"Ugh... w-well, fine. It's the same whoever does it."
Saying that, Manaka slowly approached while averting her face.
And she grabbed my clothes tightly with both hands.
"S-See... how is it? I can do it, right?"
Manaka looked up at me with a faintly blushing face and said so.
She had a triumphant expression.
...I don't know how she can make such a face over something like this.
"Because your hips aren't pulled back?"
"T-This is... just consideration because it might be too stimulating for Kanata-kun..."
"Besides, we aren't touching at all."
Rather than hugging, she was just leaning forward and resting her weight on me.
In addition, her hands were in the way, keeping our bodies apart.
We were probably closer during the three-legged race.
"D-Do you want us to touch that badly? As expected, Kanata-kun is..."
"So, you can't do it."
She can't... or rather, maybe she doesn't want to.
That makes sense.
I'm dirty with sweat and mud, so she wouldn't want to hug me.
...I lost out by expecting something.
"If you can't do it, fine. ...Shall we untie the cord?"
"I-I can do it!"
Manaka turned bright red and glared at me.
Gripping my clothes strongly with both hands, she slowly stepped forward and approached.
Our bodies fit together perfectly.
And Manaka buried her face in my chest and took a deep breath.
Then she looked up.
"See... it's nothing, right?"
She said with ragged breath and a flushed face.
I unintentionally looked away, my heart pounding at her seductive expression.
"Y-Yeah..."
"Kanata-kun, prove it quickly too."
"N-No, but..."
"Can't you do it, Kanata-kun?"
Having provoked her, I couldn't possibly say "I can't" now.
I wrapped my arms around Manaka's back and hugged her back.
Body heat gradually transmitted from my hands.
"Nn..."
"Is this okay?"
I feigned composure as much as possible.
Then Manaka showed a frustrated expression, but completely changed to a smirk.
"...What?"
"How about this?"
Saying that, Manaka lowered the hands she had around my back once.
Then she wrapped her arms over my shoulders, around the back of my neck.
Perhaps standing on tiptoes, Manaka's eye level rose sharply.
I felt her soft chest pressing against my chest.
"Fufu, Kanata-kun's face is bright red."
"Ugh..."
Manaka peered into my face, and I instinctively looked away.
Then Manaka pressed her body even closer.
Our foreheads touched.
A soft, sweet and sour scent wafted from her hair.
"Oh my, Kanata-kun. What's wrong? Looking away like that."
"W-Wait, your face is too clo... h-hey!"
Manaka started shaking her body left and right.
Soft things changed shape squishily against my chest.
"Panicking so much, is something the matter?"
"S-Something..."
Rising body heat.
Faintly damp skin.
Our sweat gradually mixing.
Manaka's scent filling my nasal cavity.
"Y-You get excited over just this? How pathetic... Kya!"
"Manaka!"
It was the limit of my patience.
I shouted Manaka's name and strengthened the grip of my arms.
Hugging Manaka as if to squeeze her tight, I peered into her face.
"K-Kanata-kun...?"
A color of anxiety appeared in Manaka's eyes.
For a moment, I came back to my senses, thinking I shouldn't do this.
But such small rationality was drowned out by swelling desire and instinct, used to justify myself: "Manaka is at fault for provoking me this far."
"I'm going to... kiss you."
"Ah... yaa..."
I brought my lips close to Manaka's lips...
Clatter!
A sound was heard.
Manaka and I turned toward the sound together.
Amasawa was there.
She was hiding her bright red face with both hands, but peeking at us through the gaps in her fingers.
"Ah, umm... please, don't mind me! Continue!!"
There was no way we could continue.
◆
"I won!"
I—Himemiya Manaka—made a victory pose after returning home.
Today, I won completely.
Against Kanata-kun!
"Fufu... 'I'm going to kiss you,' he said!"
Kanata-kun tried to kiss me forcibly.
In other words, I'm just that attractive.
He's conscious of me as a member of the opposite sex enough to want to kiss me instinctively.
"...We didn't kiss, though."
Amasawa-san interrupted us.
Come to think of it, I feel like she interrupted us just before the end last time too.
Could it be intentional?
Maybe Amasawa-san likes Kanata-kun too... no, I'm overthinking it.
Besides, I was able to show Amasawa-san how lovey-dovey Kanata-kun and I are, so the result is okay.
This is a confirmed victory, right!
"I'll go take a shower!"
Even so...
Kanata-kun smelled nice.
Let's definitely do it again next year.
Next time as lovers!!
Ehehehe…
◆
A week later, a certain Sunday in June.
For some reason, Kanata-kun was acting distant, so I secretly followed him and...
"N-No way..."
Kanata-kun was on a date with Amasawa-san.
W-Why...
I was supposed to have won...
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