A Kiss on Mount Takao

After snapping numerous photos, Jiang Zilin, prone to social anxiety when out in public, found herself unable to converse much with her mother.

Consequently, the video call was promptly disconnected.

They merely agreed that once her mother returned, and then during the upcoming winter break, the entire family would embark on another journey.

Jiang Ruohua’s suggestion of a skiing trip up north had both Jiang Zilin and Jiang Lengleng bubbling with excitement for a considerable time.

Having been raised in Linzhou City since childhood, the two sisters were quintessential “Southerners.”

One had to understand that Xijing rarely saw snow; a true snowy experience required traveling all the way to Hokkaido in the northern reaches.

Chen Ran, however, felt largely indifferent to the prospect.

He simply recalled that Rinzi, their next-door neighbor, had mentioned her hometown was Hokkaido.

Should they decide to go, he could inquire with Rinzi for details, plan thoroughly, or even directly ask her to serve as their guide.

After a brief respite at the summit, they continued to snap numerous photographs and even captured a short video clip.

This continued until well past three in the afternoon.

Before heading back, Jiang Zilin, taking both Chen Ran and Jiang Lengleng by the hand, veered off the main boardwalk, opting instead for a secluded mountain trail.

This detour was part of the itinerary she had researched online, ostensibly to prepare for tomorrow’s camping trip by scouting the location in advance.

Alas.

Less than two minutes later, Jiang Zilin had already returned to Chen Ran’s back.

The woman, her steps faltering and her face beaded with sweat, had already turned stark white after such a brief walk, especially when coupled with her earlier “bouncing and leaping” at the mountaintop.

Jiang Lengleng, in stark contrast, appeared utterly unbazed.

This display once again redefined Chen Ran’s perception of the young girl, who was not only the school’s sprint champion but also the “captain” of the Kyudo (TL Note: Japanese archery) club.

Following a path flanked by mountainsides adorned with wildflowers and dense woodland.

Chen Ran had no idea how long they had meandered, but guided by Jiang Zilin, they seemed to have descended from the peak and now found themselves on the opposite mountainside of Mount Takao.

A narrow path, cobbled with gravel, stretched towards the edge of the mountain forest, where a sparse scattering of pedestrians occasionally passed by.

Before long.

They discovered a quaint little shop, resembling a cafe, nestled before a patch of vibrant green grass.

An orange-yellow Shiba Inu and two cats were lounging by the entrance, all three squatting together beneath the eaves, their gazes fixed upon them.

Both the cats and dogs were undeniably adorable.

Jiang Zilin proposed a short break, all the while frantically winking at her younger sister.

“Lengleng, would you like something to drink? They seem to have coffee and milk tea here~”

“Coffee, please.”

The young girl made a choice uncharacteristic of someone her age.

“No milk tea?”

“It will make me gain weight.”

“It wouldn’t hurt Lengleng to put on a bit more weight now, honestly.”

“Hmm…”

Chen Ran, too, observed the slender girl, concurring that Jiang Lengleng might indeed appear even more attractive with a slight increase in weight.

The cafe was sparsely populated; only three girls, who appeared to be university students, were chatting and laughing in a corner, while an elderly grandmother sat engrossed in a book by the window.

The staff member, a charming young girl, was slightly plump and petite.

Dressed in a dark brown uniform, she suggested this was likely a chain cafe.

Chen Ran had initially assumed Jiang Zilin would indulge in some cake or other sweets, commencing her usual daily intake of sugar and calories.

However, he was mistaken.

Instead, the young woman merely ordered a cup of coffee and pastries for her sister, then took Chen Ran’s hand, blinking her eyes as she confided that she knew of an excellent camping spot nearby.

“Xiao Ran, let’s go with Sis, and Lengleng can wait here, alright~”

“…”

Jiang Lengleng remained utterly expressionless.

She then offered a slight nod.

“Alright.”

😶😶😶.

The young girl had clearly surmised something, for under her sister’s overly eager gaze, she let out a charming “hmph,” before turning her head to gaze out the window.

Chen Ran remained entirely clueless as to Jiang Zilin’s true intentions.

He was swiftly led by her, departing the cafe once more, and soon found themselves amidst the grassy expanse outside.

The azure, cloudless sky stretched boundlessly before them, adorned only by a few wisps of clouds.

The afternoon sun, like a small, luminous glass orb, hung just above the distant treeline at the edge of their sight.

Gazing into the distance.

One could faintly discern a small, winding stream amidst verdant, flourishing woodlands.

Occasionally, bird-like specks of black would dart forth, their calls, though emanating from a considerable distance, remaining distinctly audible to both Chen Ran and Jiang Zilin.

Chen Ran simply allowed himself to be.

He let the woman beside him cling to his arm as they ambled along at a leisurely pace.

At this very moment, Jiang Zilin unexpectedly fell silent, even with only the two of them present.

Her gaze was fixed intently forward.

She stared fixedly, though at what, Chen Ran couldn’t tell.

Then, quite abruptly, she let out a deliberately exaggerated yelp.

“Ah!”

Chen Ran felt as though he had been abruptly shoved by Jiang Zilin, his balance instantly lost, sending him tumbling onto the grass.

He then felt the woman collapse onto him once more.

The distinctive scent of the young woman, mingled with the fragrance of fresh grass and damp earth, along with an even more peculiar milky aroma, enveloped him in a sudden rush.

Jiang Zilin’s soft, feverish body presented a stark contrast against the somewhat damp, cool grass beneath them.

For a moment, Chen Ran suspected her actions were entirely deliberate.

A long-premeditated maneuver.

Suddenly pushing him down in this deserted patch of grass, and then…

Whoosh!

Chen Ran now found himself gazing directly into Jiang Zilin’s sparkling, light blue eyes.

The slightly plump cheeks peeking out from either side of her mask were rapidly flushing, and her breathing had visibly quickened.

At such a moment, words were entirely superfluous.

Chen Ran simply watched as Jiang Zilin, with remarkable initiative, tugged her mask slightly upwards—though he wondered why upwards and not downwards.

He couldn’t fathom it.

Perhaps Jiang Zilin was simply flustered in the moment.

The pristine white mask obscured her nose, yet left her somewhat plump lips exposed.

Jiang Zilin parted her lips slightly, revealing a hint of pearly white teeth, and deeper within, the delicate pink tip of her tongue.

Chen Ran had expected Jiang Zilin, typically an incessant chatterbox, to utter something at this pivotal moment.

But she did not.

Not a single word.

At this juncture, the young woman seemed to believe that words were entirely unnecessary; indeed, speaking would only serve to diminish the “seriousness” of the moment.

Conversely, the profound silence, or more accurately, the eloquent substitution of actions for words, had made Chen Ran acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

[Jiang Zilin is confessing her feelings to me.]

As the young woman’s charming face drew ever nearer, Chen Ran’s certainty solidified.

If he were to accept her.

Then he needn’t move a muscle, simply waiting for her to initiate the kiss.

Should he wish to decline.

He would simply turn his head, then gently push her away and rise to his feet.

Thus, there was no need for words; language and text were but pale imitations, for only action could truly confirm everything.

This Jiang Zilin, at this very moment, desired to kiss him.

So Chen Ran mused.

And then.

Just like that, without deviation, he found himself kissed squarely by her.