It’s just trying a kiss, that’s all

The air around them seemed to grow warmer.

Yanaimi Anna felt like even her breathing carried Imaizumi-kun’s clean scent.

Just looking at him made her cheeks burn uncontrollably, and even her throat felt dry.

Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, each beat like a silent shout aimed at the hand he had extended toward her.

Go.

Take it.

That thought drowned out all remaining rationality.

So she reached out.

When their fingers interlocked, that calming warmth spread through their joined hands once more.

Anna felt her tense body melt as if a warm current had spread from her fingertips up to her shoulders.

She slowly lifted her head, her clear eyes reflecting Imaizumi Keita’s face — so close, carrying a deep, quiet smile.

Her instincts urged her to lean closer, to draw in more of that comforting warmth that made her feel safe.

Her body tilted forward on its own, her shoulder nearly brushing against his solid chest.

Suddenly, a memory flashed across her mind — in the karaoke room, Karen burying her head into Sōsuke’s chest without hesitation.

That natural intimacy had once pierced her heart.

Why…?

Almost the moment the thought appeared, all of Anna’s hesitation vanished.

Anna abruptly released their interlocked hands.

Before Imaizumi could react, she stepped forward and buried her face deep into his chest.

She pressed her face firmly against the clean, faintly soapy scent of him, her arms clumsily wrapping around his waist.

The hug came so suddenly… yet felt so natural.

The warmth and softness of the girl in his arms made Imaizumi’s body stiffen slightly.

He had expected Anna to take action under the influence of his succubus aura.

But this was not a “practice scenario.”

This was a real impulse.

The softness and faint trembling in the girl pressed against him stirred a strange, unfamiliar emotion in his chest.

…Well, this is bad.

It looked like his carefully planned peaceful summer vacation was about to be ruined.

Imaizumi lowered his gaze to the girl who had buried her face in his chest, her ears bright red.

The trembling he felt from her body slowly replaced his usual sense of control with something far more genuine and unexpected.

He held the warm, soft girl in silence, accepting this unexpected gift, savoring the rare moment of peace.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling gently over the two of them.

It felt like the whole world had faded away, leaving only the two of them and the sound of their heartbeats echoing in the quiet air.

Anna’s heart — once cold and fragile from heartbreak — seemed to settle peacefully at this moment.

So this is… what being held by someone feels like.

“Hey, Imaizumi-kun…”

Anna’s voice was soft, carrying a slight rasp of tension.

“…Do you know… what kissing feels like?”

Imaizumi looked down at her in surprise.

Her cheeks were tinted a glowing pink, her eyes filled with curiosity and a silent invitation.

This woman…

Did she even know how dangerous she looked to a man right now?

Imaizumi let out a helpless laugh in his mind.

He didn’t look away, simply shook his head honestly.

“No idea.”

His answer made a flicker of surprise flash across Anna’s eyes.

Even though Imaizumi always acted confident, she had assumed he would take this chance to sweet-talk her.

But before she had time to process it, his voice — tinged with amused mischief — sounded again.

He lowered his head, speaking in a tone so close she could feel his breath brush her lips.

“Why? Anna wants to teach me?”

“Or…”

“Do you want to try it with me?”

Anna felt her mind completely overtaken by Imaizumi’s words.

She wanted to nod instantly.

She wanted to say “yes” immediately.

She wanted to know what it would feel like to kiss this man.

But the last shred of girlish restraint made her stop at the final moment.

She turned her gaze away, her eyes darting restlessly, unable to say a word.

She couldn’t say no.

But saying yes… felt too forward.

Time stretched endlessly between them.

After that long silent battle inside her mind, regret suddenly filled her heart.

Aaaagh, seriously!

Why did I hesitate?!

Such a perfect chance…

Just as frustration overwhelmed her, a thought surfaced in her mind.

Right — this is still just “practice,” isn’t it?

She lifted her head again, forcing her expression to calm, trying to sound official and matter-of-fact.

“I-it’s… not impossible, I guess…”

Her voice trembled, but she pushed forward with words that she hoped sounded logical.

“Since… this is important for ‘practice as a couple,’ right?

I mean, we can’t exactly act inexperienced in front of others later — that’d totally blow our cover.”

She paused, then added something even more suspiciously defensive.

“A-and anyway… it’s just trying it.

Not… really… anything serious…”

Once she finished speaking, she didn’t add anything else — just watched Imaizumi Keita with eyes that were anxious yet brimming with anticipation.

All the initiative lay in his hands.

Seeing her trembling eyelashes and stubborn-but-soft expression, Imaizumi finally let out a small, genuine laugh.

He didn’t speak.

He simply raised his free right hand and gently brushed his warm fingertips across Anna’s slightly trembling cheek.

Then, as Anna’s breath hitched, he slowly lowered his head, bringing his lips toward the soft, waiting ones she had prepared for so long.

The distance shrank, little by little.

Anna could clearly see her reflection in his deep eyes.

She could feel his warm breath brushing against her skin.

Finally, just before their lips touched, she surrendered to overwhelming shyness and closed her eyes.

The next second.

A cool, soft, unfamiliar sensation pressed against her lips.

It wasn’t as intense as she imagined — instead, the touch was gentle, careful, yet firm enough that she couldn’t escape.

Along with it came Imaizumi Keita’s clean, intoxicating scent, filling her senses instantly.

The moment that softness touched her lips, Anna’s tense body melted completely, collapsing without resistance into Imaizumi Keita’s arms.