Years later, standing before the family portrait on the wall, Kamuro Masumi would still think of the night Kitagawa Kai had taken her to try mint candy.
Ten minutes earlier.
Kamuro Masumi opened the closet door. Most of what was inside was comfortable, casual clothing.
Her fingers slid over one outfit after another.
Too deliberate. I'd look like I was going on a date! No!
Too casual. I'd look like I was just going downstairs to throw out the trash! No! What if he thinks I'm sloppy?
In the end, she changed out of her pajamas and put on a regular blue-gray polo shirt and a pair of high-waisted, straight-leg, off-white casual shorts. (Picture in the author's notes.)
All set. This would do.
Kamuro Masumi nodded at herself in the mirror, trying to convince herself she'd only dressed so carefully because it was hot.
As she was about to leave, she hesitated, then went back and took a tube of very lightly colored lip balm from the drawer. She pressed her lips together in front of the mirror.
After doing that, she even surprised herself. Then, annoyed, she stuck her tongue out at her reflection. "Kamuro Masumi, are you stupid?"
The dormitory grounds were quiet at night.
Kamuro Masumi tried to walk as softly as she could. She took a deep breath and looked around furtively, like a thief.
At this hour, most students were either in their dorms or out socializing.
The open space behind the dormitory, where it met a small grove, was especially quiet. There were only a few dim streetlights and an old bench.
Then her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
He was already there.
Kitagawa Kai was sitting on the bench, leaning back against it with his head tilted slightly back and his eyes closed. He looked relaxed as he waited, even a little lazy.
The distance between them shrank. Ten steps, eight steps, five...
Just like when they'd first met, Kamuro Masumi still looked like she was sneaking around.
"You're here, kitty. Aren't you tired of standing?"
Kamuro Masumi's heart jumped when he looked at her, as if he'd seen every bit of her cautious approach and furtive scrutiny.
"W-who said I was tired of standing? I just got here!"
Words could lie, but actions couldn't.
"Oh." Kitagawa Kai didn't commit either way. His gaze swept over the outfit she'd clearly put some thought into, lingering a little longer on those long, straight legs.
Mm, those legs are worth playing for a year.
"Then I must've been mistaken. I thought I saw a certain kitty watching me from under that tree for a while."
"!!" Kamuro Masumi's cheeks turned bright red. He'd seen her after all! What a jerk!
"W-who was watching you? Don't flatter yourself!"
She retorted indignantly, then walked stiffly toward the other end of the bench, almost unable to coordinate her arms and legs. She sat on the very edge, as far from him as possible.
The old bench was short. Even with her pressed against the armrest, there were only a few dozen centimeters between them.
Kamuro could even feel his presence, mingling with the warm summer-night air as it wafted faintly toward her.
Kitagawa Kai naturally shifted a little closer and reached out to wrap an arm around Kamuro's waist.
"Masumi," he murmured beside her ear, his voice laced with amusement. "You look pretty today."
Her breath caught, and her cheeks instantly burned.
"I just threw this on!"
"Go ahead and fool me, but don't fool yourself."
"Why say it out loud if you already guessed?" Kamuro Masumi cursed him silently. Her face burned even hotter, but she was trapped in the crook of his arm with nowhere to hide.
As if he'd seen through her silent grumbling, Kitagawa Kai let out a low chuckle. He lifted his other hand and gently touched her burning earlobe. "Your ears are red."
"None of your business! Where's the candy?" Her voice was tense, and her fingers clenched the fabric of her shorts.
"Here comes the candy. Let's see how you like it."
As soon as Kitagawa Kai's low voice fell, Kamuro Masumi realized what he was about to do and instinctively drew in a deep breath.
She watched as he kissed her.
His face drew closer beneath the dim yellow light. His eyes were indistinct in the shadows; all she could make out was the cool scent of mint, mingled with a warmth that belonged to him.
The sensation made her lashes tremble violently. The hand she had braced against his chest unconsciously clenched his shirt.
A few seconds later, he drew back a little, resting his forehead against hers.
"Did you taste it?" he asked softly, his breath brushing her moist lips.
"Perverted Kitagawa, your kiss is just average."
Kamuro Masumi deliberately kept her face stiff, her gray-purple eyes wide as she tried to look as fierce as possible. She even raised her voice a little, affecting an air of disdain.
But her reddened ear tips and slightly damp lashes gave her away without a word.
Kitagawa Kai just looked at her, amusement in his eyes.
"Oh? Masumi, then why don't you teach me how to make it better?"
"Fine, I'll teach you!"
Provoked, Kamuro Masumi felt the blood rush to her head. She jutted out her chin, then boldly raised both hands and wrapped them around Kitagawa Kai's neck.
[Ding!]
[Kamuro Masumi Affection Level +10, Kamuro Masumi's current Affection Level: 72 (Infatuated)]
[Affection Level reward obtained: Master-Level Combat]
A long while later.
Kamuro Masumi shuddered all over and abruptly managed to pull herself a little out of that long kiss. Only then did she belatedly notice the unmistakable strange sensation against her chest.
At some point, Kitagawa Kai's hands had moved past her stomach and were on their way upward, resting against the soft edges. His fingers had even curled slightly inward. His intentions couldn't have been clearer.
"Smack! Smack!"
She knocked his hands away.
"What are you doing?"
"Sorry," Kitagawa Kai said slowly, sounding a little innocent. "Autopilot."
Kamuro Masumi pulled her hands back and folded them across her chest, looking at him with disdain. "I knew it. Perverted Kitagawa, you get turned on by girls' bodies."
"That's not important. What matters is-"
"Masumi, I like you. From now on, you're my very own kitty."
As Kitagawa Kai said those words, his voice was gentle and passionate. His sincere gaze shattered the girl's defenses.
That was just too unfair.
So straightforward, so absolute.
She'd lost.
Lost completely.
But...
It didn't seem like she minded all that much.
The elevator rose smoothly, its metal walls reflecting two figures standing close together.
The numbers slowly ticked upward: 1...2...3...
The cramped space was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the machinery.
Kamuro Masumi held Kitagawa Kai's left hand and could clearly feel its warmth in her palm.
She turned her face away and stared at the blurry reflection in the elevator doors. The flush on her cheeks had yet to fade completely and was still obvious beneath the cool white lights.
"We're here," Kamuro Masumi said softly, her gaze drifting toward the end of the corridor.
"Take this."
Kitagawa Kai answered, but didn't let go at once. Instead, as her palm relaxed slightly, he gently turned her wrist over and placed something in her hand.
It was a small, square iron tin that still held his warmth.
Lemon Mint Candy.
"When you think of me, remember to come find me. You can have a piece, too."
"Good night, Kai."
Her voice was very soft.
"Good night," Kitagawa Kai said to the closed metal doors, the smile in his eyes spreading into his voice. "Masumi."
The elevator went up.
One upstairs, one downstairs, two separate spaces.
One held candy.
The other held byt.
(I can't even-writing this left me completely drained.)