Chapter 517: Hmm, Nothing Could Be Better
Chapter 517: Hmm, Nothing Could Be Better
Light appeared, but Mashiro didn’t get to sketch that night after all.
She just snuggled close to Himekoji as they sat together on the grassy slope beside the river. They counted the stars in the sky, counted the colorful lanterns in the trees, counted the glass boats floating past on the water, shaped like little hearts.
“I wish Nanami could see this too.”
A thousand colorful lights reflected in Mashiro’s eyes. She hugged her knees, arms bent, leaning back against Himekoji.
Since they had already talked openly before, Himekoji didn’t misunderstand Mashiro’s words this time. They weren’t a warning to him, nor were they some superior jab at a rival. It was just a simple feeling, somewhere between sharing and contentment.
Because of that, Himekoji could just shrug, smile lightly, and give an easy answer—
“Ha… I wouldn’t want her to yell at me. If it was Nanami, she’d definitely chase me around asking how much money I spent, then scold me for spending too much.”
“That’s exactly why she needs to see it.”
Seeming to picture that scene, Mashiro tilted her little head and smiled playfully.
Nowadays, even Mashiro, known for being stoic, could laugh so naturally and easily.
Himekoji grinned, pinched her nose, and teased,
“Oh? And so she can see Mashiro sneak-attacking me too? Wasn’t having this big audience earlier enough?”
Even though Mashiro had been the one who started it earlier, getting reminded it now still made her bashful!
Her face instantly turned bright red and her cheeks puffed up in a huff, like a kitten that had its tail stepped on and gotten angry. She gave Himekoji a push, catching him off guard so he toppled onto the grassy slope. Then she pounced on him aggressively.
Himekoji was stunned for a moment before snapping back. He’d been passive the last time, so for both reason and fairness, he should be in control this time! Besides, he was a man! How could he stay pinned down? He needed to be on top!
The thought flashed through his mind and his body reacted instantly. He twisted his body and with a burst of effort, used just one quick flip to reverse their positions. But feeling playful, Himekoji didn’t stop after that. Holding Mashiro close, he rolled them several times down the grassy slope.
Mashiro, who had only just pinned him down and hadn’t even had time to feel smug, could only blink in surprise before Himekoji hugged her tight, turning her world upside down.
She felt dizzy, as if heaven and earth were spinning. By the time the sudden dizziness faded, she saw Himekoji leaning over her, his hands beside her ears propping up his upper body. He looked down at her finally, breathing easily, a bad-boy smirk twisting his lips. The mix of thrilling newness and comfortable familiarity, and the noisy thump-thump-thump of her heart told her this was exactly how she liked him best – exactly the man she wanted.
Seeing his face get closer and closer, Mashiro closed her eyes as if accepting her fate, yet anticipating it. Her long, dark eyelashes cast two fan-shaped shadows on her cheeks. They fluttered gently with each breath, like butterfly wings.
The faint glow of the colorful lights fell on Mashiro. It made her already pale skin seem almost translucent, brushed with a soft, blossom-pink color. She was beyond cute, beyond pretty – the most beautiful sight tonight.
Himekoji took a deep breath. This was no time to be timid. He slowly leaned down, determined to pay Mashiro back for her sneak attack earlier – double payback!
The beauty lay before him, the mood was perfect, however—
“Look! Look! They’re kissing again!”
“Really?!”
“Wow! Wowowowow!”
There was always some ill-timed bystander jumping out to cause trouble. Maybe they were just trying to help amp up the mood, but this was not the way!
Mashiro immediately opened the eyes she’d just closed. Her face was as red as a persimmon. She pushed her hands against Himekoji’s chest, actually stopping him from kissing her!
Why are you only getting shy now?Himekoji panicked. Now he was stuck! Kissing her wasn’t right, but not kissing her wasn’t right either. He was trapped!
“What are you looking at?!”
He shouted grumpily at the onlookers on either side, trying to shoo them off. Sadly, it wasn’t that easy. Though he heard understanding chuckles, they stood their ground, showing absolutely no sign of leaving.
“Kiss her!”
“Stop stalling!”
“Are you a man or not?”
“Chicken out and you’re a girl!”
“I remember! Earlier it was that girl who kissed you first! And YOU’RE the man!”
Himekoji’s face stiffened again and again listening to this. He realized – if he didn’t kiss her, he wouldn’t be able to save face!
Damn it!
Clenching his teeth, Himekoji made up his mind. He pulled off his jacket and flung it over his and Mashiro’s heads. Hiding under the cover of the fabric, he quickly pressed a light, fleeting kiss onto Mashiro’s lips. Then he immediately sprang up, grabbed Mashiro’s hand, and made a swift getaway.
He didn’t even have time to savor it.
Good-natured laughter and cheers echoed behind them.
They ran for a long while, until the noise behind them faded into the distance. Only then did Himekoji and Mashiro finally stop. They looked at each other and both started to laugh.
“Akito, shameless.”
Mashiro’s face was still flushed. She caught her breath for a moment, then immediately pouted and complained.
“Who needs face? I need you.”There was no intent to argue in Himekoji’s words. He just squeezed Mashiro’s hand tighter.
“I’m embarrassed.”
Mashiro lowered her head, chin almost touching her chest. She kicked distractedly at a small stone beside her foot, watching it roll away before murmuring softly.
“But when you sneak-attacked me just now, that was in front of everyone too. I didn’t see you embarrassed then.”
Himekoji teased her in a mischievous tone.
“I wasn’t just embarrassed! I was mad!”
The small foot that had been kicking the stone now kicked at Himekoji instead.
Of course, Himekoji immediately started pleading for mercy, showing zero backbone.
After squabbling like this for a while, Mashiro suddenly mentioned offhandedly—
“My comic… it’s ending soon.”
“Oh? How does it end?”
Himekoji asked reflexively. He’d been following Mashiro’s comic and was caught up. It wasn’t very long, and he had a vague feeling it was heading towards its end. Hearing a spoiler straight from the author still sparked his curiosity, though.
“It’s like this.”
“Like this?”
“Right.”
Mashiro lifted her face proudly. A sense of strength unique to her flowed steadily from where her fingers intertwined with Himekoji’s.
“The main boy and girl… they’re just like us right now. They keep holding hands as they walk forward. Day after day, year after year… until their dark hair turns white. Even then, they’ll still be supporting each other, walking together under the moonlight. Then, the moonlight will mix with their hair as it turns speckled grey. The moonlight won’t be able to tell itself apart from the white hairs. And they won’t be able to tell whether the strands growing on their heads are white hairs… or just moonlight.”
As she finished speaking, Mashiro looked up at Himekoji. Her eyes were as clear and bright as the moonlight. The romance of time passing, of dark hair turning white, filled her with longing and desire.
“Akito… do you think… is that ending good?”
There was hopefulness and a bit of worry in her words. She wanted his answer.
“……”
Himekoji didn’t answer casually. He chewed over her words, wanting to make sure he truly understood the feelings and responsibilities hidden within them. Only after he was sure, did he nod firmly and smile.
“Hmm, nothing could be better.”
……
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