CH 26

After Naruse-senpai piggybacked Hina-senpai. I returned to the living room again.

At this point, I was still very hungry because I had just started eating.

When I returned to the living room, Kaede was sitting in front of the table.

For some reason, she kept looking down.

“What’s wrong Kaede? Are you sick?”

“No, no.”

“Then what is it, you keep looking down”

“Well….that.”

She kept darting her eyes around, refusing to make eye contact with Me, and her white cheeks were flushed.

“About that talk.. earlier…”

What I was talking about earlier? At first, I wondered what she was talking about, but I soon found out the answer.

The only thing I could think of was the conversation with Naruse-senpai. That’s probably why Kaede’s cheeks were even redder than before.

That would explain Kaede’s fidgeting earlier.

“You were listening?”

“Yeah, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize.”

An awkward atmosphere was hanging in the living room. That’s because we had been talking about condoms in front of the entrance on Christmas eve’s night.

“Hayasaka-kun, well, it’s still too early for us, or how should I say it ….”

“I know! I told Naruse-senpai that we don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“I’m glad to hear there’s no misunderstanding.”

Indeed, it would be troublesome if the senior staff at my part-time job misunderstood me, so I wanted to make sure that I did things properly in this area.

Kaede’s body jerked as she stood up to go to the bathroom.

“I’m not going to attack you, Kaede.”

“I know! The person I trust the most is you, Hayasaka-kun. ….”

“….I see…”

It was still awkward. This atmosphere did not change when she returned from the restroom.

In fact, I felt like we didn’t talk much anymore. Kaede was still blushing, she usually smiled whenever she noticed me looking at her, but today she kept looking away, which was a bit shocking.

“U-umm… what if… if you were lovers with someone, would you do something like you were talking about with Naruse-san.”

“Oh, I…”

That reminds me. I always felt bad here because of the trauma of my ex-girlfriend, but this time it was different.

This time, I was more surprised that Kaede asked me such a question than about my ex-girlfriend.

“Um… I want to cherish that kind of thing, so I don’t know yet, but if you don’t like it, I don’t think I’ll ever do it.”

“I haven’t said anything about me though.”

“What!?”

“Ufufu, I see… Hayasaka-kun, the person you thought of for a lover was me, right?”

I thought I was beaten, but Kaede’s expression was extremely pleasant and she looked happy.

In response, I was not sure whether to be happy or embarrassed.

My face was gradually becoming hotter and hotter, and I knew it myself.

“But you’re really kind…”

“I’m not kind, I just think I have to.”

“That’s unconsciously turning into kindness.”

I wonder if that was really true, and if it resulted in that, then good for me.

“Then here’s a little early Christmas present from me.”

Kaede then sat down next to me, and suddenly smiled at me, and I didn’t know what it meant, but I looked away from her in response to her smile.

The next moment, I felt Kaede’s soft lips on my cheek.

(T/N: AWWWW)

“What!? Kae …”

“Fufu~, it’s still embarrassing.”

She said while touching her lips with her hand. For some reason, that gesture also made me nervous right now.

After that, Kaede said, “I’m going to take a bath,” and went to the bathroom with a change of clothes as if running away from me.

I saw the blush on Kaede’s cheeks, but I didn’t need to look in the mirror to know that my own face was blushing the most.

(I’m going to get back at her this Christmas)

I thought to myself, and ate Kaede’s food, appreciating its deliciousness.

After that, All I could think about was the kiss on my cheek and Kaede.

When I looked at the time, it was already around midnight. It was the middle of Christmas eve’s night.