Chapter 198
"Huh!?" Tenku and Setsuka opened their eyes wide. Both of them didn't expect that their lips would touch each other. They kissed for a long time because they didn't know what to do. But not long after, they quickly separated themselves.
"I'm sorry! I swear I didn't do that on purpose! I saw a motorbike racing at high speed from behind you. So I reflexively pulled you towards me so you wouldn't get hit. But I didn't expect it would make our lips touch each other! Please forgive me!" Tenku bowed ninety degrees to Setsuka and explained.
Setsuka should have been able to dodge the motorcycle. But because of what happened before, her mind became unstable, and she ignored her surroundings. Tenku also felt that Setsuka didn't resist when he pulled her and made her fall into his arms, and they kissed.
"No, no, no! This was my fault because I ignored my surroundings and almost got hit by a motorcycle. I should be thanking you for saving me. So please don't worry about it!" Setsuka replied frantically. Her face flushed, and her body grew hot as she recalled the feeling when their lips touched.
After that, they both fell silent because they didn't know what else to say. Their situation now became awkward because of that kiss.
"I accept your thanks, but you also have to forgive me. That way, you can say it's fair. What do you think?" Tenku gave his suggestion. They couldn't go on like that because Setsuka had to go home now. Besides, Tenku had to solve the problem right then and there because he didn't want the atmosphere between them to become awkward when they met at school tomorrow.
"I don't mind that. I never blamed you for doing that to me. It was my first kiss, but I don't regret giving it to you." Setsuka lowered her head and said shyly. She secretly touched her red lips with her finger.
Tenku was shocked when he heard Setsuka's statement. It shows that the girl doesn't mind Tenku kissing her. He was at a loss for words to respond to Setsuka's words, so he replied according to what he had in mind.
"That was also my first kiss." Tenku replied softly. Huang Yuxin and Wang Ruyue had kissed him when he was in Beijing, but it was on the cheek. So it couldn't be said to be his first kiss.
"That's good. We both gave our first kiss, so there's nothing to complain about." Setsuka said in a barely audible voice. After hearing his answer, she was happy because it was their first experience.
"Yes, but we'd better leave this place now. We've wasted too much time and delayed you from coming home. I'm afraid your parents have already come home and will interrogate you when you return." Tenku didn't want to waste more time because it was getting late.
They had made a slight detour to the yakitori stall and sat on a park bench for a while to calm Setsuka down. After that, the accidental kiss made them stop in that place for quite a while. If things like that kept happening, they would arrive at Fuyushima Temple by midnight.
"You are right. Let's go. But can we hold hands all the way to my house? We've done it once, so it doesn't matter if we do it again, right?" Setsuka suddenly said a bold request.
They had already kissed, so she thought holding hands wouldn't change anything. Even though they are just friends at the moment, Setsuka is sure that their relationship will progress in the future.
No, Setsuka had to make Tenku her because he had taken her first kiss. She swore that he would make Tenku fall in love with her. Thus, Setsuka decided to act more aggressively starting tonight.
On the other hand, Tenku fell silent after hearing Setsuka's words. He thought that he had misheard what she was saying.
"Sorry? Could you repeat your words?" Tenku asked to confirm her words.
"Can we hold hands all the way to my house? I know that sounds weird to you since we're just seniors and juniors in high school. No, we are friends now after our vacation together at Lake Motosu. But that kiss has exceeded what friends can do, right?
So I think it's okay if we hold hands. Besides, didn't you say you enjoy touching my hands because my skin is smooth and soft? Are your words to me a lie?" Setsuka narrowed her eyes at Tenku. Her shyness had disappeared after their kiss, and now only courage and determination filled her heart.
"No. I'm not lying to you. Your hands are very smooth and soft. But are you sure it's okay? I'm just a first-year student, and I'm not a great Realizer or from a famous family. If someone from school saw you holding hands with me, the students would gossip about you.
You must have known the consequences after that happened. Your image will deteriorate, and it might affect Fuyushima Temple. Thus, you'd better forget about it, and we walk as usual without holding hands." Tenku tries to persuade Setsuka.
If Tenku had heard of that request six months ago, he would have refused it firmly. But he couldn't do that now because their relationship had become even closer, and Setsuka made food for him regularly.
"I don't care about my image. But if you're talking about Fuyushima Temple, you don't need to worry because such matters won't affect my family." Setsuka said seriously.
Tenku sighed when he saw Setsuka's eyes. He knew that no matter what he said, she wouldn't want to hear it. But Tenku was still confused about why Setuka had suddenly changed.
(Is it because I accidentally kissed her?)
Tenku could only think of that possibility because Setsuka changed after that kiss.
"Okay. But you must wear your mask again so no one else will recognize you. After all, you are the student council president and must maintain your image. I don't want you to get in trouble." Tenku said softly.
Setsuka was touched as she could feel Tenku's concern for her from his words. She felt a sweetness in her heart because this was the first time Tenku had treated her so tenderly.
(Did he also change after our lips touched? Then, that accidental kiss was a favor from the gods for me to take our relationship to the next stage)
Setsuka smiled, and her heart fluttered. She felt so happy about the rapid development of their relationship.
"Of course, I will wear my mask again." Setsuka nodded obediently and quickly put on her mask.
"Then can we go now?" Setsuka looked at Tenku and stretched out her hand.
"Yes." Tenku smiled slightly when she saw Setsuka's behavior. It was a hundred and eighty degrees different from her at school. Tenku took Setsuka's small hand. The girl smiled and held his hand tightly.
Even though Setsuka's ability is ice, her current body temperature is warm and flows through her hands to Tenku.
"Let's go." Tenku said, and Setsuka nodded excitedly. Afterward, they left the place.
It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. The two stopped right in front of the stairs leading to Fuyushima Temple because Tenku couldn't take Setsuka to the front of her house. He would become the center of attention from the people on the scene or maybe meet up with Hideo or Koyuki.
"I'm sorry because I can only escort you up here." Tenku said apologetically to Setsuka.
"No. You don't need to apologize. Thank you for taking me home." Setsuka took off her mask and smiled.
Tenku was fascinated because Setsuka's smile looked so wonderful under the moonlight. He quickly regained his senses as he had to reply to Setsuka's words.
"Ah, yes. You'd better get inside right away. Your parents may have returned." Tenku wanted to quickly leave that place because Setsuka's smile was not good for his heart.
"Yes. You have to be careful on the way back to your apartment. But before that…." Setsuka suddenly moved and kissed Tenku on the lips. After that, she climbed up the stairs quickly.
"See you tomorrow at school!" Setsuka left those words, and her figure disappeared from Tenku's eyes.
On the other hand, Tenku was speechless by Setsuka's actions and unconsciously touched his lips with his finger.
"It tasted sweet and soft." Tenku muttered, and he smiled. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't deny that Setsuka had occupied a specific place in his heart. Then Tenku looked around the surroundings to ensure no one saw what had happened. After confirming that the place was deserted, Tenku left, and his figure disappeared into the darkness.
After Setsuka parted ways with Tenku, she walked into the Fuyushima Temple area with light steps and a sweet smile. Fortunately, no one in the place saw her expression.
"I am home." Setsuka opened the door and said. When she entered the house, she was surprised to see Hideo and Koyuki sitting in the living room as they seemed to be waiting for her.
"Father and Mother are home? I thought the meeting would finish at midnight." Setsuka returned to his usual cold and aloof demeanor after returning home.
"The meeting is not over yet because we will continue it tomorrow. By the way, where are you from? I asked Kohana, but she didn't know. I could tell your little sister was lying because she replied with a sullen face. Are you two hiding something from us?" Koyuki asked.
On the other hand, Hideo just kept quiet and focused on the report on his laptop. He didn't want to meddle in the affairs of his daughters and left the matter to his wife.
"We have nothing to hide from you, Mother. Kohana doesn't know anything. She might be angry that I left her without saying anything, making her lonely at home." Setsuka replied calmly. She was relieved because Kohana kept her promise by not telling anyone that she went to Tenku's apartment.
"Then where did you go? Why are you back at this hour? I tried to contact you, but your smartphone is off. I have also called Kaede. She gave the same answer as Kohana." Koyuki gave another question.
"After I returned home, I took on a mission to patrol around Suisei High School. The Holy Union was worried that monsters might still be roaming the neighborhood. Kaede couldn't accompany me because she was tired from today's incident and wanted to rest early. Therefore, I was only able to return after another Realizer came to take my place." Setsuka explained. She had prepared that answer even before she went to Tenku's apartment.
"I understand. Then can you tell me about the person who saved Kohana?" Koyuki nodded and then smiled.
Setsuka's body trembled slightly when she heard that. She didn't expect that her mother would suddenly ask about Tenku.