Chapter 111: I've Taken Back Rinako's First Kiss!
The next day at noon, Ren was summoned to the rooftop again.
This time, however, it wasn't Hitori and the others who called him, but the expressionless Mai.
"What did those photos from yesterday mean? What have you done to Renako?!"
The moment she saw Ren, Mai charged over aggressively, tilting her head up with furious eyes wide open.
"Guess."
Ren responded with a faint smile. If it was just questioning, then there was nothing to worry about.
Whether they did it or not, not telling Mai would torment her the most. Even in this situation, she couldn't possibly still be hung up on \Renako, right?
Although there would definitely be chances to take photos of cream puffs, sending those to Mai would feel more like rewarding her rather than making her give up.
"Hmph, although I have no romantic experience, I've taken physiology classes. Since Renako can move normally today, you definitely didn't go all the way. Trying to fool me? Impossible!"
Mai, who had been furious just moments before, suddenly shifted from anger to delight, revealing a calm expression with a faint smile. When she first received the photos last night, she had indeed been very angry, almost considering bringing a knife to school.
But she ultimately restrained herself. And today at school, after noticing nothing unusual about Renako, she confirmed that Ren had deliberately deceived her last night to make her lose her rationality or even give up.
But she didn't fall for it and even thought of a countermeasure.
"But what difference does that make? Even during PE class in the locker room, you don't get opportunities to touch Renako, do you?"
After saying this, Ren felt like making a video saying "So this is how Renako is with you? She's completely different with me. If you can handle it, keep watching the video I sent you," and sending it to Mai.
"A..."
Mai showed a humiliated expression and took another step forward, her whole body nearly pressing against Ren.
She clenched her fists as if wanting to hit him, but didn't follow through, instead glaring fiercely at Ren.
Because everything Ren said was true. Ever since her confession, Renako had been guarding against her like a thief. If they interacted as friends, it was fine—they could at least exchange a few words.
But whenever she showed any affection, Renako would avoid her with disgust.
If this continued, she felt that Renako would forever drift away from her.
After all, even the closest friend couldn't withstand having a girl with romantic intentions watching like a hawk.
If her own charm couldn't compare to Ren's, then the only way to affect Renako's fondness for him was by damaging Ren's image in her eyes.
Mai also thought of a corresponding countermeasure. She first glanced toward the corner of the rooftop, then suppressed her humiliated expression.
From her initial approach, plus taking another humiliated step forward just now—if they weren't rivals in love, their current distance would actually be quite ambiguous. If Ren lowered his head or Mai stood on her toes, they could kiss each other.
And since Yuno never came to disturb them, a reassured Ren didn't overthink it, knowing that if anything happened, Yuno would always gently remind him with a soft smile nearby or send him a message.
This was exactly the effect Mai desired. Although she didn't know that Ren had someone around him who could foresee his future, through sheer coincidence everything had turned into favorable conditions for her.
Just as Ren was about to speak again, Mai's eyes narrowed. She stood on her toes, quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
"?" He could have reacted in time, but what Mai was doing was so bewildering that he froze for just half a beat—and she had already kissed him.
The gentle warmth of a beautiful girl pressed against his lips. Due to their position, their chests were pressed tightly together. Though not as ample as Renako's, it still brought a physically noticeable pressure.
Enchanting.
After a few seconds of just lip-to-lip contact, Mai pulled back with slightly flushed cheeks, wearing the composed smile of a victor. Wiping her lips, she declared triumphantly:
"I've taken Renako's first kiss back!"
"?"
So he had been forcibly kissed? And by a romantic rival, no less.
If her goal was to reclaim a first kiss, this didn't count—after all, when they visited Renako's home later, their kisses had become much more passionate.
And since when could anyone take advantage of him?
Instead of responding, Ren took advantage of Mai not having pulled away yet. He embraced her, leaned down, and kissed her properly, showing her what a real kiss felt like.
Did she think he wouldn't counter her moves?
"!!" Mai never expected Ren to retaliate, much less that a real kiss could be so intoxicating.
He was supposed to be the evil rival who stole Renako away, someone she despised—so why did kissing him bring such comfort? This unprecedented emotional solace captivated her.
Initially intending to bite his tongue hard to teach him a lesson, Mai gradually softened in his arms. Though her resistance didn't turn into enthusiasm, it became submission.
Koto Satsuki, hiding in the shadows after being hired to take compromising photos, watched their argument turn into a passionate kiss with confusion. She even began to doubt whether Mai truly loved Renako after all.
Was this just a scheming woman's tactic to get close to Ren?
Several minutes later, Ren only released Mai when she started instinctively hitting him from forgetting to breathe.
Mai's legs gave way, collapsing to the floor as she panted heavily with hands braced against the ground. She looked up at Ren with humiliated fury in her eyes—yet neither emotion could conceal the pleasure she'd experienced.
"I've taken it back too," Ren chuckled. Though he didn't understand Mai's thought process, he knew he hadn't lost out.
"Get out!" Mai shouted in flustered anger. Between the joy of reclaiming Renako's first kiss and the pleasure of Ren's kiss, she couldn't process everything at once.
Ren shook his head and left the rooftop, glancing toward where Satsuki was hiding. He'd already figured out Mai's plan—it was well within his ability to handle.
As for Mai's condition...
[Oozuka Mai: Favorability from 30→70→10→79...]
These drastic fluctuations in favorability reflected her complex emotions and inner turmoil. Rather than completely falling into dislike, it kept swinging back and forth—seems she's not an iron-willed girl after all.
Pondering about Mai, Ren left the rooftop. Meanwhile, Satsuki rose from the shadows, approached Mai, and helped her up.
Since taking photos would make sound, she had been screen recording the whole time. Whether to proceed with what she had previously planned was now for Mai herself to consider.