The touch on his lips was soft and slightly cool, mixed with the refreshing sweetness of her watermelon juice.
This kiss came so suddenly.
Imaizumi Keita had anticipated many ways Lemon might launch an attack, but he hadn't expected it to be so... direct.
This kiss lasted for a very short time.
Almost the instant they touched, Shioyaki Lemon stepped back two paces as if she had completed a ritual.
She still hadn't released their interlocked hands, but she gazed up at Imaizumi Keita without blinking.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was a little quick, but her eyes were full of frankness and determination.
Imaizumi Keita looked at her in this state, and his surprise was quickly replaced by a sense of satisfaction that was almost overflowing.
Seriously...
Lemon-chan, how can you be so cute...
Shioyaki Lemon looked at Imaizumi Keita's surprised expression, a bright and triumphant smile appearing on her face.
"From today onwards, you're mine, you know."
Shioyaki Lemon declared to Imaizumi Keita with full possessiveness, completely disregarding how he might react.
Imaizumi Keita really liked this feeling.
He liked the feeling of being firmly chosen, even of having ownership declared over him.
Whether it was Yanami Anna's slightly tsundere declaration or Shioyaki Lemon's energetic and direct declaration at this moment, both made him feel genuine pleasure and reassurance.
He had probably understood for a long time that his desire for warmth from girls ultimately stemmed from a need for validation and love.
It was like how the derogatory term'sexual repression' didn't really exist; people just repressed love.
However, given Imaizumi Keita's usually frank personality, a practical problem quickly presented itself.
"Lemon-chan, I'll call you by your name now, okay?"
Imaizumi Keita looked at the girl who had unilaterally claimed him as her 'possession,' a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"Regarding this matter, I think there are some things that need to be clarified with you first."
He couldn't just accept it so vaguely.
At least, he couldn't comfortably enjoy this confession without telling her the whole truth.
That didn't align with his self-imposed code of conduct, which, though twisted, had its own logic.
Although it was already pretty scummy of him to flirt with single Shioyaki Lemon while he was already with Yanami Anna...
But not crossing the line meant not crossing the line. The two were still just ordinary friends, and physical intimacy was limited to holding hands...
Imaizumi Keita subconsciously ignored the fact that he had lightly kissed Shioyaki Lemon's earlobe...
One can only say that people always subconsciously ignore the parts that are unfavorable to them...
However, Shioyaki Lemon seemed to have no intention of listening to his explanation.
She looked at Imaizumi Keita, who was preparing to explain, and let go of their tightly clasped hands.
Then, she stood on her tiptoes, cupped his face with both hands, and interrupted him.
"Kin-chan," her gaze became focused and serious, "answer me one question first."
"What?"
"Do you like me?"
This question was once again posed by her in an undeniable manner.
Imaizumi Keita looked at her eyes, filled with anticipation, and was silent for less than a second.
Hesitation and evasion at this moment would only hurt Shioyaki Lemon.
He nodded, giving the most honest answer.
"Yes, I do."
Upon hearing this reply, Shioyaki Lemon's serious face instantly broke into a smile, and her eyes lit up.
But she wasn't satisfied with just that.
She tightened her grip on his cheeks slightly, as if to prevent him from escaping, and asked her second question.
"Then, do you still like Anna?"
Imaizumi Keita looked at Shioyaki Lemon, remembering Yanami Anna's always feigned strong demeanor, and did not lie to Shioyaki Lemon.
"...I like her too."
When the anticipated answer was actually spoken by Imaizumi Keita, Shioyaki Lemon's heart still sank inevitably.
The smile on her face faded a little, and her hands, which were cupping his cheeks, also loosened.
So... that's how it is.
Kin-chan, he's such a... guy who can fall for two girls at the same time.
Hmph!
What a fickle guy!
Although she had been mentally prepared, it still hurt...
A faint sense of disappointment welled up, but it was quickly replaced by another, stronger emotion.
Right!
Kin-chan is a fickle guy!
Anna will definitely hate such a fickle guy!
Maybe that's why Anna was indifferent to my praise of Kin-chan; maybe she already knew Kin-chan well...
Shioyaki Lemon looked at him again, the disappointment gone from her face, replaced by a somewhat amused understanding.
"So Kin-chan is a fickle boy."
"In that case," she met Imaizumi Keita's gaze and asked, "can you give up Anna and choose to be with me?"
Imaizumi Keita shook his head.
"No."
This straightforward answer made the light in Shioyaki Lemon's eyes dim.
Kin-chan isn't even willing to lie to me...
However, before disappointment could well up in her heart, Keita Imaizumi's next words reignited her hope.
"If Anna were the one asking me this question, 'Could you give up Lemon and date her instead,'" Keita Imaizumi explained seriously, "my answer would also be no."
It took Lemon Shioyaki nearly ten seconds to finally fully digest the meaning of his words.
A surge of emotion, a mix of surprise and joy, filled her entire body.
Herself... and Anna,
In his heart, were they actually... equal?
Even though she was the latecomer, even though there were already so many things between Anna and him that she didn't know about.
A big reason she and Kin-chan had reached their current relationship was that Anna and she had become good friends...
But Kin-chan said that she and Anna held the same position in his heart.
This...
This was... the best possible outcome she could have imagined!
Once she understood this point,
Lemon Shioyaki's heart, which had become somewhat timid due to the indirect rejection, completely opened up at this moment.
She looked at the honest Keita Imaizumi, and the thoughts in her mind began to clear up.
Since she couldn't make Kin-chan choose.
Then, she would just help him make the choice.
After enjoying her kindness, Kin-chan would eventually be able to pick one favorite girl, right?
Who told Anna not to seize the opportunity to date Kin-chan...
Then she couldn't blame her for making a move behind her back...
"I understand."
Lemon Shioyaki nodded and took Keita Imaizumi's hand, interlacing her fingers with his.
"Then never mind Anna," her voice was full of craftiness and dominance, "Kin-chan, you're going to date me."
Seeing Keita Imaizumi's somewhat helpless expression, she added a considerate sentence.
"Don't worry, when it's just the two of us, you're not allowed to mention Anna. I also promise that in front of Anna, I'll continue to act like we're just good friends. I definitely won't say anything reckless or cause trouble for your social relationships."
"You just need to... have only me in your heart when you're with me."
This magnanimous speech made Keita Imaizumi suddenly not want to mention his current progress with Anna Yanami.
He felt that doing so might cause even greater harm to Lemon Shioyaki...
Lemon-chan really is...
So heartbreakingly... impossible to refuse.
Keita Imaizumi sighed helplessly in his heart.
He broke free from their joined hands and took a step forward. Under Lemon Shioyaki's somewhat surprised gaze, he reached out his arms and gently pulled her into his embrace.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"