10. Kiss
Under the blooming cherry tree, Kotaro stood with Mitsuri, sharing his most sincere thoughts—thoughts he had never shared with anyone before.
"The moment I met you under this tree… I was mesmerized. I thought, 'How could someone so beautiful and cute still be unmarried?'"
His praise made Mitsuri's cheeks turn a bit red, but she still remembered his earlier reluctance about marriage.
"My eyes fell for you instantly. So, I happily went on a date with you. And after that, your actions, even the small ones, made me fall deeper. During the date, I even thought you had brainwashed me. Haha! Such a funny thought!"
A small smile appeared on Kotaro's face as he told the tale and recalled the moments he had spent with Mitsuri. Though it had just happened, it already felt like a distant memory.
"Throughout the date, I ignored the feeling in my heart, scoffing it off as nothing but a momentary thing. But when you ran away in tears, making me fear that you would disappear forever… I was scared. I felt I wouldn't be able to see you again."
"So I ran after you. And in that moment, I realized…"
"Mitsuri…"
His words made Mitsuri hold her breath. The expectations in her heart couldn't help but rise. Kotaro met those expectations. He pulled Mitsuri and turned her around to face him.
Whoosh!
Nature, which had stood still a moment ago, now showered pink petals as if preparing for the event. And in front of her was Kotaro, looking straight at her as he spoke the words.
"Mitsuri… I love you. My youth… is incomplete without you. Please, despite my fakeness, marry me."
He said it. Kotaro expressed all he had in his heart. Out of fear, he instinctively closed his eyes, waiting for Mitsuri's response.
Silence.
'Am I rejected?'
Sadness enveloped him. Kotaro never thought it could feel so painful. But then he heard it—a small sound of sobbing.
He slowly opened his eyes, and there it was. Tears began to fall from her eyes. Mitsuri tried to wipe them, but she couldn't stop them. With the brightest smile, she told him,
"Yes, despite my fakeness, please take me as your wi—Mmph!"
Before she could finish her agreement, Kotaro stepped forward and interrupted her. He cupped her cheeks and, without giving her any time, pressed his lips onto hers, trying to melt into her.
"Mmp.. Hmm… Mmh…"
Just seconds later, Kotaro released her. Mitsuri stared with wide eyes, touching her lips, unable to believe what had happened.
"I love you, Mitsuri."
But before she could come back to her senses, Kotaro once again grabbed her and kissed her. The fire burning inside him was not about to die down with just one kiss.
Mmm~ Chu~ Hmm~
The kiss grew more intense as Kotaro pressed his hand behind Mitsuri's head, trying to deepen it. Mitsuri felt the amount of affection Kotaro was giving her. He was trying to devour her, making a part of himself.
Mitsuri, initially shocked, let herself enjoy this act of affection and hugged Kotaro as tightly as possible. The exchange of warmth made their hearts melt into each other. After a time, when both of them were unable to breathe anymore, Kotaro finally let her go.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Both of them could hear each other's breaths. Their faces were close, and they could see each other's flushed faces.
'K-Kiss! Kotaro-sama kissed me!'
Mitsuri's mind was spinning, unable to comprehend the immense happiness she felt. Meanwhile, Kotaro was also embarrassed.
'I couldn't control myself and kissed her. She doesn't have a problem with it, does she?'
He looked at her, and from her face, which seemed to be mumbling 'Kiss,' he understood that she didn't hate it, which relieved him. But such a proactive approach…
"K-Kotaro-sama."
"Y-Yes?"
Mitsuri's call surprised him, and both of them couldn't help but become embarrassed by their previous actions. The amount of affection they had shown… If it hadn't been public, they wouldn't have stopped with just a kiss!
And Kotaro knew it best. A bit more, and he was sure he would have used his tongue!
"T-That kiss…"
"O-Oh! T-That's the marriage agreement. Did you like it, Mitsuri?"
'Damn! What am I saying?'
Kotaro's ability to think rationally was awry. Mitsuri had suddenly asked about the kiss, and he didn't know how to answer on the spot!
Whatever came to his mind, he blurted out.
"Hmm."
The shy Mitsuri couldn't bring herself to say she liked the kiss, so she just nodded. Her nod flipped a switch in Kotaro. His lusty side couldn't help but surface.
"W-Well, if you like it, then… it wouldn't be wrong if I did it again, right? After all, the first one was a bit incomplete."
What would she say?
"I-I have no problem."
Kotaro's eyes widened at her consent. He hadn't expected her to agree. That's when he noticed her hazy eyes, red cheeks, and the constant heavy breaths, making her chest rise and fall.
'This girl…'
Gulp!
And that's how, under the rain of pink petals, Kotaro and Mitsuri vowed their marriage.
===
A/N:
Clap! Clap!
Finally, Kotaro and Mitsuri are together!
Damn, writing romantic plots is so difficult. I can't make it bland, right? So, I tried to humanize it as best I can.
And guys, support me on Patreon! Although there are no extra chapters at the moment, I'll add them as quickly as I can.
If you have any criticism, just let me know, and I'll take note of it. Thanks for reading the chapter. Keep supporting me!