Ken dazedly walked back home, his brain feeling as if it was full of cotton. Every time he thought about his first kiss, his face would redden considerably.
As the afternoon sun cast his long shadow on the road before him, Ken felt a mixture of emotions run through his mind.
'Is this what they call the spring of youth' He thought.
He'd heard the term in plenty of anime and had even seen his coach utter these words before when looking at his teammates.
Despite being filled with happiness, he had a bitter aftertaste in his mouth.
'When will I see her again?'
After the kiss, Ai had quickly run back home, probably from embarrassment. She ran right past her father and Tsukasa before heading into the house, not once turning back.
Ken was left stunned as he watched her retreating figure, touching his lips with his fingertips. He could taste something sweet, almost like the flavor of strawberry which lingered.