Pocky Game

After leaving the classroom for the second period, Shinichi went to the men's restroom, with a box of Pocky sticks in his pocket.

After Fumino regained her energy from a good nap, she returned the pillow to him with gratitude and embarrassment. Then, she took out snacks from her school bag, known as the treasure trove of snacks, as a thank you.

Shinichi knew that every time Fumino went to school, she would bring a large supply, but since he wasn't interested in sweets, he ended up choosing just this box of Pocky.

After washing his hands, Shinichi took a moment to think and didn't immediately return to the classroom. Instead, he went to a well-lit area in the corridor, leaned on the railing, and watched the school scenery while eating Pocky.

Although besides chocolate, Fumino also had strawberry, banana, milk, matcha, etc...

Shinichi chose matcha flavor, not only because he wanted something less sweet, but also because he preferred the ordinary taste of matcha compared to the messy flavors.

Opening the Pocky package, he started biting them one by one.

In the midst of eating, a voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Shinichi?"

He turned around upon hearing this.

"Miku?"

Miku looked at the Pocky in his hand, packed the same as hers.

Was it destiny for both of them?

"Why are you here?" Miku asked, her eyes focused on his face. When she saw the Pocky sticks in his hand, she was surprised.

"It's... Fumino gave it to me." Shinichi knew that Miku was aware he usually didn't eat snacks, so he explained in advance.

"She brought a lot of snacks here today and asked me to choose one... I chose this one. I planned to eat here before going back."

"Ah, I see." Miku nodded, considering Fumino often gave snacks to everyone in the student council, so there was nothing to worry about.

Seeing the Pocky sticks in her hand with the same flavor and brand as his, he gave a faint smile.

"Silent understanding or telepathy?"

Shinichi replied with a smile, "Fate or destiny, better this way?"

"It's all the same." Miku rolled her eyes at him, walked towards him, and leaned her weight on his shoulder, not even realizing her hair fell on him.

The spot chosen by Shinichi was generally clean and rarely visited by people.

Although Shinichi didn't know why Miku met him here, he didn't need to worry about being caught by others when he and Miku stayed here.

"Is this tasty?"

The sudden question brought Shinichi back from his thoughts.

He looked at the girl beside him.

"Yes, very tasty."

Shinichi took out some remaining Matcha Pocky sticks and chewed them one by one.

Next to him, Miku was also nibbling like a small squirrel.

Both of them enjoyed the same snacks without saying anything more. They just looked at the same scenery, felt the warmth of each other's embrace, and the precious sense of spiritual connection.

Unconsciously, Shinichi put his finger into the package, pinched it, and one Pocky stick came out.

"This is the last one."

As he was about to put it into his mouth, a cold finger grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

"Wait."

Shinichi looked at her in confusion. He asked, "What's wrong?"

"Want to come and play... that game?"

Miku seemed a bit shy. She tapped the Pocky stick with her finger, then pointed to her lips. She then lowered her head shyly and couldn't speak.

Shinichi naturally knew what she was talking about, nothing more than the so-called "Pocky game."

They each bit one end of the Pocky stick. Then, slowly approached and bit the Pocky stick with the shortest distance winning. Usually, there were three types of people playing this game. One was unfortunate individuals trapped in a social atmosphere who had to play, the second was men and women who liked each other.

Now, Miku actually suggested playing this game with him in a place where few people passed by.

"Are you sure?" Shinichi asked, his heart beating faster, and the blood in his body starting to stir.

Miku nodded slightly and didn't answer. She took the Pocky stick from his hand, then put the matcha-stained end to her lips.

Shinichi swallowed his saliva and looked around. Praying in his heart that no one would pass by in the next ten seconds, he calmed himself and stared at Miku, who was already prepared.

He opened his mouth and bit the end.

The distance between their faces was less than the length of the Pocky stick.

Miku bit it and approached about a centimeter towards him.

Suddenly, Shinichi felt like a man trying his best to conquer a certain heroine. Using the Pocky incident to make that heroine escape with shyness, leaving a deep impression on her.

Clarifying this inexplicable thought and bowing to ask her to stop blushing too hard. Then he put his hand on her shoulder and bit the Pocky.

The distance was only half of what it was before.

Shinichi could feel Miku's body tensing up and even trembling a bit. Although he took the initiative to kiss her forcefully, he still felt nervous and embarrassed because of the closeness of her lips.

But his eyes never wavered, staring straight at her as if full of determination.

It took a few seconds before he bit it shorter than before, with a bit of annoyance and anger in his eyes.

Shinichi looked at her, and the corner of his mouth smiled.

Miku was confused, wondering why he was laughing, and at the same time, urging him to take the next action.

Eh? What happened?

"!"

When she realized this, Miku widened her eyes. She stared in astonishment before biting all the remaining Pocky into her mouth.

Then, as if planned, Shinichi kissed her without hesitation.

(S-Shinichi?)

There was a cry in her heart more like a cry of shyness than surprise.

Miku stayed in her place, with the warmth and matcha taste from his lips making her mind confused. She opened her eyes with a blank look, unable to give any response.

Perhaps because she was afraid witnesses would suddenly appear, she retreated for a few seconds.

"You can't always be the one taking the initiative, right?"

Miku slowly opened her mouth, her eyes filled with confusion as she didn't react.

"Eh?"

Shinichi pinched her slightly red cheek.

"It's okay, thanks for your hospitality."