Chapter 11: "I just wanted to read a magazine..."

I was sprawled out on the couch flipping through a magazine when, out of nowhere, her lips pressed against mine, stealing my breath away.

She kissed me lightly at first, as if testing my reaction. When I didn’t resist, she seemed reassured and deepened the kiss, her tongue gently tracing along my lips.

With a quiet sigh through my nose, I accepted it.

Through our kiss, emotions surged and intertwined. Our eyes locked, exchanging silent signals, and we played at harmless teasing.

The air between us slowly heated, each breath tinged with unspoken desire.

Just as Selina's hand slipped under the hem of my shirt, I quickly caught it.

“I'm not really in the mood to go that far.”

“Huh? But I thought things were really heating up.”

“I was in the middle of reading. I want to finish it.”

“Then let’s pick this up when you’re done.”

“… The moment’s passed now. I’m not feeling it anymore.”

Turning my back to Selina, I lay on my stomach and reached for the magazine that had fallen to the floor. I flipped to a page titled Tips for Tandem Riding and began reading in earnest.

“Aaah, when are we ever going to finish what we started that day…”
she groaned dramatically.

I felt her weight settle on my lower back, then her forehead digging into the area between my shoulder blades.

I let her be, letting her do as she pleased, and after a moment, I could feel her hand slowly and stealthily creeping along my back in a suspiciously deliberate way.

“I said no.”

Twisting my body, I trapped her hand beneath my arm. Selina gave a whine of protest.

“So mean! You’re like the Bad Germ Man!”

“Then hurry up and move, or you’re gonna catch a cold.”

“Nuh-uh, no way~”

Her trapped hand fidgeted and clung to me, making me squirm slightly from the ticklish sensation.

Selina crawled slowly up my back and rested her chin on my shoulder, peering at the magazine like it was some strange, fascinating thing.

“You really like bikes, huh?”

“Yeah… Not exactly cute, right?”

“I think it’s cool.”

“Most people say it doesn’t match how I look.”

“Say, Saki… Do you think my looks match who I am on the inside?”

“Outside: model. Inside: idiot.”

“Rude!”

I laughed and shut the magazine. As I replayed the article in my head, I rested my cheek against the couch cushion.

The bike I have now is a sports model. It’s not impossible to ride tandem on it, but it’s not really built for that kind of thing. It’s more suited for speeding solo down open roads.

Even with Selina lying on my back, my thoughts continued to drift.

A motorcycle isn’t just a fun ride.

Compared to cars, it’s far more dangerous.

When I ride alone, I do it with full awareness of the risks.

But she’s different.

If I let her ride behind me and something happened—if we got into an accident—I wouldn’t be able to take responsibility for that.

Even if she agreed to it, that fact wouldn’t change.

I reached out and touched her cheek, my fingers tracing across her skin to outline the curve of her jaw.

My pinky brushed the corner of her lips, and I absentmindedly played with the half-parted edge of her mouth.

Then suddenly, she caught my finger in her mouth. It was warm and wet, and her tongue toyed with the tip.

I caught a glimpse of her profile, unusually sensual.

“… You want to?”
she murmured.

“Nope.”

She bit my finger in protest—not hard, just enough to express her displeasure.

It didn’t hurt, but if she kept it up, my finger was going to get all pruney, so I pulled it free.

A thin string of saliva stretched between us before breaking.

“I didn’t mention this, but I won’t be able to see you next week or the week after.”

“Something going on?”

“A memorial service. And exams.”

“Wait, is it okay to be hanging out like this today?”

“I’ve been studying all week. I deserve a break.”

Wondering what to do with my now-slick finger, I wiped it on Selina’s shirt.

She frowned at me in mild disgust.

“What do you want for dinner?”

“Chawanmushi.”

“That’s oddly specific… But sure.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I looked it up and it doesn’t seem too hard to make. Not saying it’ll taste good, though.”

“Guess we need to go grocery shopping later.”

“Yeah, in a bit.”

The setting sun poured in through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room.

Before long, I heard soft breathing from behind me. Selina had fallen asleep on my back, her breath gentle and even.

Her drowsiness was contagious.

I closed my eyes and let myself drift along with her into a peaceful doze.