“Um...”

Flustered, peeking through her fingers, Yan Er blurted it out.

Only then did Miyuki realize how rude it was to be sitting on a boy. Heat washed up her neck; she sprang to her feet, head bowed, not daring to look at the person across from her.

Yun Shi pushed herself up slowly. In the fog of that faint, she remembered lips pressed to hers—like someone had given her mouth-to-mouth.

Her fingers brushed her lips, feeling that lingering softness. She tilted her head—and caught Miyuki’s face, crimson as a sunset, fleeing her eyes.

Something clicked.

“Mmm...”

Color surged into Yun Shi’s cheeks; it felt like steam curled off her crown, her eyes going swirly, her face so red it might bleed. Shame pulsed like a drum under her skin.

Heavens, my first kiss is gone!

The one I guarded for over a decade is gone!

The kiss I never had even in my last life is gone!

Oh no!

“A-anyway, Yun-kun being okay—that’s really great!”

Sensing the awkward air, Mizuki tried to break it.

The two on the floor nodded in perfect sync, then looked at each other in perfect sync, then turned away, blushing in perfect sync.

“Um... thank you...”

After a long while, Yun Shi managed that much. Everyone knew who it was for.

“Mm...”

Miyuki couldn’t meet her eyes. She sat there, awkward as a crane in a tea shop, stealing glances and jerking them away.

She was shy too. That was her first kiss as well, and she’d given it to a boy just like that. How could she not be flustered?

Girls tend to treasure their kisses, wanting to save them for someone they truly like.

Maybe as you grow up, you care less—but in these tender years, the first kiss is a sacred season.

Unlike boys racing to spend it early, a girl’s first kiss is something pure to savor.

Yun Shi understood that. She hadn’t wanted to lose hers either. But this is how things spun out. No one could help it.

We’re both girls. It should be fine.

She could only comfort herself like that.

“Yo, I’m back. What’re you two doing?”

Mai and Sham returned to find the air gone strange, like thunderhead clouds rolling in.

No one explained, and Mai didn’t press.

That weekend’s swim left Miyuki and Yun Shi wrapped in awkwardness. After that, they barely spoke.

Even if it was mouth-to-mouth, of course it would stick in your mind.

Feelings were quietly changing color.

—

“Y-Yun-kun, h-homework.”

“O-oh, here.”

“Um, your notes. I’m returning them...”

“Mm. Got it...”

“I-I’ve got something today, so...”

“Mm...”

“This is from the Student Council...”

“I know. I’ll handle it.”

Ever since that day at the pool, Miyuki Kiseki and Yunshi Bianqi had turned odd around each other. The air between them was one long wince.

Why had it become like this?

Honestly, neither of them knew.

“T-That aside, the events for the sports festival sure are exciting!”

“Yeah. Can’t wait!”

“What should we join together?”

“No idea. Let’s think about it!”

“Okay. Think it through!”

Their bizarre exchange in class—one line, then another line, like a rehearsed skit—made their classmates glance up, strange ripples spreading across the room.

The girls stayed in their seats, whispering with friends while eyeing the two across the aisle.

“Come to think of it, Miyuki’s been acting weird with Bianqi lately.”

“For real. That convo they just had? Same as every day this week.”

“Even the lines are identical.”

“Kinda feels like they rehearse talking.”

When even the people around them were roasting them, you could imagine how far gone the two were.

“What’s up with them?”

At lunch, Mai brought it up with Mizuki and the others. Miyuki had something to do and didn’t join, so it was Mai’s chance to ask.

“Um, better not ask...”

“Yeah, forget that, Mai. Let’s talk about the new skincare line.”

Clearly, Mizuki and Yan Er dodged the topic on purpose.

Mai was baffled. What had happened after she left that day?

Even Sham didn’t get it—what had happened... no, what good thing had she missed?

They were curious, sure. But the other two wouldn’t say.

Like heck they’d tell them it was a kiss.

That’d blow everything up.

In short, Mizuki and Yan Er chose silence with perfect tacit understanding.

They worried about Miyuki and Yun Shi, but everyone decided to give it space, to let time do its work, and genuinely hoped the two would figure it out.

That afternoon, the Student Council went on as usual, talking through the meeting’s agenda to make the sports festival run smoothly.

“This is my proposal. Please take a proper look.”

Kumiko Misaki handed her written report to Yun Shi. Yun Shi nodded and took it, agreeing to help.

She’d gotten a feel for Kumiko Misaki. In short, she wanted to join the festival, but also wanted to add an event: the three-legged race. It had been removed by the Student Council two years ago at Rakuyoku High School. Misaki thought that was a shame, and petitioned to bring it back.

At heart, it wasn’t hard. With someone from the Council vouching, it could return.

Why was it scrapped? Rumor said the Council back then thought it lacked practical value, and a quick vote killed it.

Well, if Yun Shi brought it up in the meeting, and with Asagi Renka’s support, it wouldn’t be hard to solve.

And it’d earn Misaki a favor.

They put it on the docket. The Student Council would discuss and vote in a few days.

All in all, good news. It passed smoothly.

But...

“I’ve written the meeting report. Yun-kun, please turn it in to the president for me.”

Miyuki deliberately avoided Yun Shi’s gaze. You could tell she still couldn’t talk to her properly.

It had been a week of this delicate truce.

“I got it.”

How could they break this deadlock?

How could they get back what they had?

Is a first kiss really that important?

Maybe.

Even Yun Shi cared, so of course Miyuki would.

But why did it ache in her chest, being treated like this by Miyuki?

She knew Miyuki hadn’t meant anything by it. And yet she still felt unhappy. Or rather, pressed down, like a stone on her heart.

“Oh, I’ve got something later. Please tell the president.”

It shouldn’t be like this.

“An old friend asked me out, so...”

She knew that.

“Sorry. I’ll go first.”

This sucks.

If I’d known, I would’ve refused the swim invite back then.

At least it wouldn’t be like this.

In her last life, Yun Shi had never endured this kind of awkward weather, never this strained air. Back then he was just ordinary.

Now she was only a little unusual.

Watching Miyuki get ready to leave, a wave of grievance rose, unbidden. The words slipped out:

“Do you hate me?”

It was reflex, but it held everything in her.

“Eh?”

Miyuki froze. She turned and found Yun Shi’s eyes tinged with sadness, and for a moment, words failed her.

“W-why would you say that?”

She managed that much. She understood a bit—maybe the other couldn’t stand this anymore and was missing the way things were.

“It’s nothing.”

Yun Shi sighed inside and replied with practiced calm, then turned away.

“I’m busy. I’m leaving too.”

She tossed that irresponsible line, slid the door open, and stepped out. As she left, Miyuki heard a murmur:

“So you do hate me, Miyuki Kiseki.”

The voice was soft, but clear enough. Miyuki heard it whole. She stood there, stunned, eyes on the door as it clicked shut.

Had she done something wrong?

Yes, she was embarrassed, because of that first kiss...

Yes, she shouldn’t act like this, even if it was her first...

Yes, she didn’t know why it had to be a first kiss, but...

Her heart was a fog-bound harbor.

She really didn’t know what to do.

She liked someone. So why did her heart beat the same for this boy?

Why did she care about him the way she cared about that other person?

Who could tell her?

What should she do?

Miyuki Kiseki was lost.

Yun Shi left the Student Council room, mood drizzling and gray. She didn’t know what to do either.

What was wrong with her lately? Why was everything about Miyuki Kiseki so tangled? Why did she notice her all the time?

“Sigh...”

This wasn’t normal. Definitely not.

Maybe she was sick.

With that thought drifting like a leaf, Yun Shi walked out of the building—only for a girl to step into her path, a smile blooming as she approached.

“Mind having a heart-to-heart?”

Yun Shi blinked, then turned away with a scowl.

“Who asked for your heart-to-heart?”

“C’mon, it’s just big sis giving you a little guidance.”

“Don’t need it.”

“Don’t be so stubborn~”

“Yan Er.”

Yun Shi stopped and spoke the name.

“I’ll say it again. I don’t need it.”

The other girl didn’t give up. She just smiled.

“Mai talked with me before. I learned a lot. Including how you helped her.”

“—!”

“Won’t you tell me too? It’s hard holding it all in. Maybe I can help.”

“...Really?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am~”

Yan Er patted her chest, brimming with confidence.

Yun Shi stared for a beat, then nodded and took a step.

“Alright.”

A door to guidance slid open before the girl, like a paper screen parting to reveal a path, showing her where to place her feet next.