Part 12 (Final)
A loud buoo echoed through the room—the sound of a strong wind. Nagi’s damp hair swayed gently in its breeze.
I ran my fingers through her moist strands, shaking off the water. Nagi leaned into me, ticklish yet delighted.
It was after her bath. Nagi had asked me to dry her hair, so here I was, doing just that.
To be honest, Nagi fresh out of the bath was breathtakingly beautiful.
Post-bath Nagi had a slightly different air about her—one that felt more mature.
“Fufu.”
My hand brushed against her neck, and she shivered with a laugh, perhaps from the ticklish sensation. Yet every little gesture of hers carried an alluring charm… and my heart thudded uncomfortably.
I somehow managed to suppress those feelings and finished drying her hair. Letting out a relieved breath, I set the hairdryer aside.
By then, Nagi had shifted from the carpet to the sofa. When I sat beside her, she leaned her body against mine. Her fluffy, cozy pajamas felt pleasant to the touch.
“Fufu. Thank you, Souta-kun.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nagi took my hand in both of hers, enveloping it warmly. Then she began massaging it gently.
“…Is that fun for you?”
“Yes!”
She answered with a bright smile. Well, if she’s enjoying it, I thought, and let my gaze drift back to her hands.
Nagi’s slender, delicate fingers kneaded my palm. She traced her fingertip from the base of my index finger to its tip, making it slightly ticklish.
Then our fingers intertwined, and she squeezed my hand. Her cheeks softened into a relaxed expression—an unguarded smile she’d never show outside.
“…Souta-kun’s hands. They’re big, gentle, and I love them.”
She pressed my hand to her cheek as if to feel its warmth. Her smooth skin felt soothing.
“Ehehe.”
Our eyes met. She looked a little shy, but more than that, she seemed overjoyed as she smiled.
I let out a deep breath. I had to—otherwise, all my emotions might spill over.
“—You don’t have to hold back, you know?”
Nagi’s face was right in front of mine.
So close I could feel her breath mingling with mine. My gaze was drawn to her captivating blue eyes, then to her small lips, their corners slightly upturned.
Before I knew it, I was holding her… and our lips met.
Even though we did this almost every day, I could never get used to it. …Would there ever come a day when I did?
The sweetness seared through my mind, stretching my thoughts thin until such questions stopped mattering.
Right now, all I could feel was an overwhelming affection for Nagi.
But I couldn’t just throw reason out the window. Pulling away, I took a breath to regain my composure. As I did, Nagi’s lips moved slightly.
“I like kissing Souta-kun. …It feels like your love is pouring straight into me.”
Every word, every gesture, chipped away at my rationality.
…Probably—based on everything she’d said and done so far—I knew it’d be fine.
There was still the fear of being disliked, sure. And even more than that, the desire to cherish her properly.
But there was one more thing. Something nagging at me. Not even a full-fledged sense of unease—just a hunch, perhaps. Still, I had a feeling I wouldn’t take that step with Nagi until that vague something was gone.
I stared at her face, lost in thought. Nagi, her eyes still dreamy, gave a small, wry smile.
“…You figured it out, huh?”
“It’s not exactly ‘figuring it out,’ but… there’s just something bothering me a little.”
I didn’t even know what it was. Seeing me like that, Nagi began speaking with an amused tone.
“Today, I finally let go of everything. I won’t dwell on things or overthink anymore. I can say that with confidence.”
Her expression shifted back to seriousness… yet she didn’t pull away as she continued.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“But… there’s something I’ve been thinking about.”
“Something you’ve been thinking about?”
“Yes. I’d prefer to settle that first, if possible.”
Nagi nodded, her serious expression unwavering. …She didn’t seem inclined to elaborate.
“Got it.”
But with Nagi as she was now, I trusted she’d be fine. If something overwhelmed her or weighed on her mind, she’d confide in me.
And if not me, there were others—Soichiro-san, Chie-san, or Suzaka-san. It wouldn’t escalate into anything serious.
Then, all of a sudden, Nagi’s cheeks flushed red.
“B-But, um… you don’t have to hold back, you know?”
“—Eh?”
“I-I’m… ready anytime.”
Her words left me frozen.
“H-Holding back isn’t good. …I-I’ve made you wait so long already, and I know couples do those kinds of things.”
Her next words snapped me back to reality… and for a moment, I actually considered it.
My cheeks heated up, and I couldn’t meet her eyes.
“N-No, I’m… still fine. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just… um…”
My head wasn’t working right. Still, I managed to stumble through my feelings.
“…I feel that way too, of course. I’ve made up my mind about it.”
I could list a dozen excuses—I’m only sixteen, or I’m not mentally prepared yet.
But—I’m a guy, a healthy high schooler. That’s one thing, sure, but I also want to prioritize her above all else.
When I touched Nagi’s cheek, her warmth seeped into me.
“Just being able to touch you like this is enough to satisfy me. You don’t need to worry.”
“…Thank you.”
Nagi smiled softly.
A part of me wondered if I’d made the right call by stopping here. But… she seemed okay with it.
“Then, once that’s settled… I’ll let you know, okay?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Nagi giggled and leaned in close to my ear.
“I might end up being the one who can’t hold back, though.”
A creak—my rationality groaned under the strain.
“I’ll go tidy up the kitchen now.”
“Oh, uh—sure. No, wait, I’ll do it!”
“No, no. I want to do it. It’ll be quick, so just wait here.”
With that, Nagi pulled away and stood up. I was relieved no further teasing followed—until she suddenly stopped with an “Ah!”
“After I clean the kitchen… let’s head to the room together, okay?”
There was no hidden meaning there. It was just her bedtime now.
“…Got it.”
Even so, I covered my face with one hand. She’d caught me off guard again.
Through the gaps in my fingers, I glimpsed Nagi’s face—bright red.
◆◇◆
“Fwaah…”
When I woke up, Souta-kun’s face was right in front of me, startling me a little. Then I vaguely recalled that I’d stayed over last night.
“…It was fun.”
Before bed, I’d chatted with Souta-kun. We hugged, kissed, and then I must’ve fallen asleep.
I remembered hearing Souta-kun’s soft “Good night” as my consciousness faded.
Just to be sure… I checked my clothes.
“…H-He didn’t touch anything.”
Nothing was out of place. I knew Souta-kun wouldn’t, but a tiny part of me felt a little disappointed.
“N-No! It’s not like I was expecting anything!”
That’d make me sound like some kind of pervert. I pressed the back of my hand to my flushed cheeks to cool them, then glanced at myself again.
“Muu. Still, he could’ve touched a little.”
Not long ago, I thought these were just big and unnecessary—resented them, even.
…But meeting Souta-kun changed that.
He doesn’t stare much, but I know he’s aware of them.
I shook my head at that thought.
“Not yet. I want to know Souta-kun a little better first.”
This New Year’s, we’re heading to the town where Souta-kun grew up. When his parents visited here, I heard some things, but… I still don’t know much about him.
I want to see it—the scenery where Souta-kun was born and raised.
I want to hear about the environment he grew up in.
How exactly did Souta-kun become Souta-kun? I want to know.
I want to understand him even more than I do now.
It’ll take time to learn everything, no doubt. But right now, I know so little about him.
“Just a little longer. Please wait for me.”
At the very least—I wanted to know the past of my very first friend.
Looking at Souta-kun, he was still fast asleep. When I brushed my fingers through his hair, he squirmed as if it tickled.
“I love you, Souta-kun.”
I murmured softly and kissed his forehead.
To be happy together with Souta-kun.
“I love you more than anyone.”
I’m happy now. But I know we can be even happier.
With my first friend, Souta-kun, by my side—absolutely.
