White Day's Encounter

There were things to be liked about White Day. For Maasa, it was at least one more opportunity to hand out his cookies, making his plans of fattening up the other students much easier.

What he didn't like as much, however, was all the romance talk the whole day. It wasn't that he had no interest in romance himself. In fact, he did have a crush on someone. But that being the main topic of conversation only made him feel frustrated about not having the courage to speak up about his feelings. Seeing some of the couples around the school only rubbed salt in the wound.

He hoped he had finally found a quieter spot to stay at during lunch break. But as he turned a corner at the garden, he found Taishi right where he had planned to go.

Maasa managed to hold back his excitement enough to make his cheeks stop burning. Talking to Taishi always made him a bit nervous. But it was a good kind of nervous. Be it Valentine's Day, White Day, or even a normal day, Maasa never felt like he had quite enough courage to tell Taishi about his feelings. But for now, he was content with just talking to him normally until he would get the courage to speak up.

"Are you hiding?" Maasa asked as he walked up to Taishi.

Taishi almost jumped when he heard him. But he quickly cleared his throat and replied. "Well, you could say I'm hiding. But I assure you I'm not doing anything wrong."

"I never said you were. But now that you said that... I'm curious." Maasa smirked, taking the opportunity to sit down by his side. "What are you hiding from?"

Taishi sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I guess White Day in general."

Now that piqued Maasa's interest. Something in common they could discuss, at least. "What a coincidence. You could say I'm doing the same."

"Really? You?"

"What? Is it surprising?"

"A little bit, yes." Taishi responded. "I mean, you seem like the type who would like this kind of stuff."

"It's not necessarily that I'm not into it. It's just that I don't have anyone to do stuff with." Maasa pouted, looking away from Taishi.

"I see." Taishi paused before speaking again. "Have you ever had anyone to do it with?"

Maasa felt his cheeks burn. He wondered why Taishi would be curious about this. But he still responded honestly. "Well... No, I've never dated anyone. Never been kissed either." He pouted again. "Seeing everyone so lovey-dovey makes me jealous, though."

"I see..."

After a short moment of silence, Maasa spoke again. "What about you?"

"Me? Uhm... Well... I'm not the biggest fan of romance, but I don't mind it. And... I do have someone I like. But I... Never had the courage to tell him."

"So it's a 'he'?" Maasa asked with a smirk, trying to hide the ping of pain on his chest. He had an idea of who 'he' could be. But that just made him feel guilty for liking Taishi...

Taishi was quiet after that, eyes wide.

"I don't mind if it is." Maasa clarified.

Taishi let out a breath he was holding.

Maasa was quiet for a moment. And then he had the courage to ask what was in his mind. "But have you ever kissed anyone?"

Taishi's cheeks turned pink. After a moment of silence, he answered. "... No."

"I see." Maasa tried to hide his smile. For some reason, Taishi being as inexperienced as him made him feel a bit happy.

"Do you like anyone?" Taishi asked.

Maasa felt his heart almost jump out of his chest. But he still answered. "I do."

"... What are they like?"

Maasa tried to ignore how hot his cheeks felt as he talked, trying to be as subtle as possible. "Well, he's a guy as well... He wears glasses and is quite intelligent. But he seems to have a wild side hidden, you know?"

He looked at Taishi for just a second, and saw his blush had gotten much deeper. Maybe he had an idea of who Maasa was talking about?

After a moment of silence, Taishi spoke. "Would you... Like being kissed?"

Maasa was taken aback by the question. "I mean, it is something I wouldn't mind if it happened one day. And I am curious as to how it'd feel."

"Would you be angry at me if I kissed you?"

Maasa didn't say anything at first, his jaw dropping and entire face burning. Had his description of who he liked been that obvious?

Taishi quickly covered his mouth, as if just realizing what he had suggested. "F-forget about that! I don't know what I was thinking." Taishi was about to get up and run away, but Maasa quickly held onto his arm and kept him in place.

"W-wait!" Maasa took a deep breath before continuing. "I... I don't mind it. I won't be angry at you."

Taishi took a moment to process what he heard, and then adjusted his sitting position so he was face to face with Maasa.

After taking a careful look around to make sure no one would see them, he took a deep breath. He held both of Maasa's hands, and started leaning in.

Maasa closed his eyes, heart almost beating out of his chest as he anticipated the contact. And soon enough, he actually felt a pair of lips against his.

It wasn't exactly how he imagined it would be. But it was still nice. Taishi's lips were a bit chapped, and Maasa held back the urge to lick them. And his hands against Maasa's were a nice sensation, too. And he could clearly tell Taishi was nervous from how stiff he was and the tightness of his grip.

Taishi pulled away, both his lips and hands. He looked down, a hand covering his mouth.

Maasa blinked. That kiss was something he was so curious about for so long. And it ended so quickly...

Without saying anything, Taishi got up and ran away. Maasa didn't even have the chance to call out for him from how dazed he still was.

He was a bit sad to see Taishi gone so soon. But then, after he realized that what had just happened was real, his face burned from ear to ear. And yet, he couldn't help but giggle and let out a little squeal. He had actually kissed Taishi! And it was a secret between the two of them...

Perhaps White Day had actually given him something worthwhile for him, for once.