Kai
I grunted as I struck the ground with my hoe.
Yayoi sighed and shook his head. "You're using too much unnecessary force. Just do it like this."
I watched as he demonstrated how to till the land.
"Like that," he said, wiping the sweat off his brow. "Got it?"
I nodded, trying to copy his movements.
He sighed and got behind me. "No, not like that." He took my hand and placed it on the hoe. "Hold it like this."
I nodded as he moved my arms. His touch was warm and gentle, yet firm and assertive. It reminded me of my dad's when he taught me how to pedal.
"Good," he said, stepping back. "Keep it like that and you should be fine."
I smiled. "Ya know, I think you might be a better tutor than me."
He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Yeah, right. If anyone's a good teacher, it's you. You got more patience than I do."
I giggled. "True."
He turned around and walked off.
I blinked. "Wait, where are you going?"
"You take care of that side, I will do this side. We will cover more ground that way."
I nodded and turned back to the land. It was hard work, but I didn't mind. The feeling of accomplishment after finishing a task was satisfying.
Yayoi walked past, carrying a wheelbarrow full of dirt. He hummed. "Not the best, but not the worst either."
I frowned as sweat rolled down my back. This sure was exhausting.
I removed my shirt and began to wipe away the sweat with it.
Yayoi stared at me. "Why did you remove your shirt?"
I looked at him, confused. "Why not? It's hot out and the shirt was soaked with sweat."
He frowned and turned away. "Whatever, just put it back on."
I shrugged and complied. "Okay, okay. Don't get your panties in a bunch."
He blushed.
"Hey, Yayoi. What's your ideal girl like?"
He frowned. "Where did that come from?"
"I'm just curious."
He sighed. "I dunno. Someone who's nice and easygoing, I guess."
I smiled. "So, someone like Rena?"
He blushed. "S-shut up."
"What? She is the epitome of the type you like. She's sweet, caring, and a bit of an airhead."
He shook his head and looked away. "Should I be hearing that from you?"
I lowered my head. True. I was probably worse than her.
He sighed. "I think we've done enough. Let's head back."
I nodded and followed him.
"So, what's your ideal type, Kai?"
I hummed. "S-someone strong and brave. Nice and caring. Would risk her life for her friends. Has a sense of humor."
"Oh? That is pretty specific."
I blushed. "Is it?"
"Yeah, and you forgot beautiful. I bet she is drop dead gorgeous too, huh?"
I blushed. "Y-yeah. She sure is."
He turned away. "So, there is someone like that?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Her name is Sayuri."
He blinked. "I thought she was dating Ava?"
I sighed. "She was, but they broke up."
He nodded. "So, what will you do?"
I smiled. "Ask her out. I'm not going to give up, no matter what."
He turned around. "That so, huh? You think you'll be able to handle her? I bet she has a lot of experience from dating Ava."
I lowered my head.
"If you want, I can give you a few pointers on how to romance girls."
"Why are you so interested in my love life?"
He sighed. "Because I'm trying to help. It's obvious you're not the most popular guy, so I'm trying to give you some advice."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Now, let's go inside. Your first lesson is kissing."
I frowned. "W-what?"
"It's not rocket science. You just press your lips against hers. Easy."
"B-but..."
He sighed and pinched my nose.
"Ow," I groaned, rubbing my nose.
"If you can't even do something as simple as kiss, you won't be able to handle Sayu."
I sighed. "Fine. What do I need to do?"
"First, close your eyes."
I nodded and did as he instructed.
"Next, part your lips slightly."
"Like this?"
"Yes, just like that."
"Then, what?"
"Just stay still. When you feel her lips press against yours, kiss her back."
I waited. Then, I felt his soft lips press against mine. I gasped, my eyes widening.
Yayoi pulled away. "What's wrong?"
"Y-you kissed me."
He rolled his eyes. "Of course, I did. That's how you kiss."
I blushed. "B-but my first kiss was supposed to be with Sayuri!"
He sighed. "Calm down. It's just a kiss. It's not like it meant anything."
I frowned. "So, that's it?"
He shrugged. "Your technique could use some work. Want to give it another try?"
I blushed. "N-no, that's fine. I'll just practice on my own."
Yayoi sighed. "Alright, if that's what you want. But, just so you know, I didn't have my first kiss with the one I like either."
I frowned. "Really?"
He nodded. "I date the first girl I kissed, but it didn't work out."
I frowned. "Was it because you liked someone else."
He rubbed his neck. "That's probably part of it. She ended up going for an older guy, one with more experience."
"That's not fair to you."
"Life isn't fair."
I lowered my head. "True. Still, it sucks."
He nodded. "Yeah, it does. Well, go ahead and shower. I'll use the guest bathroom."
I smiled. "Thanks, Yayoi."
"Don't mention it. We're friends, right?"
"Of course."
We parted ways and showered.
Once I was finished, I found him reading a book.
I laughed. "There must something about your bathroom that makes one want to take a long shower."
He turned the page. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Hurry up and get changed. I don't want to see your twig body."
I frowned and crossed my arms. "Rude."
He laughed and waved me off.
I changed into the set of clothes I had prepared myself. Yayoi's clothes were comfy, but not something I'd wear.
I looked in the mirror. They were a bit tight, but they didn't look bad on me. I turned around and showed him. "What do you think?"
He raised an eyebrow. "They're tight, but you don't look bad."
"Tight, huh?"
"Yeah. Maybe a size bigger would fit better."
I smiled and sat down next to him. "It means I've grown since I moved here! I'll buy a set that fits better tomorrow."
He hummed. "So, are you ready to go?"
"Yup!" I opened the book and began explaining to him the concept.
I felt Yayoi's stare on me, rather than the book.
"Are you listening?"
"Yeah."
I turned to him. "Then, what am I talking about?"
"The... um... uh..."
I smiled. "Exactly."
He huffed. "Alright, alright. You got me."
I chuckled and closed the book. "How about we call it a day?"
"But we just started."
"True, but it seems you're distracted. So, let's call it a day and do it again tomorrow."
He turned away. "Sorry, but your face is just distracting."
I blinked. "Huh?"
He coughed. "It's so naive and innocent. It's weird."
"Gee, thanks. You sure know how to make a guy feel good about himself."
He smiled. "I mean it in a good way."
"Still, it's not something you should say to a guy."
"Well, you are cute. In an androgenous way."
"What does that mean?"
"You're a guy, but you have a girlish charm about you. It's confusing."
"Oh, I see."
"Yeah. Sorry if I offended you."
"Nah, it's fine. I am used to it. When my hair was longer, guys used to mistake me for a girl. They would even try to ask me out."
"Sounds tough."
I hummed. "Well, not really. They had it tougher. They had their hearts broken."
"Say, did you ever think of saying yes? To a guy."
"Not really. I have nothing against gay couples, but I've always only liked girls. What about you?"
He turned away. "Same."
"Really? You kissed me pretty passionately. I wouldn't have been able to tell."
He blushed. "That was for teaching purposes. I wanted it to be convincing."
I laughed. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
He sighed. "Whatever. I don't have to explain myself to you."
"Sorry. I'm just teasing you. That said, it wasn't bad. Your lips were quite soft. I bet you use chapstick."
He groaned and put his hands over his face. "I give up. You're impossible."
I lowered my head. "S-sorry. Guess I was trying to be a bit more like Sayu. She's pretty direct with her thoughts."
"It's fine. I don't really mind."
"Still, I'll try to tone it down a bit."
"It's fine. That said, if you didn't hate it, would you want to do it again?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about us kissing."
I wanted to say no, but it wasn't a lie when I said his lips were soft.
I nodded. "Okay."
"Really? Just like that?"
"Yeah. Why not? If it'll help me get better, then it's fine."
He smiled. "Alright. Just don't go getting any weird ideas. This is just practice."
"Don't worry, I won't."
He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. It was soft and gentle, and his breath tickled my skin.
I kissed him back, trying to mimic his movements.
He pulled away and looked at me.
"How was that?"
He smiled. "Still a bit sloppy, but you're getting there. You'll have to get more practice."
I sighed. "Okay. Guess I'll have to kiss you again."
He chuckled. "Guess so." He leaned in and began to kiss me again. His lips were soft and gentle, his touch sending shivers down my spine.
I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in the sensation. It felt good. More than just good, but also empty. I didn't like him.
"Hey," he said, pulling away.
"Hmm?"
"Is it just me, or are you not putting your whole heart into it?"
"I..."
He sighed. "Look, if you're not going to take this seriously, then we might as well stop."
I lowered my head. "No, it's just that... I can't kiss someone I don't love with my all."
He turned away. "Right."
"I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I understand. This was just practice anyway. Besides, I'm not the person you should be kissing." He reached out and touched my hand. "That said, there is more than one type of kiss."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah. You don't always have to have your lips pressed against someone else's. Sometimes, a simple gesture like holding hands is enough."
I stared at him. His hand was warm, his skin rough from his labor. It was a comforting sensation, one that made me feel safe and protected.
"So, what do you think?"
I smiled. "I think this will work when I go on my first date with Sayuri."
He smiled faintly. "Good." He pulled his hand away. "We should call it a day."
"But you still haven't learned much."
"I'm okay with that. This was more important."
I frowned. "Okay. See you tomorrow then." Why did he look so sad? H-he wasn't using this a pretext to kiss me all of this time, was he?