NOVEL WEB Chapter 59: Why Are You So Skilled?!
"Okay—alright! It looks like the dart guy's team acted the fastest, but with that uncomfortable expression, can they kiss in public?!"
Haruno wiped her mouth, clutched her stomach, and took a few deep breaths, then looked at Yuu with a smile.
"First time in my life eating watermelon until I want to puke~"
Yuu struggled to chew, swallowing hard, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"And you still have the energy to laugh…"
Every breath he took felt like he might spew a "watermelon death ray" from his mouth!
"Because I'm so happy~"
Haruno stood in front of him, placing both hands on his shoulders, lifting her head to look at him, the corners of her soft lips slowly curving upward.
"When neither of us wants to give up, you'd let me win out of pity for your girlfriend—"
"That's a really great move for a boyfriend."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host has received reward: Fast Digestion (Status)]
[Congratulations, host has received reward: Kissing Skill (Advanced Level)]
Yuu: "???"
This kind of behavior earns points too? Isn't that just common sense?
What girlfriend would see her boyfriend in pain and not care!
Haruno's change of heart was too much… But thankfully, the system granted him the fast digestion status just in time.
Once activated, the food in his stomach would quickly turn into nutrients, utilized as efficiently as possible, leaving no waste.
As for this kissing skill…
Yuu looked at her, so close, his cheeks twitching slightly.
"You're not serious… Not afraid I'll lose it and puke watermelon?"
Haruno tilted her head, smiling calmly: "You're my boyfriend, why would I be afraid?"
Her voice carried across the stage, met with roaring applause in support. Some even shouted "Kiss! Kiss!" until the entire crowd's chant became "Kiss! Kiss!", urging them to act.
The next fastest group was only halfway through eating, leaving them time to kiss slowly, hesitantly.
"Even so…"
Feeling the warmth and softness drawing closer, along with the sweet scent from her breath, Yuu suddenly realized he couldn't face it as boldly as before.
(Even with an advanced kissing skill, I've never kissed anyone in this life or my last!)
(Last time, even a cheek kiss felt awkward, and now I have to take the lead kissing her lips… This is too big a leap.)
Haruno seemed to notice his hesitation and unease. She stood on her tiptoes, whispering softly in his ear:
"Don't stress, this is a reward for you too. Besides, you haven't been pure since last time~"
Yuu: "…"
Haruno giggled: "Or, are you actually shy? If so, you'll have to do what I say, okay?"
Yuu sighed, causing Haruno to catch a strong whiff of watermelon, her expression shifting slightly.
"Humans really are creatures that need to grow, huh…"
Yuu pursed his lips, raised his hand, held Haruno's face, and looked into her mature, beautiful, yet fragile, almost illusory eyes.
The kissing skill activated at this moment—
Foreplay: Gaze earnestly and affectionately into the other's eyes, regulate breathing to be calm and steady, ensuring both parties are willing to proceed.
Haruno was forced to meet his gaze. She blinked, initially intending to return a calm, gentle older-sister look, challenging who'd get shy first.
But the longer she looked, she unconsciously averted her eyes, her cheeks warming, the smile on her lips barely holding.
"You got shy first…" Yuu didn't say it aloud; the kissing process didn't need words.
He simply lowered his head as Haruno looked away, kissing her gently but firmly.
—Soft, warm.
—Brushing, lingering.
Tasting just enough, cheeks touching.
Soon after, Yuu closed his lips and stepped back.
While fixing his slightly messy bangs, he whispered as if complaining:
"Whatever your goal is, don't use schemes that could harm your own body."
Yes, he had a double standard.
If he did it, it was manly. If Haruno did it, it was scheming.
Even as a rental boyfriend, during their first kiss, Yuu couldn't help but express genuine concern for Haruno.
"…"
Standing still, Haruno slowly blinked, looking at him with a dazed expression.
Her lips parted slightly: "…That look in your eyes, so gentle, I've never seen it before. Is this the magic of a kiss?"
"No, I'm just too nice."
Yuu said irritably, suddenly covering his mouth and letting out a watermelon-scented burp.
"Enough, let's wrap this up and go. I need a bathroom now… Too-fast digestion has its own problems."
Haruno snapped out of her strange feelings, remembering she was still on the event stage.
She glanced around.
Below was a cheering crowd, on stage were other defeated teams collapsing before their watermelons, and the noisy host shouting, "The champions are decided! What a beautiful kiss! Let's congratulate this new couple!"
Closing her eyes, Haruno rubbed her head, shaking it to clear her slightly dizzy mind, feeling something off throughout her body.
Especially her heart and lips, tingling as if electrified, her brain blank, struggling to think clearly.
Just a kiss, and this reaction was too much…
"What's wrong?" Yuu's concerned voice came from in front of her.
Haruno took a deep breath. Besides her flushed cheeks, like someone drunk, she showed him a smile no different from usual.
"Just savoring the feeling of a first kiss again—it's definitely not lemon-flavored."
"Of course, we just ate a whole watermelon."
"And besides the taste…" Haruno touched her lips, furrowing her brows, looking him up and down with a strange expression.
"Yuu-chan, was that really your first kiss?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you so skilled?"
Recalling his adept kissing technique, Haruno looked curious, but her eyes unconsciously sharpened with displeasure.
"Before me, how many people have you done this with? It's fine to tell me about something small like this, right?"
"No, really, just you. Why would I lie?"
"Really? So you're a kissing genius?"
"If you want to think of it that way, fine."
"Oh, that's such a classic answer, major points deducted~"
"…"
Bickering pointlessly like an ordinary couple, Yuu couldn't help but roll his eyes, inwardly groaning—Aren't these all skills you gave me yourself?!