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It was Kita’s birthday.
And somehow, Bocchi and Kita still hadn’t kissed yet.
They had been dating for a few months now—long enough that Nijika had jokingly called them "an old married couple." But still, not a single kiss. Not even a cheek one. Bocchi had planned to finally do it today, after band practice, when it would just be the two of them.
But what happened?
She chickened out. Again.
Her girlfriend was too pretty. Too radiant. Too Kita. How was she supposed to act normal around someone like that?
Also, Ryo kept teasing her. Mercilessly. Seriously—what kind of friend does that?
...Ryo, obviously.
They had all met up before practice, except for Kita, who was running a little late. Nijika was busy stringing up decorations for the little surprise party she’d planned—just a small celebration with the band, Seika, and PA-san. Meanwhile, Bocchi was spiraling in a quiet panic because what if she messed up somehow? What if she said something dumb? What if Kita didn’t like her gift? What if she hated bracelets?
Ryo, sitting lazily on the chair with her bass beside her, was watching Bocchi out of the corner of her eye. Being Ryo, she didn’t say anything at first—but the longer Bocchi kept fiddling with the hem of her jacket, the more obvious it got.
“Bocchi,” Ryo finally said, resting her chin on her palm. “What’s going on with you?”
Bocchi blinked rapidly and snapped her head up like she’d been caught doing something illegal. “H-Huh? What? Nothing! I’m fine! Everything’s great!”
Her voice cracked on the “great.”
Ryo just stared, unimpressed. “Is this about Kita’s birthday?”
“It’s not—” Bocchi’s voice shrank. “I mean... maybe... yes.”
“It’s just a birthday,” Ryo said with a shrug. “We all have one. Every year. Like clockwork.”
“It’s not just a birthday,” Nijika chimed in as she joined them, brushing glitter off her hands. “It’s her girlfriend’s birthday, Ryo.”
She gave her a pointed look, then turned to Bocchi with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry so much. I bet she’s going to love whatever you got her. What did you end up picking?”
Bocchi looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. “A… a bracelet.”
“A bracelet,” Ryo echoed, blinking slowly.
Nijika immediately smacked her shoulder. “That’s cute! She loves jewelry.”
“Yeah… but it’s so tiny,” Bocchi muttered. “I could’ve gotten her new clothes or something she actually needs, but I panicked. I saw the bracelet, thought it was pretty, and now—ugh—what if she thinks it’s boring or too cheap or too—”
She dropped her face into her hands with a groan.
“She’s going to love it, Bocchi,” Nijika said, patting her gently. “Because it’s from you. That’s what matters.”
Bocchi peeked out from between her fingers. “What did you guys get each other for your birthdays? Maybe I should’ve done something more like that…”
“Food,” Ryo said flatly.
Nijika sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I got her a new video game last year. She gave me a Funko Pop.”
“A Funko Pop?” Bocchi repeated.
Ryo gave Nijika a sly side glance. “You liked it. It was Regina George.”
“She’s still on my shelf,” Nijika admitted, crossing her arms. “Though that didn’t make up for the fact that was literally all you gave me.”
Ryo’s voice dipped with a smirk. “I gave you the best head of your life, too.”
Nijika’s hand immediately came down on Ryo’s head with a solid bonk. Bocchi let out a surprised squeak, blushing furiously.
“R-Ryo!” Bocchi cried, hiding behind her hoodie like a turtle retreating into its shell.
“I’m just saying,” Ryo muttered, rubbing her head.
“Maybe don’t say,” Nijika deadpanned, facepalming.
Bocchi groaned. “I’m never going to be that cool…”
“You don’t need to be,” Nijika reassured her again. “Just be you. That’s who Kita fell for.”
“Cornyyy,” Ryo drawled, cutting off her girlfriend mid-sentence.
Nijika exhaled deeply through her nose before casually elbowing her in the stomach. Not hard. Just enough to make a point.
“What she meant,” Nijika said, shooting her a warning glance, “is that she’ll love it.”
Ryo doubled over slightly, hugging her stomach as she let out a small huff. “Yeah, yeah… definitely. I’m just saying, seriously, Bocchi—stop freaking out. It’s a cute gift. She’ll love it.”
Bocchi exhaled shakily, biting her bottom lip. “Thanks, you guys…” She glanced down, fingers fidgeting with the zipper of her jacket. The weight of something unsaid tugged at her chest. She debated whether or not to tell them.
But before she could stop herself, the words slipped out.
“I was going to kiss her today…”
Silence.
Nijika and Ryo blinked at her in perfect unison.
“…Okay,” Ryo said slowly, raising a brow. “Isn’t that… like, normal for you?”
Bocchi’s eyes widened. “Wha—No! We’ve never kissed! Not even once!”
“You what?” Nijika choked, lips parting in disbelief. “You mean… not even in private?”
Ryo made a chaotic hand gesture in the air, like she was trying to catch an invisible bug. “Wait, wait, wait—Kita’s never made a move either?!”
Bocchi shook her head, silent and mortified.
Nijika’s entire worldview was cracking in front of her. “I swear I thought she would’ve by now. What the hell?”
Ryo slumped back into the couch with a dramatic sigh. “You guys have been dating for what—six months? And not one kiss? I genuinely thought you two were being disgustingly lovey-dovey behind the scenes.”
“We are lovey-dovey!” Bocchi cried defensively, then shrank back into her jacket. “J-Just not… mouth… stuff…”
Ryo snorted.
Nijika rubbed her temples, trying to stay supportive. “Okay, maybe… maybe she’s just waiting for the right moment, y’know? Like, she wants it to be special.”
“And it takes her six months for that?” Ryo deadpanned. “God. You guys are adorable. But also idiots.”
Nijika raised a hand like she was this close to smacking her again, but sighed and let it go. “Be nice, Ryo.” She stood up, dusting off her skirt like she was preparing for battle. “Alright—new plan. You kiss her after band practice. Pull her aside, give her the bracelet, and bam! Romantic moment unlocked. Or go to her house and do that.”
“M-Maybe… if she wants me to come over,” Bocchi mumbled, already spiraling.
“She always wants you over,” Ryo said, not missing a beat. “She literally looks at you like you invented sunlight.”
Bocchi let out a noise halfway between a squeak and a whimper, her entire neck flushing red. She instinctively tried to hide her face behind her sleeves, but it was too late—she’d been perceived. “She does not—”
“She does,” Ryo said firmly. “Trust me. If you just leaned in, she’d probably melt.”
Nijika nodded, arms crossed. “She’s right. I mean, have you seen the way Kita looks at you when you’re not paying attention? It’s like she’s watching her favorite anime.”
Bocchi covered her face completely now, knees pulled to her chest. “I’m gonna die.”
“You’re gonna kiss your girlfriend,” Nijika corrected.
“And then probably combust afterward,” Ryo added helpfully.
Bocchi groaned into her hands. “Why is having a pretty girlfriend so hard…”
“Because you’re both hopeless,” Ryo muttered.
“Because love is beautiful,” Nijika said at the same time, elbowing her again.
Then, the door creaked open.
It was Kita, holding the strap of her guitar over her shoulder, cheeks slightly pink from the cold outside. The trio froze mid-conversation, heads turning toward the birthday girl like they’d been caught doing something suspicious.
Kita looked around the room, her eyes widening as they landed on the decorations. Streamers hung loosely across the ceiling, and taped above the wall clock was a handmade banner that read:
“Happy 18th Birthday, Kita!”
The letters were bubbly, a little uneven, and undeniably Nijika’s handwriting.
Kita lit up immediately, eyes sparkling. “Oh my gosh, you guys!” she squealed, bouncing on her toes in excitement.
Nijika bolted upright, clearly flustered—she’d had a whole “Surprise!” moment planned, complete with confetti and a dramatic entrance. “Kita!” she yelped, rushing over with both arms wide, “Happy birthday!”
Ryo stood up next, much more casual, and walked over at her own pace. She reached out and gently patted Kita on the head like she was a cat. “Happy birthday,” she said, voice flat but affectionate.
Kita giggled, wrapping her arms around the both of them in one big hug. “Thank you, guys! This is so sweet!”
In the back, Bocchi bit her lip and stood up slowly, fingers clutched tightly around the edges of her jacket. Her heart thudded in her chest like a kick drum.
“...H-Happy birthday, Kita…” she mumbled, barely audible.
Kita’s head whipped around instantly. “Hitori-chan!” she beamed, pulling away from the hug just to lunge at her girlfriend. She wrapped her arms tightly around Bocchi, rocking her side to side. “Thank you!”
Bocchi stiffened, then slowly—very slowly—lifted her arms and hugged her back, trembling slightly. “Y-You’re welcome,” she whispered, then pointed weakly toward the bar. “We got cake…”
Nijika snapped her fingers with dramatic flair. “Indeed, we did!” she said proudly, striking a little pose. “But! We practice first, then cake and celebration!”
Ryo raised a brow. “That’s fine by me.”
“You’re not in charge,” Nijika shot back instantly, not missing a beat.
Kita snorted, stifling laughter behind her hand. “Yes—and then presents!” she added excitedly.
“Don’t worry,” Ryo muttered as she picked up her bass. “Mine’s extremely underwhelming.”
“Of course,” Nijika muttered under her breath before quickly retreating to her drum set.
The girls all moved into position, grabbing their instruments and plugging in cables. Bocchi fumbled slightly with hers, still warm from the hug, her mind spinning. She tried to focus—but her eyes kept darting toward Kita, whose smile hadn’t faded for even a second.
And maybe… just maybe… after practice, she’d finally go through with it.
Band practice went… as expected.
They rehearsed a couple of new songs, going through each part carefully with Seika overseeing like a hawk. There were a few stumbles—mostly from Bocchi—and the usual snark from Ryo, but nothing out of the ordinary. By the end of it, everyone was tired but buzzing with energy.
Once practice wrapped, the girls gathered around the counter for the cake. It was a simple store-bought one with ‘Happy Birthday, Kita!’ scrawled in bright pink frosting, slightly smudged from the box. Nijika tried to make it look more festive by sticking in some heart-shaped candles.
They ate about half of the cake—well, Ryo ate half of it, the others barely getting two bites in before she swooped in like a dessert-devouring hawk.
After the sugar rush came the presents.
Nijika handed over a neatly folded blouse covered in delicate blue flowers, along with a soft white skirt to match. Kita practically squealed.
Ryo, predictably, tossed her gift in a slightly crumpled bag with no tissue paper. “Here.” Inside was a poster pack from Kita’s favorite anime and a sheet of sparkly stickers shaped like cats, boba tea, and a sword for some reason. “It’s everything you like,” Ryo shrugged. “Cute, weird, and unnecessarily dramatic.”
Then… it was Bocchi’s turn.
Her hands were clammy as she pulled the tiny gift bag from her jacket pocket. Her heart pounded louder than the drums earlier. But she stepped forward.
It was a bracelet. A delicate one, strung with white and pale pink beads, with two tulip charms and a tiny pearl nestled beside them. It sparkled softly under the lights. It had taken Bocchi weeks to pick out. And yeah, it was a little pricey… but no one needed to know that.
Kita gasped as she took it out of the bag. “Hitori-chan… this is so pretty!” Before Bocchi could even say anything, Kita threw her arms around her, squeezing her tight. “Thank you so much!! I love it!”
Bocchi froze mid-hug. Her brain completely blue-screened.
…That went better than expected.
But just when Bocchi thought she could breathe again—that’s when it happened.
After the celebration wrapped up at Starry, everyone started heading home. The evening was cool and quiet, the stars just starting to peek out overhead. But before Bocchi could even process her goodbyes, Kita grabbed her hand.
“Hitori-chan!” she said, eyes gleaming as she pulled her toward the stairs. “Let’s go on a date! There’s this cute new café that opened up nearby—I’ve been dying to check it out!”
Bocchi blinked, cheeks flushing from the sudden hand-holding. “I-I didn’t… bring my wallet…”
Kita waved her off with a grin. “Don’t worry! I’ll pay.”
Bocchi hesitated. “B-But it’s your birthday. I should be the one paying…”
“Well, you don’t have your wallet. Plus, I’m the one who suggested the place,” Kita said matter-of-factly, already starting to walk ahead.
Bocchi sighed as her legs stumbled forward to keep up. “Fine… but I’ll pay you back later.”
“You don’t have to, honey.” Kita said sweetly, the pet name slipping out as naturally as air.
Bocchi nearly tripped over her own feet. “A-A-Alright…” she managed, voice small.
But the guilt still lingered. It was Kita’s birthday—she should be spoiling her, not the other way around. And then there was the kiss. The one she almost gave earlier. The one she’s been putting off for months.
Maybe this was her chance. A quiet little café date, just the two of them, soft lighting, warm drinks… Maybe she could do it.
Maybe she could finally kiss her.
Or maybe… maybe Kita didn’t want a kiss. She was confident. If she wanted one, wouldn’t she have made a move already? Or maybe she was just being considerate. Or maybe… maybe Bocchi wasn’t kissable. Was she not enough?
Bocchi’s stomach churned.
She shook her head, trying to force the thoughts away. Not tonight. Don’t spiral tonight. Just enjoy the moment.
Kita was holding her hand, smiling wide, chatting about all the cake she ate and how she’s going to post about the presents later.
When they arrived at the café, they were instantly greeted by the low hum of chatter and the clinking of mugs. It was packed—of course it was. A brand-new place on an evening? It was practically asking for a crowd.
Bocchi instinctively shrank a little, drawing closer to Kita as they stepped into line. She stayed close—glued would be the better word—never letting go of Kita’s hand, her eyes darting around nervously. The line wasn’t long, thankfully. Three minutes, tops.
Kita squeezed her hand gently, her thumb brushing back and forth in slow, calming strokes. “So… what do you want?” she asked, her eyes scanning the overhead menu.
Bocchi’s brain was still catching up from the touching. She glanced up at the menu, which was filled with unfamiliar pastries and fancier-than-average coffee drinks. Her mind went blank. “Uh… whatever you order,” she mumbled.
Kita frowned slightly, tilting her head. “You sure? I was just going to get…” She trailed off, squinting up at the fancy font. “The… Alexandertorte? That sounds good. With a caramel macchiato.”
Bocchi blinked. Alexandertorte? What even was that? Some kind of royal pastry? Still, it looked sweet, and she liked caramel. “O-Okay. It looks good,” she nodded, trying to look more confident than she felt.
“Let’s hope it tastes good,” Kita said cheerfully, stepping forward to order.
Bocchi followed closely, still holding onto her hand. She tried not to think about how sweaty her own palm probably was, or how cool and soft Kita’s hand felt. She focused on the café instead—warm-toned lighting, pastel walls, and pink accents everywhere. Cute cat-themed decorations lined the shelves and windows. It was charming and cozy.
Suddenly, Bocchi felt underdressed. She was still in her pink tracksuit, with no time to change after practice. So was Kita, but somehow she managed to make hers look intentional, like a fashion statement. Bocchi looked down at her own sleeves. Boring.
Once they got their drinks and desserts, Bocchi quickly offered to carry the tray. It wasn’t much, but she wanted to do something for Kita. She hadn’t paid, and she still felt guilty, even after giving her that bracelet—though Kita had loved it. She was even wearing it now. She’s wearing it right now. Bocchi’s heart practically did a flip. She could die happy.
They found a quiet little corner table by the window. Kita plopped her bag down and sat with a satisfied sigh, her eyes wide with excitement. “It’s so cute in here! Did you see the decorations?”
Bocchi carefully set the tray down in front of them and took the seat across. “Y-Yeah, they were nice… especially the cat stuff.”
Kita lit up. “You should totally be a cat for Halloween!”
Bocchi choked on air, cheeks immediately turning red. “N-No way! I-I don’t really dress up… unless my parents force me to go trick-or-treating with my little sister.”
Kita giggled, leaning forward. “Aw, come on! We should all go together—with the band! We could do matching costumes! Like a theme!”
That… didn’t sound so bad, actually. It might even be fun. And… she could use the excuse to spend more time with Kita.
“O-Okay,” Bocchi mumbled, looking down into her macchiato. “But I’m not dressing up as a cat.”
Kita gasped dramatically, putting a hand to her heart. “Why not?! You’d look so cute!”
Bocchi slumped in her seat, tugging the sleeves of her jacket over her hands. “I… Maybe… I’d do it for you.”
Kita blinked, her expression softening before she clapped excitedly. “Really?! Thank you, Hitori! You’re the best!”
Just… like that? Because she’d wear a dumb costume?
Bocchi took a bite of the Alexandertorte to hide her blush. It was good. She had no idea what it was, but it was really, really good.
And somehow, sitting across from Kita in a cute café, listening to her laugh and watching the bracelet glint on her wrist… Bocchi felt like she was actually doing okay. She was winning in life.
Kita happily nibbled at the last bite of her Alexandertorte, animatedly recounting the start of her birthday. Apparently, her parents had surprised her that morning with balloons, presents, and even a tiny handmade banner hanging above the dining table. And then at school—unsurprisingly—she got swarmed with cards, gifts, and messages. She even had classmates she'd barely spoken to hand her little trinkets or sweets.
Seriously, how did Kita do it?
Bocchi listened intently, smiling where she could, nodding along, but deep down… there was a pinch of jealousy. Kita was just so effortlessly likable. All the girls flocked to her like it was nothing. Yet somehow—miraculously—when class ended, Kita had beelined straight to her. Straight to Bocchi.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Lunch had been fine too—well, thanks to her mom, who’d made enough for two without even asking. “Since it’s Kita-chan’s birthday,” she had said, practically shoving the extra bento into Bocchi’s hands that morning. Thank god she did. Bocchi had been this close to just offering Kita a store-bought bread roll.
Now… as they sat finishing the last sips of their drinks, her eyes flicked down to Kita’s wrist again. The bracelet sparkled delicately in the café lights. Bocchi’s heart thumped at the sight of it still there. Kita hadn’t taken it off once.
Okay. This is good. Maybe tonight’s the night…
But where should she do it? A kiss, that is. Bocchi’s mind spun. Not here. The café was too crowded, way too open. If she even thought about leaning in, she’d combust on the spot. But maybe… at home. If Kita came over, maybe she could find the courage. Maybe—just maybe—she could finally make the first move.
As they stood up and began gathering their things, Bocchi cleared her throat awkwardly. “Kita…” she started, gripping the strap of her bag, “W-Wanna hang out at my house? Just for a bit?”
Kita’s eyes sparkled. “Do I!?” she gasped, nodding quickly. “Yes, obvi!”
Bocchi smiled, cheeks warming at Kita’s enthusiasm. “Awesome sauce,” she said.
Seriously? That’s what she went with? She needed to pull it together.
The walk to Bocchi’s place wasn’t far—just a few blocks. The wind gently rustled their clothes, but the sun still lingered, casting a soft warmth that balanced the breeze perfectly. Bocchi tugged lightly on her pink tracksuit jacket. She wasn’t exactly dressed for romance, but oh well. Kita was still holding her hand, and somehow that made everything okay.
Six months. That’s how long they’d been dating. Half a year. And still, every time their hands touched, Bocchi’s heart tried to launch itself into orbit.
She’d never dated anyone before. Never kissed anyone. Never had someone like Kita—kind, confident, affectionate without ever pushing her too far. Thankfully, Kita seemed to understand that she wanted to take things slow. Bocchi appreciated that more than she could ever say aloud.
Once they reached her front door, Bocchi pulled out her spare keys, unlocking it with a click. As expected, her family was home. The scent of garlic and onions wafted from the kitchen, and the sound of the TV echoed faintly from the living room.
The first to spot them was Futari, sprawled on the couch beside their dad. Her eyes widened when she saw Kita, and she immediately leapt to her feet.
“Kita-chan!” Futari exclaimed, barreling toward her with open arms. “Happy birthday!”
Kita laughed, catching the girl in a warm hug and even spinning her in a small circle. “Thank you!” she beamed.
From the kitchen, Michiyo peeked out with a smile. “Happy birthday, Kita,” she called, hands still busy stirring something on the stove.
Naoki gave a casual nod from the couch, eyeing her over the top of his glasses. “How’s your birthday so far?”
Kita set Futari down gently and smiled. “It’s been great! I took Hitori on a date!”
Michiyo let out a surprised snort, eyebrows raised. “Shouldn’t she be the one taking you out? It’s your birthday after all.”
“Mom!” Bocchi hissed, face burning.
Michiyo held up her hands innocently. “I’m just saying.”
Futari giggled, elbowing Bocchi playfully. “Wow… Kita’s doing all the work, huh?”
Kita just laughed, clearly unbothered. “It was just a café nearby. And Hitori’s gift was so cute!”
Naoki leaned in, squinting toward her wrist. “That bracelet? It’s beautiful.”
“Right?” Kita held up her wrist with a soft grin, admiring it for what had to be the hundredth time that day.
That was enough. Bocchi grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the hallway. “O-Okay, we’re going to my room,” she mumbled, heart racing.
Michiyo called out just before they disappeared down the hallway, “Dinner’s almost ready!”
“Okay!” Bocchi replied over her shoulder, quickly ushering Kita inside her room and shutting the door behind them.
Bocchi leaned her back against the door for a moment, releasing a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Jeez…”
Kita let out a quiet giggle as she flopped onto the futon, her legs tucked under her. “Your parents are really sweet.”
Bocchi let her head fall back against the door dramatically. “They can be a lot sometimes.”
“That just means they care about you,” Kita said with a warm smile, patting the spot beside her. “C’mon.”
Bocchi shuffled over and sat down, drawing her knees to her chest. Her skirt slid up slightly, but she didn’t really notice—her thoughts were a little too scattered. “You’re right,” she admitted, glancing around her room like it might give her a distraction. “I'm sorry I couldn’t get you anything else.”
Kita blinked and gave her a gentle nudge with her shoulder. “Are you kidding?! This bracelet is the best thing I’ve gotten today. And it was from you. My girlfriend.”
Bocchi’s face warmed as her gaze dropped to Kita’s wrist again. “Thank you…” she said quietly, lips twitching into a small smile.
There was a pause, a kind of cozy silence that wrapped around them in soft ribbons.
Then Kita glanced around the room. “So… what do you wanna do?”
This is it, Bocchi thought. They’re alone. It’s quiet. The door’s even closed. Did I lock it? Should I lock it? Her brain spiraled before she could answer.
“Uhm…” she mumbled, eyes darting to everything except her girlfriend. “Whatever you want. You’re the birthday girl.”
Kita tilted her head slightly, trying to meet her gaze. “Wanna watch something? Just until dinner’s ready?” she asked, already reaching into her skirt pocket for her phone.
Bocchi nodded, playing with her thumbs. “Okay,” she murmured, lying down on her stomach and trying to look chill even though her heart was doing backflips.
Kita followed her lead, lying beside her with their shoulders just barely brushing. “Movie or random videos?”
Bocchi stared at the phone screen for a second, then her eyes flicked—traitorously—to Kita’s lips. She quickly looked away. “Ah… uh—movie sounds good.”
Kita smiled and scrolled for something to play, totally unaware of the internal chaos raging next to her.
The futon was not made for two. Bocchi could feel every inch of warmth coming off Kita, their hips practically glued together. Her skin buzzed at the closeness. She tried to focus on the movie, she really did, but the plot might as well have been static for all she could hear over the thumping of her heart.
Okay… head on her shoulder. Just try it. Easy. She won’t mind. Right?
Bocchi inhaled, slow and quiet, then shifted ever so slightly. Her head hesitantly—almost awkwardly—rested against Kita’s shoulder.
Kita glanced at her in surprise, her eyes softening immediately. She gave a small smile and let her head lean gently against Bocchi’s in return, just for a moment, before returning her attention to the screen.
Okay, Bocchi thought, stiff as a board. Okay, that wasn’t bad. That was fine. That was good. Head on shoulder success. That’s… level one.
And maybe—maybe—if she didn’t explode before the end of the movie, she could go for level two.
The movie played on, but Bocchi didn’t register a single scene. Her focus was locked on the quiet rhythm of Kita’s breathing, the way her shoulder felt underneath her cheek, and how their legs brushed now and then, sending sparks straight through her.
Every time Kita shifted even a little, Bocchi’s heart jumped like it was about to leap out of her chest. But Kita didn’t move away. If anything… she scooted a little closer.
“Hitori,” Kita whispered after a few minutes, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Bocchi flinched at the sound of her name said so softly. “Y-Yeah?”
“This is nice.”
Bocchi’s breath caught in her throat. “It is…”
They stayed like that for a while. The screen lit up their faces in the dim room, casting soft blues and pinks across Kita’s cheeks, making her look even more like she’d stepped out of a dream. Bocchi turned her head just slightly so she could see her better—really see her.
And that was when she realized just how close their faces were.
Kita noticed too, blinking as their eyes met. Her lips curved into a small smile, and she tilted her head. “Something on my face?” she teased lightly.
Bocchi opened her mouth, closed it again, then squeaked out, “N-No! I was just—uh…”
Now or never, something in her brain whispered.
“I-I was thinking…” Bocchi’s voice was barely audible, her eyes flitting between Kita’s and her lips. “Since it’s your birthday…”
Kita’s eyes sparkled with realization, her voice just as quiet now. “Mm?”
“…C-Can I… k-kiss you?”
Kita blinked, then her expression softened into the most tender smile Bocchi had ever seen. “You don’t have to ask, silly,” she said gently. “But… I’m really glad you did.”
Bocchi’s heart skipped several beats at once. She hesitated for a second longer, her breath trembling as she leaned in slowly, nervously, almost like she’d back out at the last second.
But she didn’t.
Their lips met in the softest, tiniest kiss—barely there—but it was warm and careful and so full of emotion that Bocchi’s toes curled in her socks. Kita’s hand gently cupped Bocchi’s cheek for a moment, grounding her, anchoring her. When they pulled apart, Bocchi’s face was already a deep shade of red.
“I—uhm—was that okay?” Bocchi asked quickly, eyes darting away.
Kita giggled, brushing her nose against Bocchi’s. “It was perfect.”
Bocchi had to bury her face in Kita’s shoulder after that, hiding the squeak that escaped her throat.
“Aw,” Kita cooed, wrapping her arms around her, “You’re so cute, Hitori.”
Bocchi let out a muffled groan. “You’re gonna kill me.”
“If I do, I’ll bring you back with another kiss,” Kita teased with a grin.
Bocchi wasn’t sure how she survived the rest of that movie. But she did. Barely.
And when Michiyo called out that dinner was ready, Bocchi was still curled up against Kita’s side, wondering if it was possible to die from happiness.
Bocchi sighed as she slowly rolled off the futon, her cheeks still warm. “Are you… hungry?”
Kita stretched out like a cat, her red hair tousled, glowing in the soft light. “A little… the pastry filled me up just enough,” she said with a playful grin before reaching out and gently tugging on Bocchi’s wrist. “But before we go—one last kiss?”
Bocchi froze, her heart stuttering in her chest. Dinner can wait. She sat back down without thinking, nodding quickly. “O-Okay.”
Kita sat up too, brushing Bocchi’s bangs aside and patting her head fondly. “You’re such a good girl, Hitori.”
Bocchi’s entire body went stiff as her face flushed. “E-Eh?!”
Before she could protest—or combust from sheer embarrassment—Kita leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Bocchi’s were still wide open, caught somewhere between shock and awe, but soon fluttered shut as she melted into the kiss. It was deeper this time, unhurried and warm. Kita’s hand slid up to Bocchi’s cheek, her thumb stroking softly, coaxing a tiny shiver from her girlfriend.
It felt… safe. And overwhelming. But so, so good.
Then Kita tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss just a little more.
Oh.
Was Bocchi supposed to do that too? She’d seen it in romance movies, sure—but watching and doing were very different things. She scooted closer, timidly placing her hand on Kita’s shoulder for balance.
And then—Kita bit her lip. Softly. And followed it with a gentle sweep of her tongue.
Bocchi gasped.
That was all the invitation Kita needed.
Before she could blink, Bocchi felt Kita’s tongue brush against hers—tentative but sure, like she knew exactly what she was doing.
Wait, wait… this was… they were… making out?!
Her brain practically short-circuited as she let out the tiniest whimper into the kiss. Kita only smiled against her lips, clearly savoring every second.
Bocchi could barely think. Her heart was racing, her hands trembling slightly on Kita’s shoulder, and her entire body felt like it was buzzing. She focused on breathing through her nose—but what if it was too loud?! She didn’t want to ruin the moment—
The door creaked open.
They both jumped apart like they’d touched a live wire, a thin string of saliva still connecting their lips for one mortifying second before it broke.
Futari stood in the doorway, frozen mid-step. Her eyes scanned their flushed faces, red cheeks, and the obvious lip gloss disaster.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Then Futari blinked, her face scrunching into a grin as she bolted. “Mom! Dad! Hitori and Kita are kissing!!”
Bocchi shot to her feet, completely mortified. “Futari!!”
Kita let out a squeaky laugh, hiding her face in her hands. “Oh my god…”
From the kitchen, Michiyo’s amused voice rang out, “What kind of kissing? Like a smooch? Or—”
“MOM!!” Bocchi screeched, her face practically steaming.
And just like that, the room filled with laughter—nervous, embarrassed, and full of affection. Even if the moment was interrupted, Bocchi couldn’t stop smiling.
She kissed her girlfriend. Really kissed her.
Maybe this whole “first relationship” thing wasn’t so impossible after all.