Chapter 20 – “Stage Kiss”

The gymnasium buzzed with anticipation. It was the final rehearsal before the cultural festival performance, and Class 2-B’s makeshift stage looked more like a proper theater than ever. Cardboard towers had been reinforced, fake flowers arranged with meticulous care, and the wobbly drawbridge now actually held together—barely.

Riko adjusted her costume for the fifth time, glaring at the frilly sleeve that made her arms feel impossibly delicate. She muttered under her breath, “Why do I have to look like a princess? This is torture…”

Daichi, on the other side of the stage, flexed his fingers nervously. His prince outfit, complete with a plastic sword, felt stiff and ridiculous. He exhaled, muttering, “Just… get through this… just get through this…”

Mina, as usual, hovered at the wings with her phone poised, whispering, “Ohhh… this is going to be so good. The chemistry today is explosive.”

Rei leaned against the bleachers at the back, arms crossed, smirking. “I’ll just watch this disaster unfold. Couldn’t have asked for better entertainment.”

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The teacher clapped her hands. “Scene seven! The final scene before the curtain falls. Prince Moriyama must rescue Princess Tachibana and… kiss her to declare the kingdom’s safety.”

Riko froze. Kiss? Her eyes shot to Daichi, who had gone pale. “Wait, w-what do you mean kiss?”

Daichi’s jaw clenched. “It’s in the script. I… I can do this.”

Mina peeked over the cardboard castle. “Oh, I hope you do it for real.”

Riko groaned, kicking the floor lightly. “Mina! I swear—”

The scene began.

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“Fear not, Princess Riko! The kingdom shall be safe!” Daichi declared, voice cracking slightly. He strode across the stage, dramatically lifting the cardboard sword.

Riko rolled her eyes but played along. “Oh, brave Prince Daichi! You always save the day…”

As the lines continued, their hands brushed. Just a casual touch, scripted as part of the scene—but the electricity that shot through both of them could have powered a small city.

Daichi’s throat went dry. His mind raced. This is it… the moment. I can’t just do the fake kiss. I… I have to…

---

The stage directions called for a simple peck on the cheek.

But Daichi, staring into Riko’s wide, flustered eyes, forgot everything else. Forgetting the audience, forgetting the cameras, forgetting that half the school was watching… he leaned in.

Riko’s heart skipped. He’s—he’s actually going to do it?

Their lips met.

For a split second, time froze. The world narrowed to just the two of them, the thrum of their own heartbeats louder than the faint cheers from the back.

Riko stiffened, then instinctively—almost instinctively—returned the gesture, pressing closer for just a moment before pulling away, her face blazing crimson.

The gym erupted.

“WAAAHHH!” shrieked someone from the bleachers.

“Did you see that?!” shouted another.

Mina squealed, holding her phone high. “Ohhh, I knew it! This is gold!”

Rei, leaning back with exaggerated applause, called out, “Well done, Prince Daichi! Very bold. Very… committed. Not like I expected anything less from you.”

Daichi stumbled backward, wide-eyed, hands trembling. “W-what just—?!”

Riko clutched her chest, struggling to breathe. “I-I… I can’t… believe that just happened!”

Around them, classmates whispered, gasped, and laughed. Some were blushing; some were high-fiving in excitement. It felt like the entire world had exploded with embarrassment and exhilaration at the same time.

Mina finally ran up to them, practically bouncing. “Oh my gosh! That was perfect! The chemistry is real! I knew it would happen!”

Riko’s hands flew to her face. “MINA! I swear I’m going to—”

Daichi sank onto a bench, groaning. “I can’t believe I did that… in front of everyone…”

Riko, still panting, muttered, “I… I wasn’t expecting it either… but…” Her voice trailed off as she realized her heart was still racing, even though the moment had passed.

Daichi glanced at her, still wide-eyed, and mumbled, “Did… did I…?”

She shook her head quickly, unable to meet his gaze. “Y-You… you just… you idiot!”

Mina, ignoring their protests, clapped them together. “Best rehearsal ever! Seriously! That’s going to be legendary!”

From the back, Rei’s smirk was infuriatingly smug. “Well, that’s one way to make your mark, Moriyama. I’ll be cheering from the shadows, don’t worry.”

Riko groaned, stepping away and wiping at her cheeks. “I need a cold shower. Or maybe ten.”

Daichi muttered, “I need a new life. Or maybe just to hide under the stage.”

They both froze when Mina leaned closer, phone still recording. “So… who’s going to tell me what that was about?”

Riko and Daichi exchanged a panicked glance, both thinking the same thing: There is no coming back from this.

---

As the rehearsal wrapped up, their classmates continued buzzing with excitement and gossip, but neither Riko nor Daichi spoke. Their hearts still pounded from the unexpected intensity of the kiss.

For the first time, Riko realized that the boundaries between friendship and something more had blurred irreversibly.

Daichi, meanwhile, could only think of one thing: that moment… was nothing like he had expected.

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> Riko’s heart pounded as she whispered, “Did… did that really just happen?”