It was March, and our first year of high school was drawing to a close.
According to the calendar, spring should have already arrived, but what fluttered down from the cloudy sky was snow. The weather forecast had announced a massive cold wave, the kind seen only once every few years, bringing mid-winter temperatures across the country. Fortunately, it had coincided with the weekend; a Monday like this would have been utterly depressing.
With today and tomorrow off, I naturally had plans to hang out with Umi.
"Pardon the intrusion. Phew, it's cold! The snow and wind have completely wrecked my hair, you know."
"Welcome. That must have been rough. On a day like this, I probably should have gone to your place instead."
"True, but with Mom and my brother around, I'd have to be considerate. Last time you came over, Maki, Mom kept finding excuses to pass by my room and interrupt."
"Ah… Yeah, I guess that did happen."
Although I'm periodically invited to the Asanagi household, almost without fail, whenever Umi and I are in the middle of a nice, flirty moment, Sora-san appears with perfect timing, making me feel self-conscious. Because of that, Umi is usually the one who comes over on holidays, barring any irregularities.
"Anyway, get under the kotatsu and warm up. Is cocoa okay?"
"Yeah. But I'll help. Or rather, I want to do it with you."
"Oh? Well, if you insist, Umi… I guess I'll take you up on that."
"Hehe, leave it to me~ just kidding."
When Umi comes over in the morning, we usually spend our time lazing around like this, snacking on sweets. I wasn't sure if this was the right way for a new couple to spend a holiday date, but for me, it was pure happiness.
Taking a sip of the freshly made cocoa, Umi and I exhaled in unison.
""Fuuu~""
"Maki, we harmonized."
"Yeah, we did."
Whether I was starting to resemble Umi or she was starting to resemble me, our small gestures were becoming more and more synchronized.
"Oh, right! Hey, Maki, when it's this cold, doesn't it remind you of that day?"
"That day…?"
"Ah, that's your 'I have no idea' face, isn't it? Jeez, if you can't play along with your girlfriend's unreasonable demands, you're disqualified as a boyfriend, you know?"
"So you already know that it's an unreasonable demand. Fine, give me a hint."
"Ehh~? You're hopeless, Maki~"
Memories of a cold day… She said that, but we had started getting close as more than friends from late autumn into winter, so I couldn't narrow it down. There were so many moments, and every single one was a precious memory I could recall vividly.
"Let's see… The hint is the blanket you always use when you sleep, Maki. That should do it. Actually, that's pretty much the answer."
"My blanket… Wait, ahh."
When it came to memories involving the two of us and the blanket on my bed, there was really only one.
Back when we were still just friends, we had wrapped ourselves in it together to stay warm.
"Maki, do you remember that time properly?"
"Mostly… It was the first time I'd ever been that close to a girl, so I remember being incredibly nervous."
"Fufu. You were all stiff just by right next to me, weren't you? Though now… well, it's like this."
A little while ago, just a simple touch of skin felt like a big deal, but now that we were lovers, we were so clingy that we couldn't settle down unless we were constantly feeling each other's warmth.
…Could it be that Umi had wanted 'this' from the very beginning?
"Umm… well, since we're on the topic, want to try it again for old time's sake?"
"Sure. Fufu, you really are a spoiled child."
"Maybe I'll stop after a—"
"Maki, blanket."
"…Yes."
For the time being, I did as Umi wished and brought my favorite blanket from my room. Just like that time, we sat on the sofa, leaning against each other, and wrapped ourselves in it together.
"What are we even doing? There's a kotatsu right there."
"Fufu, right? But this is warm too, and I like it."
"…Me too."
We pressed our bodies closer than before, taking in each other's warmth and scent.
"Nn… Maki, that tickles."
"Ah! Sorry, Umi. You just smell really nice."
"It's okay. I know better than anyone that you're a closet pervert, Maki… Also, you've been glancing at my chest for a while now."
"Ugh…"
She saw right through me. But when we were this close, I couldn't help but be conscious of it. I was a healthy high school boy, after all. Of course I had the desire to do 'that sort of thing' with the girlfriend I loved was.
"Can't be helped, I guess… A little bit is fine, you know?"
"Eh… u-umm, what do you mean by that?"
"Fufu, what do you think I mean?" she teased.
Umi smiled mischievously, wrapping her arms behind her and leaning against me as if to be spoiled.
Judging from her behavior, it seemed to mean, 'It's okay to touch my chest a little,' but…
Right in front of my eyes were two large, well-shaped mounds.
If I just reached out, I could satisfy my desires in an instant.
"Th-Then, if you'll excuse me…"
"Y-Yeah…"
And so, I brought my hand toward the swells thrust out before me.
…Passing right by them, I hugged Umi tightly.
"…You're not going to do it, Maki? I wouldn't get angry if you fondled them, you know?"
"Fondle… No, I'd love to, but I feel like if I go that far, I won't be able to stop."
As I said, I'm a healthy high school boy. If I crossed that line, especially in this atmosphere, I had a strong feeling I would end up going all the way. Of course, I had preparations for any irregularities, but… to avoid causing trouble for our parents, we should probably maintain a somewhat wholesome relationship for a little longer.
"You dummy. Coward."
"Ugh… But I am thinking about it seriously."
"…I'll believe you, okay?"
"…Yeah."
So as not to disappoint Umi, I secretly resolved to become an even better man from now on.