Chapter Thirteen: Bristol Kiss:

Back in Watari’s lab, Kyosuke looked over at April. This was going nowhere. Even she was giving up on him. He didn’t want that.

“Say, April,” Kyosuke spoke up. She didn’t even look up.

“Yeah?” she asked. Kyosuke gulped.

“Are you free this Friday?” he asked.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I just figured we could go out for drinks or something.”

April put down her pen, but didn’t make eye contact. “Are you going to whimp out on me again?”

“No!” he yelped. “I will be fine, I swear!”

“You really mean it?”

“Yes,” he insisted.

“Fine,” she said. “Seven o’clock at the Blue Lounge.”

“Thank you,” Kyosuke said, bowing his head. As they went back to work, he got a head start on building up his courage.

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7:00 p.m.

Kyosuke waited outside the Blue Lounge. He took in slow breaths. Don’t freak out. You can’t keep running in circles. I can do this. Kyosuke looked at his phone.

“Waiting long?” a woman asked. Kyosuke jerked his head upwards. April stood before him, smiling.

“No,” he said. “Want to go in?”

“Of course,” she said. Kyosuke walked her inside. The high energy music seemed to boost his confidence. She led him to the bar.

“Two Bunraku,” she ordered.

“Uh, no thank you,” Kyosuke cut in. April gave him a strange look.

“No?” she asked.

“I want to be sober for tonight,” he replied.

April raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s happening tonight?”

“We’ll have to find out.” No, that was lame, he thought. April narrowed her eyes as she picked up her drink.

“Uh-huh,” she replied. Her tone said, “I don’t believe you.” Kyosuke forced himself to smile. I can do this!

“I really like you,” he confessed.

“So, you’re said,” April said, half-listening.

“No, I mean it!”

“Okay.”

“I really do!”

She turned to him with a funny look on her face. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes!” His cheeks burned bright red. Why can’t I say anything else? Come on! Don’t screw this up! You were doing so well too! April shook her head.

“Prove it,” she said. Kyosuke gave her a blank stare.

“How?” he asked.

“I’m not going to tell you.”

Kyosuke frowned, furrowing his brow. I didn’t expect this. The next words just fell out of his mouth.

“Kiss me.”

“I’m sorry?” April asked.

His cheeks felt like they were burning. “Just let me kiss you.” He sounded so desperate. April brushed her bangs from her face and planted a little kiss on his lips. A baby spark lit up in Kyosuke’s chest. He opened his eyes when he felt cold.

“Again,” he whispered. April gave him another kiss. Kyosuke’s heart felt like it would melt. He could barely feel her pulling away.

“If you want more,” she whispered. “Come back to my place.” Kyosuke drew his mouth closed. Her voice was all it took for him abandon all nerves.

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Third time should be the charm, right? April unlocked her door. Kyosuke bit his lower lip. Don’t get nervous, he thought. You’ve been doing so well. Don’t get nervous! April turned to him, smiling.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I would love to.” April led him inside. Kyosuke gulped.

“Could you kiss me again?” he asked in the dark. April moved within inches of him.

“Yes,” she said in a low voice. “You can have whatever you like.” She planted a deeper kiss on his lips. This time, he pulled her into his arms. She led him up to her room.