20.1 — The Walk to School (Again)
For the second morning in a row, Minato and Chiharu walked side by side beneath the pale blue sky.
But this time…
Chiharu was bolder. More confident. Her hand in his was firm. Her smile—though small—held clear mischief.
Minato noticed. "You're grinning."
> "I'm not," she said innocently.
> "You are."
> "You'll find out why soon."
And just like that, they arrived at the school gate.
Minato made a move to step inside—
Chiharu pulled him back by the tie.
> "You forgot."
> "Forgot what?"
She raised an eyebrow, cheeks only faintly pink.
> "You gave me a morning kiss and a meeting kiss yesterday."
> "Yeah?"
> "Today, I want a Gate Kiss."
Minato blinked. "That's a new one."
> "Exactly. So kiss me. Now."
Several students passed by, gasping as Chiharu tugged Minato forward with both hands on his collar.
He looked stunned for a second—then slowly leaned in.
And kissed her.
Not a peck.
A deep, soft, melting kiss. In front of the gate. In front of half their class.
She clutched his chest tightly, losing herself in it.
When they finally parted, she whispered smugly:
> "You're good at learning fast."
---
20.2 — During Break: Snack Kiss
They sat behind the school, sharing melon bread and juice.
Chiharu held out the last bite of bread. "Feed me."
Minato fed her. She bit it, slowly.
> "Now a kiss."
> "You're just making up kiss categories."
> "Snack Kiss," she said firmly.
He sighed.
Then leaned in and kissed her again—this time brushing crumbs off her lips before diving in.
She nearly forgot how to breathe.
---
20.3 — Lunch: Surprise Kiss
After helping a classmate with math, Minato returned to find Chiharu seated alone under the sakura tree.
She didn't even turn when she heard him.
> "You're late. You owe me."
> "Owe you what?"
> "A 'Reunion After Small Separation Kiss.'"
He blinked.
Then laughed.
> "Chii-chan, you're going to run out of categories."
> "No. I'm just getting started."
He bent forward and kissed her again—longer this time, hand brushing her hair gently.
When they separated, her expression was glazed.
> "Okay… maybe I wasn't ready for that one."
---
20.4 — POV: Their Classmates
> "Did they just… kiss again?"
> "Third time today!"
> "Is this a romcom or a visual novel route?!"
> "She's so elegant—until she opens her mouth and demands a kiss like it's taxes."
> "And he always obliges."
> "Do they even know how married they look?"
---
20.5 — After School: The Goodbye Kiss
Outside the school gate again.
Chiharu looked up at him, hands behind her back.
> "So."
> "So?"
> "You're going home. And I'm going home."
> "Yeah?"
She leaned forward slightly.
> "You know what I want."
Minato smirked.
> "One Goodbye Kiss, coming right up."
He cupped her face.
And kissed her with a depth that made time slow.
Their lips moved in sync—natural, warm, instinctive.
When they finally broke, her eyes fluttered open. Her knees were weak.
> "This is getting dangerous," she muttered.
> "You started it," he teased.
---
20.6 — That Evening: Family Reaction Round Two
Sayaka Aizawa, sipping tea with Hiroshi, received a text from a PTA friend:
> "Your daughter and Minato kissed at least 4 times today. In front of people. Deep ones too."
Sayaka blinked. Then laughed.
> "She's gone full bold romance heroine now."
Hiroshi grinned. "Our daughter's finally expressing herself freely."
Aki and Ryo, in the Tachibana home, received three texts from teachers, one from a neighbor, and one from the bakery owner.
> "They kissed again. Five times. Are you aware they're in love?"
Aki: "They're gonna destroy the school's discipline board at this rate."
Ryo: "Should we get them a wedding planner or a privacy fence?"