His Kiss is on My List
Rin knew Len had a name for every kiss, because he gave a certain kiss to everyone. He often kissed girls like Neru and Miku on the head; he said it was to show familiarity.
He kissed girls like Teto on the cheek. That one was a greeting and "liking as a friend".
He kissed girls like Yuuki on the forehead. It was a fondness for a child.
But there was something Rin didn't quite understand…
"-so of course Mikuo would get jelly*, ya know?" Len had finished with a grin. I only nodded and smiled because I really was not paying any attention to what he had just said. I was too occupied with my own thoughts. Len had started kissing a lot lately…
It had started two years ago, after his soccer game. Len's team had won because of his last goal and was overly excited. He was loudly screaming when he ran over to me. I loved that he did that… the going to me first, not the screaming his head off part. I didn't have any interest in sports outside of my volleyball games since I was only twelve. But I came along anyway because I knew he loved soccer.
"Rinny-chan did you see that? That was my best game like, EVER!" I smiled encouragingly and hugged him. He smelled like sweat, excitement and grass, but I didn't care. "I know, you were awesome." I finally let go. He nodded vigorously and grabbed my shoulders, quickly leaning in to kiss me on the mouth. I blushed at the experience of my first kiss. I had liked Len since we were nine but I felt very uncomfortable.
"Let's go get Victory Cake!" He pulled my arm as he ran to the table of foods.
Oddly, the rest of the day went normal. It was only next month when things got REALLY strange. By then, Len had started kissing me on the lips as a regular basis and people began to call us the "benefriends", friends with benefits who screw each other like coughfuckbuddiescough!
ANYWAY—On the day of our graduation from sixth grade, Len had kissed Teto on the cheek. Everyone was wide-eyed and Teto looked extremely shocked but Len didn't seem to notice. A few weeks later Len kissed Neru on the head and the almost every female in our class was kissed by him regularly.
Soon people just forgot it was a unordinary thing and didn't give a second glance. But I still heated up when he kissed me softly every day.
"Hey? Rin, are you listening?" He asked with concern as he stepped ahead of me to see my face. "O-oh yeah, j-just fine!" I sputtered. He looked a bit hesitant. "Are you sure?" I nodded enthusiastically. "Uh, okay." He finally muttered. "So how about a banana split?" He asked while taking my hand. "Only if you're buying!" I joked, running ahead of him to the ice-cream parlor, giggling. "Hey, no fair!" He laughed, following.
We both stepped in at the same time, out of breath. The jingling of the bells on the door informed the owner of a new customer. "Welcome to Benny's ice-cre... Oh, it's only you two." Len and I walked to the counter. "Hey, what does THAT mean?" I accused, jokingly crossing my arms over my chest. He chuckled heartily. "However you take it babe." I giggled at the name and Len smiled warmly.
"The usual?" Benny asked knowingly, already preparing a glass dish. "Yup!" Len nodded and guided me to a stool at the counter. Such a gentleman. I thought as he helped me sit. He sat himself just as Benny was scooping the vanilla ice-cream. "So how ya two been?" He asked in a friendly tone.
Len answered for us. "The usual, Rin being a bossy bitch and me being incredibly awesome." "Hey!" I shouted, whacking him in the arm. He laughed and tried to block from my second attack. "Hey, I was just joking!" Benny laughed as he set two bowls of ice-cream in front of us. Len nearly drooled when he saw his Banana Split and I smiled as I saw my Orange Blast. Len took a happy bite and his eyes lit up. "Mmm, scrumptious as usual Ben!" Len cheered. I nodded quickly.
"Good, that'll be the last 'cream I make." He said smiling sadly. Len and I nearly fell out of our seats. "Vhut!" We said, mouths full. "Wh-why?" I sputtered after swallowing. He sighed deeply and leaned tiredly against the counter. "Haven't gotten enough customers. I'm getting too old to work anymore. My retirement is long overdue." "But Benny, you make the best ice-cream in town!" Len whined. Benny smiled again and ruffled Len's hair. "You kids are damn straight!" He laughed hollowly and looked at the picture of him and his family at the opening of his business with useless hope.
"It's been a good run, thirty years, but I'm just an old man in this fast paced world." He looked at us with a smile. "You two need to replace me. I've lived my years and now I want you to live yours." He turned around and picked up a box with a velvety ribbon on it. He handed it to me much to my surprise. I hesitantly, but neatly, opened the box. I gasped as I saw the silver chain with a small, red heart on it. "B-Benny…?" I whispered. He smiled. "I gave it to my wife the day before she died." He said with a distant look in his eyes. "I appreciate all you two have done for me so I'll do something for you." He reached over and took the chain from the box to hand it to Len.
"You two are the perfect couple, so young and in love. I want this to tie the bond between you." My heart stopped for a full minute and my breath hitched. M-me and Len?... I could feel immense heat on my cheeks. Benny guided Len's hands with the necklace to my neck. "B-but, we aren't d-dating!" I protested. Benny looked confused and raised an eyebrow. "But I always see y'all kissing." I shook my head vigorously. "He does that to everyone." I failed to notice Len's smirk as he turned my head and kissed me on the mouth. This kiss was longer than usual and filled with passion, but still gentle. He pulled back I stared at him wide-eyed as he smiled.
"I never told you what a kiss on the lips meant," He whispered in my ear. His hot breath tickled my ear.
I could feel him locking on the chain around my neck.
"It means: I love you."
A/N: :D I personally think this was too play like because all the talking.
