The moment that Kirito kissed him, Takashi remembered all of his dreams. All of the fantasies of what he had wanted to do if he had ever gotten his hands on Kirito again. There had been so much time wasted in that fake world when he could have done so. During kendo club practice, during the training camp, during the school festival.
Takashi wasted no time here.
He kissed Kirito back, meeting him with just as much force. Takashi had been starved for something like this for too long. He parted their lips just to change position, kneeling in front of Kirito and pushing him against the wall behind him. Kirito let out a muffled noise and spread his legs out so that Takashi could be closer. Takashi put his hands on his hips and practically pulled him into his lap.
For a moment, Kirito continued to kiss him before putting his hands on his chest and pulling away with great effort.
"We should...we should slow down", he panted.
"You're saying that now? You were the one who said we might not have much time left", Takashi said.
"I mean slow down from making out here", Kirito laughed softly. "Everyone is still around."
Takashi frowned. "Privacy isn't really a thing here."
If they went off on their own and got distracted, which was exactly what they were intending to do, it was almost certain that they'd get caught off guard and get attacked. And Takashi would prefer to not literally get caught with his pants down.
"I'm sure we can figure something out", Kirito said, patting him on the shoulder. "You know, I like being just like this."
"Like what?"
"This." Kirito gestured with his eyes. Just sitting close and being close and touching even though it wasn't very sensual. Takashi took a moment to take in their position. He was beginning to realize how long he'd gone without contact like this. To be fair, traveling along with mostly girls, he had seen and touched his fair share of soft, supple skin. But those touches, accidental or incidental or both, weren't like this.
This was purposeful and because of that it came with a kind of vulnerability that just didn't come with accidentally coping a feel. And now Takashi was thinking that he wanted more touches like this. Not just kissing Kirito but running his hands through his hair, hugging him, holding hands. And now he was blushing.
Rei fumed, hidden behind a clothing rack before quietly receding.
Once she was far away enough, she began stomping and searching through what was left the the clothing selection. She grabbed a few things and went into the dressing rooms. Asuna and Saya had taken up stalls for themselves.
Rei let out a deep sigh as she began to try things on. She looked herself over in the mirror as she tried on a matching bra and panty set.
"You guys, am I pretty?", she asked.
"Are you really fishing for compliments?", Saya frowned, trying to decide between two pairs of jeans.
"I think you're gorgeous", Asuna said. "What brought this on?"
"How pretty do you have to be for a guy to notice you?", Rei asked.
Saya pulled on a pair of light blue jeans and scoffed. "Is this about Komuro? If you're trying to get his attention you better be ready with a brick. He's as dense as they come."
Asuna nodded in agreement and then remembered she was in a dressing room stall and no one could see her. "With men, you need to be open and straightforward. They'll never get it if all you do is send hints."
Rei was trying on a negligee now, and remembered how she had walked up on the two boys just as Kirito had kissed Takashi. That outsider had been pretty straightforward. If she had done that from the beginning, would Takashi be hers by now? Rei turned around to look herself over.
"A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do", she said to herself.
And right now, that meant going to war.