Chapter 8 A Pocky Game with Shirasaki-san in a Secret Room

A Pocky Game with Shirasaki-san in a Secret Room

After school, when the school building was nearly empty, I walked toward the annex with Shirasaki-san.

“Um, where are we going?”

Unlike the main building, the annex had many unused classrooms.

“I found a good spot—a place where we can talk alone.”

Following Shirasaki-san’s lead, we walked for a while until we stopped at a room at the far corner of the annex’s top floor. She opened the door, and we stepped into a traditional Japanese-style room covered with tatami mats. The wooden door, though old, revealed a well-maintained room with a serene atmosphere. The mats had a rich, aged green tea hue. In the center was a low wooden table surrounded by neatly arranged cushions.

“This is…”

“This used to be the tea ceremony club’s room, but they don’t use it anymore. I cleaned it up a little recently.”

As she explained, I noticed how clean the room was, with sunlight softly illuminating the space through the windows.

Once inside, Shirasaki-san sat on the tatami and motioned for me to sit next to her. Nervously, I joined her.

“Here, we can talk freely without being disturbed, right?”

She smiled sweetly, her expression calm and relaxed.

It felt like a secret base hidden within the school.

Standing up, Shirasaki-san reached for the door. The quiet sound of her turning the lock echoed through the tranquil room. With a soft click, the door was locked.

“Um, do we need to lock the door?”

I asked Shirasaki-san my question directly.

“No particular reason. But from here on, it’s private. Anyway, Amagi-kun, want some Pocky?”

Shirasaki-san suddenly pulled a box of Pocky from her school bag. Smiling gently, she opened it and offered it to me.

“Uh, I’m not sure…”

I wasn’t in the mood for sweets.

However, ignoring my hesitation, Shirasaki-san took out a Pocky stick and held it toward me.

“Don’t say that. Just try a little—let’s eat it together.”

“…Alright, if you insist.”

The moment I gave in, Shirasaki-san smiled mischievously, as if something had come to mind. She put one end of the Pocky in her mouth and playfully pointed the other end toward me.

“Amagi-kun, let’s play the Pocky game.”

“Wh-why?!”

I couldn’t hide my shock.

I knew what the Pocky game was—a game where two people bite each end of a Pocky stick, drawing closer and closer.

In other words, it’s a game that brings people emotionally—and physically—closer.

But it’s a double-edged sword. If neither person stops eating, their lips will inevitably touch.

“Why? Because I want to. Now, come closer.”

With a serious face, Shirasaki-san held the Pocky in her mouth and urged me to take the other end.

I froze, unsure how to respond. I had never imagined playing such a game with her. The Pocky in front of me and her lips beyond it made my heart race.

“If you won’t come… maybe I’ll come to you instead.”

Seeing my hesitation, she leaned in and gently pressed the end of the Pocky against my lips. My heart pounded faster.

“Alright, let’s start the game.”

As soon as she gave the signal, she bit into the Pocky, closing the distance between us by a centimeter. This was bad—really bad.

Had anyone ever been this physically close to me before?

Up close, her face was stunning—her smooth, fair skin was flawless.

I was so fixated on her large, expressive eyes that I instinctively averted my gaze.

“Amagi-kun, aren’t you going to start?”

When I froze, Shirasaki-san smiled and ate more of the Pocky, closing the gap further.

In the silent room, the faint crunch of the Pocky was the only sound.

With each crunch, the distance between us shortened. At first, I only noticed her eyes, but as the Pocky grew shorter, I found myself staring at her lips.

“Mmm…”

She let out a soft breath. Before I realized it, the Pocky was down to just five centimeters, our lips dangerously close.

She gazed at me with unwavering determination, showing no sign of backing down. I, on the other hand, was at my limit.

Embarrassed, I felt my heart pounding in my chest.

Her glossy lips were so close, I forgot to breathe.

Four centimeters.

…Three centimeters.

The moment I felt I couldn’t escape, my panic peaked. Acting on impulse, I bit down hard, snapping the Pocky. The sound echoed through the room.

Shirasaki-san’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, she relaxed and said,

“Amagi-kun, you chickened out. I win this round.”

Cheerfully, she picked up the box and made another suggestion.

“Amagi-kun, let’s play again.”

Seriously?

I didn’t have the energy for another round.

“I don’t think my heart can take it.”

“…I see. That’s a shame.”

Her unexpected retreat caught me off guard.

Just a moment ago, she was so insistent. This sudden change left me confused.

“…Hey, Amagi-kun. I’m actually an idol—a national idol. And I’m going to be the center of our next song.”

“Uh, yeah…”

What’s going on?

I could only nod.

“In a situation like this, alone with me, you don’t feel like pushing me down?”

“Of course not! You’re an idol—I couldn’t monopolize someone like you.”

“Are you serious?!”

Shirasaki retorted sharply.

“As my boyfriend, you could at least act a little more enthusiastic—especially during a game like the Pocky one earlier.”

Right. Technically, we were still “dating.”

Back then, caught up in the moment, I had almost believed it. But realistically, there was no way someone like Shirasaki-san could actually be my girlfriend.

“When you said, ‘we’re lovers’ the other day—wasn’t that just a joke?”

I asked to confirm.

To my surprise, Shirasaki-san showed an unexpected reaction.

She looked confused, her brows furrowing slightly.

“Wait, Amagi-kun, you thought that was a joke?”

Her voice carried a mix of surprise and sadness, as though my casual remark had hit a sore spot.

I was taken aback by her reaction.

No way—could she have been serious?

“What? Was that serious?”

“…Well, what do you think?”

She laughed lightly, brushing off my question.

Hearing her response, I felt a little relieved. So, it was a joke after all. There was no way she meant it seriously, and that realization lightened my heart.

“Either way, you were trying to cheer me up after my ex cheated on me. That’s kind of you, Shirasaki-san.”

“…I’m not kind.”

She quickly turned her gaze to the window, her expression unreadable.

Then, she abruptly stood up and said,

“Well, that’s enough of our secret meeting for today.”

Secret meeting? Her phrasing confused me, but it seemed she was planning to leave first.

Before stepping out, she paused and turned back to face me.

“Just so you know, I’m not kind to everyone. Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? See you later, Amagi-kun.”

With that, she walked out, likely heading to work.

See you later… huh.

Even though we parted ways, I had a feeling I’d see Shirasaki-san again soon.

I also left the old tea ceremony clubroom.