Kore wa ai de koi janai [Chapter 18]

At home, Ren apologizes to her mother and says that she only wants to eat salad for today. Her mother asks why, doesn’t she have any appetite. Sparkling Ren says that her D chest is already full...♡ She is so happy since she already has a boyfriend. “I and Hidaka are already lovers~~!!!”

At the school’s shoe lockers area, Ren thinks that they should have some sort of date after school since they’re now lovers. “But, he’ll definitely say that it’s too troublesome and imouto would also definitely not let him off--”

Shouri greets her a good morning and comments that Ren worked hard on her make-up. Sparkling Ren exclaims that she noticed that!? Recalling Ren telling her not to kiss for that day, she exclaims that it is because she also doesn’t know when she’ll be kissed by Yusei.

Standing in front of her, Yusei asks what is he going to do with her? Flustered Ren exclaims his name. She tells him not to eavesdrop on girls’ conversation. He tells her that her voice is so loud.
He leans closer to her. She wonders what he is doing. “How come he’s so close...? Is he...going to... continue from yesterday!? It seems that I’m going to be kissed!!? *closes eyes and pouts her lips* Even if I’m not yet psychologically ready-!!!”

Pointing behind her, Yusei says that he is getting to his shoe locker. Ren is quite embarrassed since she overreacted. She pushes Shouri away and says that they should go. Yusei mutters how can he possible kiss her in this kind of place, is she an idiot.
In class, Ren calms herself then goes to Yusei and asks if he is free after school or perhaps, he is free after he walk imouto home... Yusei stands up and asks what, do you want to go out on a date?

Surprised Ren exclaims how did he know. Yusei says that he can [go] but then, can she? Pinching her cheeks, he says that it seems that she is paying a lot of attention [/too conscious/not acting normal] to him.
Looking sideways, Ren says of course she can, there’s no problem. “I just want to have a date with you once to commemorate our going steady...” Yusei smiles and asks if she will really be alright. Ren exclaims wait, that isn’t funny at all.

Yusei goes to the junior high 2-3 class. Delighted Manami asks how come he came to her class to see her. Just then, Kou saw the two. Yusei apologizes to Manami and says that he cannot go home together with her today. “Can you go home alone?”
After looking surprised, Manami looks downcast. She suddenly bends over causing the two guys to call her name in worry. A classmate comes out and asks if Manami is okay. Kou tells Manami that he’ll walk her home so just hold on to him.

Yusei recalls that Kou likes Ren when she was in Manami’s body. Yusei apologizes and says that he has no way of leaving his imouto to him. Kou says isn’t his girlfriend waiting for him. The two guys glare at each other.
The girl classmate offers to be the one to walk Manami home. Yusei glances at Manami and notices something. He apologizes and says that he’ll leave Manami up to her. The girl says okay.

After Yusei leaves, the girl tells Manami to wait as she gets her bag. Manami stands up, and this causes Kou to tell her not to suddenly stand up. “Are you okay?” Manami glances at the side then says that she can go home alone. “Tell that other girl, okay.”

This totally confuses Kou that he tells her to wait up. Manami tells him that she isn’t the ‘Manami’ whom he likes, so they don’t have that kind of relationship anymore. This puzzles Kou.
At the streets, Yusei asks Ren where she wants to go. Ren says that she’s okay with anywhere as long as she’s with him. Yusei says that she unexpectedly hasn’t thought of any place then, he’ll just bring her to this place so she shouldn’t complain. Ren exclaims, what, where-?!

Soon, Ren is surprised that they are in front of a perfume store. The saleslady tells them that they can make their own perfume by adding the different ingredients here. “How about choosing one type of perfume from each of you? A lot of lovers would combine the two selected perfumes together.”
Ren looks at Yusei with cutey eyes and says doesn’t it feel very commemorative...?? Yusei says that he thought that she ought to like this. Moved Ren thinks that that it is because she might like it...? “Hidaka... he carefully thought about where to date--... Ah, it’s all over. He moved me again...!! *trembling* Really like you...” Yusei is puzzled by her reaction.

Ren asks the saleslady where are the ones which can also be used by guys. She tells her that it is at this side. Two other salesladies are gushing over how cute the two high school lovers are. Yusei is seriously choosing the scent.
Then, Ren asks him if he has decided. He said yes. To their surprise, they both chose bergamot scent. The saleslady says that they can also buy something that isn’t mixed. “Then, I’ll prepare this fragrance for the two of you! Do you usually use perfume? *Ren says no, very rare*

Scent is one of the five senses. It will very likely leave a memory on someone. *prepares the fragrance into bottles* Scent seems to be intertwined with memories. So, from today now, I hope that the two of you, together with this fragrance, create memories that belong only to the two of you.” Ren says okay. The saleslady thanks them for their purchase.
By the seaside, Ren holds her perfume bottle and exclaims that she is super happy!! “Thank you, Hidaka- I’ll really treasure it.” Hidaka’s is a small spray bottle.

Hidaka asks her where to spray the perfume since he doesn’t use perfumes. Ren tells her to spray a bit on the wrists. Standing in front of him, she tells him that he can also rub it on his neck...
Then, she blushes upon noticing him looking at her. He holds her wrists and says that in the end, he really likes this scent. He pulls her closer but to his surprise, Ren looks away and says yes, she also really likes.

Nervously laughing, she gestures to the waters and says that they have fun by the seaside. “I’ll go play there-!!” Irked Yusei thinks that she obviously stirred him up yet she’s running away...
Running in the waters, Ren calls herself an idiot. “What am I doing!!? Just now, obviously the mood is really good and it was a good opportunity to kiss, right?! *holds her blushing face* But then, ah~~... Don’t even talk about beautiful memories. It has become a black history~~!! What am I to do~~”

Yusei calls out to tell her not to play around or she might fall down. While kicking the waters, Ren shouts that it is totally fine! “Hidaka, do you want to play with me? It’s really nice!”
Then, she slips but Yusei manages to catch her from behind. He tells her that he said she’ll definitely fall down. Slightly embarrassed, Ren apologizes. Before she can finish thanking him, he kisses her. Ren goes into shock.

He smiles and says such a foolish expression. Ren exclaims that she didn’t hear him say that he’ll come over to her. He says, no comment. She timidly says that obviously, it is her first kiss and she wants to have a good memory of it together with the perfume...
He looks a bit flustered. Back at the seaside, he sits down and says, “...Then, let’s do it like what you said. Come over here.” Ren is surprised by this. And, she obediently goes to him.

He touches her face and tells her not to run off this time. She closes her eyes and he kisses her. After the kiss, he asks if she is satisfied. She shyly says, yes. Narration: “Surrounded by a sweet citrus fragrance, with the person I like the most, I had a memory of having a super amazing kiss today. I absolutely won’t forget it.”
At school, a teacher calls out to Manami. He apologizes for forgetting to give it back to them. He says that it is something that the nurse had kept when they had that falling off the cliff accident.

Holding the bracelet, the teacher asks if it’s Ren’s or it is hers. Taking the bracelet, Manami says it is hers.
Comment: And, they had their first kiss. ^^ His way and hers. Hehe, Yusei is such a perfect boyfriend. He really knows what makes her happy. It makes me wonder if it is because of the years he has been taking care of Manami. After all, he came to know when Manami is faking her illness.

The ‘make perfume together’ date is really nice, too. It is indeed an unforgettable first official date capped with the first kiss. ^^ But then, things will soon be troublesome since Manami got the bracelet again. It is intact so I guess a switch will happen again later on. Scans by 正宮汉化组

Quote of the day:
Perfume is the art that makes memory speak. ~ Francis Kurkdjian