:::::Chapter 150:::::

We resume last week's scene. In order to cure Ririsu's affliction, Tarou has agreed to a one-time 'intense' kiss to replicate the apparent effect of the last one.

The two move closer to one another with their eyes closed. They are blushing and sweating profusely. Ririsu ponders her disbelief that Tarou is actually going to go through with it, and is somewhat skeptical of the nonchalant and dismissive way he downplayed the significance of the event. If you recall, he said it was a 'simple' thing to do.

Meanwhile, Tarou is also in disbelief. He continues to try to convince himself that this is just a means to an end and nothing more. He sees it as something that they must both endure in order to put an end to Ririsu's suffering.

Back to the mind of Ririsu, she's continuing to over analyze the situation. As they both agreed to a more 'intense' kiss than last time, it's starting to dawn on her what that might entail. The previous time, Tarou was not entirely lucid and was dreaming of being 5 years old, so he kissed her on the lips rather innocently. This time, Ririsu believes that just touching lips for a second or two might not be sufficient. So... Ririsu opens her mouth wider.

Tarou notices. His inner monologue personified as a miniature angel appears and chastises him for being naive about what you are supposed to do for an 'intense' kiss. The angel methodically explains that he's supposed to open his mouth wide and use his tongue, and continues to go into lurid detail. However, before the angel can finish, Tarou interrupts him, remarking that he's heard quite enough.

He reflects on how he said it was 'simple.' But, for a guy as inexperienced as Tarou, it's not simple at all. It's as hard as climbing K2 mountain during a blizzard wearing only shorts and a t-shirt, especially after he tried to play it off so cool. In other words, he has made an already difficult task even worse for himself due to his hubris. Additionally, the climb up the mountain is only half the battle. Coming down off the mountain safely is another matter altogether. To that point,  he is starting to realize the severity of the situation and mood. They are both alone in an apartment with their two futon pushed suggestively together in the other room. With this in mind, just how is he supposed to diffuse the tension afterwards?

Ririsu opens her eyes, and sees Tarou turned away. She asks Tarou what's wrong, while thinking to herself that Tarou just might be intimidated. Tarou says the problem isn't with him, but rather the venue! He suggests they should try it in a large public place with a lot of people.

Ririsu is shocked and nervously hides behind a curtain. She says to him: "W-wait... is that the kind of thing you're into? Don't tell me you're a PERVERT?!"

Tarou denies it emphatically. He tells her that once things get set in motion, he might not be able to put the brakes on. She thinks for a second, and then realizes what he means! She retreats behind the curtain again, even more flustered and panicked than before. She says "W-what the Hell are you talking about! We're both GUYS, you know? Did you forget or something?"

Tarou says: "I know... I mean, I get it but at the same time..."

Ririsu hides completely behind the curtain. She now believes that under the current circumstances, it is too dangerous to go forward with the kiss. She starts to consider a possible scenario where Tarou ends up getting so wound up by the excitement of the kiss that he takes charge and pushes things further.

Next thing you know, Ririsu envisions a scene where she shows up to school with Tarou's baby. Mei looks from behind in apparent disgust as Eve naively remarks how mysterious it is that two boys were able to have a baby together.  Ririsu concludes that Tarou's idea to kiss in public is the only right decision! However, she quickly realizes that she's not thinking straight.

Tarou apologizes for what he had said. Tarou suggests that now they've calmed down, that they should do what they have to do in order to cure Ririsu of her affliction. Ririsu agrees, stating that it's time to be free of the 11 year curse she's endured.

They both line up to kiss again. 15 minutes pass and no success. Tarou suggests that they need to improve the atmosphere to allow everyone to be more at ease. He thinks that the raw sounds of kissing might make the situation more tense. Ririsu suggests playing some unrelated music. She goes on to suggest tying his hands together and putting a blindfold on him ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) so she can feel at ease, to which Tarou agrees. Tarou then suggests that they use the wire head massager him to get him relaxed. Also, they'll use a foot massager.

So, the scene is set. Tarou tells her to go ahead. However, she can scarcely remember what exactly she's supposed to do anymore. She's supposed to kiss him, but it appears that the moment is gone, as the emotions she felt before have been discarded.  The word 'emotion' gives her pause. She takes off his blindfold and tells him that a question just popped into her mind.

Would going through the motions of a kiss without sincere emotion behind it still be effective? She recalls how Tarou disingenuously 'confessed' to her when she first transferred to his school in order to get rid of Eve. However, it didn't do anything. She goes on to explain how the kiss from before that they currently believe caused Eve to disappear from Ririsu's notice was done while Tarou was in the middle of a dream where he thought he was 5. Thus, when he kissed her, his feelings of love were real. They conclude that for the kiss to be effective, Tarou must sincerely love Ririsu. Otherwise, nothing else will work.

Ririsu says that Tarou has been through a lot and is currently injured, so she thinks they should just call it a day and go to bed. Ririsu says she will go sleep in Suzuko's room by herself.

As she lies down, she wonders what would happen if she should sneak into the other room and kiss him while he's asleep. She appears to doze off.

Meanwhile, Tarou sits wide awake, remarking to himself: "Yeah, I get the feeling I'm not going to be getting much sleep tonight..."

End of Chapter.