A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

The light and shadows of numerous fireworks blooming scattered across the sparkling river surface, reflecting a myriad of colors—like a flowing oil painting.

This moment between the two was also "cleverly" recorded by the camera Shizuka Miyamura brought.

As the final firework vanished into the night sky, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke behind, the crowd slowly began to disperse.

The miko at the shrine halfway up the mountain watched the last firework disappear into the darkness. Then, taking out the two coins the girl had given her earlier, she looked up at the now-silent sky and chuckled:

"Fooled two more kids."

Shizuka Miyamura reviewed the footage on her camera and looked around. Seeing only a few lingering tourists, she smiled softly.

"Let's head back."

"Yeah, let's go."

"Okay, okay." ×N

They returned home in about ten minutes. Meanwhile, Akira and the others moved all the dolls from the backseat of Daiki Miyamura's car into the Nishimiya home.

Shouko had asked him why he didn't keep any himself, and he answered:

"What's the difference between them being at your house or mine?"

Later, Shouko had to admit—he had a point.

Once everything was settled, Shouko and Akira both showered and changed into casual clothes, then lounged in the living room, watching a comedy variety show on TV.

Just then, Shouko reached into her pocket and pulled out an omamori, handing it to the person across from her munching on tangerines at the coffee table.

"Here. This is a protection charm—for you."

Akira blinked at the not-so-cute omamori, swallowed his tangerine, and turned it over in his hand.

"You giving this to me because you think it's ugly?"

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!" Shouko lightly slapped his arm and glared at him with those beautiful eyes.

"Don't be rude. It's a charm for safety! Besides, I already bought it. How can you say that? What if it really works?"

"Alright, alright," he laughed and slipped the omamori into his pocket. Then he picked up a half-peeled tangerine and handed it to her.

"Since you gave me a handmade omamori from the miko at the shrine, I'll return the favor. This half-tangerine, peeled by Akira Miyamura himself, is for you. It guarantees your safety too... and has the added bonus of ensuring you'll marry a handsome husband."

Shouko rolled her eyes but still took it.

"So narcissistic. Always giving while taking."

The half-tangerine disappeared quickly.

Not satisfied, she hit him again.

"I want more."

"Yes, yes, I'll peel it right away," Akira said dotingly as he reached for another.

"I want one too," Shizuka said as she entered the room, towel-drying her still-damp hair.

Akira turned mischievous.

"Go ask your husband to peel it for you."

His reward? A furious flurry of pinches and face-rubs from Shizuka.

Later, Daiki Miyamura walked in wearing pajamas. Noticing Akira's flushed face, he looked concerned.

"Akira, what happened to your face? It's so red. Allergies?"

"I offended the queen of the household," Akira said without looking up, focused on peeling.

Daiki instantly got it—but still played dumb.

"Really? I didn't know I was offended."

"Huh? Sorry, a bit noisy. Dad, can you say that again?" Akira asked innocently, pausing his peeling.

Daiki, unfazed, repeated himself.

This time, Akira said nothing. He simply handed the freshly peeled tangerine to Shouko, who was trying not to laugh.

Later, Shizuka came back with her hair down, saw Akira's face had recovered, and joined them on the couch.

But then…

"I offended the queen of the household."

"Really? I didn't know I was offended."

The two voices played aloud—Akira had accidentally hit record instead of delete.

"Oops," he said sheepishly. "Dad, you won't hold it against me, right?"

He got double-teamed by the couple for that stunt.

Shouko snuck in a playful jab too.

........

Clap, clap, clap!! Takeuchi-sensei clapped the blackboard loudly, snapping the class to attention.

"Alright, settle down. I have an announcement."

Students gradually quieted.

Slouched over his desk, Akira wasn't listening. He stared out the window at the bright blue sky.

Was it really already the second month of the semester?

Time had flown.

Takeuchi-sensei saw Akira spacing out but ignored it.

"We'll be holding a singing competition early next month. The curriculum will change slightly. Starting now, we'll add one extra music class each day for practice."

"Sensei, does that mean we'll be dismissed one class later?" asked Kawai Miki, the Class A monitor.

"No. Dismissal time stays the same. The music class will replace some less important subjects," he replied flatly, adjusting his glasses.

The room immediately erupted with cheers.

Clap, clap, clap!!

Takeuchi-sensei hit the board again, exasperated.

Once calm returned, he added:

"This competition has better rewards than ever before. But—quiet!"

He cut off the class before they could celebrate too early.

"Only first place gets the reward. I can tell you this—it benefits the entire class and the homeroom teacher."

The room buzzed again.

Takeuchi didn't stop them this time.

He knew the sixth-grade teachers were already in on the secret.

President Miyamura had pulled some strings, and the prize was practically guaranteed.

The real surprise?

First place was already decided.

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POWER STONE!!!

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