The Lesson That Shouldn't Have Happened

The dorm felt… weird tonight. Ere'ana was pacing the room, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, looking way more anxious than Kikidori had ever seen her.

He sat on the bed, arms crossed, watching her like she was a bomb about to go off. "Alright," he finally said. "Spit it out. What's got you looking like you just committed a felony?"

Ere'ana groaned, stopping in her tracks. "It's this stupid date, man!"

Kikidori blinked. "What about it?"

Ere'ana huffed. "What if I suck at kissing?"

Kikidori stared at her. "That's what you're worried about?"

"YES!" she threw her hands up. "I've never kissed anyone before! What if I kiss Renji and it's trash?! What if I go in too hard and break his nose?! What if I just— oh god, what if I miss his mouth completely?!"

Kikidori held up a hand. "First of all, if you somehow manage to miss a dude's entire face, that's a skill and you should embrace it."

"Not funny!" Ere'ana groaned. "I need to know if I'm good at it or not!"

Kikidori shrugged. "Then just wing it. That's what most people do."

Ere'ana pouted. "Or…" She paused.

Kikidori narrowed his eyes. "Or?"

Ere'ana clasped her hands together. "Or you could teach me."

Kikidori almost choked on his own spit. "EXCUSE ME?"

Ere'ana walked over, gripping his shoulders dramatically. "Kiki, you're my best friend! And I trust you! Just one kiss, so I know if I suck or not!"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT."

Ere'ana whined. "Come on! It's not like it means anything! Just a lesson!"

Kikidori shook his head violently. "Nope. Not happening. Forget it."

"Pleaseeeeeee?" Ere'ana begged, shaking him like a ragdoll.

"NO."

"PLEEEEAAAASE?!"

"FUCKING—UGH!" Kikidori groaned, pushing her off. "Fine! ONE. JUST ONE. Then we NEVER talk about it again."

Ere'ana grinned. "Deal."

Kikidori exhaled like he was about to commit a crime. "Alright. Let's just… get this over with."

Ere'ana sat next to him on the bed, turning to face him. "Okay, so do I just—"

"Shut up," Kikidori muttered, already regretting this entire situation.

Ere'ana grinned but stayed still.

Kikidori hesitated. This was so fucking weird. But she was staring at him, waiting, so he forced himself to move.

Slowly, hesitantly, he leaned in.

Ere'ana stayed still, eyes flicking down to his lips before she finally closed hers.

And then—

Their lips met.

It was… soft. Hesitant. Neither of them really moved at first. Kikidori felt his whole body tense up like he was touching fire. Ere'ana, surprisingly, stayed calm. Then, as if testing the waters, she tilted her head slightly and pressed a bit closer.

It lasted a few seconds.

Then Kikidori pulled away fast. "THERE. YOU HAPPY?"

Ere'ana blinked, looking weirdly thoughtful. "Huh."

Kikidori wiped his mouth aggressively. "Lesson over. We're done. GOODBYE."

Ere'ana grinned. "Wait, wait, one more thing—"

"NO MORE KISSING—"

"Just rank me real quick!"

Kikidori gave her a look. "Rank you?"

Ere'ana nodded. "Yeah! Like, scale of 1 to 10. I need to know if I'm decent or if I gotta practice on a pillow before this date."

Kikidori groaned. "I'm not ranking you, Ere'ana."

Ere'ana nudged him. "Come onnnn. Just a number!"

Kikidori sighed heavily. "Fine." He paused, looking up at the ceiling like he was praying for divine intervention. "I dunno. Like… an 8 or something."

Ere'ana fist-pumped. "Hell yeah!"

Kikidori stood up so fast he almost knocked over the lamp. "I am officially deleting the last five minutes of my life from my memory."

Ere'ana laughed, standing up too. "Well, I gotta go meet Renji now."

Kikidori made a face. "You're gonna go kiss that guy with MY ranking on your record?"

"Damn right." Ere'ana winked. "Wish me luck!"

Kikidori groaned, flopping onto the bed. "Yeah, yeah. Have fun with Hair Gel McGee or whatever."

Ere'ana grabbed her bag and headed for the door. "Later, Kiki!"

As soon as she left, Kikidori covered his face with a pillow and screamed into it.