Qualia

The first love that had met a cruel end appeared before her once more.

Do you, by any chance, remember? That we, too, once had such impulses. Cold lips pressed gently, and a red tongue peeked out between slightly parted lips.

It wasn’t a kiss.

It was merely a light touch, as if to gauge the other’s feelings. He didn’t move a muscle until her lips pulled away.

As if he hadn’t anticipated the mistake, the surprised look on his face made her feel embarrassed.

“…Sorry, did you not like it?”

Without a word, he looked up at her.

Blinking a few times as he stared directly at her, he suddenly grabbed her trembling wrist and whispered in a husky voice:

“Do it again.”

“…What?”

Her eyes opened wide.

“I said do it again. It was too short—I couldn’t tell if I liked it or not.”