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ML Chapter 4

Kissed by a Man

Chapter 4 – Kissed by a Man

Chapter 1, Part 2

Novel Title: 融愛~Melt Down~ (Melted Love ~Melt Down~)

Author:風結子 沙野 (Fuyuko Sano)

Illustrator:雅良 水名瀬 (Masara Minase)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 葉越海理 (Yougoshi Kairi -MC), 葉越翼久 (Yougoshi Tasuku -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“Still, Yougoshi is someone I’m too close to. So yeah, it was tough. When we were alone, I kept wanting to force an answer out of you—or pry it out of you. But, well, since we’re both guys, I figured the odds weren’t in my favour. So I gave myself a stay of execution.”

“…Tokiya-san, do you… like men?”

“I’m bisexual. The people I’ve dated so far are about half men, half women. How about you, Yougoshi? You’re always bad at going along with group dates. And you keep your distance from the women who approach you, so I’ve been wondering.”

“I just don’t do well with women.”

“Don’t do well?”

“I don’t know… I just can’t seem to trust women, I guess. I end up not wanting to get too close to them.”

Kairi had received his fair share of advances from the opposite sex. According to them, his dark eyes, black hair, and cool, traditional Japanese features made him seem trustworthy—the kind of guy they could see as their main partner.

Despite his aversion to women, he had succumbed to their persistence and dated five of them so far. With three of them, he had even gone as far as to have sex.

But what he realised was that, no matter what, he could never strike a balance between his emotions and theirs.

The large, intense emotions they directed at him, which they called love… He was never able to return even a fraction of that to them. He couldn’t even grasp what romantic feelings were supposed to feel like.

Without the energy that comes from romantic feelings, the act of engaging in sweet, everyday phone calls or emails, or meeting regularly to satisfy each other’s emotional and physical needs, was nothing short of torture.

If he had been more driven by sexual desire, maybe he could have made it work. But, whether fortunately or unfortunately, he was on the more indifferent side of things. He could easily be satisfied just by taking care of himself every now and then.

He had come to the unhealthy conclusion that if he didn’t need to force himself to be in a relationship, there was no point in doing so.

“In your case, saying you’re bad with women doesn’t mean you like men, right?”

“I’ve never had romantic feelings for a man. But then again, I’ve never had them for a woman either.”

“Yeah, you’re definitely unusual, Yougoshi… But, you know, it’s that otherworldly, almost inhuman vibe you give off that really piqued my interest. Like, it makes me want to drag you down into the real, flesh-and-blood world with my own hands.”

“I’m not worth the effort, really. I’m just a shallow person.”

He had intended to subtly convey that it wasn’t worth directing romantic feelings at someone like him. But Naofumi didn’t back down. He asked, straight-faced:

“Hey, Yougoshi. Do you find being with men repulsive?”

“I’ve tried imagining it, but I couldn’t figure it out.”

“Really—you’ve imagined it?”

“Huh?”

“You imagined doing it with me?”

“……”

He had.

Naofumi leaned in, his right arm draped over the backrest of the bench, gazing at Kairi with an expression full of seductive intent.

“If you imagined it and still couldn’t figure it out, how about trying it out?”

Naofumi’s fingers skillfully brushed along the back of Kairi’s neck, tracing the line of bones.

“Try it?”

As Kairi frowned, confused, Naofumi’s face closed the gap in an instant, bringing them so close that Kairi could feel his breath on his lips.

They were so near that Kairi couldn’t focus properly on his face. Naofumi’s eyes, with double eyelids, narrowed in a sultry manner.

“Let’s take it slow and try, bit by bit.”

As he finished speaking, his words were sealed directly onto Kairi’s lips.

***

Back at Okubo’s apartment, Kairi unlocked the door to apartment number 502.

Warm orange light spills from the living room down the hallway. They must have a variety show on, judging by the exaggerated laughter of the celebrities echoing like scripted responses.

――Why is it that he’s always around when I don’t want him to be?

Though he shut the front door, Kairi stood there, unable to muster the energy to take off his shoes and step inside. He unconsciously raised a hand to his lips, lightly wiping at them repeatedly… just like when Naofumi’s lips had pressed there earlier. There wasn’t any sense of physical repulsion. But there was an oddness about kissing another man.

――In the end, I couldn’t refuse. It’s going to be awkward on Monday.

Sighing, Kairi noticed the square light spilling from the living room door was now cut out in the shape of a person.

A tall young man with a muscular physique stood there.

“What’re you doing, just standing there zoning out?”

His voice was low and a bit raspy, the kind that sounded like it had been roughed up by alcohol and cigarettes.

It hadn’t been long since his bath, judging by his appearance. The young man’s well-defined upper body glistened slightly, damp and shimmering. He was only wearing a black pyjama bottoms. Kairi’s eyes naturally drifted toward his abdomen, marked by sculpted abs and a silver piercing in his navel.

In addition to the navel, he had three rings pierced in his right ear and two in his left. His double eyelids were distinct and looking sweet. He has a straight nose ridge. His full lips curled into a toxic grin on one side. His light-coloured hair fell in a gentle wave, adding a certain allure to his dimmed eyes.

His striking appearance and unique aura were enough to overwhelm anyone who laid eyes on him.

As Kairi took off his shoes, he asked, “Why are you home? Did you finally quit being a host?”

“As if. Being a host is my calling. I’m just not feeling well today.”

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*Translator’s Note: The adult Tasuku is here. -K

*GLOSSARY: 

  • Onii-san / Onii-chan / Nii-san / Nii-chan / Aniki = (Big/Elder) Brother

☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation.

  • In Japanese culture, the use of “-san” after someone’s name is a sign of respect, politeness, and formality. It is similar to using “Mr.”, “Ms.”, or “Mrs.” in English but more widely applicable. It can be used for both genders and is attached to both first names and surnames, though it is more common with surnames in formal situations. Other than that, I should highlight that for addressing people, they normally address others by their last names, this reflects the emphasis on formality and respect in Japanese society. Using someone’s last name, often with “-san,” helps maintain a level of professional distance and respect, especially in workplaces, schools, and formal settings. First names are generally reserved for close friends and family, and using them too early or in the wrong context can be considered overly familiar or impolite. In short: “-san” is a respectful suffix used for both first and last names & last names are used in formal or distant relationships to show respect and maintain appropriate boundaries.

Next update: 2024.12.30

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