You Can't Be In a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! Episode 10: Feeling the Afterglow Kiss After Kiss? Become a Sports Committee Member? Still Won't Start a Rom-Com

The scene opens with friends gathered, a picture of normalcy before Haru drops her question about A-Yu. Her playfulness masks a sharper intent, as A-Yu instinctively tries to silence her. His panic is immediate, a clear sign something significant is about to spill out. The tension builds quickly, setting the stage for what Haru is about to reveal.

A-Yu awkwardly attempts to joke away Haru's probing, claiming she "still thinks we're dating," which only widens the eyes of Shio and Akari. He desperately tries to drag Haru away, a physical manifestation of his desire to bury the topic. Haru, however, sees through his agitation, asserting that he secretly wants to know the girls' opinions just as much as she does. His final, terse warning against bringing it up again shows his real anger.

After an apologetic entrance from A-Yu and Haru, the conversation shifts to shared childhood memories. Haru fondly recalls playing the Pocky game, then casually drops the bombshell: she and A-Yu actually kissed once. This revelation sends a jolt through the room, making A-Yu's face contort in horror and leaving Shio and Akari stunned. Haru then compounds the shock with a mischievous "Oopsie."

Akari and Shio reel from the news, their internal thoughts immediately confirming their jealousy and surprise. Haru openly acknowledges their jealousy, further embarrassing A-Yu, who tries to dismiss the kiss as insignificant because they were children. She even describes it as "not romantic" and that they "bumped their teeth," a detail that only makes A-Yu shout in frustration. He finally calls the situation "pure hell," signaling his real distress, even as the girls interpret snack names in a romantic light.

Just as the tension peaks, Runa enters, seemingly a welcome distraction for A-Yu. Her innocent curiosity quickly turns sour when she greets Haru by remarking on her weight. The comment lands like a blow, causing Haru to scream and angrily push Runa away. The other friends watch in shock as a new, unexpected conflict erupts, turning the focus from romance to outright offense.

Amidst the new chaos, Runa reveals the source of her distress: a childhood trauma involving frogs. A flashback transports us to young Runa, happily playing with her frog plushie, Carol. Young A-Yu, trying to be kind, presents her with a backpack overflowing with live frogs. Her initial shock quickly devolves into terror as the frogs jump all over her, a truly horrifying experience for a child.

Back in the present, Runa is still clearly distressed by the memory, declaring it "a traumatic experience." Haru offers a quick apology, but her playful tone immediately reignites Runa's anger. Runa shouts about her fear, and Haru's attempt to appease her with sweets is met with a definitive, angry stomp on the package. Runa's anger is palpable, showing the deep impact of the past event.

In a chaotic turn, Haru stumbles over the table, her face hurtling toward A-Yu's. For a fleeting moment, their eyes meet in shock, a pause before the inevitable. The scene culminates in Haru accidentally kissing A-Yu again, bathed in soft light and falling petals. It's a re-enactment of the very thing they tried to dismiss, perfectly capping a series of misunderstandings and awkward revelations.