The Genius, Naturally Angel-Sama, Marin Shiozaki, Also Known as 'The Three Heavens Beauty,' Submits a Marriage Registration Without My Permission, and Before I Knew It, I've Become the Angel's Husband - 60 - Too Late

“Alright, let’s go around and check things out! You know, I was thinking I’d actually like to try the haunted house.”

“The haunted house…” I said, my face stiffening.

“What’s this? Are you maybe not so good with those?” Marin-chan teased with a grin.

“…I’m not great at them.”

“Then if you get scared, you can cling to me and say, ‘Oh, Marin-sama, save me~'” 

“…I might actually end up doing that.”

“And if you do, I might just run away!”

“…That’s cruel, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know why, but I just feel like teasing you, Aoi-kun.”

“You’re such a sadist.”

“Fufufu…//”

“…”

“Nervous?”

“Huh? Oh…yeah, a bit. I think I did everything I could, but now that I think about it, maybe I could have done more…”

“It’s fine. In that moment, you were just like the Aoi-kun from before. The one I first fell in love with,” she said with an innocent smile.

We continued walking down the hallway, hand in hand.

“Hey, isn’t that the guy from the play earlier? The ending was a bit grim, but the performance itself was really impressive, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, totally. His acting was incredible. Do you think he’s done theater before?”

“And when you look closely, he’s kind of good-looking, isn’t he?”

Feeling a bit shy from the attention, which I hadn’t experienced since elementary school, Marin-chan tugged on my sleeve.

“Looks like you’re getting some recognition,” she said with a smile.

“…Yeah.”

“I’ve known it all along, though. Aoi-kun, you’re amazing.”

“…Thanks.”

When we reached the schoolyard, it was bustling with various food stalls: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and shaved ice.

“Let’s get some takoyaki.”

“Sure.”

“Excuse me, can we have two orders of takoyaki, please?”

“Oh, Marin-sama… and the guy from the play…! Right away!”

We took our takoyaki and found a secluded bench behind the school building to sit and eat together.

“Here, say ‘ahhh,'” Marin-chan cooed, holding a takoyaki up to my mouth.

“…Sorry. I have a cat’s tongue, you know?”

“Oh, really? Well, I guess it can’t be helped.” She blew on the takoyaki to cool it down and then gave it a quick kiss. 

“I put a spell on it, so it’s not hot anymore. Now, say ‘ahhh.'”

“…Really?” I hesitated but took a bite. Naturally, the freshly made takoyaki was still hot. I puffed and panted as I managed to chew and swallow it.

“…Well? It wasn’t hot, was it?”

“Y-Yeah. It wasn’t hot.”

“Hehe, you’re so cute when you’re trying hard, Aoi-kun. Now, feed me?” she said, her eyes sparkling.

“O-Okay,” I replied, blowing on a takoyaki before saying “ahhh” and holding it up to her. But she just pouted playfully, refusing to eat.

“…Not eating?”

“No! You have to put a spell on it, too!”

“…O-Okay,” I said, giving the takoyaki a small kiss before saying “ahhh” again. This time, she accepted it with a satisfied smile.

“…Yummy…”

As we continued our sweet and playful exchange, a couple walked by, seemingly unaware of our presence.

“Um, I-I like you! Please go out with me! //”

“…Y-Yes! //”

And with that, the couple embraced each other.

“Oh, it’s the festival magic at work,” Marin-chan said with a knowing smile.

“Festival magic? What’s that?” I asked, curious.

“You don’t know? It’s a tradition to confess during the school festival. These events tend to heighten everyone’s emotions. According to my research, couples who get together during the festival magic usually break up within three months,” she said, making a mock gesture as if adjusting non-existent glasses.

“…That’s not very encouraging.”

“Right? I hope that couple lasts longer,” she added as the couple started walking in our direction. We quickly and quietly slipped back into the school building to avoid being seen.

“…But confessing is really nerve-wracking, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“…Can you confess to me when we get home?”

“…Sure,” I replied, and we continued walking until Marin-chan suddenly stopped.

“Let’s go,” she said, looking determined.

Turning around, I saw a sign boldly advertising the haunted house.

“…You didn’t forget, did you?”

“…Nope!”

And with that, I braved the haunted house, screaming my way through, just like in the play earlier.

◇

As I wandered around with Marin-chan, she was suddenly swept away by the student council members, leaving me on my own.

I figured it was okay since there wasn’t much time left anyway, but then Kiyohito, Genta, and Kousuke appeared.

“Oh! Just the person we were looking for!” Kiyoto exclaimed.

“Where’s Angel-sama?”

“Apparently, they needed extra hands, so she got roped into the student council,” Kiyoto explained.

“I see. Well, let’s go!” I said, and the three of them led me to a certain location.

We ended up in a 2nd-year classroom. The event happening there was… a maid café.

“…Are we really going in here?”

“Of course! It’s a paradise for men!” Genta said with enthusiasm.

“…I’m a married man, though.”

“And there’s one girl in particular I’m interested in. Look, over there!” Kiyohito pointed at a girl with beautiful, brand-name hair.

“Isn’t she cute? Apparently, she doesn’t come to school very often. What a sight for sore eyes. I heard she’s half German.” (Kiyohito)

(TL: new chara?)

As we stood and observed, someone tapped my shoulder. 

She was indeed beautiful—so stunning that she seemed almost unreal and maintained an expressionless face like a doll.

When I turned around, there was Marin-chan, smiling brightly.

“…Um, I uh…”

“Un. I’ll be hearing your excuses at home, okay?”

“…Yes.”

Just then, the chime rang, signaling that the results of the stage presentations were about to be announced.