The Handsome Girl Who Stole My Girlfriend Seems to Be After Me Now - Chapter 14: I'm Not Easy!

Chapter 14: I’m Not Easy!

After resting in the park for a while, Mizushima and I headed to the food court of another mall along the harbor. We did this just in case those drunkards were still at the plaza.

After finishing our lunch, I spent the afternoon wandering around the city, with Mizushima sticking close and acting sweet the whole time.

Thanks to her girlish outfit, Mizushima, who had transformed into an incredibly beautiful girl, continued to attract attention from people passing by.

Despite that, our afternoon date went smoothly without being surrounded by fans like this morning or being approached by troublesome guys like before.

“Despite everything, I had a lot of fun today.”

As the sun began to set, we found ourselves back at the square in front of Sakuragicho Station.

I was taking the train home, but Mizushima was going back by bus from the station, so we parted ways here.

“Thanks, Souta.”

With the wind blowing through her short hair, Mizushima gave me a shy smile.

“It’s nothing to thank me for. Didn’t I tell you? Today’s date was just part of our “bet.” I wasn’t trying to entertain you on purpose.”

I said that with a deliberately aloof attitude.

Even if we looked like a close couple to others, our relationship was based on taking and being taken from each other.

In extreme cases, such situations could even lead to murder. Despite being “trial” lovers, I had no intention of getting cozy.

“So, you didn’t enjoy our date at all, Souta?”

“Enjoy it? How could I? We were almost chased by your fans, and I had to deal with annoying drunks. It was exhausting more than anything.”

“Really? You really didn’t enjoy it?”

“Yeah. I would’ve had a more meaningful day just lazing around at home watching movies.”

Seeing my unenthusiastic attitude, Mizushima suddenly looked as sad as an abandoned puppy.

“So, it wasn’t fun for you…”

Stop, don’t look at me like that. I’m a sucker for those tear-jerker animal movies, and those eyes are cheating.

“I thought you’d be happy, so I went all out planning things like the “fashion show”… So, it wasn’t fun… haha, hahaha.”

“No, I mean…”

Mizushima started to laugh dryly, and my conscience began to hurt.

She’s my arch-enemy, and today’s date was probably just part of her strategy to win me over. I knew getting swayed by emotions would be playing right into her hands.

Still, it’s true that she put a lot of thought and preparation into today, for me.

Maybe, at the very least, thanking her for that effort is the right thing to do…

“Well, I… I realize you put a lot of thought into this for me. Thanks. It wasn’t boring, at least.”

Seeing Mizushima down, I found myself saying that without thinking.

Suddenly, the sad look on Mizushima’s face vanished, replaced by her usual nonchalant demeanor. Her dry laughter turned into a suppressed chuckle.

“Fufufu… You can’t do that. You have to push me away completely.”

“What!?”

“Sigh. You’re so easy, Souta. Can you really reject my confession with that attitude?”

“You… You planned this?!”

I was just trying to be nice and thank her, and this is what I get!

Forget what I said. She’s not a puppy; she’s a fox, a cunning fox! Give me back my guilt for thinking I might have been too harsh!

“Ahaha, sorry. I was just teasing.”

“Like I care! I’m not believing anything you say anymore!”

“Don’t be so sulky. But really…”

As I turned away, Mizushima suddenly hugged me from behind.

“Souta, you’re really kind, aren’t you?”

The soft touch that was once on my arm was now pressed against my back.

“Whoa! Get off me!”

“*sniff*… Souta’s smell… it’s calming.”

“Don’t sniff me, please!”

I could feel Mizushima’s breath through my shirt as she buried her face in my back. It was ticklish and embarrassing, so I pulled away the arms she had wrapped around my waist.

“Aww, I wanted to smell it a bit more. Soutanium.”

“No way. Why would you want to smell me… and what’s Soutanium!?”

Seriously, how far is she willing to go with this?

After spending the entire day together, I felt like I understood Mizushima less and less. She’s really unpredictable.

“Ah. Looks like my bus is here.”

As we were talking, a city bus pulled into the roundabout at the bus stop, apparently Mizushima’s ride.

“Well, I hate to leave, but I’m going home now.”

“Fine, just go already.”

“What about our next date? I’m already looking forward to it.”

Ah… I knew it, but there’s going to be a “next time”…

“You’re not going to run away, right? You’re not a chicken, are you, Souta?”

“Ugh… I know that without you saying it!”

She set up this “trial lover” situation, and I stepped right into it. Surviving all her moves (flirting) today and still clearly rejecting her confession is what will count as a “victory.”

I’m not thinking of keeping my distance and just getting through the month… well, not much, anyway.

“Then, I’ll let you know the details once they’re settled. Bye, Souta.”

With those final words, Mizushima got on the bus and left.

Sigh. Today was really tough in so many ways. I should head home, take a bath, and go to bed early.

“…Looks like this month is going to be tougher than I thought.”