The Handsome Girl Who Stole My Girlfriend Seems to Be After Me Now - Chapter 7: Let's Date... Seriously!?

Chapter 7: Let’s Date… Seriously!?

“No… it’s just not possible, normally”

When I said that, Mizushima blinked in surprise, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Why not?”

She looked as though she never expected to be turned down.

“I mean, not to brag, but I’m quite a catch, you know?”

“Really, saying it yourself is something else…”

Like, “quite a catch”? Are you some kind of bandit or something?

“Listen… even if I concede a hundred steps, no, a thousand steps, no, ten thousand steps, and accept that you genuinely like me and that’s why you’re confessing, did you really think I’d say ‘let’s go out then’?”

“Uh, yes?”

She answered immediately. How could she be so sure of her victory?

“Because Souta is currently single, right?”

“That’s not the point… wait, it’s partly your fault I’m single now, isn’t it!?”

Despite my protest, Mizushima continued as if nothing had happened.

“Hmm, strange. ‘If you confess while they’re heartbroken from a breakup, your success rate goes up!’ That’s what the horoscope said this morning.” 

“On what channel!? Besides, that only applies if the person making the move isn’t the reason for the breakup in the first place!”

Mizushima murmured seriously, then crossed her arms tightly across her chest.

Even through her blouse, it was clear she was quite endowed, leaving me struggling to find somewhere else to look. 

She’s really in high school, right? 

…No, that’s not the point.

“You already have a girlfriend named Ena-chan. On top of that, dating me would totally be cheating.”

I pointed this out firmly, avoiding looking directly at Mizushima’s chest. Yet, Mizushima didn’t lose her cool demeanor.

“It’s okay. Ena-chan is my girlfriend, and Souta would be my boyfriend. See, I’m keeping things separate, so no problem. Besides, you’re actually my main interest.”

“That logic doesn’t make any sense.”

Could it be… despite being smart, is she actually silly? 

Or maybe for someone as outgoing as Mizushima, having two or three lovers is just normal? If that’s the case, it’s a completely different world for someone like me.

“Come on… try to see things from my perspective.”

Sure, Mizushima is beautiful and popular, someone everyone admires. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be happy if she said she likes me.

But still, she remains my sworn enemy. No matter how popular or attractive, it’s absurd to think a mouse could romantically pursue a cat.

“In short, it’s cheating to begin with, and I don’t like you in that way. So, I won’t date you. That’s it.”

“…Muu.”

With that firm statement, Mizushima, who had maintained a cool expression, frowned for the first time, puffing her cheeks out like a child, a stark contrast to her usual mature demeanor.

“What’s with that defiant look?”

“…Souta, you’re so stingy. It wouldn’t hurt to date me.”

“I’m fine being stingy. Are we done here? I’m leaving then.”

As I started walking towards the rooftop door,

“Let’s make a bet.”

“A bet?”

She’s starting with the nonsensical talk again. 

I turned around reluctantly to see Mizushima with a mischievous smile.

“For one month,”

Mizushima raised her slender index finger.

“Just date me for a month as a trial. After one month, I’ll confess to you again. If you reject me just like today, you win. I promise I’ll give up gracefully and won’t bother you anymore.”

She paused, then strode up to me, touching my chest over my uniform with her finger, as if she was pointing a gun at my heart.

“But if you accept my confession, I win. You’ll become my boyfriend, no complaints. So, this is a challenge to see if I can win you over in a month.”

“Why should I bother with something so troublesome? Why do I have to agree to this?”

Even if we dated for a month as a “trial,” there’s no way I’d accept her confession.

I don’t like her. The outcome is clear from the start. There’s no real benefit to me, just a waste of time.

“How about it? Want to take the bet?”

“No thanks. There’s nothing in it for me.”

“How about a bonus then? If you win, I’ll do one thing you ask.”

Mizushima suddenly got really close and whispered this right by my ear.

Her husky voice up close and the sweet scent like osmanthus coming from her smooth hair hit me all at once.

“Hyon!” Caught off guard, I ended up making a weird noise, kind of embarrassing even for me.

“Hey, cut it out with the sudden closeness!”

“Sorry, sorry. So, what do you say? The right to order me to do anything. Sounds like a good deal, right?”

“Anything, you say…”

“Yep, anything. Even if it’s something… naughty. I’m okay with anything if it’s from Souta.”

Mizushima looked at me with a teasing glance and stepped even closer.

“I would never give such an order!”

I swiftly averted my gaze from the hint of cleavage visible through her blouse and took a step back.

Can’t let my guard down around her.

“Ahaha, you’re blushing. That’s cute, Souta.”

“Cut it out! Anyway, I don’t want to order you around, and I don’t feel obliged to accept this challenge!”

I was about to leave for real this time, putting some force into my shoulders as I reached for the rooftop door.

Just as I was about to push it open and go back inside…

“Oho… Lack confidence, do you?”

“What did you say?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around at Mizushima’s taunting words.

“You’re making excuses like ‘it’s troublesome’ or ‘there’s no benefit.’ But are you actually just scared that you’ll be won over by me in just one month?”

“Ha? That’s not…”

“By the way, Ena-chan also said something like, ‘I hate how Souta is such a coward.’ Ahaha, you really might be a coward.”

That hit a nerve.

Wow, this charismatic high school girl sure says whatever she wants. It’s so outrageous it’s actually funny.

“Ha, haha, hahahaha… After being told that, I can’t just stay silent.”

Indeed, it’s one thing to lose her, but it’s another to run away from a challenge. If I back down now, I’d really be a coward.

Even someone like me has their pride, no matter how small.

“Fine, I’ll take your cheap challenge.”

Mizushima smirked at my response.

“That’s more like it.”

“Hmph. Keep that smug smile while you can. Even if it takes a year, there’s no way I’ll accept your confession. Whatever you’re planning, go ahead and waste your effort this month!”

“Wow, you really sound like a loser in denial.”

“Los—!? Just shut up!”

Damn, she really knows how to get under my skin. 

I grimaced, my annoyance peaking, and Mizushima just laughed, clearly enjoying this.

“So, I suppose we’re a ‘couple’ now, aren’t we, Souta?”

※　※　※　※

And so, the one-month “challenge” between me and Mizushima began. But back then, I had no idea.

I couldn’t have imagined that our “challenge” would lead to such an unexpected outcome.