The Pure-Hearted Beauty Who Only Dotes on Me Despite Not Being in a Relationship—And How She Became Even Sweeter After We Started Dating - Chapter 11: Will you stay by my side from now on too?

Will you stay by my side from now on too?

December 26th. Kana kindly offered to help me choose a birthday present for Mizuki, so we arranged to meet at the shopping mall. Unexpectedly, Kouta was there too.

“So, Why is Kouta here?” I asked, puzzled.

“I heard you were getting a present for her, so I decided to join, Ao,” 

Feeling it would be rude to send him away, the three of us headed to the store together.

“Mi-chan, what did she say she wanted?” 

“She mentioned hairpins and scrunchies,” 

“Got it. Let’s check out that store over there. Oh, those pancakes look delicious! Kouta, how about the two of us—”

“Hey, what are you really here for?” I interrupted, trying to stay focused.

If I hadn’t been there, Kana would probably have gone into the pancake shop with Kouta, forgetting our main purpose.

“We can’t go today, so let’s come back another time.”

“Yeah, let’s do that,” Kana agreed.

Please, don’t make date plans right in front of me. Also, why aren’t you two walking side by side?

“By the way, whose house are we having the birthday party at? We did the Christmas party at Mi-chan’s place, so should we do it at Ao’s next?” 

“Sounds good. I’ll check with my parents when I get home.”

“Great, I’m really looking forward to the cake you will make, Ao!”

“Just so you know, you’re not the guest of honor…” 

“I know, I know. Kouta, you want to try Ao’s cake too, right?”

“Yeah, I’d love to,” Kouta responded with a smile.

Please, if you’re going to chat, move aside. Oh, I realized I could move myself…

Just as I was about to shift to Kouta’s right side, Kana tugged on my sleeve, preventing me from moving.

“Here it is. I’ll just be giving advice, but it’s Ao who will make the final choice, okay?”

“I understand.”

“Ao, how about we have a competition to see which of our gifts Mi-chan likes better?” Kana suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Kana, did you prepare something too?” I asked, surprised.

“Of course! Kouta, you brought something too, right?” she asked, turning to him.

Kouta nodded in agreement. I hadn’t expected both of them to have prepared gifts, but knowing Mizuki, she’d be thrilled.

After buying the present for Mizuki, we headed to the food court for lunch.

“Ao, do you think you got something she’ll like?”

“Well, yeah. I think she’ll be happy with it…” I replied, trying to sound confident.

“Oh, really? Are you sure about that?” 

Kana teased, sensing my uncertainty.

Seeing my hesitation, Kana seemed to think she had the upper hand in our little competition.

“I mean, I’m confident enough,” I said, trying to sound more assured.

“Hmm, well, the accessory you chose looks like something she’d love.”

Her words gave me a boost of confidence about my choice.

After lunch, Kouta seemed to remember something and began whispering to Kana. Curious, I wondered what they were discussing when Kouta turned to me.

“Hey, do you remember what Kana mentioned earlier about seeing Tsuyuzaki-san with a guy?” Kouta asked.

“Yeah, I remember… Why?” I responded, wondering where this was going.

“Do you think that guy could have been you, Ao?” he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

“Why would you think that?” 

I asked, taken aback.

“Just from what I saw yesterday. Kana, don’t you think the guy was Ao?” 

Kana nodded vigorously. 

“When I looked closely, his back really did resemble yours. Ao-kun, are you and Mi-chan dating?”

“We’re not dating. We’re just friends,” I said firmly.

However, my clear denial seemed to have the opposite effect, as Kana placed her hand on my shoulder with a mischievous grin.

“It’s suspicious that you’re declaring you’re just friends, Ao-kun. We’re friends too, right? If you’re dating, just say it clearly,” Kana teased, her eyes narrowing playfully.

“No, really, we’re not dating. And Kouta, Kana, please stop calling me ‘kun’ out of the blue,” I protested, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Oh, come on. Yesterday, Mi-chan called you Ao-kun,” Kana pointed out.

Called me that? Oh, right. We had agreed to use first names only when we were alone, but yesterday, she used it in front of Kouta and Kana.

“Wait, do you mean only Mi-chan is allowed to call you that and you don’t want me to?” Kana asked, poking my cheek.

“It’s not that,” I denied, shaking my head.

“That’s unfair, Ao. Getting poked like that,” Kouta joked.

“Kouta, I’ll do it to you too!” Kana offered, giggling.

Their playful exchange made me feel increasingly out of place.

“Being poked by you, Kana,  doesn’t make me happy. If you’re going to flirt, do it when I’m not around,” 

“Got it, got it. So, on Mi-chan’s birthday, we’ll meet at Ao’s place,” Kana declared, standing up.

“It’s not decided that it will be at my place yet,” I quickly corrected, standing up as well.

***

“A-About your birthday party, I was thinking of having it at my place. Is that alright?”

When I told Mizuki this over a video call at night, she looked happy.

“Really? At your house, Ao-kun?”

“Yeah, I’ve got permission from my parents, so it’s all good.”

“I see…”

She seemed excited at first, but then her expression suddenly turned anxious.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh…?”

“If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just… I’ve never had anyone celebrate my birthday before, so it’s a bit… surreal.”

As we’ve spent more time together, I thought I had gotten to know her better than when we first met. But I realized I still only knew half of who she really is.

“Well then, from now on, I’ll celebrate your birthday every year, as long as we’re together.”

“Thank you. In that case, I’ll make sure to celebrate your birthday too, as long as we’re together. So, please tell me when it is.”

I realized I hadn’t told her my birthday yet, so I did.

“August 3rd.”

“Got it. I’ll remember it. Ever since I met you, Ao-kun, I feel like I’ve been able to be myself. Will you stay by my side from now on too?”

Even through the screen, I could feel her earnest gaze, and I looked back at her.

“Of course. I’ll always be by your side, Mizuki.”

Whether as a friend or something more, I knew I didn’t want to leave her alone. I wanted to stay close and support her.

TL: God… Where is the girl who was supposed to be by my side… did you forget or something…
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