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 18: Cherry blossom viewing with friends.

Cherry blossom viewing with friends.

Late March.

In my kitchen, we were busy preparing bentos. Mizuki had said it would be more fun if all four of us cooked together, so Kana and Kouta were also joining in. We had just returned from the supermarket with all the ingredients and were ready to start cooking.

“Wait, Mi-chan, you can’t cook?” Kana exclaimed in surprise.

“Is that so surprising?” Mizuki asked, puzzled by Kana’s reaction.

“Well, I just kind of imagined you could do anything, Mi-chan.”

“I’m not good at everything, you know. Are you good at cooking, Kana-san?”

“I can’t cook either. So, it looks like we’ll have to rely on the boys. Alright, you two, we’re counting on you.”

Kana turned to Kouta and me as we prepared in the kitchen. From her tone, it seemed like she expected us to handle everything. Mizuki, however, had expressed her desire to learn, so I knew she’d be helping out.

“Thank you for helping today, Ao-kun,” Mizuki said, standing next to me as I cracked some eggs into a bowl.

“Of course,” I nodded, appreciating her enthusiasm.

***

After making our bentos, we walked to a nearby park.

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and many people were enjoying flower viewing just like us. We spread out a large picnic sheet that we had brought from home and laid out the bentos we had made.

“We did a good job,” I said to Mizuki, who smiled happily as she opened her bento box.

“It’s thanks to your careful teaching, Ao-kun. Thank you,” she replied with a grateful smile.

“You’re welcome.”

Mizuki had picked things up quickly and was able to cook on her own after just one explanation.

“I want to try Ao’s tamagoyaki!” Kana said, beaming as she held her chopsticks, making it clear she wanted some. I moved my bento box closer to her and told her to go ahead.

She cheered, took a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks, and ate it with delight.

“Mmm, it’s really good! Kouta, you should try some too.”

“Ao, can I have some?”

I worried that my portion might get entirely taken by this couple, but I silently handed my bento box to Kouta.

“You’re so generous, Ao-kun.”

“If you call me ‘Ao-kun’ again, you’re never getting any food from me,” I warned jokingly.

“Sorry… and thanks,” Kouta said, taking a piece of tamagoyaki and commenting on how delicious it was.

Just as I was about to eat my own tamagoyaki, which everyone had praised, I felt a tug on my sleeve. I looked over to see Mizuki with a pouty expression.

“Oh, does Mi-chan want some too? Ao, you should feed her,” Kana suggested with a grin.

Kana noticed Mizuki’s reaction and teased her, causing Mizuki’s face to turn red.

“K-Kana-san! I-I never said I wanted to eat Ao-kun’s tamagoyaki!”

“I never said anything about tamagoyaki,” Kana replied with a grin, making Mizuki blush even more and look down.

“Hey, don’t tease Mizuki,” I said, feeling a bit bad for not catching on sooner. “Sorry, Mizuki. I didn’t realize you wanted some tamagoyaki.”

As I patted her head like I usually did, I felt the stares from Kana and Kouta and quickly pulled my hand back.

“Did you see that, Kouta?”

“I did, Kana. That’s what I’d call flirting. Ao, you seem pretty comfortable with this. It’s not the first time you’ve patted her head, is it?”

Comfortable? Well, I had done it naturally, so it wasn’t surprising they noticed.

“No comment.”

“Aw, no fair! If you won’t tell us, we’ll just ask Tsuyuzaki-san. Tsuyuzaki-san, is this the first time Ao’s patted your head?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Mizuki, and she seemed flustered but eventually responded.

“That’s a secret between Ao-kun and me, so I can’t say if it’s the first time or not.”

From the way she said it, it was almost as if she was admitting it wasn’t the first time.

“Kouta, are you sure they’re not dating?” Kana asked.

Kouta looked at me, but Mizuki answered first.

“We’re not dating. Ao-kun is just a friend.”

She looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded slightly.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like just friends to me, but if that’s what you both say, then I guess you’re not dating.”

Being friends was nice, but recently I’d started to wonder if there could be something more between us.

***

“See you next semester.”

After parting ways with Kana and Kouta, Mizuki and I were left alone. Just as I was about to say goodbye to her as well, she tugged on my sleeve and called my name.

“Ao-kun.”

“Yeah, what’s up?” I replied, ready to listen to whatever she wanted to say.

“During today’s picnic, I realized something. Can you hear me out?”

“Of course, I’ll listen.”

I might not catch every single word, but I was prepared to hear her out.

“Kana and Maeyama-kun are very kind, and I want to become closer friends with them. And, of course, with you too, Ao-kun.”

The way she said she wanted to be with us made me feel like she meant it especially for me. Was it just my imagination, or was it because of what we promised each other that day?

“Ao-kun.”

She beckoned me closer, and when I leaned in, she whispered softly in my ear.

“I love you.”

With that, she covered her face with her hands and ran away.

“What…?”

TL: Yeah… she confessed!!! Please someone confess to me too!!