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 20: New friend.

New friend.

The first day of sophomore year ended with the opening ceremony and a short homeroom period.

“Ao, let’s head home.”

“Yeah…”

I still hadn’t been able to talk to Mizuki since this morning.

“Yo, Kouta. Looking forward to this year,” 

“Oh, hey, Rikuto!”

Kouta was chatting with his friends, so I decided to wait until they finished. But then Kouta put his hand on my shoulder.

“Let me introduce you to Rikuto too. This is Kougami Ao-kun, my friend from last year.”

“Hey, don’t use ‘kun’ when you introduce me.”

“It’s fine.”

Rikuto laughed at our exchange.

“I’m Tabe Rikuto. Feel free to just call me Rikuto, Ao-kun.”

As Rikuto said this, Kouta gave him a look that said “See, I told you.”

“Don’t use ‘kun’ when you address me. So, Kouta and Rikuto, where did you two meet?”

“Kouta and I went to the same middle school. By the way, Tsuyuzaki-san also went to the same middle school.”

Rikuto said this, then turned his gaze to Mizuki, who was still in the classroom talking with the other girls.

“Kouta is dating Kana, but what about you, Ao? Are you dating someone?”

That came out of nowhere. Is it normal to have this kind of conversation with someone you just met?

“Ao. you like Tsuyuzaki-san, right?”

“Hey, don’t say that!”

“It’s fine. Rikuto won’t spread it around, and he’s not interested in Tsuyuzaki-san anyway.”

Even so, I’d rather he didn’t say it without my permission. If he wants to say it, he should say it himself.

“Oh, Tsuyuzaki-san, huh? Good luck, you’ve got some tough competition.”

“Yeah…”

It had only been a few minutes since we met, but I could tell Rikuto was not the type to gossip, and he seemed like a genuinely nice person.

“Seriously, isn’t there anything we can do about this phenomenon of forming groups on the first day?”

It’s only been one day since we became this class, but groups have already formed.

“I get that they’re gathering based on being in the same club or being in the same class last year, but still, it’s fast.”

“Are there no people from last year’s class for you, Rikuto?”

“There are people from the soccer team, but we’re not that close.”

The soccer team isn’t close? I thought they got along well.

“Well, let’s get along with each other. Rikuto, you’re heading to club activities now, right? Good luck!”

Kouta said this as he gave Rikuto a pat on the back. I chimed in with a “Good luck with club activities too,” and got a “Thanks” in return.

After Rikuto left the classroom and headed to club activities, Kouta and I went to invite Kana to walk home together, but she was still talking with classmates.

“Should we wait for Kana?”

“I’ll wait. I can’t let her go home alone.”

Nice one, Kouta. As I was thinking we might be waiting for a while, someone tugged at my sleeve.

“Ao-kun, would you like to walk home together?”

It was Mizuki inviting me. I glanced at Kouta, and he gestured for me to go with her.

“Sure. Well then, Kouta, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, tell me all about it tomorrow!”

What kind of “all about it” is he talking about? Is he asking me to report on my conversation with Mizuki?

“Maeyama-kun, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

I said goodbye to Kouta and walked out of the classroom with Mizuki. As we passed by several students on our way out of school, I noticed a few glances directed our way, but I dismissed it as my imagination and walked on without a care.

“If being with me makes you uncomfortable, please let me know.”

Mizuki said this as she observed my demeanor.

“Uncomfortable?”

“I noticed some stares directed at us, so I was wondering if you’re feeling okay. I’m used to that kind of attention and it doesn’t bother me, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“A habit, huh…” She said that, but she’s forcing a smile. To keep the truth from me.

“I don’t feel uncomfortable with you, Mizuki. Though I can’t say I’m completely unaffected by the stares around us…”

“…If we’re being watched, should we just act as we normally do?”

“Normaly… Wait, here!?”

If she acts like she usually does here, I won’t know how to react. I mean, it’s not that I mind, but…

“Maybe we shouldn’t do it here because people might mistake us for being in a relationship?”

“…That’s true. I don’t mind being thought of as being together, though…”

She murmured softly, but I heard it clearly. She said she wouldn’t mind being thought of as being together.

“Yes, there’s something I want to talk to you about today.”

“Something you want to talk about?”

“Yes, would you like to go to the aquarium this Saturday? I have two tickets.”

So, it’s an aquarium date. But if only I was expecting a romantic development when making the promise, it wouldn’t be a date. Did Mizuki invite me with the intention of it being a date?

“Is it okay if it’s me?”

Feeling like it might be better to go with someone like Kana or some other girls, I asked her, and Mizuki pouted.

“I want to go with you, Ao-kun, You probably thought being with me wouldn’t be enjoyable.”

Half caught off guard, I fell silent.

“So, Ao-kun, your options are: Do you want to go to the aquarium with me, or do you not want to go at all? It’s up to you.”

“I want to go!”

“Alright, that settles it. Let’s have a blast when we go.”

Defeated by Mizuki’s mysterious pressure, I gave an honest reply.

TL: Please rate 5 stars on zetro and Novel updates~