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 21: After school, at our usual spot.

After school, at our usual spot.

“All right, Koyama. What’s the answer here?”

During math class, Kana was called on, but there was no response. Since Kana sits behind me, I turned around to check, only to find her dozing off with her elbows on the desk.

She’s asleep… Should I just leave her be? Let her get scolded by the teacher? But I felt like I should wake her up.

“Kana, wake up. You’re being called on.”

“Huh? Oh… Thanks…”

I wasn’t sure if she actually woke up, but she looked at her notes and answered “5.”

“Oh, that’s correct.”

Huh? Wait, seriously? That’s impressive, to answer correctly right after waking up. The others seemed surprised too, probably thinking the same thing as me.

“Man, that surprised me. You’re amazing, Kana.”

“Give me more compliments~”

During lunch break, as we gathered around my desk to eat, Kouta said.

“Don’t sleep in class, okay? If I hadn’t woken you up, you might have gotten in trouble.”

“Haha, yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Ao. Anyway, we’d better grab some chairs before others take them. Kouta, can you grab one nearby?”

Since Kouta’s seat was far away, it was a hassle for him to bring his own chair over, so he borrowed one from someone else.

“Ao-kun, mind if I sit with you for lunch?”

While waiting for Kouta to bring over a chair, Mizuki asked me, holding her lunchbox.

“Yeah, sure. Come over here.”

I borrowed a chair from the person in the next seat and let Mizuki sit down.

“Thank you, Ao-kun.”

“Thank you, Ao.”

“Hey, Ao and Mi-chan, with the upcoming test next week, how about forming a study group?”

“A study group sounds like a practical idea. If it’s okay to you, I’d be happy to participate,” Mizuki suggested.

“Yay~t, then. Ao?”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

Well, it looks like I’m being signed up anyway. But if Mizuki is joining, I might as well too, I thought.

“If Tsuyuzaki-san is coming, then of course I’ll come too, right?”

“W-Well, not just because of that…”

Hit the nail on the head, and I completely clam up. Mizuki chuckles at my reaction.

“Aww, Ao-kun’s reaction just now was adorable.”

“…”

“Oh, Ao’s blushing. Mi-chan, keep teasing him.”

“Huh? W-What do you mean by ‘tease’…?”

“Just say he’s cute one more time.”

Come on, cut it out… Once was more than enough. Saying I’m cute with that smile is just unfair.

As I stop eating lunch and bury my face in my arms on the desk, Mizuki whispers in my ear.

“Ao-kun, you have your cute moments, but you’re also cool, you know?”

“Ao, your ears are bright red.”

“Hiding your face won’t help.”

This is bad. I don’t think I can lift my face to eat lunch right now. But more than that, I wonder if what Mizuki just said was her own words, or if Kana asked her to say it. Which one is it…?

“What did you say to him, Mi-chan?”

“It’s a secret.”

Huh? If Kana doesn’t know, then that means what Mizuki said earlier was her own words…

“Kana, mind if I join you guys?”

“Oh, Saya-chan! Sure, come on in~”

With one more person added, now there are five of us eating together. Her name is Hasekura Sayaka. She was in a different class last year, so I haven’t talked to her yet.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in the same class, Tsuyuzaki-san. I’m glad.”

“Yes, I’m happy to be in the same class as you too, Hasekura-san.”

It seems that Mizuki has met Shikura-san and they’re having a lively conversation along with Kana.

“Kana and Hasekura-san went to the same middle school. Ao, are there any classmates from your middle school at this school?”

“There are, but we’re not that close.”

I had a few friends from middle school, but we all went to different high schools.

“Speaking of which, Kana mentioned that you’ve been going to school together in the mornings recently.”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

Since the opening ceremony, Mizuki and I have been meeting up and going to school together.

“I’ve heard rumors lately that Ao and Tsuyuzaki-san might be dating. Ao, are you aware of that?”

“I’m aware.”

I anticipated that such rumors would spread. Despite the rumors, everyone seems to think there’s no way someone like Ruzaki would choose someone like me.

“Ao-kun, would you like to stop by ‘Hitode’ after school today?”

Mizuki whispers to me quietly. Since I have no reason to decline, I nod quietly, and she smiles happily.

“Then, let’s meet up at the usual place after school.”

***

“Ao, do you know where Mi-chan is?”

After school, as I was putting my textbooks into my bag, Kana approached me.

“No, I don’t.”

I assume she’s already gone there.

“Oh, okay~ Well, we’ll see each other tomorrow anyway. See you tomorrow then!”

Since I’ve already told Kana and Kouta that I can’t walk home with them today, the two of them happily leave the classroom together.

I leave the classroom a bit later and head towards the less crowded staircase, skipping the descent and heading straight to the place.

“Sorry for the wait. Maybe it would have been better if you hadn’t left the classroom so early?”

“If I had left the classroom leisurely, I would have been stopped by various people and wouldn’t have been able to leave, so I hurried out.”

She laughs as she says this.

“Come to think of it, wouldn’t it have been easier if we just left together from the classroom? We didn’t need to meet up here.”

“It’s no big deal. Anyway, let’s just enjoy the café on the first floor today. I heard they have a new cake.”

I felt like she was hiding something, but since Mizuki changed the subject, I decided not to dwell on it.

“That sounds great.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

As she turned to face me, I noticed something in her hair.

“Mizuki, that hairpin…?”

“Did you finally notice? Yes, it’s the hairpin you gave me. Do you think it suits me?”

“Yeah… it suits you. It really does.”

“Thank you. Ao-kun, can I hold your hand?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I extended my hand, and she took it in hers.