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 25: At the end of our first date.

At the end of our first date.

On the day of our aquarium date, I waited for her at the station.

Is my hair okay? Are my clothes fine? We’ve gone out a few times before, but why am I feeling so nervous now?

Since it became known among our classmates that Mizuki and I are dating, today I can relax without worrying about our surroundings like before.

“Good morning, Ao-kun.”

I was startled as she hugged me from behind. I immediately recognized her voice as Mizuki’s.

“Go-Good morning…”

This is tough. I feel like my heart rate has increased even more now that I’m already nervous. She came from behind without telling me.

Mizuki stepped back and moved in front of me. I was left speechless by her casual attire. She looked even cuter in her everyday clothes. What’s up with this phenomenon where she looks even cuter in casual clothes, just like during the cherry blossom viewing?

“Look, Ao-kun. I got my hair done by my grandma.”

(Grandma…?)

“Oh, my grandma doesn’t live with us, but she’s staying over until the day of the sports festival.”

“It’s adorable. It suits you, Mizuki.”

“Thank you.”

“But seriously, that’s amazing. It doesn’t look like a hairstyle that can be done easily.”

“My grandma is amazing. Especially───Oh, sorry. Shall we go to the aquarium?”

Mizuki seemed so lively when she talked about her grandma. I thought I could listen to her talk about it forever.

But if we keep standing here talking, time will pass, so we boarded the train and got off at the station two stops ahead.

After a short walk from the station, we arrived at our destination, the aquarium. We were able to enter smoothly without waiting in line.

“Ao-kun, have you been to an aquarium before?”

“Hmm, I’ve been a few times when I was little, but not recently. How about you, Mizuki?”

“Actually, this is my first time. I’m happy to experience it for the first time with you, Ao-kun.”

Seeing her smile happily, I felt the urge to reach out and pat her head. Hold back, Me… You have to hold back here.

“Mizuki, where do you want to start?”

As we entered the aquarium, I unfolded the map and Mizuki snuggled up to my arm to look at it.

Close, too close. It’s not that I dislike her being close, but I feel something soft pressing against my arm.

“Shall we go in order? Oh, and I definitely want to see this!” Mizuki pointed at the map, indicating the dolphin show.

“The dolphin show, the one at 11:00 seems good from the location. Alright, let’s go.”

As I reached out my hand in front of her, Mizuki happily took my hand.

“Look! It’s a jellyfish!”

Pointing at the tank in front of us, Mizuki tried to get closer to it, seemingly forgetting that she was still holding my hand.

Wait a second… My hand… My hand…

“Mizuki, you seem to be having a great time.”

“Do I…?”

“You’ve been smiling from ear to ear since we got here.”

“I am having fun. Don’t you feel excited when you visit a place for the first time?”

“I get it. I remember when I went to an amusement park for the first time, I had so much fun that I stayed until closing time.”

Feeling a connection, I shared a story from my past, and Mizuki listened with enthusiasm.

After seeing various fish, we headed to watch the dolphin show.

“Ao-kun, did you see that!? They jumped through the hoop!”

“It was amazing. Want to go closer after the show?”

“Definitely!”

From start to finish, Mizuki watched the dolphin show with excitement.

(Seeing her having fun is the best…)

“Oh, there they are. They’re so big.”

“Yeah.”

After the show, we moved to a spot where we could see the dolphins swimming.

Mizuki placed her hand on the tank, watching the dolphins. Besides us, there were a few other people who had come to see them after the show.

“Ao-kun, shall we go to the next spot?”

Her expression after watching the dolphin show and eating omurice at the aquarium’s restaurant looked incredibly happy.

“Mizuki, you always look so happy when you eat,” 

“Well, Ao-kun, you also look like you’re enjoying your meal,” she replied.

“Do I?” 

“Yes, it makes me feel happy too,” she said with a smile.

Though I can’t see my own expression, I guess there’s no helping it…

After finishing our lunch, we stopped by the souvenir corner.

“Ao-kun, if you don’t mind, shall we buy something matching?” 

“Sure. Matching items like keychains?” 

Seeing a dolphin keychain by chance, I proposed the idea, and Mizuki murmured that it was cute.

“That’s a good choice. There are two colors, pink and light blue. Which one should we get?” she asked, seeming to like the dolphin keychain.

“Whichever you like, Mizuki.”

“Is it okay if we go with the light blue? I think the color suits the dolphin.”

“Sure, I’ll get them. Wait here,” I said.

Taking two light blue dolphin keychains, I headed to the register, paid, and handed one to her. She accepted it with a smile and a thank you.

“How much was it?” she asked, reaching for her wallet in her bag.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s a gift,”

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it,” she said warmly.

***

“Thank you for walking me home.”

Since it was dark outside, I decided to walk her home. When we arrived in front of her house, Mizuki let go of my hand.

“See you at school.”

“Yes, see you…”

As she turned to go inside, I noticed her expression looked a bit lonely, so I gently patted her head.

“Ao-kun…?” she asked.

“If you ever feel lonely, you can call me anytime,”

“…Understood. If I get lonely, I’ll call you.”

Mizuki hugged me tightly and stayed like that for a while. Then she smiled softly and said,

“Ao-kun, good night.”

At that moment, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. Blushing, she quickly went inside, hiding her face.

“What…?”

TL: Demn… they already kissed… LOVELY~! Get ready for more sweetness ahead!