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 26: If I win, I'll cuddle with you.

If I win, I’ll cuddle with you.

After school in the classroom. We have a test next week, but I can’t focus on my studies because of the girl sitting next to me.

It’s no wonder. After all, Tsuyuzaki Mizuki is right next to me. With her beautiful long hair and smooth, shiny skin, she’s so small and delicate that I just want to protect her.

It’s just the two of us in the classroom. Now’s my chance. I could kiss her or do something else, and no one would see. So, right now…

“Hey, Kana. I can’t concentrate on studying, so could you be quiet?”

I lifted my head and said this to Kana, who was sitting in front of me. She pouted and rested her elbows on the desk.

“Mmm~ I was just saying what you were thinking, Ao. Was I wrong?”

“You were wrong. First of all, it’s not just the two of us here. Kana, you and Kouta are also here.”

“Hmm, so if Kouta and I leave the classroom, you’ll do it?”

Do what? Even though it’s just before the test, Kana seems so relaxed… no, maybe she’s given up.

“Kana, Ao-kun, please focus. You two should follow Kouta’s example.”

While Kana and I were talking, Mizuki scolded us. Kouta just laughed as he watched us getting scolded.

“Mi-chan got mad at us. Ao, focus, will you?”

“I was focused, okay?”

For the next thirty minutes, we studied for the test without talking.

“Ugh, I’m tired. Kouta, I want something sweet to eat.”

Kana stretched and leaned on Kouta’s shoulder.

“Ao-kun, good job. How’s your test prep going?”

As I was putting my textbooks and notebooks into my bag, Mizuki spoke to me.

“Well, it’s going okay, I guess.”

“Is that so? Then, how about a bet? If you win, I’ll cuddle with you.”

C-cuddle!? Isn’t this the kind of scene where the winner gets to ask for one thing? So, cuddling is the only option? Well, it’s quite a reward, though.

“Wow, that’s nice. I want Mi-chan to cuddle with me too.”

Apparently, Kana and Kouta overheard and Kana joined the conversation.

“Kana, you can’t. But if you work hard, I’ll make you some homemade sweets.”

“Yay! I’ll do my best!”

Kana’s motivation shot up, and she started getting ready to leave with a big smile on her face.

“Ao-kun, about what I mentioned earlier, is it okay if we have the contest in English, since you’re good at it? The one with the higher score wins.”

“Sure, that’s fine, but…”

“Oh, do you want a different reward?”

“No, it’s not that. I just think Mizuki, you should decide what you want if you win too.”

“Hmm… Ao-kun, you can decide.”

“Alright… then, let’s go to a place you like.”

“Got it. Let’s do our best on the test.”

***

On the day the test results were returned, Mizuki came to me right after school.

“Ao-kun, do you think you can beat me?”

To beat Mizuki, who always ranks first in our grade, I had to study twice as hard. This time, I put a lot of effort into English. While I was motivated by the idea of cuddling, my primary drive was the desire to win.

“Well, I think I have a chance. Who’s going to reveal their score first?”

“How about we say it at the same time? I worked hard this time too, so I don’t feel like I lost.”

Mizuki’s confident smile made me start to doubt my chances.

“Alright, on the count of three.”

We showed our English test papers to each other simultaneously. Mizuki’s paper had a ’98,’ while mine had a ’95.’

“Wow, that’s amazing…”

“You’re amazing too, Ao-kun. You worked really hard.”

Mizuki patted my head, but realizing where we were, she quickly pulled her hand away.

“S-sorry. I guess that wasn’t appropriate at school…”

“Yeah, well, there are still people around, so it’s a bit embarrassing here…”

I wouldn’t mind if we were alone, but in front of others, it’s a bit too much.

“I-I’ll be more careful next time. By the way, you said if I won, I could choose a place to go. Can I visit your house?”

“Huh? My house?”

Thinking I misheard, I asked again, and Mizuki nodded.

“Sure, if it’s too much trouble, you can just say so, but I’d like to try something like a home date.”

“Okay, but can I ask my mom first?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to just show up without notice.”

After discussing plans and the day with Mizuki, we left the classroom and headed home.

“Now that the tests are over, I feel like doing something fun.”

It would be cute if Mizuki said something like Kana would. Did Kana teach her to say that?!

“What do you mean by ‘fun’?”

“Well, maybe eating something sweet…”

Mizuki seemed to recall something as she said that. Then she looked at me with teary eyes.

(Um, what kind of expression is this?)

“Ao-kun, could you do me a favor?”

“A favor? Sure, what is it?”

“I… I’d like to make a little detour after school and try eating crepes.”

Making a detour to eat crepes after school… Could this be considered an after-school date?

“Then, shall we stop by the crepe shop in front of the station on our way home?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

She was smiling twice as much as usual, and I couldn’t help but think that she really wanted to eat those crepes.

***

“Mmm, it’s delicious. I’ve always wanted to try something like this.”

It seems Mizuki didn’t just want to eat crepes; she wanted to experience going out for crepes with friends after school.

“Ao-kun, yours was caramel cream, right?”

“Yeah, you want some?”

I offered the crepe closer to her, and Mizuki looked surprised.

“C-Can I really have some?”

“If you want it, go ahead.”

“Then, thank you.”

She tucked her long hair behind her ear and began eating the crepe. Watching her delicate movements up close, I found myself mesmerized by her.

“Are you staring at me because I got something on my face?”

“No, I just think you’re cute.”

I said that, and she blushed deeply, looking down.

TL: LMAO, reminds me of the meme, ‘If you win, I’ll sit on your face.’ The genos one LOL
BUT they are so adorable!
Please rate this novel 5 stars~