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 36: Double Date.

Double Date.

August 1st. Kana suggested a double date at the amusement park, so that’s what we decided to do. I hadn’t been to an amusement park since kindergarten, so I was a bit excited, and it showed.

“Ao, you couldn’t sleep last night, could you?” Kouta said as we stood in line for the roller coaster.

“How do you know that?”

“Just a hunch?”

Creepy. Had he secretly installed security cameras in my room?

We split up using rock-paper-scissors, and I ended up riding next to Kouta. I mentioned that couples should be riding together, but Kana insisted that it’s important to interact with people you don’t usually talk to. Though Kana and Kouta seem to interact just fine.

“Kouta-senpai,” I started.

“What is it, my junior?”

“Tell me one thing couples should do at an amusement park.”

“Normally, I’d tell you to figure it out yourself, but I’ll give you one tip. Ask your girlfriend what she wants to ride and then take her on that.”

“Got it…”

It’s good advice from a romance veteran, but since it’s a double date, I doubted I’d get the chance to use it today.

“Even though it’s a double date, you probably want some alone time. Let’s split up and do our own thing in the afternoon,” Kouta suggested.

“Okay.”

After the roller coaster, we moved on to the log flume. A game of rock-paper-scissors determined the order: me, Kana, Mizuki, and Kouta from right to left.

“Ao, did you hear what Kouta said about the afternoon?” Kana asked.

“Yeah, I heard.”

“If you’re going with Mi-chan, I recommend the haunted house.”

“Does Mizuki like haunted houses?”

“Nope, she said she hates them.”

I don’t want to take her somewhere she doesn’t like. I don’t want to make Mizuki do something she hates.

“Then why suggest the haunted house?”

“Because when you go with a girl who’s scared of haunted houses, something always happens.”

“Ah…, I see.”

I could already guess what Kana was thinking. It’s the classic “Eek, I’m scared!” and then the girl clings to your arm scenario or the accidental touch in the dark with “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“No, I’m not interested in that. I don’t want to take Mizuki somewhere she doesn’t like just to make that happen.”

“Wow, you’re really kind, Ao. But if Mizuki says she wants to go, take her.”

Kana was smiling brightly, and I had a bad feeling about it. Something seemed suspicious…

After the log flume, Kana suggested we ride the teacups, so we all got on.

“Let’s decide by majority vote whether to spin or not,” Kana proposed.

I preferred not to spin. I had a bad experience on the teacups with Kana and Kouta before.

Kana and Kouta would probably vote to spin. If Mizuki also voted to spin, then it would be three against one. I needed Mizuki on my side.

“Mizuki, we should—”

“Hey, Ao, no influencing Mizuki,” Kana cut me off.

I was about to ask Mizuki to vote for not spinning, but Kana interrupted. Mizuki, understanding what I was trying to say, looked at me and smiled warmly.

“Alright, let’s vote. Who wants to spin?”

As expected, Kana and Kouta raised their hands. Mizuki, on the other hand, didn’t raise hers.

Did Mizuki understand what I was hinting at earlier?

“So, that means Mizuki and Ao don’t want to spin. Should we split into two groups of two instead?”

“That sounds good. Ao, Mizuki, is that okay with you?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“No problem.”

Relieved to avoid the spinning, I felt a poke on my arm from Mizuki.

“That worked out well, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, definitely. If I rode with Kouta or Kana, I’d probably get sick. Were you wanting to spin, Mizuki?”

“No, just riding without spinning is enough for me.”

As we reached the ride, I asked Mizuki which color teacup she wanted.

“Any is fine.”

“Let’s go with the pink one then.”

We got into the pink teacup, and Mizuki sat down with a look of excitement.

“Mizuki, you look like you’re having fun.”

“Of course I am. Just being with you makes me happy.”

She said that and gave a small, sweet smile.

***

We decided to have lunch together, so we placed some items at an empty table to hold our spot and went to order our food.

“Mizuki, have you decided what you want?” I asked.

“I’m thinking of getting ramen. What about you, Ao-kun?”

“I’m going for the omelet rice. You look like you want a bite.”

“Th-that’s not… Well, actually, I do want a bite.”

“You’re honest.”

As I said that and patted her head, Kana, who was standing behind us in line, spoke up.

“Hey, no flirting while we’re in line.”

“Like you’re one to talk.”

They act all innocent while sticking close to each other.

After we finished ordering and everyone had gathered, we started eating lunch.

Mizuki, who was sitting next to me, tied her hair back in a ponytail so it wouldn’t get in the way while eating her ramen.

“Ponytail Mizuki is so cute,” Kana commented.

“Really?”

“Yeah, you look adorable.”

Mizuki looked delighted at Kana’s compliment.

“Mizuki, want to take a bite first?”

“Oh, yes, please.”

I scooped up a bite-sized portion with my spoon and fed it to Mizuki.

“It’s delicious,” she said.

“Feeding each other right in front of us? Did you forget that Kouta and I are here?” Kana teased.

Only then did I realize my surroundings. I had completely forgotten.

“Well, it’s nice to see such an adorable couple. It’s like a little treat for us,” Kana added, starting to eat with a smile.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I said nothing and began eating as well.

TL: I WANNA DO THIS TOO!!