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 41: Sheltering from the Rain.

Sheltering from the Rain.

The sound of something falling in the classroom was caused by the props all toppling over due to the excessive scare tactics.

Although we were supposed to disperse after the customer service practice, our class stayed behind to reinforce and readjust the fallen props so they wouldn’t collapse during the actual event.

“What happened to cause that mess?”

I asked Kana, who had been playing a scary role inside. She folded her arms and let out a small laugh.

“We went all out to scare people since it’s a haunted house, and they got way more scared than we expected. Then, we got startled by their reactions, and it turned into complete chaos inside.”

“What kind of scare tactics were you using…?”

“Kana, please keep it low key during the actual performance. A message from Sayaka.”

Rikuto, also playing a scary role, conveyed Sayaka’s message to Kana.

“Okay, I’ll tone it down.”

“Toning it down, huh…”

As I muttered this, I noticed Mizuki talking to classmates in the hallway. It wouldn’t have bothered me if she was chatting with girls, but since she was talking to boys, it stirred some unease in me.

Mizuki often engages in casual conversations with various people. It never bothered me before…

“Hey, Ao, are you jealous because Mizuki is talking to other guys?”

Kana peeked at my face with a mischievous grin.

“I’m not.”

I was just a little uneasy. Whether Mizuki talks to other guys or not is her choice.

***

The first day of the cultural festival. Since it was my shift, I spent the entire day sitting in front of the classroom with Mizuki, serving as the receptionists.

“Three people? Alright, please come in.”

Mizuki opened the classroom door, allowing the guests to enter.

“We’re getting quite a few visitors.”

“Yes, it seems all three classes with haunted houses are attracting a similar number of people.”

Some visitors were going to all three haunted houses.

“Is there a particular class you’d like to visit, Mizuki?”

“I’m a bit interested in the accessory-making class next door.”

“Then let’s go there first thing tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“If you want to go, I’ll come with you.”

“Then Ao-kun, you have to choose one place you’d like to visit too.”

“Alright.”

Although she asked me to pick a place, I worried that choosing something I wanted to do might not be as enjoyable for Mizuki.

While I was browsing the student council’s list of festival attractions, more guests arrived, interrupting my thoughts.

“Hey there, young lady. How about ditching your shift and exploring with me?”

It was Kana, on a festival date with Kouta, suggesting Mizuki join them instead of doing her duty.

“Mizuki, don’t listen to Kana.”

“I know. I won’t abandon my shift.”

“Good job, Mi-chan!”

Kana patted Mizuki’s head with a smile. Watching this, I felt someone’s gaze from the front.

“What is it, Kouta?”

“I didn’t say anything. So, are you having fun with Mizuki?”

“Yeah, we’re having fun. How about you?”

“We’ve been to quite a few different classes. I recommend the photo spot by the second-year students for you.”

“A photo spot, huh…”

It sounded interesting, and I added it to my list of potential places to visit. Well, if we have time, we’ll go to as many places as we can.

The first day of the festival ended, and I decided to head home still wearing my class T-shirt since changing out of it felt like a hassle.

“Ao-kun, since we’re wearing the same shirt, shall we take a photo together?”

“Sure, why not.”

Since there was no one in the connecting corridor, we stopped there to take a few photos. After snapping a few shots, we headed towards the shoe lockers.

“I’m happy to be matching with you, Ao-kun. Even though all our classmates are wearing the same shirt too,” Mizuki said with a laugh. Her smile made me smile too. Watching her, I felt an even stronger desire to cherish her.

“It started raining. Did you bring an umbrella, Ao-kun?”

As we were about to leave school, it began to rain. I searched my bag for a folding umbrella but couldn’t find it.

I must have left it at home this morning to lighten my load. Of course, I would need it now…

“I think I forgot it. Does the school lend umbrellas?”

“I’m not sure. If you don’t mind, would you like to share mine?”

“But won’t we get wet?”

“It’s fine. If we stick close together, there won’t be any problem.”

***

“Ao-kun, your ears are bright red.”

“It’s nothing…”

How could I stay calm in this situation? Sharing an umbrella with Mizuki in the rain, with barely any distance between us, was enough to keep my heart racing.

Since I was taller, I held the umbrella.

“You need to get closer, or you’ll get wet.”

To keep Mizuki from getting wet, I moved the umbrella closer to her. She then wrapped her arm around me from behind and pulled me closer.

“The rain is getting heavier. Should we find a place to take shelter?”

“Yeah… Let’s find a place to wait out the rain.”

I could barely keep my composure. If we weren’t in a public place, I might not have been able to restrain my feelings for her.

We found a nearby park with a place to take shelter and decided to wait there until the rain stopped.

“My clothes got wet…”

Sitting on a bench, Mizuki was trying to dry her wet clothes with a handkerchief.

“You’ll catch a cold. Here, wear this.”

I handed her the sweater I wasn’t wearing because it was too hot. She looked at it, then put it on. It was oversized and looked adorable on her.

“Ao-kun, your clothes are so big. It feels like I’m being hugged by you, and it’s comforting.”

“…You say things like that so casually, Mizuki.”

I sat next to her, naturally leaning our shoulders together. Our hands touched, and I felt her warmth.

“It’s cold because of the rain, but human warmth is so comforting.”

She trusted me enough to be this vulnerable. She leaned on me to ease her loneliness. Mizuki often tried to handle things on her own, but it was just too much for her sometimes.

She leaned against my shoulder, but gradually, she started to nod off. Feeling secure with me there, she gently rested her head on my lap.

(She’s so defenseless…)

Moments like this, where I wished time would stop, made me feel the happiest.

TL: Demn this is cute…
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