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 42: It's been a while since I felt defeated.

It’s been a while since I felt defeated.

The second day of the cultural festival. With no shifts to cover today, I was free to spend the entire day with Mizuki. We first headed to the neighboring class’s “Accessory Making” activity.

I was content just watching Mizuki work, but the students in that class encouraged me to participate as well.

“Ao-kun, how about we make something for each other? We can exchange them when we’re done.”

“Alright. I’ll make a bracelet that suits you, Mizuki.”

“And I’ll make one that suits you too, Ao-kun.”

Hearing our conversation, the students from the neighboring class looked at us gently.

“I didn’t know you could make such expressions, Tsuyuzaki-san. I thought you were more reserved. I was surprised when I heard you were dating Kougami-kun, but you two look great together.”

“Thank you,” Mizuki replied, smiling happily at the girl who had been in our class last year and who had taught us how to make the accessories.

Hearing that we made a good pair felt nice. I had wondered if people thought I was an unreliable guy for being close to Mizuki, but it was reassuring to know they saw us as a good match.

“It’s done. Here you go, Ao-kun.”

“I finished mine too. Here, take it.”

We exchanged our creations, and Mizuki immediately put the bracelet I made on her wrist.

“It’s cute. Ao-kun, should I help you put yours on?”

I hesitated, but then thought it wouldn’t hurt to wear it during the festival. “Sure, please do.”

“Alright,” she said.

I held out my hand, and she carefully adjusted the size and tied the string. As she did, I noticed the students from that class watching us intently, whispering among themselves.

“I’m so jealous. Getting Tsuyuzaki-san to put it on for you…”

“Hey, keep your voice down. It’s a boyfriend privilege. You’ll never get Tsuyuzaki-san to do that for you.”

“It’s like getting a wedding ring put on.”

“No, that’s the other way around.”

(Boyfriend privilege… I guess this really is a special perk.)

“All done,” Mizuki said, letting go of my hand.

“Thanks. Shall we go”

“Yes.”

As we were about to leave the classroom, one of the students stopped us.

“Um, could you please wear those and promote our class?”

“Huh…?”

“Just wearing them is enough.”

“Uh… sure.”

Not fully understanding, we left the classroom and headed to the upper floor where various games were set up.

High school cultural festivals were like an extension of middle school, with no food stalls. However, there were plenty of plays and club presentations in the gym, and each class had games, attractions, and craft activities.

“If you get a coin into the small glass cup in the water tank, it’s 100 points. The ones on the sides are 50 points each. The biggest one is 10 points,” a first-year student explained the game to us. Mizuki and I each received three coins.

We had three chances. The game was simple: just get the coin into the glass cup as explained. The maximum score was 300 points.

There were no prizes, but since we were playing, we might as well aim for the perfect score.

“Ao-kun, let’s make this interesting and have a contest. The one with the lower score buys drinks.”

“You’re on.”

I hadn’t expected Mizuki to propose a challenge, but it would definitely make things more exciting.

“Alright, let’s start with the first coin.”

I aimed for the smallest cup and dropped the coin. It swayed left and right as it fell, ultimately landing next to the cup.

“How did it go, Ao-kun?” Mizuki asked.

“I missed it. How about you?”

“I also tried for the smallest cup, but it’s really difficult,” she replied.

We both attempted the smallest cup first, feeling the challenge. After three attempts each, I ended up with a higher score.

“Darn it, I can’t remember the last time I felt this defeated,” Mizuki said, visibly disappointed.

“That was close,” I said, patting her head. Mizuki was deeply focused, analyzing why she couldn’t get the coins into the cups even after we left the classroom.

“I lost, so I’ll buy you a drink. What would you like?”

“It’s okay, Mizuki. I can’t let you do that.”

“No, I insist. I lost, after all.”

“…Alright, a soda then.”

“Got it.”

Mizuki stopped by the vending machine to buy a soda and got one for herself as well before coming back to me.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks. By the way, Mizuki, you often drink apple juice. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I do. It’s delicious, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, I don’t drink it often, so I wouldn’t know. But if you like it, I might give it a try.”

“Then, I’ll try what you like… What do you like?” Mizuki pondered, trying to recall what I usually drank, but since I often changed my choices, she couldn’t figure it out.

“I guess coffee or sodas,” I said.

“Coffee doesn’t seem to suit my taste, so I’ll try a soda,” Mizuki decided.

Wanting to like what the other person likes—it’s because I want to share those experiences with her when we eat or drink together. I want to get to know Mizuki better, little by little. Even though we’re together, I still feel like there’s so much I don’t know about her.

“Ao-kun, how about we visit the haunted house in another class? I’m curious to see how our rival class is doing.”

It seems like Mizuki has started to see the other haunted houses as competition. But, I must admit, I am curious about the other classes’ haunted houses.

“Are you okay with haunted houses, Mizuki?”

“I’ll be fine because you’re with me, Ao-kun. When you’re around, I feel like I can handle anything,” she said, gripping my hand tightly.

“Alright. But if it gets too much, don’t hesitate to say so.”

“I-I understand.”

Mizuki’s confidence in me made my heart swell. With her hand in mine, we made our way to the rival class’s haunted house.

TL: Please rate this novel 5 stars~~