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 43: No, it's not too much.

No, it’s not too much.

The Haunted House of Class 3-5. As people emerged from the classroom, everyone kept saying, “That was scary,” so Mizuki remained silent while waiting in line.

“Will I really be okay?” As we approached the front of the line, Mizuki tightly grasped my hand.

“Mizuki, if it’s too much, we can still leave the line, you know.”

“No, it’s not too much. I can do this.”

“Next, please.”

The line moved forward, and we finally reached the front. That’s when I noticed a girl from Class 3-5 watching us.

“…Ah, I see what’s going on here.”

“Ao-kun, is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Being called next, Mizuki and I entered the dark classroom.

“Wow, it’s intense right from the start. Mizuki, are you okay?”

The classroom was filled with eerie music, creating a chilling atmosphere.

“So far, so good… Let’s keep going.”

Her hand was trembling, so I gently held it and took the lead.

Since it’s a classroom, the distance from start to finish isn’t very long. It should be over much quicker than the amusement park haunted house.

Just when we reached the middle, there was a rustling sound, and someone emerged from a cleaning locker.

The sudden noise and appearance startled Mizuki, causing her to cling to me.

“Ao-kun, Ao-kun, let’s get out of here quickly!”

“O-okay…”

As for me, I can never really enjoy these haunted houses. I always end up predicting what’s going to happen next, so I never get surprised.

However, I did react earlier. There’s no way I wouldn’t react when a girl suddenly clings to me.

After leaving the haunted house, Mizuki looked exhausted, likely from being so startled.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine.”

We sat down on a bench to rest, and Kana, who was on break, came running over.

“Ao-kun, Mi-chan, hey there! Mi-chan, what happened to you?”

“She got too scared in the haunted house and needed a break.”

“Are you alright? Did Ao do anything weird to you?”

What kind of concern is that? I didn’t do anything weird in the dark, okay?

“I’m fine. I’m just not good with dark places.”

“It was scary, huh? Here, let me give you a big hug.”

Kana hugged Mizuki tightly, then gave me a triumphant look as if to say, “See? Isn’t this great?”

“By the way, after the cultural festival ends, our class is planning a party. Ao, Mi-chan, what about you two?”

The class party. We had one last year too, but I couldn’t go because I had to get home early. Mizuki went last year, though.

“Are you planning to go, Kana-san?”

“Yeah, I’m going. My friends are going too.”

“I see. Ao-kun, what about you?”

If my friends aren’t going, it’s not fun to go alone, so Mizuki is asking if I’ll go.

“Well… I didn’t go last year, so I guess I’ll go this time.”

“Then, I’ll go too.”

“Okay, I’ll let the organizer, know that you two are coming, which is of course Saya-chan, .”

“Thank you.”

I wondered if Mizuki would have decided not to go if I had said I wasn’t going.

“By the way, where is the party going to be held?”

“At a karaoke place. Enjoy the rest of the festival!”

After Kana left, Mizuki gently tugged at my arm.

“I’ve never been to karaoke before. What kind of place is it?”

Mizuki had never been to karaoke… Well, it doesn’t seem like the kind of place she’d go to.

“Karaoke is mainly for singing, but you can also eat there.”

“I see. I’m looking forward to it.”

***

After a brief rest, we headed to the photo spot set up by the second-year students. There were various props available for use.

“Oh, if it isn’t Ao!”

“Hey… long time no see.”

While waiting in line, one of the girls running the photo spot noticed me and approached.

Her name was Jouichi Yua. She was a girl I inexplicably got along with during middle school.

She wasn’t the type of person I’d typically befriend, but we had become friendly through various circumstances.

“Oh, so you’re the rumored beauty, Tsuyuzaki Mizuki?”

“B-beauty, that’s… not true.”

“No, no, you’re adorable! You should be more confident. So, are you Ao’s girlfriend?”

“N-nice to meet you. I’m Tsuyuzaki Mizuki.”

“Polite and with a dazzling smile huh…. I’m Jouichi Yua. I went to the same middle school as Ao. Feel free to call me Yua.”

“Mizuki, Yua is very forward with everyone she meets, but she’s a good person.”

As I said that, Yua playfully smacked me from behind.

“What’s wrong with being forward? It’s normal if you want to become friends quickly.”

“Some people aren’t comfortable with that. Please be considerate.”

“Yeah, yeah. Tsuyuzaki-chan, want to hear something funny about Ao?”

Sensing that Yua might spill some unnecessary information, I pulled her away from Mizuki by tugging on her clothes.

“No way. You’re totally planning to say something unnecessary.”

“Huh? Not allowed? I think it would be really funny… but okay, I don’t want to do anything that would bother you. Tsuyuzaki-chan, let’s exchange contact info. I can tell you later.”

She pulled out her phone and exchanged contact information with Mizuki. While I didn’t mind them exchanging contacts, she did just mention she would share things later…

“Saying you won’t do anything bothersome but then planning to share stuff later is contradictory.”

“It’s fine. We’re just going to have friendly chats. Anyway, let me take a picture of you two. Which spot do you want to use?”

The classroom had three photo spots: one in front of a chalkboard art, one with lots of balloons, and one with a stylish door.

“I’d like to take a picture in front of the chalkboard art.”

“If that’s what you want, Mizuki, then that’s where we’ll go.”

“Got it. Tsuyuzaki-chan, can I play with your hair a bit before we take the picture? I’m good at styling long hair.”

“Please go ahead.”

Mizuki followed Yua to the hallway with a mirror, and I waited in the classroom. A few minutes later, they returned.

“What do you think, Ao? Isn’t she adorable?”

Yua had styled Mizuki’s hair into twin tails and placed a hand on her shoulder from behind.

“Yeah, she looks very cute.”

When I sincerely said that, Mizuki softly thanked me and touched her hair.

“I’m glad you like it, Tsuyuzaki-chan. Now, let’s take the photo.”

I handed my phone to Yua, and she took a picture of Mizuki and me.

“There you go, it turned out great.”

“Thanks, Yua.”

“Thank you, Yua-san. I’ll keep my hair like this for now.”

“Yeah, you should!”

After parting ways with Yua, we visited other classrooms we hadn’t been to yet, making the cultural festival even more enjoyable.