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 44: A-And I'll make something so good that you'll never want anyone else's cooking but mine!

A-And I’ll make something so good that you’ll never want anyone else’s cooking but mine!

“Hey! Everyone, let’s get pumped!!”

Amid the chorus of cheers and shouts, I sat quietly in the corner of the large karaoke room.

If you were to categorize me as either an extrovert or an introvert, I wouldn’t fit neatly into either, but places like this aren’t really my scene.

Mizuki, on the other hand, was sitting near the center, chatting away with Kana.

“Ao, aren’t you going to sing?”

Kouta, who was also sitting on the edge, asked me this despite knowing full well that I wouldn’t.

“I’m not singing. What about you, Kouta?”

“As long as I can watch cute Kana sing, I’m happy.”

“Is that so? Well, why don’t we have something to eat?”

“Yeah, let’s just chill here at the edge, chatting and snacking. Rikuto, want some fries?”

I offered the fries we had ordered to Rikuto, who was sitting across from us. He nodded, and the three of us started eating together.

“So, Ao, how was your cultural festival date?”

Kouta asked this with a mischievous grin, clearly waiting for me to spill some details.

“It was fun.”

“That’s it!? Come on, weren’t there any unexpected moments, or exciting, heart-pounding instances?”

Kouta wasn’t satisfied with my simple response and pressed for more.

“Unexpected moments…”

“Oh? From that look on your face, could it be that something happened in the haunted house? Did Mizuki cling to your arm, saying ‘Eek, I’m scared’?”

Kouta’s comment, which was eerily accurate, sent a shiver down my spine. It was less impressive and more terrifying!

“There’s no way something like that could happen… Wait, did it?”

Rikuto, half-disbelieving Kouta’s words, saw my reaction and started to believe it.

“…No comment.”

“That’s basically admitting it. Ao, you’re so easy to read!”

“Kouta and Ao are really close, aren’t they? You guys met in first year of high school, right?”

Watching our interaction, Rikuto made an observation and asked about it.

“Yeah, Ao and I happened to sit next to each other during the fresher orientation. We just clicked on many levels, and we’ve been close ever since. Ao is kind, helpful, and a hard worker who always sees things through to the end… He’s my pride and joy as a friend.”

Kouta’s words almost made me tear up. Hearing such things said straight to my face was a bit embarrassing.

Though the conversation was supposed to be about how we became friends, Kouta started listing my good qualities, which surprised but also delighted me.

“If we’re talking about good qualities, Kouta has plenty, too. He’s also a friend I’m proud of. Thanks to him, I met Kana and became friends with you, Rikuto.”

“I didn’t do anything special. But I really want to hear about how you and Mizuki met, Ao.”

As Kouta said this, Rikuto nodded in agreement. I wondered why I had to talk about how I met my girlfriend at a post-event gathering. Shouldn’t we be talking about the cultural festival instead?

“I’m definitely not talking about that here.”

Classmates were all around us. If I talked about it here and they overheard, it could stir up some negative feelings.

“Alright, then I’ll ask another time.”

“Yeah, please do.”

***

“Ao-kun, could you please pat my head some more?”

“Sure, is this okay?”

“Yes… it’s very soothing.”

After the party, Mizuki came over to my place. She seemed a bit tired from today’s gathering and said she wanted to be pampered, which led to our current situation.

“Don’t fall asleep, okay?”

I warned her as her eyes started to close. If she fell asleep, it would be problematic for me in various ways.

“Why can’t I sleep?”

“Because if you do, you’ll be too defenseless and who knows what I might do.”

“O-okay. I’ll try not to sleep.”

Not wanting anything to happen while she slept, Mizuki pinched her cheeks to stay awake.

“Don’t pinch your cheeks, it’ll leave marks.”

I took her hand away from her cheek and held it gently.

“I feel so calm when I’m with you, Ao-kun… I’ll need to bring lunch from tomorrow. Is it okay if I make it for you?”

“Really? Are you sure?”

I still remembered the taste of the lunch she made for me last time. Mizuki’s homemade bento was so delicious, and the thought of having it again made me happy.

“Yes, I’ve expanded my repertoire of dishes.”

“Alright, then I’ll take you up on that.”

“Understood. I’ll make a delicious bento for you.”

“Then how about I make lunch for you, Mizuki? How does that sound?”

“I’d love that! I really want to try your cooking, Ao-kun!”

Her face lit up at the idea of me cooking for her.

“Got it. I’ll make something that won’t lose to yours.”

“A-And I’ll make something so good that you’ll never want anyone else’s cooking but mine!”

Now that I think about it, Mizuki is quite competitive. But that’s one of the things that makes her so adorable.

“I love your cooking, Mizuki. I could eat it forever. So, if you have time, I’d love it if you could cook for me.”

“Of course! Whenever you want, I’ll gladly cook for you, Ao-kun.”

Her words, “for you,” echoed in my mind, filling me with happiness.

“Alright, I’ll count on you then.”

“Yes.”

***

“Oh, are you two exchanging bentos?”

During lunch break, Kana quickly noticed that we were swapping lunches.

“Yes, Ao-kun made this for me.”

“That’s so nice! Ao’s homemade bento must be delicious.”

“Hehe, I’m not giving you any,” Mizuki said, playfully moving her bento away from Kana.

“I won’t take it. You’re so cute!”

“So, if you’re exchanging bentos, does that mean this one was made by Mizuki?”

“Yeah, she seems to have improved a lot since the first time. Everything’s delicious.”

I nodded in response to Kouta’s question and then shared my thoughts with Mizuki, who had made the bento.

“I’m glad to hear that. Ao-kun’s bento is also very tasty.”

Kana and Kouta watched our exchange with warm smiles, clearly enjoying the moment.