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 5: Actually, um, I kind of want to snuggle with you, Kougami-kun...

Actually, um, I kind of want to snuggle with you, Kougami-kun…

“Hey, Ao~. There’s apparently this first-period class where we’re supposed to form groups of four for some kind of exploratory lesson.”

In the morning, as I entered the classroom and took my seat, Kouta spoke up with a smirk.

“Oh, really? So, what’s the deal with that?”

“Of course, we’re in the same group, right?”

“Well, yeah…”

Since there weren’t any other close classmates I could invite, it was inevitable that Kouta and I would end up in the same group.

“We need two more people, though. How about inviting Kana?”

“We don’t need to ask; she’ll probably—”

“Good morning! So, for the first-period class, it seems we need to form groups of four for an exploratory lesson. Let’s team up together!”

As soon as she entered the classroom, Kana headed straight for Kouta and me.

“Of course. Hey, Kana, can I talk to you for a sec?”

“Hm? What’s up, Kouta?”

Kouta whispered something to Kana. I couldn’t hear what he said, but I had a bad feeling about it.

“Oh, Kouta, that sounds good. I’ll go invite her right away.”

Though I didn’t understand what was so good, Kana left. Then, Kouta gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“Let’s give it our all during the exploratory lessons.”

“Hey, what’s with that smile? You planning something, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about? I just said let’s do our best, that’s all.”

“Is that really it?”

At this point, saying “yeah” would have eased my mind, but Kouta just kept smiling without saying anything.

***

“I told you, Kouta, you pulled something off, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean~?”

Feeling irritated, I kicked Kouta’s leg under the desk where no one could see.

“Don’t get mad, Ao-kun.”

“Stop with the ‘kun’ stuff; it’s creepy.”

Kana, seated directly across from us, interrupted our exchange with a clap of her hands.

“Come on, you two, let’s not fight too much. Tsuyuzaki-san looks troubled because of you guys.”

Kana’s intervention halted our banter. Though she wore an innocent expression, I knew she was just as responsible as Kouta. I’d confront her about it later.

“Um, is it okay if I be here?”

Tsuyuzaki, observing the camaraderie between Kouta, Kana, and me, seemed hesitant.

“Of course, it’s fine. I’ve been wanting to chat with Tsuyuzaki-san too,” Kana chimed in.

“Kyaa, you’re so dazzling!”

Tsuyuzaki responded with a simple smile, but it was enough to prompt an exaggerated reaction from Kana.

Internally, I mirrored Kana’s sentiment. Thank you for the angelic smile.

“Now then, since we can talk while we work, let’s decide on a theme and assign roles.”

“Yeah, good idea. Ao, mind being the facilitator?”

Why me? Well, leaving it to Kouta or Kana would be worrisome. I’ll manage somehow.

***

The theme seems to be open-ended; we’re supposed to research several stores in this town. The exploratory class consists of four sessions. We’ll create slides and make presentations at the end, it seems.

I took on the role of facilitator, like a leader, and we split into two groups of two.

“Kouta, let us know when you’ve decided on a store.”

“Sure thing. Kana, any ideas on where to go?”

“Um, let me think…~”

So, the two of them used the school computer to research stores in the area.

“Tsuyuzaki, shall we do some research too?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

We only have one computer, and while it’s common to share, Tsuyuzaki kept her distance as usual.

I understand since there are other people around, but…

“Tsuyuzaki, if you’re that far, can you even see the screen?”

“I-I suppose, but… here, it’s like, if I get too close, it might bother you…”

Tsuyuzaki seemed worried that if she got too close, some guys might say something, making me uncomfortable.

“Even so, I don’t think you can see anything…”

Saying that, Tsuyuzaki muttered something under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

“…Actually, um, I kind of want to snuggle up to you, Kougami-kun…”

Snuggle up!? If this weren’t school, Tsuyuzaki might have actually done it.

“H-Hey, that’s not something you should say to a friend, you know?”

“Why not? I was just being honest…”

“It’s because my heart can’t take it. Anyway, let’s just decide where to go.”

We’d been whispering for so long, I thought the other classmates might start giving us strange looks, so I just sat down in front of the computer.

We decided to research one store and then visit it. You can’t present much with just the internet, so tomorrow, on a day off from school, the four of us will visit two stores each.

“I’m looking forward to it! Hey, Tsuyuzaki-san, let’s exchange contact information,”

After school, while discussing plans for tomorrow, Kana asked Tsuyuzaki to exchange contact information.

“Sure, no problem.”

“Yay!”

Kana took out her smartphone, and they exchanged contact information. As I watched this exchange, Kouta leaned in and whispered to me.

“Why don’t you exchange contact info too?”

“Why should I…”

If I said we had already exchanged contact information, we might be questioned about the nature of my relationship with Tsuyuzaki.

“Kouta, let’s go home. What about you, Ao?”

Seemingly delighted after exchanging contact information with Tsuyuzaki, Kana approached with a smile.

“I have somewhere to stop by on the way home, so you two go together today.”

“Got it. Ao, Tsuyuzaki-san, let’s meet at the station at 10 a.m. tomorrow, okay?”

After conveying her message, Kana left the classroom with Kouta. Left behind were just Tsuyuzaki and me, but since there were still classmates in the classroom, we couldn’t talk as usual.

As I was about to move away from her without saying anything, Tsuyuzaki took a step closer and spoke. Instinctively, I took a step back.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow~.”

“Yeah… See you tomorrow then.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

She wore a smile that seemed to express her happiness about seeing each other again tomorrow.

TL: God forgot to give me a girl who would snuggle with me too… demn man…
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