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 53: I wanted to see Ao-kun as soon as possible.

I wanted to see Ao-kun as soon as possible.

Starting today, we have a four-day, three-night school trip. Our destination is Okinawa. We gathered at the airport and boarded a morning flight, so I slept for most of the flight since we had to meet so early.

Though I couldn’t sleep soundly with Kana and Kouta chatting beside me…

“The flight was so long… Ao, can you massage my shoulders?”

“Get your boyfriend to do it.”

After landing, we were to travel from the airport to the hotel in our pre-assigned groups. The check-in time at the hotel was set for 6 PM. Since it’s now 12:30 PM, we were free to explore until then.

Our group consists of Mizuki, Kana, Kouta, Rikuto, Hasekura, and me.

Using our smartphones to look up tourist spots, we enjoyed sightseeing and buying souvenirs right from the first day.

“Should we head to the hotel soon?” Rikuto suggested, noticing we had less than an hour until check-in.

“Yeah, maybe we should take the bus from here,” Kana confirmed, checking the bus schedule at the stop. It looked like the bus from here would drop us off near the hotel, so we decided to wait.

“Are you sure it’s okay to buy so much on the first day?” I asked Kana, worriedly eyeing her numerous shopping bags. Though there was no set limit on how much money we could bring, spending so much right at the start seemed risky.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll deal with it if things get tight later!”

I couldn’t help but feel her carefree attitude would lead to trouble later.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the teacher showed us to our rooms.

“Meet at the dining hall on the second basement floor at 7 PM. Room leaders, Kougami-san and Tsuyuzaki-san, have a meeting 30 minutes prior, so please arrive early.”

Of course, the boys’ and girls’ rooms were separate, so we split up here.

“Mizuki, shall we meet here and head to dinner together later?”

“Sure, let’s meet here around 6:20 PM.”

***

It was 6:10 PM. After organizing my luggage in the room, I decided to head to the meeting spot with Mizuki a bit early.

The entrance was very spacious, with a shop and a café. Being alone in such a place made me feel somewhat uneasy.

Just as I was about to check out the café menu out of curiosity, someone hugged me from behind.

“Ao-kun, you’re early.”

“Mizuki, you’re early too.”

Turning around, I saw Mizuki with her hair in twin braids.

“I wanted to see you as soon as possible, Ao-kun.”

“…Me too.”

We both blushed and found ourselves in an awkward silence, unsure of what to say next.

Just as I was about to suggest heading to the dining hall, Mizuki spoke up.

“For the free time on the last day, do you have plans with anyone?”

“The last day? No, I haven’t made any plans.”

“Then, would you like to go somewhere with me, just the two of us?”

“Sure, let’s go somewhere together.”

As we walked to the dining hall, Mizuki and I discussed where we might go on the last day.

After the room leaders’ meeting, everyone gathered for dinner. Afterwards, we were free to either return to our rooms or explore the hotel.

Kana and Mizuki decided to explore the hotel, disappearing from the dining hall right after dinner.

“Ao, we’re heading back to the room. What about you?”

My roommates Kouta and Rikuto asked if I would join them as they returned to the room.

“I’ll head back after buying a drink.”

“Alright, we’ll go ahead.”

After parting ways with Kouta and Rikuto, I ran into Hasekura-san, who was chatting with other friends.

“Oh, Kougami-kun. Going somewhere?”

“I’m just heading to the vending machine to get a drink.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Being alone with Hasekura-san was fine, but since we hadn’t talked much before, I couldn’t think of any topics to discuss. We often hung out together with Kana and the others, but without a larger group, it was suddenly difficult to talk.

“How are things with Mizuki?” she asked as we reached the vending machine and I started buying my drink.

“We’re getting along well. How about you, Hasekura-san?”

“Eh?”

She pointed to herself with her index finger, surprised.

“Well, I noticed you seemed interested in Rikuto. How’s that going?”

“…It showed on my face?”

“Yeah, kind of. You seemed unsure about talking to him after dinner.”

“That’s embarrassing,” she said, blushing and covering her face with both hands, though her red ears gave her away.

“I like Rikuto, but whenever I’m conscious of it, I can’t talk to him smoothly. I want to invite him to spend the last day of the trip sightseeing together, but I can’t muster the courage.”

We switched places, and it was Hasekura-san’s turn to buy a drink from the vending machine.

“Rikuto would probably say yes.”

“Yeah, Rikuto is kind, so he might agree… Hmm, nothing will happen if I just keep worrying. I’ll give it my best shot.”

“Yes, go for it. Good night.”

“Good night, Kougami-kun.”

***

After parting ways with Hasekura-san, I returned to my room and took a bath. Apparently, there’s an onsen, but we’re not allowed to use it this time.

“Sigh… I had a great time, but I’m exhausted,” I muttered, flopping onto the bed after drying my hair with the hairdryer.

“Totally. I need some comfort… Maybe I’ll go see Kana,” Kouta said.

“The teacher will be here for a bed check soon, so don’t.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

If there had been time before bed check, Kouta probably would have gone to see Kana, claiming he needed some comfort.

Mizuki often says she wants me to be more affectionate. I wonder what would happen if I actually did that.

“By the way, we’re going to the aquarium tomorrow, right? Wasn’t your first date with Mizuki at an aquarium? How was it?” Kouta asked.

“It was fun. I hadn’t been to an aquarium since I was a kid. Didn’t you and Kana have your first date at a pancake café?” I replied.

Kouta looked surprised.

“Oh, you remember that?”

Of course, I remembered. I had heard the story of their first date at the café countless times.

“I had to listen to your lovey-dovey story over and over.”

“I didn’t mean to force you to listen… So now it’s your turn to tell us your lovey-dovey stories,” Kouta said with a grin.

“I’m not sharing any lovey-dovey stories,” I retorted.

If I did, the story would probably make its way to Kana, and that would be a disaster.