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 62: When you're tired, you need healing.

When you’re tired, you need healing.

“Hey, why don’t we stay after school for a study session?”

It was Kana who made the suggestion during lunch. She often proposed these kinds of ideas, so I had expected her to bring it up sooner or later.

“Sounds good. What about you, Ao-kun?”

I had told my dad I would get the top score, so I considered studying alone at home. However, I wanted to study with Mizuki and the others, so I decided against isolating myself.

“I think I’ll join the study session too.”

“Wow, Ao is actually on board! Aiming for the top, huh?”

“Well, yeah. I thought I might try to keep up with Mizuki.”

I made sure not to reveal that I was aiming for the top because of my promise to my dad.

“Mi-chan, it’s serious! Ao might steal the top spot!”

“I don’t mind if he does. As long as I get my usual scores, I’m fine with that.”

Mizuki used to push herself to get high scores to please her mom, but she had now shifted to a more balanced approach without overexerting herself.

“If you do get the top spot, Ao-kun, I’ll cook for you again.”

“Now that’s some motivation.”

We all laughed, and I felt a renewed sense of determination.

***

After lunch, Mizuki and Kana went to the courtyard, but Kouta and I stayed in the classroom.

“Hey, Ao.”

“What is it?”

“Did your parents say something?”

“Kouta, are you spying on me? You’re scarily accurate.”

I always feel like he’s seeing right through me, but with Kouta, it’s just downright eerie. Does he have surveillance cameras on me or something?

“My dad told me that if I don’t get the top rank in the upcoming finals, I should break up with Mizuki.”

“Wahh, that’s harsh. Did you tell him you’re dating?”

“Well, I figured he would find out eventually. Are your parents okay with you dating Kana?”

“Nope, Kana’s parents don’t seem to like me… I wish they would just tell me what they don’t like.”

Feeling that Kouta was also dealing with a lot, I decided to listen to his grievances for a bit.

“Be honest, Ao. What do you think my flaws are?”

“You tease me.”

“That’s not something Kana’s parents would dislike… Maybe they’re judging my intelligence or something.”

“Who knows… Maybe they think you look like a playboy?”

The fact that Kana’s parents disapprove of Kouta means he’s met them at least once. There might have been something he did that they didn’t like, but without directly asking them, it’s impossible to know.

“Back to the topic, Ao, did you tell Mizuki about your dad’s ultimatum?”

“No… I’ll tell her after the exams.”

If I tell her now, Mizuki might go easy on me to help me get first place. To avoid that, I’m keeping it from her.

“I see. Well, good luck. Let’s go somewhere after the exams are over.”

“Yeah…”

***

One day before the test, Mizuki invited me to study together at her house. Since it was a day off, her father, Akihito-san, was also home.

As we were studying in her room, there was a knock on the door. When I opened it, Akihito-san was standing there with something in his hands.

“You’re both working so hard. Here, have some snacks.”

He placed some drinks and a few treats on the table.

“Thank you very much,” I replied.

“Keep up the good work,” Akihito-san said as he left the room.

Feeling tired, Mizuki and I decided to take a short break. The sweets tasted especially good after studying for so long.

“These cookies are delicious,” I remarked.

Mizuki, who was eating the same cookies, nodded in agreement. After our brief break, we resumed studying.

An hour later, my focus waned, and I happened to glance at Mizuki. Our eyes met.

“Feeling tired? How about a lap pillow?” she offered.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes, go ahead,” she said with a smile, patting her lap invitingly.

I laid my head on her lap, staring up at her. This angle was a bit intense for me. Maybe I should have turned to the side, I thought.

“When you’re tired, you need some comfort. Ao-kun, you’ve been working hard, so after the test, I’ll pamper you a lot,” she said softly.

Am I going to be spoiled even more than I already am?

As she stroked my head, my eyes naturally closed. It felt so soothing that I thought I might fall asleep.

“You’ve been doing this for a while, let’s switch,” I offered.

As I started to get up to switch, Mizuki looked like she had something to say.

“I… I want Ao-kun to pat me too.”

(How adorable is this…)

Her request and the way she asked made my heart skip a beat.

“O-okay…”

“Thank you.”

She lay down on my lap, her face lighting up with joy even though I hadn’t done anything yet.

“I love it when you pat me, Ao-kun.”

“I think you’ve mentioned that before…”

“I’ll say it as many times as I want,” she giggled.

As I gently stroked her head, she started to get drowsy.

“You’re looking sleepy,” I said.

“That’s because you’re petting my head, Ao-kun.”

“So it’s my fault… If you’re going to sleep, shouldn’t you do it in bed?”

“Then… let’s sleep together… Ao-kun, you said you wanted to cuddle again before…”

Once Mizuki falls asleep, it’s hard to wake her up, and if she sleeps here, I won’t be able to move. Before that happens—oh, she’s already asleep.

I gently pinched her cheek, making her smile softly in her sleep.

I have the urge to touch more than just her cheek, but I restrain myself. I can’t risk waking her up, especially with Akihito-san downstairs.

(Just the cheek it is…)