When I Told the Most Beautiful Girl in the School That My Confession Had Failed, She Suddenly Started Coming at Me With Unbearably Heavy Feelings

Chapter 12: The Aquarium and the Two of Us

At 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, I sat on a bench in front of the bustling station, my heart restless and jittery.

There was still a bit of time until our meeting. I’d planned to arrive earlier than the agreed time, but in my excitement, I got here way too early.

Today was my first day off with Rinne. We were headed to the aquarium.

Lately, we’d hung out on the way home from school, but meeting up on a weekend like this was a first.

Just the fact that we were meeting on a day off made it feel special.

(I hope I don’t look weird… I’d hate for her to think I’m lame.)

“Hinate-kun.”

Within minutes of my arrival, Rinne showed up. It seemed I wasn’t the only one looking forward to this date.

Today, Rinne wore a crisp white blouse, shorts, and a jacket—a mature outfit that fully showcased her charm. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Were you here long?”

“Nah, I just got here. …Guess I arrived earlier than I thought.”

“I was excited, you know. Thanks for coming despite the sudden invite.”

Rinne’s graceful smile made my heart leap, skipping past a flutter to a full-on thud.

(This is the charm of Rinne Kisaragi, the academy’s top beauty… terrifying.)

“…Hinate-kun?”

“Oh, no, I was just thinking your outfit looks great.”

My clumsy response made Rinne blink in surprise, but she soon flashed a warm smile.

“Hehe, thanks. I put in extra effort for you, Hinate-kun.”

“As expected of the academy’s number-one beauty. Anyone would think you’re cute.”

“Stop it. I care more about you thinking I’m cute than what everyone else says.”

After exchanging compliments, we headed to the bus stop and boarded a bus.

Inside, I spotted a few other couples heading to the same destination.

(…Do we look like a couple to them too?)

Caught up in that giddy thought, I glanced at Rinne beside me. She was probably the cutest person on this bus.

“Do you like aquariums, Hinate-kun?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty fond of them. I like the calm vibe you get soaking in the atmosphere.”

“Hmm… so, which do you like more, me or the aquarium?”

“Huh…?”

Her sudden, bold question drew a weird noise from me. Rinne smirked mischievously.

“Hehe, was that a bit of a mean question?”

“C’mon, you…”

“I like seeing you flustered, Hinate-kun. Sorry for being such a wicked girl.”

Rinne laughed gracefully, like cherry blossoms in full bloom. Even knowing she was teasing me, her cuteness left me defenseless.

But I wasn’t one to just take it. I decided to fight back a little.

“…I like you more, Kisaragi.”

“…Huh?”

Rinne froze, her face turning bright red in an instant.

Her flushed cheeks, like autumn leaves out of season, showed a different kind of cuteness than usual.

“…Thanks.”

“…Yeah.”

In the awkward air that followed, we rode the bus toward the aquarium.

▼▽

After passing a couple of stations, we arrived at the aquarium.

Being a weekend, it was crowded with couples and families with kids. It wasn’t suffocating, but we’d need to be careful not to get separated.

“Hinate-kun, let’s hold hands so we don’t lose each other.”

Rinne’s fingers slipped into mine, and soon her arm was linked with mine too.

“K-Kisaragi…?”

“If we’re holding hands, might as well do it properly, right?”

(Sure, but… I can feel all sorts of things touching me…!)

Flustered by the soft sensation against my arm, I walked with Rinne through the aquarium.

Any worries about whether I could handle this faded quickly.

“Wow…!”

Colorful fish swam in the tanks.

Oddly shaped starfish.

Jellyfish with a unique glow.

Charming seals.

A thrilling dolphin show.

It had been a while since I’d been to an aquarium—since middle school, actually. Experiencing these unfamiliar sea creatures was refreshing for both me and Rinne.

“Beautiful…”

Rinne’s eyes sparkled in front of the main attraction, a massive tank. Her profile, perfectly suited to blue, looked stunning in this aquarium setting.

“…Yeah.”

“Did you know? Humans have only explored about 15% of the ocean. We barely know anything about it.”

“Wow… I probably only know about that much of you, Kisaragi.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration. …I’d say you know at least 18%.”

“That’s splitting hairs.”

“You’re right,” Rinne said with a laugh.

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be on an aquarium date with Rinne, joking around like this, I wouldn’t have believed it.

“…It’s kind of weird, isn’t it? You and me at the aquarium together.”

“Is it? I don’t think it’s that unthinkable…”

“Not long ago, we’d just chat when we ran into each other. Back in middle school, we didn’t exactly meet under the best circumstances. And now here we are, joking and laughing together… it’s just… really nice.”

I laughed to cover my embarrassment at my own words.

Rinne’s wide eyes glared at me with a hint of frustration.

“…Are you doing that without realizing it?”

“Huh? No, I mean, it’s just how I feel…”

“Only say things like that to me. If you don’t, I won’t forgive you.”

Rinne leaned in close with her beautiful face, a faint trace of possessiveness pricking at my chest.

I nodded reluctantly at her displeased expression.

“…But I meant what I said. I want to know more about you, Kisaragi.”

“Good. Then let’s aim for 20% today.”

I wanted to learn more about Rinne, bit by bit—her good sides, her flaws, everything. Even if it took forever.

No amount of effort would deter me. That’s probably because I—

“Hey, is that Hinate-kun?”