A Pretty Girl Has Her First Kiss Stolen By an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 2.17

Wednesday, June 15

As I was writing the class journal in the classroom after school, I heard a voice from above me.

“Oh, Wakumura! No club today?”

“Yeah, the auditorium is being used exclusively by the brass band.”

“I’m almost done writing. Can you wait a bit? Let’s walk home together.”

“I’ll wait,” Wakumura said, bringing a chair over and sitting beside Wakamatsu as he continued writing in the journal.

Their arms were close—Wakumura’s left arm right next to Wakamatsu’s right. She was watching him closely, staring at every character he wrote, making it hard for him to concentrate.

“It’s embarrassing when you stare at me like that.”

“Ah, sorry! I didn’t mean to…”

Her large eyes grew even bigger as she panicked and moved her chair away.

“Didn’t mean to?” Wakamatsu laughed. His classmate always expressed her emotions with her whole body—whether it was surprise, excitement, or happiness.

“Kaede, do you want to hang out sometime?”

“Oh, sure! Should we invite Ariyoshi too?”

Ariyoshi was a friend they had been close with since their first year. She was the brainy one who supported the wild and energetic Masuda. Tall, with long limbs and short hair, it was clear at a glance that she was in the girls’ volleyball team.

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

Wakumura placed her hand on Wakamatsu’s right hand, which was still holding the pen. When he turned to look at her, their eyes met, and he saw the slight blush on her cheeks.

“I want to go out with just the two of us.”

“Oh, that’s totally fine.”

“Sorry… and thank you.”

“Haha, why are you apologizing?”

After finishing the class journal, they headed to the submission box in front of the teachers’ office.

From the auditorium, the sound of the brass band echoed, and from the nearby hall, the voices of the literary club in their meeting could be heard. The after-school atmosphere gave the school a different feel than during the day.

Responding to Wakumura’s request to take a detour, they went to a Starbucks a few stations away. The café was a stylish two-story building with high ceilings and soothing background music. They ordered a caramel macchiato and a vanilla cream frappuccino with extra chocolate sauce, then headed upstairs.

“Wakumura, you seem really popular.”

“That’s not true! I’ve never even dated anyone before.”

“I see, so no guy is good enough for you.”

Blushing, Wakumura sipped her drink through a straw.

Dressed in a white cardigan with her hair tied up in a half-up style, she looked like a princess. And Wakamatsu? Maybe just her attendant.

“Kaede, I bet you’re popular.”

“No way, I’ve never been confessed to before.”

“Really!?”

Surprised, Wakumura’s eyes widened, and her whole body reacted with shock. Every movement of hers was careful and expressive, making her seem incredibly cute—truly fitting the word “girly.”

“I… I have something that’s been bothering me about romance.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Can you lean in?”

Wakumura reached out and placed her hand on Wakamatsu’s arm, which rested on the round table. Her fingers slowly wrapped around his arm. Following her lead, he leaned in closer, bringing their faces near.

Then, Wakumura whispered,

“I think… I might like girls more than boys.”

After saying that, she pulled away. The fact that she added “might” meant she was unsure herself.

“Kaede… what do you think about this?”

She looked at him, seeking reassurance.

What about me? Thinking back, he had never questioned his relationship with Mizuhara Shizuku. It had felt natural.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“Really? Would you still say that if you actually started dating a girl?”

“Yeah, I would.”

After all, Mizuhara Shizuku was biologically a girl.

Wakumura must have been relieved to hear that. Her cheeks turned even redder, and she smiled widely—so happy it was almost overwhelming. Seeing her express her emotions so fully, Wakamatsu couldn’t help but smile too.

“Does Mizuhara like girls?”

Friday after school.

They had bought some snacks from a nearby convenience store and were studying at Mizuhara’s house. Ever since talking with Wakumura, this question had been on Wakamatsu’s mind.

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?” Mizuhara replied indifferently.

Not sure if he should mention Wakumura, Wakamatsu just said, “No reason.”

“I’ve never dated a girl before, so I wouldn’t know.”

“Then why are you with me?”

“Let me ask you instead—why did you agree?”

“Huh?”

He stopped writing.

“Because you…”

“Normally, there’s a limit to what people would accept.”

“What…”

“Why did you become my boyfriend?”

Not only had she answered his question with another question, but it was a tough one.

Why had he gone along with it so easily?

“Well… I thought it was just a title.”

“A title?”

“Like, I’d still go to your house, we’d hang out, and then I’d go home—just like before.”

“Haha, you’re too naive.”

Mizuhara laughed as she marked her notebook with a red circle.

“That’s why someone like me could take advantage of you.”

“Take advantage? You?”

“I’m a manipulative person, Wakamatsu. We’re not a good match.”

Like Wakamatsu, Mizuhara had stopped writing and was staring blankly at the wall by her study desk.

The calendar on the wall was still stuck on August of last year. The light had faded from her eyes, and she fell silent.

Wakamatsu had seen this look before—back when he used to visit Mizuhara’s apartment.

“You were just… convenient, Wakamatsu.”

The coldness in those words sent a chill through his chest.

“So, Mizuhara… did it not matter who it was?”

“I did think you were a good choice.”

“Why?”

Mizuhara turned to him and smiled.

“Because you were just right, and because I’m manipulative.”

Wakamatsu couldn’t fully grasp what she meant.

Looking at Mizuhara, who seemed so fragile she might crumble at a touch, he felt shaken.

Understanding her words felt terrifying.