A Pretty Girl Has Her First Kiss Stolen By an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 2.23

—I’m going to confess to Shizuku Mizuhara.

Kaede Wakamatsu made up her mind and invited her on a second date.

The plan was to create a romantic atmosphere at the aquarium, then take a walk through the coastal park and confess. She wanted to turn their uncertain relationship into something real. Wakamatsu had been thinking about this for a long time.

Even she could tell that her feelings for Shizuku Mizuhara were changing.

“Should we just have a light snack and eat something else later for dinner?”

“Oh, but before that, the coastal park.”

“I remember. Haha, do you really want to go that badly?”

At the aquarium’s dining area, they ordered fried chicken, French fries, and drinks.

“I mean, you seem like the type who cares about the mood and atmosphere…”

“Haha, do you go to a park on every date?”

It seemed Wakamatsu’s intention hadn’t been understood. Mizuhara laughed as she picked up a piece of fried chicken.

After finishing their snack, they stopped by the souvenir shop.

There were many original products, like plush toys, keychains, and sweets. They bought a set of dolphin keychains—one blue, one pink—and shared them.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The coastal park was about a three-minute walk from the aquarium.

The summer sun was blazing, but Wakamatsu was too focused to care.

“The wind is strong. I can’t use my parasol.”

“Oh, I’ll hold it for you.”

Wakamatsu tilted the parasol toward Mizuhara as they kept walking.

They passed through the entrance gate and stepped into the well-maintained city park.

Their destination was the observation area on the east side.

“Wow, this place is pretty stylish.”

“I heard it’s even prettier in spring.”

“Are we going up there?”

“Yeah. It’s hot, so I’ll make it quick.”

They climbed the stairs covered by a white gate.

At the top of the small hill, there was a large tree, a white fountain, benches, and a small flower bed.

“Is something here?”

Mizuhara asked. The destination was right in front of them.

“I’m going to confess now.”

Mizuhara gasped.

Without looking back, Wakamatsu reached the observation area. There were hardly any people around, probably because of the heat.

She stepped into the shade of the big tree and turned to face Shizuku Mizuhara.

“M-Mizuhara… Shizuku.”

Wakamatsu took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

Shizuku Mizuhara blushed, her eyes slightly watery as she looked back at her.

It was a face that seemed to be holding something back.

“I like you.”

Out of everyone Wakamatsu had ever met, Shizuku Mizuhara was by far the most beautiful.

Even when Mizuhara denied it herself, Wakamatsu’s opinion never changed.

There was no doubt—Shizuku Mizuhara was the most beautiful, adorable, and breathtaking person in the world.

“I love you.”

Wakamatsu thought back to the day she went to see Mizuhara when she stopped coming to school.

She had been so captivated by her that she couldn’t look away.

From that moment on, she had been caught in Mizuhara’s spell.

The more time they spent together, the more she got to know her.

Friday afternoons, lunch breaks, weekend dates.

Lately, even that wasn’t enough.

She found herself wanting to be near Mizuhara at school, unable to resist the urge to reach out to her.

She had never felt this way about anyone before.

“Please go out with me.”

Wakamatsu finally understood what her classmate Masuda had once called “love.”

The only difference was that Mizuhara was a girl.

She had thought about the idea of same-s3x relationships after talking with Wakumura.

Society still drew a clear line between heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

“Please stay by my side from now on.”

Wakamatsu bowed her head, reaching out her trembling hand.

“Please.”

None of that mattered.

She had fallen in love with Shizuku Mizuhara, the person.

“…Why are you suddenly confessing?”

“I wanted to put it into words and tell you properly.”

“…”

Mizuhara hesitated but slowly took Wakamatsu’s hand.

“It’s not sudden, Mizuhara.”

Wakamatsu lifted her face.

“Back then, I didn’t realize it, but now I can say it.”

She pulled Mizuhara closer and hugged her.

“I think I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“Probably since you confessed to me that day.”

Mizuhara had once asked why Wakamatsu had gone along with her reckless request.

“…Probably?”

“Well, I barely remember that day.”

“Then that doesn’t count!”

“But I do remember that you looked beautiful that day.”

Mizuhara lightly hit Wakamatsu’s chest.

As she brushed back Mizuhara’s chestnut-colored hair, she saw her bright red ears.

Wakamatsu kissed them.

“…You got mad when I kissed you before, and now you’re saying this?”

“That was just me panicking! Let’s call it part of the fun.”

After hugging her tightly once more, they sat on a bench and talked.

On the train ride home and during dinner, Wakamatsu remained elated.

Lying on her bed at home, Wakamatsu let out a happy sigh.

Then, suddenly, she thought back to what had happened that day.

Why was it?

She couldn’t remember what her beloved Shizuku Mizuhara had said.

—

Had Shizuku Mizuhara even given her an answer?