The Classmate Who Is Adored by Everyone Smiles Teasingly Only at Me-Chapter 3Volume .7 - Distressed Pudding
Distressed Pudding 7
“It might have been different from what most people consider a date, but I think this is fine. Didn’t you say it yourself, Sōma-san? ‘Doing what we both want to do and having fun is what’s most important’. So, even though today’s date was a failure, I think it was a success too.”
It was a contradiction, but perhaps it made sense.
“Sōma-san, let’s go on a date again later.”
“Today didn’t feel much different from usual, though.”
If he had to sum up the day, it was just Sōma accompanying Chika in doing things she was interested in or wanted to try.
That wasn’t much different from what they usually did together.
“Now that you mention it, that might be true.”
Chika almost seemed convinced by Sōma’s words.
However, as if realizing something, she grinned with a mischievous smile that Sōma found unpleasant.
Feeling a bad premonition, he tried to distance himself, but before he could, she quickly grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear.
“So that means we’ve been on a tremendous number of dates? Maybe we are a couple, like those newlyweds said?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way that’s the case.”
“But isn’t dating something couples typically do?”
“We’re not in a relationship, though.”
As Sōma firmly denied it while blushing, Chika laughed softly and let go of his arm.
“That’s true. Our relationship is more about supporting each other’s growth. Instead of a couple, it feels more fitting to call us comrades or partners.”
“Partners, huh?”
The word was embarrassing, but it was a more comfortable term than ‘couple.’
As he fanned his reddened face with a hand fan, Chika retracted her devilish mode and showed a slightly lonely expression.
“If only I could confidently say that we’re already a couple here, things would be so simple. But a child like me saying something like that wouldn’t be very convincing. I really don’t understand love, dating, or romance at all. I don’t even understand the feeling of ‘liking’ someone as a romantic emotion. Will there ever come a day when I do understand?”
“I don’t know, I’m not you, Chika.”
“That’s quite harsh. But yes, it’s something I have to figure out for myself.”
“Well, I’ll help you look for it, like how I accompany you on practice dates like today.”
He said gruffly, and Chika bowed deeply.
“I’m inexperienced, but please continue to look after me for a long time to come.”
“You too, make sure you do your best at the taste tests.”
“Of course.”
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
The two looked at each other and smiled, just as they had at the start of their date.
“By the way, we had Western food today, but there weren’t any major failures.”
“The instructor was there, and Sōma-san helped me out. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to succeed on my own!”
“Don’t say it so proudly. Seriously, you really don’t get along with Western food. How about trying Chinese or Indian cuisine?”
“I’m interested in both, so I’ll try them out sometime. Make sure you taste them.”
“Fine, but when you make Indian food, don’t make it mild. I’m not a kid with a sweet tooth like you.”
“Ugh, it’s hard to argue when you’ve just made it clear how childish I am…”
While laughing at Chika’s frustration, they arrived in front of the station.
“Thank you for today. See you at school.”
“Yeah, see you.”
He waved as Chika walked away.
But after a few steps, she came trotting back.
“Um, I know today’s date wasn’t exactly date-like, but may I make one last desperate move?”
“Desperate move? What could you possibly do right before we part—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Chika, on her tiptoes, pressed her lips to Sōma’s forehead.
A moist and soft sensation was transmitted to his skin.
——Chika had kissed him.
The moment he realized it, his body temperature soared as if steam might burst from his entire body.
His face turned the reddest it had ever been.
“Wha, you…”
He had to say something, but no further words came out.
“A kiss is part of a date, right?”
Watching Sōma’s face turn beet red and his mouth open and close, Chika smiled devilishly, clearly pleased with herself.
“Goodbye then. Thank you for today.”
She bowed her head and left for good this time.
Holding his forehead, Sōma watched the girl walk away.
“A kiss on the forehead is like what a mother gives to her child, not a date kiss… This doesn’t count as a kiss. It’s just an extension of a prank.”
He wondered to whom he was speaking.
People passing by paid no attention to him.
But he had to say it out loud.
Otherwise, he surely would have been writhing in embarrassment.
§§§§§§§§§§
The next day during break time, Chika was in a corner of the classroom, quietly recounting the events of the previous day’s date to Miki, making sure no other classmates could hear.
“So the planetarium was a bit of a letdown?”
“It wasn’t so much a letdown as it was entirely my fault for falling asleep.”
“That’s too bad. In the manga, it was such a romantic setting.”
‘Reality doesn’t always go as planned’, Miki lamented.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault the date didn’t go well.”
“It’s not your fault, Miki-chan. I was the one who chose from the many plans you suggested.”
Miki had told Chika about various places she knew from manga and anime that would be nice for a date.
Among them was the planetarium, which Chika had found interesting enough to choose.
Since Chika was the one who made the final decision, the responsibility was hers, so there was no need for Miki to apologize.
“Besides, the latter half was fun in its own way.”
“The cooking class? That’s so like you two. I never read about a couple going to such a place in a manga. Dating really is profound.”
“You’re right, Miki-chan. I realized how amazing couples in the world are.”
The previous day’s date hadn’t gone as planned, and there were many regrets.
The carefully planned date had crumbled, and there wasn’t even a strong sense of actually being on a date.
It was just a day spent playing around with Sōma—except for that last moment.
She didn’t understand why she had done it, but she had wanted to try.
“Chika, is there something wrong with your lips? Do you need lip balm?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing. I’m fine.”
She seemed to have touched her lips unconsciously and smiled to dismiss Miki’s concerned look.
Chika hadn’t told Miki about kissing Sōma’s forehead. She hadn’t told her parents either.
She wanted to keep that moment a secret between herself and Sōma forever.
