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Just as Hakari came back from the restroom, ready to continue searching, she was stunned to see Takumi standing there.
"Eh!? T-Takumi-kun, what are you doing here?"
Takumi smiled openly and handed her a can of juice. "I saw you two looking for four-leaf clovers and thought you must be tired. I bought these so you could take a break."
After all, both girls were in this situation because of him. He didn't want to see them wearing themselves out searching in the courtyard any longer.
That one simple gesture, however, sent Hakari's heart spinning.
"Eh?! Y-You bought this… for me?" In an instant, her romantic brain started working overtime.
"Ah~ but a full can is too much for me to finish alone… maybe you could drink half of it first?"
Hehe~ this way, we'll share an indirect kiss! My plan is flawless! While Hakari was inwardly congratulating herself on her genius scheme, Takumi didn't notice a thing. He simply opened the can, drank half, and handed it back.
"Here you go, Hanazono-san."
"Thank you~"
Hakari accepted it with a dreamy smile, her mind already echoing with 'It's Takumi-kun's indirect kiss!'
Overcome with excitement, her body trembled as she closed her eyes, puckered her lips, and kissed the rim of the can.
Kiss~~
In her daze, she didn't realize the can was still tilted. Juice spilled everywhere, splashing over her clothes. Startled, she dropped the can—
Clank! Clatter, clatter—!
Hakari's heart shattered. "Ahhhh!!! My indirect kiss… it's gone!!"
Takumi stood frozen, black lines forming on his forehead. I'm standing right here, and you're mourning an indirect kiss? If you want one that badly, just ask—I'd gladly oblige!
Suppressing a sigh, he crouched down and reached out to her. "It's just juice. Don't worry about it. If you still want one, I can buy another. The important thing is that you're not hurt."
He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sticky juice from her clothes. Perhaps thanks to his [Love Curse], he was incredibly smooth at this sort of thing.
Feeling his tender touch, Hakari clasped his hand, her face blushing a deep pink. Her eyes shone with determination.
"Takumi-kun… I—I like you! Please go out with me!"
Even though her heart was pounding with embarrassment, she still said it. Her emotions overflowed like a flood she couldn't contain.
Even Takumi—who had faced countless real battles—felt his pulse skyrocket. He'd experienced a lot, but being confessed to like this? This was a first.
Hakari held his hand tightly, her expression earnest and trembling.
"I'm sorry if that was sudden… but it's true! I fell for you at first sight! And… it's not just me who likes you, is it? If I wait any longer, I'll regret it forever!"
Before Takumi could respond, a loud crash came from behind.
Clank! Thud! Crash!
"Waaaahhhhh!!!"
The voice belonged to Karane, who had apparently returned—and was now standing behind them, flustered and fuming.
"Inda-san? Didn't you just leave? And what's with all these drinks—"
He noticed several juice cans on the ground—all different flavors.
Biting her lip in frustration, Karane shouted, "I-It's not like I wanted to thank you or anything! I just didn't know what flavor you liked, so I bought them all!"
Takumi smiled wryly. "I see… that's very cute of you."
Understanding her tsundere nature perfectly now, he couldn't help but laugh.
Karane, face crimson, turned toward Hakari and shouted, "Hey! What was that about 'not the only one who likes him'!? Why'd you go confess first?!"
From the very start, she had sensed Hakari's intentions. The two had even secretly agreed to a fair competition. But the other girl had taken advantage of her absence to make the first move—an unforgivable betrayal!
Hakari averted her eyes, mumbling, "W-What are you talking about? I don't get it~ It's not like I knew you liked him or anything…"
Karane snapped back without hesitation. "Then what did you mean when you said 'I'm not the only one who likes Takumi-kun,' huh?!"
Realizing what she'd just admitted aloud, Karane froze. Her face turned scarlet as she tried to backpedal, "I-I don't like you or anything, okay?!"
"Even after saying all that, you're still denying it!?"
The scene was pure chaos—like a gamer insisting they could still win after their crystal exploded.
Hands on her hips, Karane puffed up her cheeks. "Hmph! I guess… if you really want to date me, I could consider it."
Takumi burst out laughing. "This is the first time I've ever seen someone use 'If you insist on dating me' as part of their confession."
Realizing her slip-up, Karane's eyes darted nervously. "N-No, that's not what I meant… I just…"
After a few seconds of silence, she gathered all her courage and looked him in the eye.
"Actually… I really do like you, Takumi-kun. Please go out with me." Suppressing her tsundere reflexes, Karane spoke from her heart. Her eyes shimmered with bashful tears, her flushed cheeks radiant under the sunset.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
Takumi's heart pounded violently.
That kind of straightforward confession from such a tsundere girl… it was lethal. If Hakari's confession had startled him, Karane's completely overwhelmed him.
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