Chapter 8: The Accidental Date

  Mizuki has had enough.

  If Haru is too dense to realize her feelings, then she’ll just have to force him into a date!

  …The only problem?

  He has NO idea it’s a date.

  Scene 1: The Perfect Plan (That’s Totally Not a Lie)

  Mizuki slammed her hands on Haru’s desk. “Oi, loser. You’re coming with me this Saturday.”

  Haru blinked. “Huh? Why?”

  Mizuki smirked. “Because I need a—uh—shopping assistant!”

  Haru frowned. “Wait, why me?”

  Mizuki: “Because you owe me for saving you twenty times this week.”

  Haru: “…Fair point.”

  And just like that—she tricked him

  into a date.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Scene 2: The Totally Not Romantic Date

  Mizuki had everything planned.

  Lunch at a cute café (totally not a date spot).

  A walk in the park (not romantic at all).

  An evening at the arcade (so he doesn’t suspect anything).

  …It was foolproof.

  Until—

  Haru showed up in a hoodie and sweatpants.

  Mizuki stared. “What the hell are you wearing?”

  Haru shrugged. “You said it was just shopping.”

  Mizuki, in her cute but casual outfit, gritted her teeth. This idiot…

  Scene 3: Signs? What Signs?

  At the café, Mizuki ordered a parfait.

  She leaned closer. “Hey, wanna try some?”

  Haru: “Oh, sure.” Grabs a separate spoon.

  Mizuki: “…Not like that, dummy!” (Blushes and shoves her spoon toward him)

  Haru: Eats without hesitation. “Oh, this is good.”

  Mizuki (screaming internally): HOW IS HE SO

  CALM?!

  At the park, a couple walked past, holding hands.

  Mizuki nudged Haru. “Hey, wouldn’t it be nice to have a girlfriend?”

  Haru: “Yeah, I’d love to date a cute girl someday.”

  Mizuki (heart racing): “…Oh?”

  Haru: “Too bad none of the ones I like see me that way.”

  Mizuki: “…EXCUSE ME?!”

  At the arcade, Mizuki dragged Haru to a claw machine.

  “If you’re a real man, win me a plushie.”

  Haru: “Bet.”

  Mizuki watched in awe as Haru…

  Failed.

  Failed again.

  Wasted 2,000 yen.

  Mizuki (sighing): “Just let me do it.” Wins on the first try.

  Haru (pouting): “That was rigged.”

  Mizuki handed him the plushie. “Here. This is for you, dummy.”

  Haru blinked. “Huh? But I was supposed to win it for you.”

  Mizuki: “…Yeah, well. I wanted to be the one who gave you something for once.”

  Haru stared.

  For a moment, he actually looked… flustered.

  Mizuki (blushing): “D-Don’t get weird about it!”

  Haru (smiling): “…Thanks, Mizuki.”