COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 138 : Guess Who I Am

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Time passed minute by minute until Karuizawa Kei, dressed in a more mature outfit, arrived at the entrance of Keyaki Shopping Center. Judging by her panting, she must have rushed to make it on time.

"Oh, I was so busy changing clothes and getting ready that I almost missed the appointment with Matsuoka. Where is he... ah, there he is!"

Looking around, Karuizawa spotted Rin resting with his eyes closed under the shade of a tree. Her fair face broke into a happy smile.

Noticing he had his eyes closed, Karuizawa's smile turned mischievous. Quietly, she tiptoed over to him.

Standing behind Rin, Karuizawa stretched out her pale hands and covered his eyes.

"Guess who I am," she said playfully, her cheerful voice ringing in his ears.

"…" Rin stayed silent for a moment before smiling and saying, "Kushida-san, is that you?"

"No!"

Karuizawa's voice turned indignant. How could he confuse her with that busty girl?

Ugh! So annoying!

"Alright, one more chance!"

"Then it must be Shiina," Rin guessed again.

"No!"

Shiina? Who's Shiina? Karuizawa thought, her mood souring. It seems like Rin knows a lot of girls!

"Alright, last chance!"

"Horikita?"

"Not at all!"

Her tone was sweet—how could he mistake her for that icy, aloof girl?

By now, even if Karuizawa were oblivious, she would have realized Rin was teasing her. Frustrated, she released her hands from his eyes, walked around to stand in front of him, and put her hands on her hips.

"Rin, you must've known it was me but just didn't want to say it!" she huffed, glaring at him.

"Oh, I really didn't guess it was you, Karuizawa-san," Rin replied with a teasing smile.

Karuizawa's puffed-up cheeks deflated slightly, and her bright eyes grew misty. Her aggrieved expression made Rin pause, realizing she might actually cry.

You act so strong, but you're about to cry just because of a little teasing? How embarrassing, he thought, though he couldn't help finding her reaction endearing.

"All right, all right," he relented, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll admit it. The moment you covered my eyes, I knew it was you."

"I knew it!"

Karuizawa's face immediately brightened. Her eyes, still faintly misty, sparkled as she gave a radiant smile, looking particularly adorable.

Rin couldn't help but take in her appearance.

This girl with honey-colored hair had chosen a more mature outfit today. She wore an off-shoulder white puff-sleeved top that revealed her delicate collarbones. The thin straps framing her soft curves hinted at a bold fashion choice.

Her short skirt left her snow-white thighs exposed, glistening under the sunlight with a crystal-like sheen.

Noticing his gaze, Karuizawa felt a surge of happiness. Blushing slightly, she asked shyly, "Rin, what do you think of my outfit today?"

"Hmm." Rin stroked his chin, pretending to consider. "I can't tell just by looking at it like this. Karuizawa-san, why don't you turn around so I can get a better view?"

"Huh? Okay."

A little confused but trusting, Karuizawa obediently spun around.

Her short skirt fluttered lightly as she moved, briefly revealing the pure white leggings hugging her firm, rounded curves.

The swaying honey-colored hair emitted a soft, glowing radiance under the sunlight, making it particularly beautiful.

After spinning around, Karuizawa looked at Rin with anticipation. "I'm done," she said, her voice tinged with shyness.

Rin raised a thumbs-up. "You look amazing."

"Hehe," Karuizawa giggled.

Finally receiving Rin's compliment, she flashed a sweet smile. All the time she had spent scouring the internet for dating tips felt completely worth it.

"Come on, Rin-san, the movie starts at 1:20. Let's go get the tickets!"

With determination, Karuizawa stepped forward, her white, slender legs leading her to Rin. Gathering her courage, she took his arm and gently pulled him up from the bench.

Then, like a close girlfriend, she wrapped her arms around his, letting his arm rest intimately against the soft side of her chest.

Feeling the delicate softness against his arm, Rin glanced at Karuizawa Kei. Her pretty face was aglow with a healthy blush, an adorable mixture of excitement and shyness.

Despite feeling shy herself, Karuizawa refused to let go of his arm, even as her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

Rin, with his arm held by Karuizawa, didn't utter anything silly like, "Women are a nuisance; they're hindering my walking."

Quietly, Rin allowed himself to be led by the shy but determined Karuizawa as they entered the Keyaki Shopping Center and headed toward the movie area.

Since it was Karuizawa who had asked Rin out, she naturally took charge of buying the tickets at the vending machine. Meanwhile, Rin kept himself busy by purchasing popcorn and cola for the movie.

So expensive...

Two buckets of popcorn and two cups of cola cost him a staggering 800 points. For context, a single movie ticket was only 1,000 points.

Rin couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Popcorn is more expensive than the tickets themselves!

Karuizawa, who had chosen a pair of connected seats with no one else around, turned back with the tickets in hand and spotted Rin holding the snacks.

"Hey, Rin-san, why did you buy two buckets of popcorn? One would've been enough. Can't you return one?" she asked, her tone a mix of distress and hesitation.

"I don't think so," Rin replied, slightly confused.

According to the dating guide Karuizawa had found online, it was best for two people to share a single bucket of popcorn. That way, when one reached into the bucket, the other could do the same, leading to a "planned accidental" touch of hands. Such moments were supposed to make hearts race and bring people closer together!

Karuizawa, who had never been on a date before, had been eager to try this tip herself.

But now… Rin had bought two buckets of popcorn!

Does he think I eat that much? she wondered, her face flushing slightly.

Noticing her unusual expression, Rin asked curiously, "Why are you making that face?"

"No… I'm just… touched," she replied, struggling to hide her emotions. "I didn't expect that even though I invited you out, Rin-san, you'd go out of your way to buy popcorn. Not just one, but two buckets!"

"I thought you might feel uncomfortable sharing one with me, so I got two—one for each of us," Rin explained, a casual smile on his face.

He's so thoughtful…

Karuizawa's heart swelled with emotion. She felt so touched she could almost cry.

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