COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 140: Karuizawa made it up.

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Rin finished the Coke in one breath and tossed the empty cup into the nearby trash can. Taking out his phone, he checked the time.

It was already 3:21 in the afternoon.

Karuizawa glanced at Rin, who was absorbed in checking his phone. Clenching her fair palms, she decided it was time to execute the second plan!

Mustered up her courage once more, Karuizawa took a step forward with her slender legs, approaching Rin. In a serious tone, she said, "Rin-san, did you know there are many legends circulating in our school?"

"What legends?" Rin asked, curious.

"There's one that says if a boy and a girl come to this cinema to watch a movie together, they'll definitely become... a couple!"

Rin turned to look at Karuizawa, her cheeks flushed with shyness, and replied with a delicate expression, "That doesn't sound very credible. Where did you hear such a thing?"

"This, this..." Karuizawa stammered.

She wanted to come up with a lie, but under Rin's piercing gaze, she lost her nerve. Finally, she admitted in self-defeat, "Okay, I made it up."

Rin, caught between laughter and exasperation, asked, "Why did you make that up?"

"Well..." Karuizawa hesitated before blurting out, "It said on the internet that if you say things like this, it'll make the other person feel a 'special connection' with you, and their heart will start beating faster. Rin-san, is your heart beating for me now?"

Rin looked at Karuizawa, who was staring at him with a mix of shyness and anticipation. Feeling slightly moved, he reached out and pinched her cheek affectionately.

As expected, her cheeks were as smooth as ever.

After a brief moment, Rin withdrew his hand from Karuizawa's now slightly warm cheek.

"My heart is beating normally," he said flatly. "I'm not moved by you."

"Rin-san," Karuizawa protested, puffing up her cheeks, "Even if you weren't moved, you pinched my face again. Does that mean you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"No," Rin replied seriously, "I was just taking advantage of you."

"That's too much!" Karuizawa exclaimed, her rosy cheeks puffed in indignation. "If you're going to take advantage of me, you might as well let me be your girlfriend!"

"No," Rin said bluntly, "your chest is too small. I'm not interested."

"That's even more outrageous!" Karuizawa fumed.

Seeing her anger, Rin pinched her cheek again, his expression amused.

"Okay, don't be mad. It's still early. Why don't we go to the drink shop and have some cake?"

"Okay!"

Despite her earlier frustration, Karuizawa's anger dissipated instantly. Smiling sweetly, she took Rin's arm willingly.

To be honest, Rin felt a small wave of emotion toward Karuizawa. She stayed by his side even though he teased her relentlessly and dismissed her efforts.

If you meet a girl who treats you like this, you should just marry her, Rin thought.

But his complicated experiences with two sets of parents made him cautious about making decisions in matters like this.

"Since we're going to the drink shop, I know a great one," Karuizawa suggested cheerfully, still holding his arm. "Let's go there!"

"Then lead the way," Rin replied.

"Hmm~"

As they left the cinema, Rin suddenly paused and said, "I just remembered something I need to buy. Karuizawa, wait for me here for a few minutes."

Not wanting to be separated from him, Karuizawa pouted coquettishly. "What do you need to buy? I'll come with you."

"All right," Rin agreed.

He led her to the shop where he had previously purchased the parasol. Heading straight to the decorations section, he picked up a hairpin.

The hairpin Rin picked up evoked memories of Ichinose Honami.

He planned to purchase it and find the right moment to give it to her.

This hairpin symbolized a knot in Ichinose's heart. Rin believed that if she received it through proper means, it might help her untangle the emotions tied to it.

Meanwhile, Karuizawa, standing nearby, watched as Rin selected the decorative hairpin meant for girls. Her eyes sparkled with delight, her heart filled with happiness.

She was convinced Rin was choosing an ornament for her!

"Should I pick something to give him in return? But what should I choose?" Karuizawa murmured to herself as she began looking around for a suitable gift.

However, most of the decorations in the shop were designed for girls and didn't seem appropriate for gifting a boy.

After searching, Karuizawa's gaze landed on an item she felt was perfect—a bracelet.

Bracelets, she thought, were versatile ornaments that could be worn by both men and women.

With a calm demeanor, she stepped forward with her slender legs and approached the display of bracelets.

Rin, noticing her movement, glanced briefly at Karuizawa before returning his focus to the hairpin. He didn't find it unusual for her to explore the decorations; after all, most girls liked accessories.

[Host, are you planning to buy only this hairpin?]

Hmm? Yeah, is something wrong with that?

[...]

[Karuizawa Kei is waiting for you to give her an ornament.]

Rin froze for a moment before scratching his cheek, realizing the implication. Without hesitation, he began browsing through other accessories.

Among the options—necklaces, clip-on earrings, bracelets, and brooches—he ultimately selected a necklace.

While Rin was making his decision, Karuizawa had already chosen her bracelet. Wanting to surprise Rin, she quickly avoided him and proceeded to the checkout.

After purchasing the bracelet, she decided to sit on a bench just outside the jewelry area. She wanted to conceal her excitement and act as though she didn't know Rin was also planning to give her an ornament.

Sitting on the bench, Karuizawa admired the exquisite bracelet in her hand. A sweet smile spread across her face as she whispered to herself, "Rin-san will definitely be thrilled to receive this gift from me."

About a minute later, Rin emerged from the decorations area and spotted Karuizawa on the bench.

The girl with honey-colored hair looked up at him, her sparkling eyes brimming with anticipation and shyness.

Rin approached her and rubbed his nose awkwardly. Extending his hand, he revealed a silver necklace inlaid with crystals lying in his palm.

The necklace was exquisitely crafted, its texture fine and polished. The crystals embedded in it were transparent and clear, exuding a luminous brilliance that spoke of its value.

"I'm giving this necklace to you, Karuizawa," Rin said.

The joy in Karuizawa's heart immediately lit up her face. Instead of accepting the necklace right away, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the bracelet she had bought.

"What a coincidence, Rin-san!" she exclaimed, smiling. "I bought a gift for you too! It's not a necklace, though—it's a bracelet."

The bracelet in Karuizawa's hand gleamed with a glossy texture. The chain was slender yet sturdy, adorned with star-like crystals that gave it a delicate, noble, and elegant appearance.

It was clear at a glance that the bracelet Karuizawa had chosen for Rin was no ordinary item.

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