The Classmate Who Is Adored by Everyone Smiles Teasingly Only at Me-Chapter 3Volume .4 - Distressed Pudding

Distressed Pudding 4

Even after leaving the science museum, Chika’s spirits didn’t recover quickly.

“Falling asleep on a date is definitely something you shouldn’t do, right?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

Deciding that it wasn’t good to be overly concerned, he agreed frankly, which seemed to make her even more disheartened.

“Do I lack talent for dating?”

“What’s ‘dating talent’? That’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

He sighed, thinking her approach was going in a strange direction.

It wasn’t incomprehensible that she became interested in dating after seeing Shōhei, who liked Miki.

However, dating just for the sake of dating indeed seemed contradictory. It was natural that it didn’t go well.

“By the way, what was the plan after this?”

“The top floor of the skyscraper in front of the station has been opened as a Sky Garden. It’s supposed to have a great view, so I was thinking of going there.”

“Do you want to go?”

“No, not really. I’m not good with heights.”

“Me neither.”

It was hard to imagine that two people with a fear of heights would enjoy themselves at a Sky Garden.

“Let’s go somewhere else. Let’s check out some interesting shops and eat some sweets that catch our eye.”

“But that’s no different from what we always do.”

Chika looked frustrated, but Sōma waved his hand dismissively, indicating that the small details didn’t matter.

“Isn’t that fine? Doing what we both want to do and having fun is what’s most important. Going to a place just because it’s a ‘dating staple’ even though we’re not interested feels wrong to me.”

An otaku couple would probably spend all their time at home playing games and watching anime, and a couple who loves hiking would spend their time climbing mountains.

To someone not interested in those activities, it might seem puzzling what’s enjoyable about them. But to the people involved, that’s what they find most fun.

That’s what should matter the most.

“Chika, if I’m going to go on a date with you, I want it to be a fun date.”

Saying that, he extended his hand to her.

“…I also want to have a fun date with you too, Sōma-san. And I want our time together to be meaningful. I hate the idea of wasting time when I’m with you. A fun and fulfilling time—Sōma-san, that’s what time spent with you means to me.”

Chika spoke while staring at his outstretched hand.

“Then let’s skip the Sky Garden we don’t want to go to. Is there somewhere you’d like to visit, Chika?”

“Ah, um… I’d like to look at knick-knacks and party goods. I’m thinking of creating a costume for next month’s Christmas that will totally blow your mind, Sōma-san.”

“Blow my mind… don’t tell me about it, and don’t go all out just to surprise me.”

“But, Sōma-san, you’re so cute when you’re surprised.”

She said with a bright smile, taking hold of Sōma’s hand.

“Actually, I had planned to sneak into your house dressed as a Christmas tree. But a Christmas tree costume is quite expensive. It’s totally different from normal clothes, so it seems like it would be hard to make.”

“A Christmas tree costume? No wait, don’t try to sneak into my house.”

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, walking into the hallway, and seeing Chika completely covered in a twinkling pine tree costume—it’d be terrifying enough to make anyone pee their pants.

“Is that a no-go then? In that case, I’ll go with a mini-skirt Santa.”

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

“No, that’s also——”

“Which would you prefer, a Christmas tree or a mini-skirt Santa?”

“…Mini-skirt Santa.”

“It’s good to be honest.”

She peered into Sōma’s face, her own expression one of great amusement.

It seemed she was back to her usual self.

Should he be happy or sigh in resignation?

…He should be happy.

He doesn’t want to see a dispirited Chika.

***

When they arrived at a large home center in town, the revitalized Chika dragged Sōma all over the place.

“It’s only mid-November, but there are already so many Christmas goods. I thought there would only be Santa and reindeer costumes, but there’s even a spirit of snow costume. It’s all white and frilly and very cute.”

She picked up a pure white costume and a bright red one next to it, holding them against her chest in turn to show him.

“Which do you prefer, the spirit of snow or the mini-skirt Santa?”

“It’s got to be the mini-skirt Santa. There’s no man who doesn’t like mini-skirt Santas.”

“Then it’s decided, I’ll be a mini-skirt Santa next month. Oh, and you’ll dress up as a reindeer, Sōma-san.”

“You as Santa and me as a reindeer? What’s that about? Are you planning to feel superior and make me look ridiculous while you look cute and laugh about it?”

“How could you think I’d do something so rude? I just want to put a saddle and ride you.”

“That’s a horse. If it’s a reindeer, it should be a sleigh.”

“So you’ll pull a sleigh!? Let’s go to the woodworking corner! I’ll work hard to make a sleigh that’s perfect for you, Sōma-san!”

“Don’t work hard. Don’t even try. There’s no such thing as a sleigh that’s perfect for me.”

Stopping Chika, who was excitedly trying to buy materials for a sleigh, was a real challenge.

After finally convincing her to give up on the sleigh, he pointed to the upper floor.

“Can we go up? I want to look at baking tools.”

“Sure. I want to look at cooking gadgets too.”

He was a regular visitor to the sixth floor, where cooking tools were lined up.

He knew exactly where everything was and was confident he could find the baking tools section even with his eyes closed.

“Hm…?”

He was eager to head to the section, but he stopped midway. The usually quiet corner was bustling with noise.

A usually quiet corner was bustling with noise.

Inside an area separated by a glass wall, several couples were putting on aprons and washing their hands, preparing to cook.

“It looks like they’re holding a cooking class for couples in the cooking studio.”

Several sinks and kitchens were lined up, designed to accommodate cooking for large groups at once, very much resembling a high school home economics classroom.

However, the appliances and stoves were far cleaner and brand new.