COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 119 What are you laughing at, Sakura?

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"Wearing glasses can make people look intellectually beautiful when they are quiet, and I really like that," Rin said with a smile.

"Then I'll go back to the dormitory to get my glasses! Matsuoka-san, please wait here for a moment. I'll be back soon."

Sakura hurriedly turned, ready to head back to the dorm. However, Rin, quick-eyed and quick-handed, grabbed her slender wrist to stop her.

"No, I like you better without your glasses now. Sakura, you don't need to go back to the dorm."

"Hmm..." Sakura nodded shyly, glancing at Rin's hand on her wrist. Her lightly made-up cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

"Um, Matsuoka-san… your hand..." she stammered.

Rin looked at the wrist he was holding and then at Sakura, who radiated an air of shy nervousness. He said seriously, "Sakura, it's normal to hold hands when you're on a date."

"Is… is that so..."

"Yes, that's how it is. Now, come and hold my hand." Rin released her wrist and extended his palm to her.

"Then… I understand."

Suppressing her shyness and panic, Sakura blushed as she reached out with her soft, trembling hands to grasp Rin's outstretched palm.

Rin blinked in amusement after successfully convincing her. This shy girl was just too easy to charm.

"Let's go. We'll stop by the beverage store for a drink first, and then we'll head to the mall to check out cameras."

"Uh-huh..."

Sakura Airi, still holding Rin's hand, followed closely behind him. Her mind was clouded with a mix of intense shyness and joy. At this moment, no matter what Rin said, her dazed state only allowed her to respond with an automatic "hmm."

Rin led her to the drink shop that Chabashira Sae had introduced him to previously. Since it was in a less busy area, there were no customers at this hour on a Saturday morning.

The elderly owner, Mirai, was sitting idly at the counter. When she saw Rin walk in with Sakura Airi, her eyes lit up.

"Hey, isn't this Matsuoka? Oh? Is this young lady your girlfriend?"

The word "girlfriend" made the already shy Sakura instantly tense up. Her face flushed as she lowered her head.

Last night, she had entertained thoughts of becoming Rin's girlfriend, but they had remained just thoughts. She was far too shy to act on them!

Rin glanced at Sakura. The girl was completely red-faced, her head bowed. He smirked inwardly, imagining that she might faint from embarrassment if he were to joke about the future.

"We're just friends for now," Rin said seriously. "But I'm working hard to pursue her."

"Woo..." Sakura made a sound that was somewhere between surprise and panic, and it sounded particularly adorable.

Her cute reaction brought a smile to Mirai's face. "Ah, young love. Once upon a time, I was just as shy. Now, I'm far too old for such things."

"Is that so?" she continued. "Matsuoka, you better work hard. Come in and sit down. Whatever you want to drink or eat, it's on the house today."

"Another treat?" Rin asked with a raised brow.

"I'm happy to," she replied cheerfully.

"Well, since this shop is yours anyway, if you're offering, I won't refuse as long as you're happy."

Rin took a menu from the counter and led the bashful Sakura into the drink shop.

Knowing that Sakura was shy and preferred to avoid attention, Rin chose a secluded corner seat for them. It was the perfect spot where she could feel comfortable and at ease.

Rin guided Sakura to the corner seat and released her soft hand, sitting down across from her.

As she took her seat, Sakura lowered her head even further, almost burying it in her plump, soft chest, her shyness radiating in waves.

Rin rested his chin on his hand, a smile playing on his lips as he observed the extremely shy girl before him.

Sakura wanted desperately to ask Rin if what he had said earlier was true.

Was he really trying hard to woo her? Was he serious?

But she didn't dare to ask.

She feared that if she questioned him, the boy in front of her might respond with, "That was just a joke." If that happened, Sakura felt she might cry on the spot.

So, she held Rin's words—"I'm trying hard to pursue her"—close to her heart, deciding to find the right moment to ask him later.

As for when the right time would be, Sakura thought it should be after she and Rin officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

When the thought of being Rin's girlfriend crossed her mind, Sakura, still lowering her head, couldn't help but smile shyly to herself.

"What are you smiling about, Sakura?"

"Nothing..." Sakura quickly suppressed her smile and replied stiffly, "It's nothing."

"Then take a look at what you'd like to drink," Rin said with a gentle smile, handing her the menu card.

Sakura quickly accepted the menu.

"It's my treat, so feel free to order whatever you want, Sakura."

"Yeah," she responded softly before settling on a pear milkshake.

The drink was one of the cheaper options on the menu in terms of personal points. It wasn't clear if Sakura genuinely liked pear milkshakes or if she chose it to save Rin some points.

Rin, on the other hand, ordered a honey passion fruit drink.

When Mirai brought their drinks, she also placed two strawberry cakes on the table and smiled. "These cakes are for you two~"

"Thank you, Madam Boss," Rin said politely.

"You're welcome. Just come by more often in the future. I'll leave you young couples to enjoy yourselves." The older woman teased before walking away.

Her words caused Sakura Airi's face, which had just regained some color, to flush bright red again. She quickly picked up her straw and took a large sip of the pear milkshake to distract herself.

"Ahem!"

She sucked too hard, causing her to cough. The snow-white milkshake trickled out from the corners of her lipstick-coated mouth, giving her an embarrassed, flustered look.

Oh no. This is so embarrassing!

Sakura Airi quickly wiped the milkshake from the corners of her mouth with her hand.

Rin smiled gently and said, "Sakura, the restroom is over there. Go wash your hands."

"Uh-huh, I'm so sorry!"

Startled by Rin's words, Sakura Airi quickly apologized and scurried off to the restroom in a panic.

Once inside, she felt her face burning. The embarrassment from her earlier mishap left her wishing she could cool down by splashing water on her face.

But as she turned on the faucet, she remembered that she had worn makeup today. If she washed her face, her makeup would surely be ruined.

"Ah... I'm such an idiot. I messed up a perfectly good date," Sakura Airi muttered softly, letting out a small cry of frustration.