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"Mayuri, what did you just say?"

"Y-You want me to wear a girl's school uniform??"

After a moment of stunned silence, my eyes widened as I stared at her in disbelief.

"Mhm," she mumbled. "Because... I want to see what Kyoya-kun looks like dressed as a girl, just for a little bit."

"And why, exactly, do you want to see me in... women's clothing?" My eye twitched, my expression bordering on despair.

Mayuri pouted, almost throwing a tantrum as she explained. "Because you saw me in my cosplay outfit."

"Besides," she added, "everyone else has seen you dressed like a girl except for me. It's not fair! Unless... you don't want to wear clothes that I've worn?"

'I want to see it! I want to see it! I want to see it!'

That was clearly the only thought running through her head.

I looked at her, her pink eyes sparkling and her face slightly flushed. Her pouting expression was so adorable that I felt my resolve crumbling.

With a helpless sigh, I finally gave in. "Fine, I'll do it. But no taking secret pictures with your phone like Miku did."

"Okay, no problem!" Mayuri nodded obediently, her face lighting up.

Noticing the eager anticipation in her eyes, I shot her a suspicious look.

'I feel like Mayuri is starting to be corrupted by Miku...'

"Sigh... I swear, I'm powerless against you girls. Why are you all so obsessed with seeing me in a dress?"

After one last sigh of resignation, I took the school uniform she'd just taken off and headed into the fitting room. A few moments later, after confirming my new look in the mirror, I pushed the door open.

"There. Happy now?" I asked, wearing a completely unenthusiastic expression.

From an outsider's perspective, with skin fairer than most girls and a slender build, I could easily pass for a girl.

Mayuri, who had been waiting patiently, was completely stunned. Her mouth fell slightly agape. "W-Wow! Kyoya-kun, you look more like a girl in that outfit than I do! We have to nurture this talent!"

"Don't say things that could be so easily misunderstood!" I facepalmed, looking at her earnest expression with a sense of dread. A chill ran down my spine.

I was no longer sure if Miku's influence was just a suspicion or a fact.

———

Before long, I left the cosplay shop with heavy steps, feeling utterly exhausted.

Why? Because I had been subjected to a relentless pouting attack from Mayuri.

The result was that I compromised, and we ended up taking a whole series of cosplay photos together.

'These girls have me wrapped around their little fingers. They know I can't say no when they act cute.'

Still, thinking about the weirdly intense stare the store clerk gave me, I couldn't help but feel a wave of shame and annoyance.

Beside me, Mayuri was scrolling through her phone, the screen filled with videos and photos of us.

As much as I wanted to delete that embarrassing history, I saw how happy she looked and couldn't bring myself to ruin her mood.

We'd had so much fun that we'd completely missed lunch, so we headed to a large shopping mall to find something to eat.

Looking at the dazzling variety of restaurants, a bright smile spread across Mayuri's face. "Kyoya-kun, I want strawberry shortcake."

"Sir, two strawberry shortcakes, please."

"And takoyaki."

"And two orders of takoyaki."

Suddenly—

"I like you."

"And two orders of... wait, what?" For a second, my brain short-circuited.

When I finally processed her words, I turned to look at her. "Mayuri, what did you just say? I didn't quite catch that."

"Nothing. If you didn't hear it, then just forget it," she said, turning to run away, her cheeks bright red.

"No way! I want to hear you say it again!" I immediately chased after her.

"No~"

"Please, Mayuri-chan, Just one more time."

When I gently grabbed her hand, she finally stopped.

Seeing that I wasn't going to give up, she pursed her lips, her pretty face tinged with shyness as she mumbled with feigned annoyance, "Mmph~ Fine, listen carefully, because I'm only saying this once..."

"I like... I like you, Kyoya-kun."

Hearing her confession, a delighted smile spread across my face.

The moment the words left her mouth, a charming blush bloomed on her cheeks.

Our eyes met. Though she was shy, she mustered her courage, her gaze soft and hopeful. I looked at the pure, innocent girl before me and couldn't stop myself from slowly leaning in.

Seeing me move closer, Mayuri's face flushed an even deeper red. She shyly closed her eyes and tilted her face up slightly.

I didn't hesitate, gently pressing my lips against hers.

———

After a moment that felt both too short and like an eternity, we parted.

I finally let go of her hand, smiling as I caressed her warm, flushed cheek.

Mayuri took a few shaky breaths, her beautiful eyes looking up at me weakly. "You big dummy... you still haven't said you like me!"

"I like you. I like Mayuri. I really, really like Mayuri. I'm completely, absolutely in love with Mayuri!"

———

"Ahhh~ You're too loud! That's so embarrassing!"

"Oh? If you don't want to hear it, I'll stop."

"No, I want to hear it~ Say it a few more times,"

"I will. But you have to say it first."

"Mmph~ I like you, Kyoya-kun. I feel like I've liked you since the moment I was born. I like you the most, most, most in the whole world."

"Ahem, I need to hear a little more."

"..."

Mayuri's eyes widened, her face a mask of adorable confusion. 'Hey, he's not playing fair!'

I felt not the slightest bit of guilt for my shameless behavior, keeping my expression perfectly composed.

With a faint smile, I urged her on. "Come on, I'm waiting. Say it again."

"Hmph~ You're such a shameless liar! Go away,"

"I like Mayuri. I like you more than anything. The kind of 'like' that's meant to last forever."

"Ewww~ You're so cheesy~" Mayuri's face was practically steaming, but she still pretended to look at me with disdain before breaking into a giggle.

Even though she knew he could be shameless, his words filled her heart with a sweet warmth.

She had heard him say it many times, but every single time—

Her heart fluttered with a quiet, certain happiness.

Because... she really does love him.

It was just as she'd said. It felt like she'd fallen for him the moment she was born. And now, she wasn't just on a date with him—she was going to be by his side forever.

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