All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

The thought of making me the heroine?

Kotomi's mind replayed Shiina's words over and over, pulling her deeper into the moment. After savoring the statement for a while, Kotomi's lips curved into a subtle smile. She leaned slightly closer to Mashiro, close enough to feel the warmth of their mingling breaths, and a soft blush began to spread across their cheeks.

Mashiro slowly closed her eyes, anticipating the moment she longed for...

Thwap!

Instead of the kiss she envisioned, Mashiro felt a sharp flick on her forehead. Startled, she quickly covered the spot where Kotomi's finger had struck, her eyes widening in confusion.

Mashiro gazed at Kotomi, bewildered. The atmosphere had been so perfect—why had Kotomi chosen to break it by flicking her forehead instead?

"If that's the case, then please work hard on your manga. Improve so much that you can make me the world's best heroine!" Kotomi declared with a gentle, encouraging smile. Her words carried a genuine hope that, in the not-too-distant future, she would see Mashiro's new manga published as a standalone volume.

Initially, Kotomi had planned to ask Asuka Chizuru for a favor: to use her industry connections to subtly nudge Houbunsha's editors into giving Mashiro's submission a little extra consideration. But now Kotomi thought better of it.

Everyone's creative journey was their own to forge. Too much outside help might backfire, undermining the confidence and independence needed for growth.

What if Mashiro learned later that her manga had been accepted because of Kotomi's interference? She might begin to question her abilities, doubting whether the recognition she earned was truly hers or simply a product of Kotomi's influence. Even though Kotomi's intent was pure—merely to ensure the editors gave Mashiro's work a fair chance—it might leave a bitter seed of doubt.

With this in mind, Kotomi decided her involvement would remain limited to offering feedback on Mashiro's storylines and character designs.

As for the submission itself?

Kotomi resolved to let Mashiro take the reins entirely, allowing her to face the challenges of the creative process head-on and grow stronger because of it.

Make me the best heroine in the world...

Kotomi repeated the phrase in her heart, a tender smile spreading across her lips. She couldn't wait to see how Mashiro would shape her into a heroine within the pages of a manga.

As they left the rooftop, Mashiro suddenly reached out and lightly touched the back of Kotomi's hand.

"Hm?" Kotomi turned toward her, noticing an expectant expression on Mashiro's face. From her gaze, Kotomi could roughly guess what Mashiro was thinking.

"Do you want to hold hands?" Kotomi asked playfully, waving her delicate hand in front of Mashiro.

"Because in the next chapter of my manga, there's a scene where Kagura Meya takes Ichinose Karen's hand. I wanted to experience what it feels like to hold your hand before drawing it," Mashiro admitted, her voice soft and earnest.

"I'd say that handholding is usually pretty ordinary. But if the atmosphere is set just right, a sudden handhold between two heroines could really be the finishing touch to a scene," Kotomi remarked thoughtfully, offering her advice. Then, without hesitation, she slipped her hand into Mashiro's, clasping it gently.

Just as Mashiro felt the warmth of Kotomi's palm, Kotomi too was captivated by the soft, delicate texture of Mashiro's hand.

The two walked hand-in-hand until they neared the classroom. Only then did Kotomi release her grip.

The fleeting warmth and tenderness left Mashiro staring at her own palm, a bittersweet longing surfacing in her heart.

Next time, I'll definitely find another chance to hold Kotomi's hand again, Mashiro thought to herself.

The pair entered the classroom one after the other, their casual closeness catching the attention of Yui Yuigahama. As Yui watched them enter together, her thoughts turned to something Kotomi had said to her earlier.

"Where exactly did they go earlier?" Yui Yuigahama mumbled quietly to herself, her head resting on her desk as though she were still napping.

But she wasn't the only one curious about Kotomi and Mashiro's extended absence during lunch break. Megumi Kato, too, found herself paying close attention to the pair as they returned to the classroom, chatting and laughing together.

Snap.

The lead of the mechanical pencil Megumi was holding suddenly broke, the tiny piece of lead rolling off the desk and onto the floor.

"Ugh, this lead keeps breaking. Looks like I'll need to switch to a different brand next time. This one isn't cheap, but it's so fragile," Megumi remarked, turning her gaze toward Kotomi, who had just returned to her seat.

With a soft smile, Megumi asked, "Kotomi, do you have any spare lead? I've run out."

Blissfully unaware of the underlying tension, Kotomi nodded cheerfully. After sitting down, she opened her pencil case and handed Megumi a tube of lead.

"Here, Megumi, you can have this one~ I've been using this brand since elementary school. It's really good as long as you don't press too hard while writing. You can use this for now, and when it runs out, make sure to buy the same brand."

"Thanks."

Megumi smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly as she deftly replaced the lead in her pencil.

"By the way, Megumi, why are you working on science practice sheets during lunch? It's such a rare break—shouldn't you take some time to relax? Or is this today's homework?" Kotomi leaned over, curious about what Megumi had been writing the whole time.

Megumi gently shook her head. "It's not homework. After the midterms, I realized there are still a lot of areas I'm weak in when it comes to science. If I don't address those gaps now, it might cost me on the college entrance exams. I've set some ambitious goals for myself, you know~"

Hearing this, Kotomi's interest was piqued. "What are your university goals, Megumi?"

"Do you really want to know?" Megumi teased.

"Of course!" Kotomi nodded eagerly.

"Alright then—kiss me right now."

Kotomi's expression froze, her face betraying a mix of panic and hesitation. If no one else were around, she might have gone along with it without a second thought.

But the problem was, the classroom wasn't just occupied—it was packed. As the end of lunch break approached, the room was filled with students. Any unusual movement would immediately draw everyone's attention.

Kotomi couldn't possibly muster the courage to kiss Megumi in such a public setting. If someone saw, all the rumors about her would undoubtedly solidify in everyone's minds as "truth."

Seeing Kotomi's flustered and pitiable expression, Megumi couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Alright, alright, I was just joking. I wouldn't dare let you kiss me here in front of everyone either."

"Then can you tell me which university you're aiming for?" Kotomi asked softly, her voice tinged with endearing vulnerability, as if pleading.

Who could resist such an adorable request?

"Tokyo University or Kyoto University. Those are the two schools I've always aspired to attend. I'll work hard to meet their admission requirements. Whether I make it into either will be up to fate."

Originally, Megumi's target was Kyushu University, but now she "brazenly" declared otherwise.

As for why Megumi's university goals shifted to Tokyo University and Kyoto University, it all dated back to a casual conversation before she started dating Kotomi. During that conversation, Kotomi mentioned her ambitions of studying at either Tokyo University or Kyoto University after learning about the National Youth Art Awards held there.

From that day onward, Megumi silently changed her goal and began working hard toward it, determined to continue being classmates with Kotomi even three years down the road.

Unaware that Megumi's initial target had been Kyushu University or that Megumi had changed her goal because of her, Kotomi beamed with delight after hearing Megumi's words.

"Ah! Megumi, that's such a coincidence! Those are my dream universities too. Hehe, I've decided—if you ever get stuck, just ask me! I'll be your personal tutor, and together we'll make it into prestigious universities."

"Or maybe I'll end up being the one tutoring you~" Megumi replied leisurely.

Faced with Megumi's ambition to be her "teacher," Kotomi felt indignant, deciding she must assert herself. She glanced over Megumi's practice worksheet, seemingly searching for something.

Megumi didn't stop Kotomi, letting her examine the sheet freely. She propped her face on one hand, a faint smile lingering on her lips.

After a while, Kotomi's slightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and she pointed to a large problem on the sheet, her tone tinged with pride as she said, "Megumi, you got this one wrong."

"Oh? Which one? Let me see."

Megumi followed Kotomi's finger and noticed that the problem indeed contained a small mistake. Though minor, it would still cost her one point in an exam.

While one point might seem trivial, in a high-stakes test like the college entrance exams, gaining even one extra point could significantly increase the chance of being admitted to a prestigious university. Conversely, losing a point could push one behind hundreds or even thousands of others.

Megumi's error wasn't due to a lack of understanding but rather a habitual flaw in her problem-solving method. Small lapses like this occasionally crept in, and they weren't easy to spot during reviews.

If such small mistakes cost her marks, even Kotomi would feel heartache just imagining it.

"Ah… it's this step again?" Megumi sighed softly, her tone feigning a bit of helplessness. Her slightly worried expression suggested she was genuinely troubled about how to address the gaps in her method.

Seeing this, Kotomi innocently believed Megumi was truly vexed and promptly offered, "Megumi, how about I teach you a simpler method with a lower error rate?"

"That would be a great help~" Megumi responded with a smile of gratitude.

Kotomi picked up another mechanical pencil, stood beside Megumi, and began jotting notes on a scrap sheet, explaining with great focus.

Perhaps thanks to the system-enhanced learning abilities, Kotomi's teaching style resembled that of an experienced educator. She had a knack for breaking down even the most challenging problems into something straightforward, making complex concepts clear and easy to grasp.

Though she had no intention of becoming a teacher, Kotomi had undeniable confidence in her ability to teach.

After finishing her explanation, she confidently asked, "Did you get it, Megumi?"

"Nope," Megumi replied without hesitation.

Those two words nearly made Kotomi stumble. Could it be that her supposedly extraordinary teaching abilities were ineffective against Megumi?

"R-Really?"

Kotomi's voice trembled as she asked, her pitiful expression suggesting she might burst into tears if Megumi nodded again.

Megumi casually beckoned Kotomi closer with a finger, as if it were only natural. "You were standing so far away while explaining. How could I possibly hear you clearly? If I couldn't hear you, how could I understand?"

Too far away???

Kotomi replayed the scene in her mind. True enough, she had been standing while Megumi was sitting, creating a slight distance between them. While not a significant gap, it wasn't negligible either.

What if Megumi really hadn't heard because of that distance?

Considering Megumi's studies—and her future entrance exams—this was no trivial matter. Kotomi couldn't afford to be careless. She bent down slightly, moving closer to Megumi to explain it again.

As Kotomi's small face unconsciously moved closer to Megumi's,

Chuu~

A soft and fragrant sensation, reminiscent of cherry blossom petals, landed unexpectedly on Kotomi's lips—light and fleeting.

Megumi had been waiting for the moment when Kotomi's face would come near. Without hesitation, she seized the opportunity and leaned in, leaving a gentle kiss on Kotomi's soft lips.

"Y-you, Megumi…"

Caught off guard, Kotomi's face flushed red as she stared at Megumi, who now had a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. With deliberate slowness, Megumi teased:

"Now I understand. Thank you, Kotomi-sensei~"

"I finished explaining just now! You understood already, didn't you?"

Like a flustered little rabbit, Kotomi glanced around nervously to make sure no one else had seen them. Only after confirming they were in the clear did she exhale in relief, still blushing as she prepared to "settle the score" with Megumi.

"How could you know if I understood or not? Maybe I needed that kiss to finally get it," Megumi said with shameless confidence, grinning.

Sometimes, Kotomi thought, Megumi's skin seemed even thicker than her own!

"You just like teasing me," Kotomi pouted, puffing her cheeks.

Not that she truly minded the unexpected kiss; in fact, if they had been alone, Kotomi might have happily wrapped her arms around Megumi's neck to continue.

But they were in the classroom, surrounded by classmates!

Luckily, Megumi had used the visual blind spots well. From an outsider's perspective, it simply looked like Kotomi was leaning down to explain a problem—nothing suspicious at all. Moreover, most students were preoccupied with their own activities during the lunch break, so no one had paid them any attention.

"Let's drop the word 'teasing,' shall we~?"

Megumi laughed softly, then picked up her mechanical pencil and selected a similar type of problem. Following the method Kotomi had just taught her, she solved it quickly and flawlessly.

This time, she avoided the minor errors from before. Even the strictest grader wouldn't be able to find a single point to deduct.

"See? I kissed you, and now I've mastered it," Megumi said with a playful smirk.

Kotomi's face turned an even deeper shade of red. She didn't know how to respond to Megumi. Reflexively, she almost leaned in to playfully bite her as usual, but at the last second, she remembered they were in the classroom. She stopped herself and instead sat back down, forcing herself to act composed.

Watching Kotomi's slightly flushed face, Megumi felt her earlier unease—sparked by Kotomi's closeness with Mashiro Shiina—completely dissipate. Her mood lightened significantly.

"Kotomi-sensei, I still have lots and lots of questions I don't understand. Can I ask for your help?"

"You!" Kotomi gave her an embarrassed glare, muttering softly, "Of course you can."

Hearing this, Megumi's smile widened, radiating pure happiness.

Unbeknownst to either of them, although most classmates hadn't noticed, someone had accidentally witnessed the kiss.

That person was Mashiro, who was currently pretending to nap on her desk. She had inadvertently caught sight of Megumi's slightly assertive stolen kiss, and now she lay there, heart racing with an indescribable, contradictory excitement. Her breaths came quickly, and she felt confused by her own reaction.

Megumi kissed Kotomi again.

They really must be in a relationship!

But why does my heart race uncontrollably every time I see Kotomi being kissed, or even when she's just close with other girls?

This is definitely strange!

Mashiro kept repeating these thoughts to herself, trying to make sense of her swirling emotions.

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