COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 144: I welcome you to join us!

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Girls who were still willing to feed him would continue doing so, while those who cared or minded him would stop. Rin's approach was simple—it was a consensual arrangement, without any concealment or pretense.

Ike, carrying two heavy plastic bags, greeted them enthusiastically. "Isn't this Matsuoka-san and Karuizawa-san? You two are back from a date, huh?"

"That's right,"Rin replied frankly, causing Karuizawa's bright eyes to curve into a delighted smile.

"That's nice for you," Yamauchi said sourly. "You two are actually dating."

Hearing the unusual tone in Yamauchi's voice, Karuizawa raised her eyebrows and, with a strong expression, questioned sharply, "We're on a date. Do you have a problem with that?"

Karuizawa's firm attitude startled Yamauchi, who quickly waved his hands and stammered, "No! No problem at all!"

"Hmph," she snorted disdainfully.

Ike jumped in, trying to lighten the mood. "Since you're back, Matsuoka-san, why don't you come with us? We're planning to play games all night in the room!"

Still frustrated by being intimidated by Karuizawa, Yamauchi leaned toward Ike and whispered, "Why are you even inviting him?"

"Idiot, have you forgotten our plan? If we can get close to Matsuoka, our chances of dating girls will definitely improve!" Ike replied in a hushed voice.

"Oh, that's right!"

Now enlightened, Yamauchi enthusiastically extended the invitation again. "Matsuoka-san, you're more than welcome to join us! We'd love to have you!"

Rin rolled his eyes. What was that supposed to mean? You're welcome to join? It sounded like he was begging to hang out with them.

Rin had no interest in playing games, much less with Ike and Yamauchi.

"I've got other things to do. I don't have time to play games with you," Rin replied plainly.

"It's the weekend. What could you possibly be busy with?" Ike pressed further, not giving up so easily.

Rin pointed to Karuizawa, who was still holding his arm. "Kei and I are on a date," he said matter-of-factly.

"..." Ike froze, speechless.

"..." Yamauchi's expression mirrored his friend's, both caught off guard.

"???" Karuizawa blinked her bright eyes in surprise, looking a tRin curiously. Then, noticing his playful wink, she immediately understood what he was doing.

Realizing this, Karuizawa's expression turned strong and assertive once again. She faced the two boys and declared firmly, "That's right. Rin and I still have plans for our date, so don't bother us."

"Oh… oh…" Ike and Yamauchi finally backed off, walking away with dejected expressions.

After the two left, Karuizawa's face lit up with happiness. "Rin, where are we going next for our date?" she asked eagerly.

"No more plans. Let's head back to the dorm and rest," Rin answered casually.

"Ah, what about the date we agreed on?" Karuizawa pouted in dissatisfaction, shaking Rin's arm playfully. Her spoiled attitude was so adorable that it was hard to resist.

"Come on, Kei. You know I was just using that as an excuse to get rid of them. Next time, okay? There's plenty of time for dates in the future, so there's no need to rush."

What Karuizawa wanted wasn't the date itself but his words of reassurance. She stopped shaking his arm and smiled brightly. "Then it's a deal! The next time I ask you out, you can't refuse me!"

"Alright, I won't refuse you," Rin promised.

"Hmm~" Karuizawa hummed happily, satisfied with his response. She clung to his arm again, and the two of them continued their walk toward the dormitory building.

As they passed by, boys on the street couldn't help but glance enviously at Rin. Seeing Karuizawa holding his arm so intimately, their expressions were filled with jealousy and longing.

It had been less than a week since school started, and they hadn't even gotten to know all the girls in their class, yet this guy was already so close to them.

I'm so envious, thought many of the onlookers.

Karuizawa, who was holding Rin's arm, was feeling shy and nervous. She had overestimated her own composure.

In reality, Karuizawa had her own little scheme.

Her plan was simple: by holding Rin's arm and walking with him in such an intimate manner, she intended to let all the first-year students in the dormitory see their close relationship. If anyone dared to bully her in the future, they would have to weigh the risk of offending Rin.

It was the classic case of the fox borrowing the tiger's might.

However, even with her determination, Karuizawa found herself unable to remain calm. As she clung to Rin's arm, her nervousness grew.

Fortunately, the distance from the dormitory entrance to the elevator wasn't far. Once they entered the elevator, Kei finally let out a small sigh of relief.

Noticing her reaction, Rin smirked and asked teasingly, "Why do you look so relieved?"

"Really? I don't!" she denied, though her voice betrayed her flustered state.

"Alright, if you say so. I'm heading off now. See you tomorrow."

Reluctantly, Karuizawa let go of Rin's arm. "Okay, see you tomorrow."

When the elevator reached the third floor, Rin stepped out and turned to smile at Kei, who was still watching him. "Thanks for the gift today. I had a great time."

"Me too!" she replied, her voice tinged with joy.

Kei lightly touched the necklace around her neck, her cheeks glowing with a mix of shyness and happiness. "I'm really happy today, too. Thank you, Rin, for your gift."

After exchanging heartfelt words, the elevator doors closed. Rin headed down the hallway toward his dormitory room.

The moment he entered his room, his phone buzzed with a new message.

Rin took out his phone and looked at the sender. Slightly surprised, he muttered, "A message from Chabashira-sensei? Why is she texting me on a Sunday?"

The message read:

[Next week, first-year high school students will have swimming lessons.]

[Class D's lesson is scheduled for the first period after lunch tomorrow, Monday.]

[Please make sure to prepare the necessary swimsuits.]

[You can also purchase swimsuits via the following link:]

A clickable URL was included at the end.

If it hadn't been from Chabashira Sae, Rin might have thought it was a scam message.

In fact, this wasn't unique to Rin. All first-year students had received the same message from their homeroom teachers.

Having just returned from the Keyaki Shopping Center, Rin had no intention of going out again. He decided to purchase the required swimming trunks directly through the provided link.

"Hey, there's even a home delivery option. Perfect—I won't have to leave the dorm," he said to himself as he placed the order.

As soon as he finalized his purchase, Rin received a Line message from Karuizawa.

[Rin, did you get the text from Chabashira-sensei?]

[Is it the one about swimming lessons? Yeah, I got it. Did you?]

[Yes! Chabashira-sensei said we need to buy swimsuits. Let's go shopping together!]

[I just got back and don't feel like going out again. I already ordered mine online using the link.]

[Come on~ I'll show you the swimsuits I picked out!]