All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Kotomi walked down the hallway, her schoolbag lightly bouncing against her side. The day had been as clear as crystal, and yet a lingering unease gnawed at the back of her mind. Something wasn’t right.

The thought struck her again as she glanced at Mashiro, trailing just a step behind. While Mashiro often carried an air of quiet detachment, today, her silence felt heavier than usual. It wasn’t just her typical reserved demeanor; it felt more like a faint storm cloud looming overhead, ready to burst at the slightest provocation.

What’s going on with her today? Kotomi wondered. Determined to break the tension, she took a deep breath and attempted small talk.

”Mashiro, isn’t the weather just perfect today? It’s been sunny all day—bright and warm. I really hope tomorrow’s just as good!” Kotomi ventured with an upbeat tone, glancing back to gauge Mashiro’s response.

”Tomorrow, it will rain,” Mashiro replied flatly, not even sparing Kotomi a glance.

…First topic: dead.

Kotomi blinked, momentarily thrown off by the curt response. She quickly adjusted her approach. ”By the way,” she tried again, ”how’s your artwork coming along? The big competition deadline is next Wednesday, right? I’m feeling so nervous. I really hope my piece gets selected. I keep thinking there’s so much to fix.”

”Nervous? I’m not,” Mashiro said evenly, her tone devoid of any emotion. ”My painting is already finished. All that’s left now is refinement—minor touch-ups.”

Kotomi felt her smile falter slightly. ”You didn’t get stuck anywhere? No rough patches? I mean, sometimes I’ll have this burst of inspiration, but then it’s like my mind suddenly blanks.”

”Not at all,” Mashiro replied. Her gaze remained steady, though her words carried no warmth. ”Everything went as planned. Every stroke landed exactly where it was meant to.”

...Second topic: also dead.

An awkward silence stretched between them. While Mashiro was always a person of few words, Kotomi couldn’t help but feel that today was different. Something else was at play. Her mind reeled as she replayed their interactions over the past few days. Had she done something to upset Mashiro?

She decided to just ask directly.

”Mashiro, is something—”

Before Kotomi could finish her question, Mashiro suddenly quickened her pace, overtaking her and stopping abruptly in front. The unexpected movement startled Kotomi, who froze mid-step as Mashiro turned to face her.

”Kotomi,” Mashiro began, her tone firm, ”were you about to ask me why I seem upset today? Or maybe why my mood has been off this afternoon?”

”Umm… yeah,” Kotomi admitted, blinking in surprise. Mashiro’s words had hit the nail on the head.

What happened next caught Kotomi completely off guard. Mashiro’s expression changed—her delicate features crumpling into an almost childlike pout. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she frowned, her brows knitting together. Her wide eyes shimmered faintly, as though holding back tears.

”Yesterday,” Mashiro began, her voice slightly shaky but filled with reproach, ”you promised me something, didn’t you? You said you’d read my new manga manuscript last night and give me your feedback today.”

Oh no.

Kotomi’s mind reeled as realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Yesterday, after receiving Mashiro’s newest draft, she had enthusiastically declared:

”Just thinking about having Mashiro-sensei’s new work in my bag makes my heart race! Tonight, it’s the first thing I’m going to read when I get home. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you all my thoughts!”

But last night…

The cat! The cat distracted me completely! I didn’t even open her manuscript!

Kotomi’s expression shifted from shock to guilt. Her shoulders slumped as she realized the full weight of her oversight. She clasped her hands together and bent forward in a deep bow.

”I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed earnestly.

Mashiro puffed out her cheeks slightly, her gaze unwavering. ”So you really did forget,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of wounded pride.

”I did! I completely forgot! And it’s all because of that little cat I brought home. Mashiro, I feel awful. Please, tell me what I can do to make it up to you!” Kotomi pleaded, her voice filled with genuine remorse.

Mashiro tilted her head slightly, her expression softening as she studied Kotomi’s face. Then, without a word, she stepped closer, lifting her hands toward Kotomi—

”Look at me, Kotomi,” said Mashiro softly, her voice a mix of vulnerability and resolve.

”Alright…”

Kotomi slowly raised her head, only to feel a sudden waft of floral fragrance as Mashiro leaned in and embraced her.

”Honestly, Kotomi, I really can’t stay mad at you…”

”I’m sorry…”

”But why are you apologizing? Everyone forgets things sometimes. Although you didn’t keep your promise to tell me what you thought of my manuscript, it still made me feel a bit… off.”

Due to the difference in their heights, Mashiro’s head inadvertently rested against Kotomi’s chest during the embrace. For a brief moment, Mashiro seemed to freeze, as if processing the unusual sensation. She quickly pulled back, her face tinged with a blush that rivaled the warmth of dawn.

”I made a promise to you yesterday, didn’t I?” Kotomi said earnestly. ”My mom taught me that if you make a promise, you must keep it. Breaking a promise is wrong. I forgot, so I let you down. Please forgive me. I’ll do anything to make it up to you!”

This time, Kotomi spoke with genuine conviction, a glimmer of guilt and determination in her eyes.

Mashiro tilted her head, her cheeks puffing slightly in thought. ”Anything…?”

”Anything!” Kotomi nodded confidently, though a faint chill ran down her spine. The words ”I’ll do anything” often had ambiguous undertones in games, but the sentence had escaped her lips before she could reconsider.

Please don’t read too much into this, Kotomi silently pleaded, sweat trickling down her temple.

Fortunately, Mashiro seemed to take her declaration at face value. Her gaze softened, and her lips curved into a whimsical smile. ”Then what should I ask Kotomi to do~? What should I ask for~?” Her tone carried a playful lilt, like a melody drifting through the air.

Kotomi blinked, startled. Mashiro’s demeanor, typically reserved and distant, had shifted into something far more expressive. The sudden change left Kotomi momentarily dumbfounded.

”Ah!” Mashiro’s voice brightened with sudden inspiration. ”I want you to…”

Kotomi braced herself.

”…I don’t know yet.” Mashiro’s shoulders sagged slightly, her previous enthusiasm replaced with mild confusion.

Kotomi nearly stumbled at the anticlimax. She had been so sure Mashiro was about to issue a heartfelt demand or playful request, only to be met with indecision.

”You really know how to keep people on their toes,” Kotomi said with a helpless chuckle.

Mashiro blinked in confusion, clearly not understanding the joke.

”So… have you forgiven me?” Kotomi asked cautiously.

Mashiro shook her head, her pale locks swaying with the motion. ”Not yet. You still need to agree to my request and fulfill it. Even if I haven’t decided what it is yet…”

Mashiro’s words carried a teasing undertone, her lips curving into a faint smirk. Though she feigned seriousness, her playful mood was evident. The tense air between them had already dissipated.

”Well, I’m in trouble now,” Kotomi said dramatically, her tone light and teasing to match Mashiro’s.

Mashiro giggled softly. After a pause, she extended her hand. ”Can we hold hands?”

”Is this your request?”

”I don’t know. But right now, I really want to hold Kotomi’s hand.”

”…Alright.”

Kotomi reached out without hesitation, interlocking her fingers with Mashiro’s. The smaller girl’s hand was soft and warm, reminding Kotomi of the times she used to hold Aimi’s hand when they were younger.

”Your hand is so small and soft,” Kotomi murmured, almost to herself.

Mashiro’s expression flickered with something unspoken, but she didn’t respond. The two walked together silently, their hands joined, until they reached the faculty office. At the door, Kotomi reluctantly let go of Mashiro’s hand.

”Why did you let go?” Mashiro’s tone held a tinge of disappointment.

”Because I need to head home now,” Kotomi explained gently. ”I can’t exactly hold your hand all the way back to my house, can I?”

Mashiro tilted her head, her expression perfectly serious. ”Why not? I wouldn’t mind.”

Kotomi stared, her mind scrambling for a response.

”If Kotomi wants to take me home, I wouldn’t mind at all. Should I call my parents and let them know?” Mashiro asked, pulling out her phone without hesitation.

”Wait, wait, wait!” Kotomi panicked, quickly grabbing Mashiro’s wrist. ”I was just joking!”

Mashiro paused, her eyes wide with curiosity, as if trying to discern whether Kotomi was being truthful.

”Is Kotomi… flustered?” Mashiro asked softly, her lips curling into a sly smile. Her tone carried a distinct note of triumph.

”W-Well, maybe a little,” Kotomi admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.

Mashiro’s smile widened. She seemed genuinely pleased. In her mind, she had discovered a new skill: flustering Kotomi.

If Megumi can make Kotomi nervous, why can’t I? Mashiro thought gleefully.

”Or maybe it’s not flustered…” Kotomi murmured. ”It’s more like… nervous.”

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