COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 152: That's not what I meant!

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Hearing Rin say that "the person who needs to change is me," Karuizawa felt somewhat relieved. His words implied that he didn't dislike any aspect of her.

"Rin, what do you want to change?" Kei asked softly.

"Because of my family background and childhood experiences, I've developed a personality that makes me want to please everyone—what people call 'flirting.' Even if I have a girlfriend, I might still be overly close to other girls," Rin explained.

"I don't like being lectured, and I don't want to be controlled.

"So, the girlfriend I'm looking for would need to be soft, broad-minded, and accepting of my interactions with other girls.

"That's why, Kei, we're really not suitable for each other."

Rin sighed inwardly. Women might endure many things, but jealousy wasn't one of them.

Very few women would be okay with their boyfriend being overly intimate with other girls.

After spending time with girls like Karuizawa , Rin realized that only one person might meet those criteria—Sakura.

Sakura was shy and soft-spoken. If they became a couple, she likely wouldn't try to control Rin or object to his closeness with other girls.

Although Shiina also had a gentle personality, Rin hadn't interacted with her much and didn't know her well.

He glanced at Karuizawa, who had gone silent. Gently, he tried to pull his arm free from her grasp, but she held on tightly.

"…"

Resting her head on his shoulder, Kei spoke faintly. "So, what you're saying is... as long as I don't mind you being close to other girls, you'd be willing to let me be your girlfriend. Is that it?"

"Uh…" Rin hesitated, his lips twitching. "That's not what I meant."

"I know you didn't mean that. I also know you don't like me and don't want me as your girlfriend," Kei replied, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"Don't talk nonsense. I really don't dislike you," Rin said with a helpless sigh.

"But you've complained about me before, saying my breasts are small..." Kei murmured, sounding dejected.

Rin let out an exasperated sigh. "I was joking! Didn't you realize? If I truly disliked you, I'd treat you the same way I treat Kushida—by ignoring you."

Kei blinked in surprise. He didn't dislike her but disliked Kushida ?

She began recalling Rin's interactions with Kushida. It did seem true...

Kushida had always been overly enthusiastic and proactive toward Rin, but he remained indifferent, treating her with a noticeable lack of warmth.

"Rin, why don't you like Kushida Kikyo? She has the kind of figure most boys find attractive, doesn't she?"

"Her figure's fine, but I don't like her personality," Rin replied flatly.

"Ah, so you don't like girls who laugh and chat with other boys? I understand now. I'll make sure I don't pay attention to other boys in the future," Kei said earnestly, raising her head to look at him.

Rolling his eyes, Rin replied, "You're misunderstanding again.

"I don't mind that Kushida is outgoing with boys. What bothers me is the sense of discord I feel from her. Something about her doesn't sit right with me."

"A sense of discord? I don't feel that way about her," Kei said, puzzled.

"Class is about to start, Rin. Let's head back to the classroom," she added, tugging gently at his arm.

Without resisting, Rin let Kei pull him back to Class D.

Rin matched Karuizawa's strength and returned to the Class D classroom with her.

On the way back, neither spoke, and the silence lingered, thick with unspoken emotions.

When they entered, Matsushita carefully observed Karuizawa to verify her earlier suspicions.

This time, Chiaki didn't see the usual humility on Kei's face. Instead, what she noticed was a different emotion—trouble. Kei's delicate brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were preoccupied with something.

Letting go of Rin's arm, Kei said goodbye to him and walked toward her seat.

Mori, always quick to gossip, immediately approached Kei. "Kei, what did you talk about with Matsuoka when you went out?"

Kei replied nonchalantly, "Not much. We just talked about the conflict I had with Kushida earlier."

"That's all? I thought you went out to confirm your relationship!" mori said, visibly disappointed.

Kei pressed her lips together tightly. She wanted that too…

After exchanging a few perfunctory words with Mori, Kei slumped onto her desk. Closing her eyes, she replayed the conversation with Rin in her mind.

The more she thought about it, the clearer it became—Rin didn't dislike her.

The real reason Rin hadn't accepted her was because he was a self-proclaimed playboy who hated being controlled.

"Oh, why did you have to tell me this? Wouldn't it have been better if you'd just kept it to yourself?" Kei muttered quietly.

Normally, a playboy would do everything possible to hide the fact that he wasn't loyal, especially from someone he was dating. But Rin was completely different.

They weren't even in a relationship, yet he had bluntly told her that he was a playboy, making it clear she shouldn't expect him to change.

"Did Rin tell me he's a playboy just to make me give up?" Kei whispered gloomily to herself.

That wasn't the truth. Rin was being honest, not trying to push her away.

In reality, Rin liked Kei. He wouldn't mind being her boyfriend and enjoying a sweet, youthful romance.

However, Rin knew himself too well. He understood that he wasn't someone who could be loyal, so he had told Kei about his flaws upfront, letting her decide for herself.

Accept him—

Or give up.

But hadn't Kei just told him that she didn't mind him being close to other girls and only wanted to be his girlfriend?

Even so, Rin hadn't accepted her.

That was because Rin knew Kei's response was impulsive.

He wanted Kei to think it through calmly and decide whether someone like him—a playboy—was truly what she wanted.

While Kei was caught up in her thoughts, Rin had already returned to his seat.

Horikita immediately turned her sharp gaze toward him.

"Matsuoka."

"What is it?" Rin replied casually.

Suzune hesitated, as though she wanted to ask what Rin and Kei had discussed earlier.

But in the end, she didn't ask.

Instead, she raised her pointed chin slightly and gestured toward the empty seats of Ike and Yamauchi. "Those two are skipping class again."

"I know. And?" Rin replied, his tone indifferent.

Suzune frowned at his lack of concern. "You should realize we can't let them keep skipping class like this."