All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Kotomi Izumi’s calm reaction made Megumi Kato blink in curiosity.

”You don’t seem surprised that I’d refuse to go to your celebration dinner with Yukino and Yui?”

”I already guessed you’d tell me privately later that you wouldn’t be coming, back when I first invited you.”

Megumi raised her eyebrows slightly, looking half-curious and half-annoyed.

”So, if you already knew I’d say no, why did you still add, ’Megumi, you should come too,’ when you mentioned the dinner? Were you teasing me?”

”I’m sorry,” Kotomi said simply. She didn’t waste words, apologizing first before continuing.

”When you’re around others, even if they’re all friends, it’s polite to say things like that. Even if you know the other person will refuse, it’s still a social courtesy. But ultimately, it’s my fault. I’ve gotten too used to using polite phrasing. With Yukino and Yui, I don’t need to be so formal—it’s not necessary. I just instinctively make sure everything I say sounds smooth and flawless, even if it’s casual.”

Hearing that, Megumi’s mood softened. She reached out and gently held Kotomi’s hand.

”Always trying to make your words sound perfect… always reading between the lines of what others say… even when they mean nothing deeper, you still make sure your words have no weak points. Don’t you find that exhausting?”

”I do,” Kotomi admitted with a small smile. ”But that’s life in society, isn’t it? Communication between people is constant. A single sentence can be said in a hundred different ways. Sometimes, being good at talking isn’t the most important thing—but it helps you find doors and shortcuts faster. It’s a skill I’ve long been used to relying on.”

Then she laughed quietly to herself.

”But I guess I should stop using that kind of talk at school. At least, not with friends. We’re still in high school, after all. What matters more between friends is honesty.”

Megumi nodded in agreement, then smiled and asked, ”And what about us? Our relationship isn’t just friends, right? So, what do you think we should have more of when we talk?”

Whatever her words, her expression made it clear—Kotomi had already managed to win her back over.

Without thinking too much, Kotomi spoke her mind directly, her tone light and natural.

”More honesty and love, of course~ Megumi, I love you.”

A simple confession—yet, spoken at just the right moment, it carried incredible power. And Kotomi knew exactly when to say the right words to make a girl’s heart flutter.

”…I received your love~” Megumi murmured softly, her face blushing red as she shyly looked away.

Their faces drew closer and closer. Just as Megumi was about to kiss her, Kotomi suddenly raised a finger between them.

”We’re still at school. No kissing, no hugging~” Kotomi said teasingly, her expression playful like a mischievous witch.

Kotomi really was a wicked woman—one who knew exactly how to toy with a girl’s heart.

Megumi pouted in frustration. But after glancing around, she saw they were near the school gate—not inside the classroom building anymore. Just a few more steps and they’d be outside the gate. Though ten minutes had passed since the end of school, a few students were still leaving the building, heading out toward the exit.

And not far away, the student council’s disciplinary committee members were patrolling.

So indeed, no kissing, no hugging—not even between two girls.

”Hmph. Once the culture festival’s over, I’ll make you pay me back double for this!” Megumi puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance, then gently ruffled Kotomi’s hair. ”I’m heading off now. Do your best in rehearsal, okay? I’ll be cheering for you when you perform.”

”My little sister will be coming to the festival too,” Kotomi said with a grin. ”So don’t go shouting louder than Aimi just to spite her when you cheer for me, alright?”

”Hehe~” Megumi Kato laughed awkwardly, clearly caught off guard by Kotomi’s teasing. Trying to defend herself, she said, ”Kotomi, you’re my wife! That means your sister is my sister too. I’ve always treated Aimi like my own little sister—how could I ever intentionally try to upset her?”

”Well, well, that’s rich coming from you. I don’t believe a single word of it! Wasn’t it you who almost made Aimi so angry she was foaming at the mouth last time? And since when did I become your wife, huh? You think it’s that easy to make me your wife? Dream on~”

Kotomi shot Megumi a playful glare, her eyes filled with mock annoyance—but to Megumi, that look was pure, irresistible charm.

How could one little penguin be this alluring?!