After Becoming a Counselor for Girls, I Ended Up Producing a Lot of Potential Girlfriends Who Became Mentally Ill - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Man Following Shiraishi Is…

I let my guard down.

Being asked by Shiraishi to play the role of a fake boyfriend—something I hadn’t anticipated.

It wasn’t guaranteed that the confessions would stop at Kujo and Shizuku. My assumptions didn’t always align with reality.

“It might be kinder to give an immediate ‘okay.’”

“Or… is it wrong to?”

“I’m just someone she consulted. Shiraishi and I aren’t a match. I don’t want to create more misunderstandings.”

It’s strange for me, who made an exception for Kujo and Shizuku, to now act like a rational person.

If possible, I want to settle this with a second-best solution, fulfilling Shiraishi’s wish even if it’s not the ideal choice.

I understand that I’ve already caused enough misunderstandings. There’s no need to add more.

“You’re right. There are other people I could ask for advice, and you have your own circumstances, Yasuda-san. I’ll try to figure it out on my own.”

Shiraishi spoke in a small, downcast voice; she looked dejected.

She’s hiding her true feelings. That’s not okay. As someone she consulted, I can’t ignore this.

“I’d like to hear how you really feel. Just this once, speak honestly without hiding anything.”

“…I want help. Please, pretend to be my boyfriend.”

Her tear-filled eyes looked straight at me. There was no way I could stay indifferent. That plea for help was a genuine cry from her heart.

Though part of me wanted to protect myself, I couldn’t ignore her struggles.

“Understood. Let’s do it.”

“You’ll really act as my boyfriend?”

“I won’t make it too flashy, though.”

“Thank you so much!”

The plan was set.

First, we’d call out Sasamoto.

Next, I’d boldly reject him, making my stance clear.

Finally, in disguise, I’d show myself to be close to Shiraishi.

There was significant risk. Sasamoto was persistent, and there was the possibility of him losing control out of shock.

To prepare for the worst, we’d meet near the school gym; it was a location where help would be easy to summon if needed.

At worst, the nearby gym equipment included a Sasumata—a restraining pole. It could be used to pin him down.

…I didn’t want to imagine it escalating that far, nor did I think it likely.

The day of the operation would depend on Sasamoto’s availability.

Shiraishi immediately sent him a message.

“I was too scared to block him, even though I wanted to. I hope this will really be the last interaction.”

“It will be. I’ll make sure of it. You have me.”

“Yasuda-san… you really are someone I can rely on.”

“I’m just weak and cowardly, that’s all.”

Sasamoto replied quickly, saying he wanted to meet.

“And it’s right away, too.”

“He’s quite persistent, isn’t he? I’d heard about it, but he really doesn’t give up.”

“Obsession is like a curse. It eats away at both the person casting it and the one it’s cast upon.”

Both Shiraishi and Sasamoto were suffering. Nothing good could come of this.

“He says he’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

“That’s sooner than I expected. I need to prepare my disguise.”

Fortunately, props from this year’s cultural festival were still in the classroom.

The classroom wasn’t locked, so I could get in easily.

I grabbed sunglasses, a wig, and whatever else fit the bill. Once I put them on, I looked like a completely different person.

“How do I look?”

I asked Shiraishi upon returning.

The moment she saw me, she burst out laughing.

“P-please stop! That outfit—”

“Is it that bad?”

“It just looks like you’re joking, or something…”

“This is for solving the problem: hiding my identity and keeping Sasamoto away for good.”

“Can I turn around? I can’t look at you directly without laughing.”

“Go ahead. Though it kind of hurts to hear that.”

Even I was speechless when I saw myself in the mirror. Hearing it from her made it sting more.

“I’m… I’ve calmed down now. I’m so sorry for being rude.”

When she turned back toward me, her lips were trembling as she tried to suppress a laugh.

“There are a few details I’d like to adjust, but let’s leave it for now.”

Though her mood lightened, we couldn’t let our guard down from here on.

“Anyway, let’s stay sharp and wait for him.”

“You’re right.”

Shiraishi’s expression grew serious.

From this point, there was no room for joking around. Any lapse in focus could lead to danger. A cornered person could act unpredictably.

“Let’s go over the plan carefully. Preparation is key to success.”

We reviewed how to handle the situation.

Deciding how close to act with Shiraishi while pretending to be intimate was particularly tricky.

“Getting close like this…”

“I’ll do my best.”

“And any closer…”

“I’ll feel like my soul is being drained.”

“Let’s settle on lightly pulling you close.”

After some back-and-forth, we finalized how to position ourselves.

We spent the remaining time chatting about random topics.

“I got a bad fortune from my omikuji.”

“Bad fortunes actually exist, huh?”

“That’s why I’m nervous about whether I’ll make it home safely today.”

“Now I’m starting to feel uneasy, too.”

It was the last thing I wanted to hear. With the plan already nerve-wracking, hearing that added another layer of tension.

Just as anxiety began to creep in my heart, I spotted someone who looked like Sasamoto.

It looks like it’s finally starting.