After Being Dumped With the Insult, “You’re So Clingy!” and Finding Her in Despair, I Kept Encouraging My Beautiful Classmate and as a Result, That Beautiful Girl Started Directing Her Heavy Emotions Toward Me Instead, but Since I Like Emotionally Heavy Girls, It’s No Problem - 29

Chapter 29: If Futaba Were My Real Girlfriend…

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“Ichika-kun, shall we make a little detour before heading home today?”

“A detour?”

“Yes. What people call an after-school date, so to say.”

“A date…”

Classes had ended for the day, and as I was packing my textbooks into my bag to get ready to leave, Futaba—who had apparently already finished preparing—made that suggestion. The word “date” made my heart react. I remembered doing something date-like with Futaba before, but the circumstances were different now. Ever since I had started becoming consciously aware of her as a member of the opposite sex, I couldn’t hide my confusion at her proposal.

…Even though, as her fake boyfriend, I was supposed to eliminate feelings like that. She was probably suggesting this partly as a way to show others we were a couple. Especially after the incident with Hachioji, it had become clear there were still pests buzzing around her. She likely wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.

I somehow calmed my excited heart and accepted her proposal in order to fulfill my role.

“O-Okay. So, where are we going?”

“I haven’t decided in particular. But don’t you think it would be nice to wander around town without a destination?”

“I see. That sounds good.”

Usually, a date meant deciding on a destination and going there together. But as she suggested, strolling around town aimlessly, enjoying window shopping and the scenery, sounded appealing too. Personally, I preferred the latter since it allowed for a more relaxed time together.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes♪”

Linking arms with her, I left the classroom.

○○○

After leaving school, we headed to a nearby shopping mall. When it came to places students in the area could casually hang out, the mall was the first place that came to mind. Inside the mall were grocery stores, variety shops, clothing stores, bookstores, along with a food court, an arcade, and many other tenants. Just walking around and browsing them made time fly by. We decided to start from the stores on the second floor and browse our way through.

…Variety shop.

“Oh, Ichika-kun, look. It says this is a new product.”

“Huh, something like this came out?”

…Clothing store.

“It’s almost summer. I need to buy summer clothes and a swimsuit. What kind do you like, Ichika-kun?”

“…Huh?”

…Drugstore.

“A necklace you just wear and viruses won’t come near you? Is that real?”

“That sounds suspicious…”

…Bookstore.

“Do you mind if I look at some reference books?”

“I don’t mind.”

That was the kind of relaxed window shopping we enjoyed. With so many different kinds of stores, new topics kept coming up between us, and we never got bored. Even casual remarks connected naturally to the next words. Then the other would pick up on those words, and the conversation would continue endlessly.

This is fun.

Before I realized it, that was how I felt about going on this date with Futaba.

…If she were my real girlfriend, would I be able to spend days like this all the time? That thought suddenly crossed my mind, but I hurriedly shook it out of my head.

…I had just sworn to myself not to indulge in thoughts like that.

“Ah, this is cute…”

While I was battling the distracting desires lurking within me, I heard Futaba murmur that. I followed her gaze. Before I knew it, we had arrived in front of an accessory shop. Inside the display case were Japanese-style hair ornaments. Futaba seemed to have taken a liking to one, since she was staring at it with sparkling eyes.

It was rare for her to show such interest in something. When I asked what she wanted before, she usually replied, “Nothing in particular.” …If anything, maybe cream puffs. Within me, a desire arose to give it to her as a present. Of course, partly to show gratitude for everything she did for me but more than that, because I thought it would suit her, and I wanted to see her happy face.

I looked at the price tag. 5,000 yen. A bit expensive, but compared to what she’d done for me, it was cheap.

“Futaba, you’ve been looking at that hair ornament for a while. Do you like it?”

“Huh?”

“I think it would look good on you too. So I’ll give it to you.”

“N-no, it’s okay. I was just looking. And it’s quite expensive, you know? I couldn’t possibly accept something that costly…”

As expected, Futaba hesitated. It seemed that to give her something, I still needed to create a proper reason.

“Futaba, I told you before, didn’t I? ‘I’ll accept you taking care of me, and I’ll return the favor.’ I’m just giving back what you’ve done for me. So you don’t need to hold back. And right now, I’m your boyfriend. It’s normal for a boyfriend to give his girlfriend a present on a date, right?”

I fully utilized my current role as her boyfriend. If I put it that way, she wouldn’t be able to refuse. She remained silent for a few seconds. Then she sighed and, as if resigning herself, accepted my offer.

“Honestly… you really are something. Very well. As your girlfriend, I’ll accept your present.”

“It’s settled then. Excuse me, could I get this one?”

I immediately called a clerk and purchased the hair ornament. The clerk carefully wrapped it in a paper bag and handed it to me. Futaba accepted it and held it carefully against her chest.

“…Thank you very much. I’ll treasure it forever.”

With her cheeks flushed and eyes slightly moist, Futaba expressed her gratitude. She looked just like a real girlfriend receiving a present from her boyfriend and at her lovely expression, my heart couldn’t help but leap.

Thump-thump-thump-thump. 

I could feel my heart pounding rapidly.

…I was nothing more than a “fake boyfriend.” So I didn’t want her to look at me like that.

“I-I’m glad you’ll treasure it, but ‘forever’ is a bit much.”

To shake away the dangerous feelings forming in my mind, I spoke in a slightly teasing tone.

“…It’s not an exaggeration. Oh, that’s right. While we’re at it, could you put it on for me, Ichika-kun?”

“Huh?”

“Please.”

“O-Okay…”

Futaba took the hair ornament out of the bag and handed it to me, then slightly lowered her head so it would be easier for me to place it. Following her request, I carefully fixed it into her hair. Just as I expected, it suited her very well.

“It… it looks good on you.”

“Fufu♪ Thank you very much. Then, except when I’m bathing or sleeping, I’ll keep this on me at all times. …Since it’s a present from you.”

She was delighted like a child who had received a treasured gift. And that sight alone was more than enough to stir my heart once again.

◇◇◇