I asked him to be my pretend-boyfriend but after a while I fell for him, but I can't seem to admit that fact! - Chapter 18: He's way too cool!?

He’s way too cool!?

After greeting my parents and talking for a bit in my room, Asai headed home. He mentioned that he had studio practice with ‘Inheriting Sound’ from the evening until midnight today.

Even on days off from school, there’s band practice.

Being a popular musician is definitely tough, I thought.

…On the other hand, I was lounging around in my room, feeling a sense of self-loathing.

Because I… completely chickened out.

And why did I chicken out?

“I like the current relationship we have… I don’t want to force myself to accept things, and I don’t want this current relationship to end.”

I had even shed tears while deciding to end our current relationship, but what I actually conveyed to Asai was this selfish assertion of affirming our current relationship even further.

I chickened out spectacularly.

Actually, “chickened out” might not even fully describe it.

Even though I knew what was right in my head, I couldn’t take the right actions.

I’m truly pathetic.

And yet, Asai wholeheartedly accepted my selfish assertion.

He even thanked me with a look of resolve.

He’s genuinely a kind person.

But… that kindness hurts.

…

It’s a lie… I’m actually really happy.

However, if I keep depending on Asai like this, I’ll definitely become more and more useless before he gets tired of me.

…

…I need to do something before Asai loses patience with me. Just thinking about it makes me anxious.

***

The following week, during the morning homeroom, the groupings for the off-campus study were announced.

As for Asai and me… we ended up in separate groups.

By the way, Asai was in the same group as Kakimoto and Terasawa, and I was in the same group as Yuuka, the class representative Sawatari, and Mitsuoka from the Light Music Club.

…I really wanted to be in the same group as Asai.

In the afternoon homeroom, we were divided into our respective groups for orientation.

I felt even stronger about wanting to be in the same group as Asai.

Today… even though Asai had band practice and I thought I should replenish my “Asai fix” during breaks…

“Imamura, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Every break, Sawatari, the committee chairperson,  would call them over, and so I missed those chances.

Sawatari’s conversations mostly revolved around topics that could be discussed during afternoon homeroom, so I thought it was fine since Asai was sleeping at his desk during breaks anyway.

And then, the afternoon homeroom came.

“Hey, Imamura! Can you talk to Asai? Convince him to join the Light Music Club!”

During the discussion about the off-campus study, the first topic that she decided to open was about Asai.

“Hey, Mitsuoka, why are we suddenly talking about Asai? Besides, why do I have to be the one to do this? Can’t you just tell him directly?”

“Well, even if I told him directly, he wouldn’t nod in agreement, so I’m asking you.”

I knew that. It wasn’t just Mitsuoka; Mitsui from another class was also coming to persuade him practically every day.

“Why do I have to be the one?!”

“Well, you’re his girlfriend, right? And if you’re okay with it, then Asai should be okay too, right?”

Where did… this conversation come from?

“Hey, let’s focus on making decisions and get out of here.”

Right from the start, we had deviated from the main topic, and Yuuka tried to steer us back on track.

“True, let’s not waste any more time. So, what are we deciding?”

Perhaps sensing my anger, Yuuka deftly guided the conversation back to the main point.

“Yeah, you’re right… Sorry, Komori.”

“Sorry, Imamura.”

Again, I was pulled back into the topic of Asai with Mitsui’s words. …And what’s with “unexpected”? Is he implying that Asai is plain or something?

I despise those kinds of remarks the most.

“Come on, you guys, cut it out already. If we don’t decide soon, I’m leaving!”

Yuuka with another great follow-up.

“Oh… right, my bad.”

“Sorry, Komori.”

The two guys seem to be feeling overwhelmed by Yuuka and are finally getting back to the main topic.

It’s… kind of exhausting.

Ever since we became second years, I’ve been mostly with Asai. Even just being in a slightly different group than Asai still makes me feel the comfort of being by his side.

I wonder how Asai is feeling about this.

Curious, I glance over at Asai.

“Oh, well, I’m fine with wherever Asai wants to go… He can decide.”

“Hey, hey, back off a bit, Kakimoto.”

Huh!?

Wait, that’s Kakimoto… sitting right next to Asai and getting all cozy.

What’s going on!?

Kakimoto was so nervous around Asai after that smartphone incident.

…Why?

…Why is this happening?

I understand now.

…That’s the face of a girl in love.

Could it be that something happened between Asai and Kakimoto since then?

“…So, can I talk to you for a moment, Imamura?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry, what?”

I was so preoccupied with Asai… that I couldn’t focus on our group’s talk.

“Oh, yeah, that’s a bit complicated, isn’t it?”

But Yuuka supported me well, and the orientation ended smoothly.

…I’m a mess.

My heart is all fluttery, and I couldn’t concentrate.

“Hey, Imamura, there’s something I still want to talk about. Would you like to walk home together?”

The class representative invites me, even though I really don’t have the mental capacity to talk right now.

“…Um, well, today I’m…”

“Do you have plans or something?”

Today, Asai has his club activity. I don’t have plans, but…

“If you have plans, that’s one thing, but what do you mean by ‘not in the mood’? This is a group activity, so take this more seriously and with a sense of responsibility.”

The class representative scolded me.

What’s with this “group activity” thing… it’s just so easy to criticize. I thought about firing back, but my mind went blank, and I couldn’t find the right words.

“Hey, Sawatari, there’s a better way to say things!”

In my place, Yuuka retorted against the class representative.

“I’m talking with Imamura here. It’s none of Komori’s business.”

“Huh? You just mentioned group activity, right? It’s related, isn’t it?”

Because of me, it feels like things are about to explode. But, between Yuuka and the class representative…

“Itsuki, Komori-san, let’s go home together.”

Asai stepped in.

“Let’s go.”

With a smile, Asai extended his hand as if to ignore the class representative.

“Hey! Asai, you’re the one who’s even more unrelated here!”

“The irrelevant one is you, isn’t it? Itsuki is my girlfriend, and Komori-san is an important friend of mine. Besides, the orientation is over already, right?”

Asai casually brushed off the class representative’s provocation.

“But, but…”

“But what? If you keep bothering my girlfriend, I won’t stand by either.”

My girlfriend…

And then, the class representative, who was being glared at by Asai, froze like a frog being stared at by a snake.

…It’s unbelievable, but Asai’s aura was unlike anything I’d ever imagined from his usual self.

“Let’s go, Itsuki, Komori-san.”

…The classroom fell silent.

However, Asai paid no mind to that and, with an air of calm, led me and Yuuka out of the classroom.

…Seriously, Asai is way too cool!

My fluttering heart turned into pounding excitement.