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 19: Jealousy

Jealousy

After leaving the classroom, I parted ways with Yuuka. She said she had something to do, but I’m sure she was just being considerate of me.

Today, she’s been oddly taking care of me quite a bit.

Actually, she’s been doing that quite a lot recently.

…I should properly thank her next time.

Now I’m with Asai.

“Hey, Itsuki, can I come to your house today?”

“…Sure, but what about your club activity?”

“I’m skipping!”

“Is that okay with, uhmm… Otomura-san?”

“…Ugh… Yeah… I’ll just send her a message.”

It seems like he’s not really up to it.

By the way, did they already exchange contact information? Well, it’s normal to do that since we’re in different grades after all.

After Asai sent a message informing his club that he’ll be absent, he received a reply almost immediately.

“Ugh…”

Asai’s expression twisted when he read the reply.

“Hey, what did she say?”

I might be just digging my own grave but I just asked anyway.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

He tried to brush it off with a smile, so I stared at him with a slight frown.

“…”

Then, with a somewhat embarrassed expression, he showed me his phone.

…What’s with that “Ugh…”? Seriously, “Ugh…”?

“What did they reply?”

I asked, intrigued.

“Oh, it’s nothing special.”

He tried to dismiss it, but I continued to look at him skeptically.

“…”

Finally, he showed me his phone, looking somewhat ashamed.

…And there it was, a somewhat sly selfie with a message attached: “Tomorrow will be special lesson, so please take care ★.”

I handed the phone back to Asai and started to scrutinize him.

“You seem to be getting along well.”

“Well, um… I guess… just normally.”

Is he really being serious?

Sending that kind of selfie, I doubt your relationship is normal though!

I don’t know what Asai thinks, but it’s clear that that girl has her sights set on him.

In this situation… is it better for Asai to remain oblivious, or should he be more alert and cautious? It’s a delicate matter.

…

Or is it different? Does Asai really not need to be cautious?

After all, we’re not in a relationship.

…If Otomura-san were to confess to Asai, what would he do?

Otomura-san is cute… and although I don’t know much about her personality, she gives off an earnest vibe.

“…”

Let’s stop thinking about it… I’m getting depressed.

“Itsuki, there’s something I want to talk about… Is it okay?”

…This seems more formal. Wait, could it be about Otomura-san!?

“What’s it about?”

“Can we talk now? Or should we discuss it at your house?”

…What kind of suggestive phrasing is that?

It’s definitely about Otomura-san, right!?

“…I think discussing it at my house would be better.”

“Got it. We’ll talk when we get to your house, then.”

My mental state is a mess right now… I chose to discuss it at my home because I didn’t want to hear potentially unpleasant news in here.

…Ugh… I’m really such a coward.

“Oh, but! There’s one thing I want to say before we continue.”

Unusually forceful words from Asai.

“What is it?”

“I hate that committee chairman!”

“…Huh?”

Why the committee chairman?

“He’s been with you all day, talking about the same thing, right? I couldn’t stand how he was monopolizing you today. So… that’s why.”

…What do you mean?

…But Asai was…

“Weren’t you sleeping?”

“I was awake! I was secretly listening!”

…So he pretended to be asleep.

“I’m sorry… You must have disliked that… eavesdropping on your conversations.”

“No, it’s okay. It wasn’t something that I’d be embarrassed about if someone overheard.”

“To be honest, just a while ago… I was partly venting my frustration.”

Hmm? What does he mean?

“What do you mean by venting your frustration?”

“Throughout the day, I couldn’t stand the idea of you being monopolized by him. So, that’s why.”

…Could it be…

“Are you jealous?”

“Yeah…”

Asai openly admitted that he was jealous. I was really happy about that… but at the same time, I was also thinking, What are we doing…?

…

Both Asai and I.

Why can’t we let go of the role of being in a romantic relationship?

“And also… it’s not just today that I’ve been awake.”

“……Eh.”

I felt like my heart stopped.

…It’s not just today?

…It’s about that day, right?

…The day of the kiss… and the confession… He knew all of it?

So… Asai’s wanted to talk about this?

“But, that’s not what I want to talk about today. I’m not fully prepared yet, so let’s discuss it properly another time.”

Huh… Is there something else he wants to talk about?

What’s the topic he needs to prepare for?

My mind went into full panic mode.

— Even after we got to my house, I was still preoccupied with that matter.

“Ugh… Bitter!”

I, who liked bitter things, found my own coffee unbearably so.

“…Itsuki, would I be able to even drink coffee that you find bitter?”

Asai seemed somewhat terrified by the coffee.

He took a tiny sip and made a face before starting to talk.

“Listen, Itsuki… Please don’t get angry.”

Why would I get angry?

Why… for some reason, I was anxious about him mentioning about me possibly getting angry.

“…Actually, I let it slip to Kakiyama that I’m Akira from ‘Inherit the Sound’.”

…Huh!?

What… why?

“Why Kakiyama!?”

I unconsciously shook Asai’s shoulders and pressed closer.

“Well… it happened during a studio practice a while ago…”

“Just a while ago? What do you mean by that!?”

According to Asai’s explanation, after a studio practice session, members of ‘Inherit the Sound’ helped a girl who was being pestered by a pickup artist in front of a convenience store. It turned out to be Kakiyama and the K-On Club’s Mitsui Aki. They talked for a bit, and somehow, Asai’s identity as Akira-sama got revealed to her.

…So that’s it.

That’s why Kakiyama was acting all lovey-dovey with Asai.

“Thanks for letting me know, Koki… I mean, Akira… But be prepared for tomorrow.”

“Huh… Be prepared for what?”

Not feeling like daydreaming, not feeling chirpy, I just…

I realized something in reality.

I now knew I had a rival.

As his officially recognized girlfriend, I held the advantage.

Starting tomorrow… Asai would be making a sincere effort to approach me, his girlfriend, in earnest!