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!

Extracurricular learning

Today is the school’s off-campus study day.

We’re going on a historical site tour.

It’s a bit disappointing not being in the same group as Akira, but we’re officially a couple now, so I’ll try to enjoy the school event without being too uptight.

“Alright, let’s go!”

The student council president seemed unusually enthusiastic upon arrival.

“Hey, where are we going? Wait up, Sawatari!”

And then Mitsuoka was making a commotion.

“You know, it’s nice to have a change of scenery like this once in a while.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Indeed, opportunities to interact with nature like this are quite rare. I decided to let the guys be and enjoy some quality time with Yuuka.

“Speaking of which, Itsuki, where did you and Asai go for your date?”

Huh? Date?

Now that I think about it, Akira and I usually just hang out at one of our homes, and we might not have gone out together at all.

Well, except for that post-live celebration.

“What should I do, Yuuka…”

“What’s wrong?”

“We might not have actually been on a date yet…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean… we’ve been getting along pretty well since Akira and I got closer, but except for that live concert, we’ve only met at school and each other’s houses!”

“T-then, you have to invite him out!”

As we were having that conversation…

“Hey, Imamura, Komori, hurry up!”

We were called by the student council president.

“Darn it… I haven’t even been on a proper date with Akira, and now I’m going out with the student council president and Mitsuoka…”

“It’s a school event… not exactly a date.”

“But still!”

“Well… if it makes you feel better, Asai will be there too.”

“But he’s not in my line of sight!”

“Well, don’t worry too much. Let’s just go.”

… Are you okay? What’s going on?

As we rejoined the guys, the student council president started to go on a full lecture about the historical site we were visiting. It’s interesting to know some extra facts, but most of it was already common knowledge.

But this feels like listening to spoilers of a story. It’s so much better to experience things and go, “Ah, this is that part!” rather than having everything explained in advance. It’s quite dull.

Anyway, our group and Akira’s group were basically following the same course. So that’s what Yuuka meant by “you’ll be fine.”

She’s truly my best friend!

Still, although I’m happy to be on the same route as Akira, I can’t help but find the frequent sound of Kaimoto’s annoyingly sweet voice a bit irritating.

And speaking of Kaimoto… why does she have to be so clingy to Asai? Ugh, so irritating!

She has a boyfriend, for crying out loud! Show some restraint!

I shoot a heated glare at Kaimoto and then my gaze meets Terazawa’s, who was in front of me.

And Terazawa…

“Hey, Kaimoto… you know about that, right? Let’s go check it out together!”

“Hold on, Terazawa! What are you doing? I’m with Asai right now.”

“Just a second, just a second!”

Terazawa looked flustered as he forcefully pulled Kaimoto away from Akira.

Nice job, Terazawa.

“What was that all about, Itsuki?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Terazawa. Did you intimidate him or something? He seemed really pale.”

“What? No way! We just made eye contact!”

“Well, Terazawa must have sensed something.”

“I didn’t mean to give off that kind of vibe…”

“Well, as long as it’s amusing to watch from the sidelines, I’m fine with it.”

Yuuka said with a smile.

For her, it might be a laughing matter, but for me, it’s no joke.

With the student council president’s lecture as background noise, we followed Akira’s group a little behind, touring the historical site.

Mitsuoka might be out of my line of sight, but I can still hear her voice, so she’s probably nearby. She’s loud, but during times like these, it’s convenient not having to bother to search for her deeply.

As for Akira, he was quietly touring the site with that Serizawa girl.

I’m glad we got along before this school event. Otherwise, I might have been consumed by jealousy right now.

“Ay, Kashimoto… Do you know about that? Let’s go check it out together!”

“H-Hold on, Terazawa! Right now, I’m with Akira.”

“Just come on, just for a moment!”

In a flustered state, Terazawa forcefully pulled Kashimoto away from Akira too.

Nice move, Terazawa.

“What kind of pressure did you apply… Itsuki Imamura?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“You pressured Terazawa, didn’t you? He looked pale.”

“No way! We just made eye contact!”

“Well, it seems Terazawa sensed something.”

“I really didn’t mean to give that impression.”

“Well, it’s quite amusing to watch from the sidelines.”

Yuka said with a smile.

To me, it wasn’t a laughing matter.

—With the student council president’s lecture as the background music, we trailed a bit behind Akira’s group and continued to explore the historical sites.

Mitsuoka’s voice could still be heard somewhere nearby. Despite being so noisy, it was handy in times like this to easily locate him without searching.

As for Akira, he was quietly exploring with that Serizawa girl.

I’m glad I got to know her before this off-campus event. Otherwise, I might have been consumed by jealousy right now.

“Could we get a little closer with them?”

“Yeah…”

Encouraged by Yuka, I left the enthusiastic student council president and approached Akira’s group.

“Just a moment, Imamura, Komori. Don’t disrupt the group activity,” the student council president stopped me. I thought she should’ve said that to Mitsuoka first, but I held my words back. I didn’t want to cause trouble during the off-campus activity.

And right at that moment…

“Um, could you tell me something, Sawatari-kun?”

Akira and Serizawa joined us.

And… Serizawa started questioning the student council president.

Though the student council president didn’t seem bothered and began to proudly give her lecture.

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

At such a timing, Akira gestured towards the other side.

Without hesitation, I followed Akira.

***

“We finally have some time alone, huh?”

That was Akira’s first remark after we had separated from the group.

“Did you want to be alone with me?”