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 26: Date-2

Date-2

After leaving the shop, we decided to take a break and entered a café.

“Sorry about that, Itsuki.”

“It’s okay, Akira-sama. I mean, you getting recognized by one of your fans? That’s bound to happen.”

“Yeah, I tried to be discreet, but it was beyond my control.”

In that situation, it was probably impossible for Akira to not get noticed. 

The store employees had become emotional, crying and making a scene. Well, I can understand their feelings all too well.

“I wonder if the hairstyle I have at school would have been a better option…”

“That’s not true! I think today’s Akira-sama looks really cool and wonderful!”

“Thank you, Itsuki.”

I like this face of Akira the most, when he smiles gently. It feels very natural, as if this was the real Akira.

“‘Inherit Sound’ has really become popular.”

And he does this occasionally. That distant, introspective expression… It makes me feel uneasy.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, when I’m ‘Akira of Inherit Sound,’ I sometimes feel like I’m not myself.”

Not myself… I kind of understood what Akira was saying. At school, I’m also the subject of various rumors, but it’s not really about ‘me’. It’s the about the idealized version of me that others have created based on my behavior.

“Isn’t that true for everyone to some extent? In Akira’s case, the difference is just ridiculously huge.”

“Maybe, but it’s true for you too, Itsuki.”

“Not to the extent of Akira!”

If it weren’t for my position as his girlfriend, I’m sure Akira would have still seen me as the ‘idealized’ Imamura-san that others have created.

Before we started dating, he made a fuss about it being a burden for him considering my position, but now, I don’t think he think much of it anymore

“Hey, by the way, you bought quite a bit, but what are you going to do with all those clothes?”

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you about it!”

Huh? Is there something I should know?

“I’m going to a few summer festivals, and we’re having a summer camp with ‘Inherit Sound.’ Shizuka-san asked me to buy the clothes for the music video we’re shooting at that time.”

Summer festivals… Summer camp.

“…I see.”

Summer vacation.

I had hoped that Akira and I could go to various places, but it seems impossible now.

Well, he is a celebrity… so there’s no helping it.

“Hey, Itsuki, for the summer festivals… I can’t have you in the audience seats with me, but I have a stage pass for you instead. You can watch me from backstage.”

“Huh?”

What’s this?

Backstage at a live performance?

That’s like… a super VIP seat, right?

Ugh… I’m so happy!

But this is… too sudden.

I wasn’t mentally prepared for this at all!

…I hope I’m not making a weird face.

“Itsuki? What’s wrong?”

“Uh, I’m just a bit surprised.”

“I see… so, will you come?”

“Of course I will!”

“And, um… I want to go meet your parents.”

“Huh?”

What the…!

Meeting… meeting my parents?

Does that mean… it’s that kind of thing, right?

Isn’t this a bit too soon!?

It’s only our first date, and we’re still in the middle of it!

…But, Akira, did you really think about it that much?

I’m happy… incredibly happy!

But… Akira’s age is, what, 16? 17?

Wait?

I… I don’t know Akira’s birthday!?

“Itsuki?”

“Huh… Ah.”

“What’s wrong? You suddenly spaced out.”

I didn’t suddenly space out… I was definitely spaced out. You can’t just drop something like that out of the blue!

“Hey, Akira… isn’t that a bit too rushed?”

“Huh? It doesn’t have to be today, but the sooner, the better, I think.”

W… wait, were you planning on coming today!?

You need to tell your parents something like that in advance too, so they can mentally prepare!

“You’re quite impatient.”

“Is that so? I think it’s better to do it as soon as possible.”

Is it because… you and I… or is it because of ‘Inherit Sound’s activities? Trying to reassure me by making it a fait accompli?

“I understand. I’ll at least talk to my parents.”

“Yeah, probably because the festival might involve staying overnight. Your parents might worry, so I want to explain it to them personally, and our staff will be with us.”

Huh…

“You mean talking to my parents about the festival?”

“Yeah, why?”

This is… confusing!

Wait, so… was I the only one getting all excited?

“What’s wrong, Itsuki?”

“It’s nothing…”

It turns out that it wasn’t Akira who was hasty, but apparently… it was me.

I learned that this mix of happiness and embarrassment is what it feels like.