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 4: Don't look at me with puppy eyes like that...

“Good morning, Itsuki. Seems like you two are really dating, huh?”

The next day, as soon as we arrived in the classroom, Yuuka approached us and brought up the subject of our relationship.

“Huh… what’s with the sudden interest?”

“Interest or not, the whole class is buzzing about it.”

…What!?

“In any case, why didn’t you tell me about it beforehand?.”

Even though there’s nothing between us… but for now… is it really better to pretend like we’re in a relationship?

“…Oh, that’s right! Asai’s a bit shy, so I thought I’d wait until he gets a bit more comfortable about it before telling you.”

“Oh, I see, that makes sense. Asai does give off that vibe.”

Maybe it’s because of Asai’s well-defined character, but we managed to smoothly bluff our way out of that one.

“So… who made the confession?”

“Who confessed… well…”

…We didn’t confess to each other, though.

“It just sort of happened naturally…”

Yuuka stared at me intently. An evasive answer probably won’t fly with her.

“Well, if I had to say… it was probably me.”

“I knew it! I thought so! Asai gives off a vibe like he’s not entirely decisive enough to go on the offensive.”

“It’s not really like that, though.”

I’m sorry, Asai… I might have given you a bad image because of me.

“But… why has our relationship become the talk of the class?”

“Hm? Terasawa’s been spreading the word… look over there.”

Yuuka pointed towards a group of guys.

“We didn’t know that Imamura and Asai were dating. I confessed for nothing, only to be rejected. Tough luck, tough luck.”

“What? Seriously!”

“So, Imamura and Asai are dating?”

“I didn’t know either…”

“…Imamura… even I liked her.”

They were loudly recounting yesterday’s events as if it were a heroic tale.

…That guy.

“Uh… Itsuki, you’re making a scary face.”

“Oh… sorry.”

…Terasawa, you… I’m definitely going to confront him about this.

“I… Itsuki, I think your thoughts just leaked out.”

“Huh?”

As we were talking, Asai, in the middle of the commotion, entered the classroom without drawing any attention to himself. Truly a master of stealth.

“Yuuka, sorry, I need to explain something to Asai. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, sure thing. It might be better for a shy person like Asai for you to talk to him.”

Before the whole class catches on, I approached Asai and took his attention.

“Itsuki, good mor—”

“Good morning, Asai!”

I continued to escort him and led him to the back of the school building.

***

“What… what’s going on, Imamura-san?”

“Rumors are spreading throughout the class that we’re dating.”

“Huh… why? Only Terasawa and us know about it, right?”

“It’s Terasawa who’s spreading it.”

“Why Terasawa?”

“I don’t know! Anyway, he’s been going around telling everyone that we’re dating, along with the fact that I rejected him.”

“…Terasawa really has… a strong mentality.”

…That’s where you choose to comment.

“That’s the situation. I think everyone will ask us about it, but try to dodge their questions smoothly and get through the day.”

“…Yeah, got it.”

“Also, do you have plans for today?”

“I was thinking of doing club activities.”

“Can you skip them?”

“I could if I wanted to since it’s just me in the club… Why?”

“I want you to come to my house again today.”

“…Huh, back to your place again?”

“We need to strategize for the future… We need to coordinate our stories properly.”

“Oh, right.”

“So, will you come?”

“I would be honored to.”

“Alright!”

Just as we finished talking, the bell rang for the next class, so we hurried back to the classroom. People were sneaking glances at us, but no one approached us.

…Yeah, that’s the way to do it!

Until the bell rings at the end of the break, I’ll keep Asai busy!

Using the advantage of sitting next to each other, I pulled Asai out of the classroom during each break.

— This strategy worked, and we successfully isolated Asai until after school…

“Imamura, can I borrow Asai for a moment?”

After school, I was caught by Terasawa.

In a sense, he’s the last person I should be caught by.

“I’ll be right back, Itsuki.”

Asai willingly went with Terasawa.

“Well, I’ll be waiting at the main gate.”

“Yeah.”

I wanted to discreetly follow them, but I decided to trust Asai and wait at the main gate.

I wonder what those two guys are talking about… Wait, this is about me, isn’t it?

…I hope nothing strange happens.

***

How long did I wait? It might have been a considerable amount of time, but I wasn’t too bothered since I was lost in thought.

After a while, I saw Asai walking slowly and with his head down.

…Did something happen!?

“Asai, are you okay? Did something happen to you?”

Worried, I approached him, and Asai, with his eyes slightly moist, grabbed both of my shoulders firmly.

“I swear, Imamura-san, I’ll make you happy no matter what!”

For some reason, he made a declaration to make me happy.

“Huh…?”

I didn’t understand why those words came out right now, but I felt an indescribably awkward feeling.

“…Terasawa is actually a really good guy.”

…I don’t understand the context.

“…Anyway, could you tell me all about it calmly at home?”

Sorry about the confusion earlier! I hope this helps. Let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.