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 5: Hidden high-spec...

After asking Asai to play the role of my boyfriend and developing a relationship outside of school, I started noticing various things.

Asai is surprisingly high-spec.

—When we encountered a passing foreigner after school:

“U-um…”

I was stumbling over my words, it was obviously too fast to be understood, but then he smoothly stepped in and responded to the foreigner in English.

“What was that about?”

“Oh, he… seemed like he was trying to hit on you, I guess?”

“S-so that’s what it was?”

“Yeah, I told him you’re my girlfriend, so he should try someone else.”

“Oh, I see.”

And he casually drove away the guy who was trying to hit on me. By the way, he told me he had studied English intensively as a child because he didn’t like not understanding the lyrics of Western songs that he listens to.

—When we went to a café together:

“Huh? Asai, you didn’t order an espresso, did you?”

“…I’m terribly sorry, I’ll replace it right away.”

“Oh… It’s fine. Actually, I was in the mood for an espresso.”

Even when the waiter got the order wrong and brought something he didn’t like, he didn’t make a single displeased expression and handled the situation with a smile.

Even when we walked through the street, he would make sure I walked on the sidewalk side, subtly displaying chivalry.

Contrary to his unassuming appearance, Asai’s actions were like those of a handsome prince.

And the pinnacle of it all was—

“Hey, Imamura-san, this song is amazing! Listen to it!”

“Hey, Imamura-san, what should we do for fun today?”

“Hey, Imamura-san, I’m skipping club activities today. Can I come over to your place?”

His puppy-like enthusiasm was incredibly adorable.

Through all these little things, I began to realize that Asai’s presence was growing in my heart.

We had great conversations, enjoyed being together, and it all felt effortless, as if it was normal. In fact, it was calming.

In front of Asai, I could be myself without any need for pretense.

「…」

Could it be that I’m falling for Asai? I’m starting to misunderstand myself to the point of thinking that, like, maybe? No way, right?

I may say it myself, but I’m the type who stays faithful. I shouldn’t be someone who changes my feelings easily.

Besides, this weekend, I was able to see Akira-sama for the first time in about a year now. Well, only as an audience and a performer though, we didn’t exactly encounter each other…

Anyway!

As long as I’m in love with Akira-sama, there’s no way I could like someone else.

Oh… Why did I have to fall for a celebrity? Even though I can’t even meet them, let alone express my feelings to them clearly.

Strictly speaking, they weren’t a celebrity when we first met… But still… it’s tough.

Knock, knock. “Itsuki, can I come in?”

My older sister came into my room while I was lost in thought. I wonder what she wants.

“Sure.”

As she walked in, my older sister held her hands together in front of her and said, “Itsuki, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to go to the ‘Inherit Sound’ live concert with you.” She apologized for not being able to go to the concert.

“Huh… Why? You were really looking forward to it, weren’t you?”

“I have something unavoidable that came up…”

“Oh… I see.”

“It would be a waste to let the ticket go unused, so could you bring your boyfriend with you or something? Sorry about this.”

…B-boyfriend?

“I don’t have a boyfriend!”

“Huh? Isn’t that slightly taller guy with slightly longer hair you’ve been seeing often, your boyfriend?”

…Asai? She’s talking about Asai… Right, it’s Asai, right?

“N-no, he’s not!”

“Eh—? Really!? Here I thought he had such a good vibe with you, so I assumed he was your boyfriend.”

A good vibe? Between me and Asai?

“Why do you even know about him?”

“Why? Because you always bring him home, right?”

She saw us!?

“I thought I might be bothering you, so I hung around outside to pass the time… But turns out he’s not your boyfriend.”

And I made her unnecessarily self-conscious.

“Don’t worry about it… We’re not at that level of consideration yet.”

“Yet, which means it’s possible in the future, right?”

Ugh…

Why… I couldn’t deny my sister’s words.

“You’re blushing so much… Itsuki, you’re really easy to read!”

“I-it’s not like that!”

“Well, well, that being the case, why don’t you invite him and go together? Here, it’s a ticket.”

Inviting Asai as my boyfriend and going to my crush’s concert. It’s kind of complicated.

…But, if we go together, maybe it’ll become clear whether I’m actually falling for Asai or not.

***

The next day, I invited Asai to the live concert, but…

“Sorry, Imamura-san. I really want to go out with you there, but… I have something on that day that I just can’t cancel.”

“I see…”

He turned me down quite easily. It was a sudden invitation, and I understand that Asai might have prior commitments.

“If you have plans, then there’s nothing you can do… I’ll ask Terasawa.”

“Huh…”

Desperate to go with Asai, I ended up saying something mean…

“…Could it be that it will be just the two of you?”

“Yeah.”

…I didn’t mean to say something like that.

“That expression… Do you hate the idea?”

“Yeah.”

“If you don’t like it, then it’s fine for Asai to come instead, right?”

“If you will be alone with him, then I don’t think I should reject your invitation.”

“I see… Well, that’s true, nothing can be done afterall!”

I couldn’t stop myself.

Why did I end up doing this? Even though I didn’t want things to turn out like this…

Why… Why did I say such things?

What… is this feeling of unease?

“What time? Imamura-san, what time is it?”

“It’s 5:00 PM.”

“Hey, Imamura-san, if I give it my all, I think I can make it by around 7:00 PM.”

Even though I understood Asai was trying to be positive.

“The event will be over by 7:00 PM.”

Yet, I kept repeating malicious words.

Why can’t I stop? If I continue like this, I’ll start hating myself…

“No need to force yourself. I’ll ask Terasawa.”

Still, I couldn’t stop.

…I don’t want this anymore! I thought in an instant.

“Meowwwww!”

“…”

…’Meowwwww!’ What’s that?

It’s too cute!

Asai stopped my malicious behavior.

“It was a joke…”

“Huh…”

“…I’m going with Yukka Yuuka, so come pick us up at 7:00 PM.”

“Huh… pick you up?”

“If it’s 7:00 PM, you can make it, right?”

“Got it! I’ll do my best!”

Thanks to Asai’s cuteness, I barely avoided hating myself.