I became the boyfriend of the school's madonna, who had turned down numerous confessions, but somehow, without realizing it, I wasn't just playing a role anymore - Chapter 52

Episode 52: I Don’t Quite Understand

I don’t quite understand Misaki’s feelings.

I glance over at her.

“…♪”

Misaki isn’t doing homework, but she seems cheerful as she lets me stroke her head. She sticks close to me, and it’s become quite natural for her to let me pet her, but these aren’t things that non-dating men and women usually do.

Even though we’re pretending to be dating, Misaki, who has turned down many guys before, letting a guy touch her like this still feels odd.

Sure, if we were in public, it would make sense to pretend to be dating, but since we’re alone in my room, I honestly don’t understand.

Given that she’s made it clear she doesn’t intend to seriously date or accept confessions, Misaki probably isn’t serious about romance. She’s told me herself that she can’t fall in love.

Is she simply looking at me as an older brother figure? She does seem to have a needy side.

But still, even considering that, it doesn’t quite make sense to me. Maybe I should talk to Suzumine-san about this. Anyway, she probably already knows we’re not really dating and won’t be much of a problem.

“Shouldn’t we start on homework soon?”

“It’s still early. Homework can be done anytime.”

When I put away my hand, Misaki immediately grabs it back and guides it to her head. It seems like she wants me to keep petting her.

“Misaki might finish quickly, but it’ll take me some time.”

“Summer vacation is still long, and I can help you, so it’s okay.”

Misaki really doesn’t seem to want this time to end. What would everyone think if they knew the school’s Madonna was such a clingy girl?

…I’d probably be envied to death.

“By the way, since we started pretending to be a couple, have you stopped getting confessions?”
“Yeah, so far, none. Thanks to you, Raito-kun.”

Misaki nods with a cute smile.

Seems like my presence is serving as a deterrent. I thought being unpopular and not a handsome guy might not work, but it seems like it’s hard for a girl with a boyfriend to be approached.

“Aren’t people asking you about our relationship?”

I witnessed the commotion in the class, but since then, there haven’t been any overt disturbances. However, I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.

“Hmm～?”

Misaki put her index finger to her mouth as she looked up to the heavens and thought.

“I don’t think there’s been anything special since that one incident in class.”

Apparently, people around me try not to mention it.

By all accounts, Misaki was pissed off at that time, so maybe it’s being treated like a landmine that shouldn’t be touched.

Since it’s convenient for us, there doesn’t seem to be any problem.

“Raito-kun, don’t they ask you or something?”

“Not really, no one’s that curious to talk to me.”

Even if they did ask, I wouldn’t really take them seriously.

“Does that mean that I and Hyouka-chan are nosy?”

“Isn’t that a malicious approach?”

With a feigned expression, I looked up at Misaki, and with a sigh, I replied.

Misaki is pretending to be in a relationship, so it’s natural for her to talk to me, and Suzumine-san talking to her childhood friend’s boyfriend is normal. Besides, at school, Suzumine-san usually keeps her distance, so she doesn’t talk to me much.

“Hehe… Well, I think it’s just that everyone lacks insight.”

Misaki says that and leans her head back onto my shoulder.

Clearly, it’s a girlfriend move.

“You’re ticklish.”

“Mmm…”

When I purposely move away from Misaki, she gives me a displeased look. Her cheeks puff up, clearly showing her pout.

Somehow, it feels like we’re stepping out of the fake couple zone.

But since I made a promise with Misaki, I can’t just push her away. When we first decided to date, I didn’t anticipate this, but now, it seems like I’ve made quite a troublesome promise.