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 57

Episode 57: Pseudo Couple

“By the way, Kokoa, didn’t mom say anything?”

It was already past noon, and neither I nor Kokoa, let alone Misaki, had eaten lunch yet.

Mom had said she would make Misaki’s portion too, and since Kokoa had woken up, it wouldn’t be strange for her to start making it—

“Oh…!”

—Kokoa had a certain expression, so she’s probably the reason.

“What did she say?”

From her reaction, she must have been told something, so I gently asked with a smile.

“She’s making lunch…! Kokoa, call you…!”

Kokoa earnestly answered my question.

Apparently, Kokoa came not to play with us but just to call us.

More than that, she must have wanted to play with Misaki… Probably, Mom has already guessed that since we didn’t come down.

“If she’s making it, does that mean she’s making it now?”

“Gosh, I need to help…!”

When I got up, Misaki also stood up with a pale face while holding Kokoa.

“What’s the big deal?”

I didn’t think anything was particularly difficult, so I asked Misaki.

“Because, if I don’t help, your mother might think I’m a kid who doesn’t help…!”

Ah, I see. She’s concerned about Mom’s impression.

“Don’t worry. Mom isn’t that petty, and it seems she already likes Misaki, so she’s probably thinking we’re getting along well in the room.”

At least, she’s not the type to form a bad impression just because Misaki didn’t help with cooking. Rather, she’s probably eager to treat Misaki to home-cooked meals.

“Kokoa, too, gets along…!”

Thinking that only Misaki and I were getting along, Kokoa raised her hand in Misaki’s arms to appeal.

“That’s right, Kokoa gets along too.”

I gently stroked Kokoa’s head and agreed.

In fact, Mom probably thinks that Kokoa is not coming down because she’s spoiled by us. Moreover, both Misaki and I love Kokoa, so there’s nothing wrong with that.

“…Come to think of it, it’s kind of like a pseudo couple, isn’t it…?”

While absorbed in the pleasant sensation of being stroked, Misaki muttered something under her breath.

Though I couldn’t catch what she said because she was right beside me—

“Pseudo couple?”

Kokoa seemed to have heard it and tilted her head with a puzzled expression while looking up at Misaki.

As a result, Misaki’s face turned red in an instant.

“Ah, no, that’s…! Th-that is, I didn’t mean anything by it…!”

Perhaps she didn’t want to be asked by me, Misaki wasn’t trying to ask Kokoa, who had been questioned, but was desperately trying to explain to me.

In her desperation, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Oh, that’s mean…!”

And it seemed that this gesture was taken badly by Misaki, as she pouted.

Thanks to that, Kokoa, too, looked at me with accusing eyes.

“No, I didn’t mean any harm… But you don’t have to be so insistent, okay? I understand perfectly well.”
While calming Kokoa with another stroke on her head, I returned a smile to Misaki.

“Eh, is that so?”

“It’s because we’re taking care of young Kokoa together as a boy and a girl, right? I understand what you want to say, and from an outsider’s perspective, it might seem that way.”

“……”

Misaki’s expression brightened for a moment, but when she heard my continuation, she inexplicably narrowed her eyes in a displeased manner.

Strange, I thought I had offered reassurance.

“Niini, bad.”

Misaki seemed to have sensed Kokoa’s dissatisfaction as well, as she reached out her hand to my cheek with effort and lightly tapped it.

She must be wanting to say that it’s my fault.

Even though I shouldn’t understand what they were talking about…

“I’m sorry, because I really didn’t mean to make fun of you.”

Since Kokoa turned against me as well, I decided to apologize sincerely.

Well, I also think I did something lacking in tact.

“…Whether Raito-kun is perceptive or not, it’s hard to tell.”

Misaki poked my cheek with her index finger, as if she was forgiving me or still holding some dissatisfaction.