I Ended up Getting Close With the Class Madonna Who Keeps Rejecting Confessions, Saying She Doesn’t Plan to Date Anyone

The air went still.

It was obvious that Shinoba’s words caused it.

While the crowd murmured and shifted nervously, the one who looked the most shocked was Sawatari-senpai.

He had a look of complete surprise that no handsome guy should ever show. For a moment, it felt like the story had switched from a romantic comedy to a gag manga.

“W, a, it… Eh?”

Sawatari-senpai couldn’t even form words from his shock. He furrowed his brows and took a step closer to Shinoba.

“I have a boyfriend. So, I can’t go out with you, Sawatari-senpai.”

Once again, Shinoba bowed deeply as she rejected him. It probably wasn’t necessary to be that polite, but that was Shinoba for you.

After she bowed, a second or two of silence passed, broken by Sawatari-senpai.

“S-so you’re joking? Well, even looking at you before, I never saw a hint of a guy…”

It wasn’t just me who felt the mood shift. The crowd around us also seemed to notice something strange, whispering softly among themselves.

Sawatari-senpai sounded like he might have a bit of a stalker streak. His next words made it seem that way.

“I-it happened during spring break!”

Shinoba said it clearly.

After the incident when we ran into friends on a spring break date, and the situation with Anju, we decided we should clarify how we got together before the new semester started.

Not that we were lying, we just added a little color to the truth about how we began dating.

Our parents knew each other, and we had actually met in private before. That’s why we decided to start dating during spring break.

“Do you think this will be okay?”

“You know, girls always check who confessed first. We should decide that too.”

“…Yeah, they probably will ask.”

“So, what should we do?”

“Let’s say I confessed to Sousuke. I actually suggested it, and that way no one will blame him.”

“I don’t think that really changes anything. Next is the confession line itself.”

“Do we really need that?”

“Girls will ask. Probably.”

“…Well, maybe.”

“Just think of something simple.”

“Huh!? The words for the confession?”

“Yeah. But even if it’s simple, make it believable.”

“Hmm, what should I do?”

“Don’t overthink it.”

“Then, ‘I like you. Please stay by my side from now on’ how about that?”

“…That’s not bad. It simply feels more real.”

“Sousuke, do you like simple ones like that?”

“Yeah. If I had to choose, I would.”

I remembered my messages with Shinoba. We had already agreed on the necessary details, so nothing should go wrong.

“Who is it? A student here?”

Sawatari-senpai got closer to Shinoba, his expression more intense than before. People really can change that much when they’re shocked.

“Well, that is…”

Our relationship will eventually be discovered. Rumors spread much faster and wider than we think, and people can piece together the truth from even a little information.

It’s better to get ahead of it and set things straight before it causes any trouble.

Thinking like that, this is actually a good opportunity.

“Is that guy better than me!?”

Whether he meant to or not, Sawatari-senpai reached toward Shinoba. She flinched, but only slightly.

I quickly swatted his hand away.

“…You’re… from that time!”

Sawatari-senpai’s voice rose as he furrowed his brow and clearly recognized me.

“I’m honored you remember me.”

“Why are you sticking your nose in!? Are you trying to show off to her?”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

Some of the students in the crowd knew me, and they were probably thinking the same thing. Why is Gojou involved?

I glanced at Shinoba and gave her a look that said I should handle this. She seemed to understand and nodded slightly.

Then.

“H-he is my boyfriend!”

As she said it, Shinoba grabbed my right arm with both hands and pulled me close.

Was all that really necessary?

No, if the goal was to make a clear show for everyone around, it definitely worked.

“…Boyfriend? Him?”

Sawatari-senpai’s expression grew even more tense. His reaction said I can’t believe this, which was rude, but I didn’t expect myself to match Shinoba anyway, so I just let it slide.

“…Why?”

A simple question. Really, stop looking so confused.

“Because I like him! That’s all, so I’m sorry!”

Shinoba said it quickly, then grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, Sousuke-kun,” she said and pulled me along at a brisk pace.

Sawatari-senpai and the other onlookers were left speechless. No one tried to follow us. By the time we reached the school entrance, we were free of their eyes.

“…”

Shinoba’s shoulders rose and fell as she caught her breath from the quick walk.

Then she turned to look at me. There was a playful and satisfied look on her face.

“We can’t turn back now, can we?”

＊

Since it might look strange if we stayed together only until the school entrance and then went to our classrooms separately, Shinoba and I walked together to Class 2‑3.

Shinoba was pretty well known around the school, so along the way, I could feel a few curious stares. Some students looked at us with suspicious eyes and thought, who’s that guy?

“Just so you know, I’m not planning to get involved with anyone else more than necessary.”

I wanted to make our boundaries clear. Shinoba flinched slightly at that.

“W-why? I’m your girlfriend.”

She tilted her head a little as we walked side by side.

“Even couples keep some distance. But I’ll go with you to and from school.”

“…I’m not saying we have to act lovey-dovey, but you don’t have to avoid me so much either…”

Shinoba pouted and sounded like a sulky child.

“It’s just that dealing with lots of random people through me is annoying. I’ll have to handle that part carefully.”

Shinoba had plenty of friends, and there were probably still guys who liked her. I wasn’t sure how much being her girlfriend would stop them.

“That’s…”

Her soft and whispered words reached my ears.

“Could it be… that talking with me isn’t a bother for you…?”