I Ended up Getting Close With the Class Madonna Who Keeps Rejecting Confessions, Saying She Doesn’t Plan to Date Anyone - Chapter 9

Akito and Sana’s fake romance had begun, and they went on several dates together.

During that time, they started to learn about each other’s worries. Akito was the type to put facts first and ignore feelings, while Sana had developed a dislike of men after being harassed by a classmate in high school.

Knowing each other’s weak spots brought them closer. By acting like a couple on purpose within their fake relationship, they gradually started to notice each other differently.

Around that time, Akito and the others went on a filming trip to a seaside town.

For the last scene, the two lead actors had a kiss scene, but it was just acting. One night during the trip, people teased Akito about it.

“Lucky you! You get to see such a cute girl’s kiss face!”

“Just go ahead and kiss her already!”

Akito, who hadn’t yet admitted his growing feelings for Sana, replied coldly, “Who would kiss a girl like that? I’m not happy at all.”

He didn’t realize that Sana had overheard his words. She quietly disappeared.

“…”

It wasn’t a particularly unusual story event, but because the emotions of the two were drawn so well, it felt natural to empathize with them. Readers naturally became curious about what would happen next.

Soon after, everyone realized Sana was missing, and they split up to search for her.

Meanwhile, Sana was walking alone on the night streets when a group of rough local boys confronted her. She kept saying no, trembling, but the men grabbed her arm and tried to force her. Her high school trauma came back to her mind.

At that moment, Akito arrived just in time to save her. Facing three men, he bravely fought and successfully rescued Sana.

By the night-lit sea, Akito helped the trembling Sana. She then told him that she had heard his earlier words.

“If you don’t want to, you could still switch the heroine role.”

As she said this, a tear quietly rolled down Sana’s cheek. Akito thought she was scared and had taken time to come out, but it wasn’t that.

It was her overwhelming loneliness and pain that finally burst out.

Imagining a future where Akito wouldn’t accept her, she cried without realizing it. Sana’s inner thoughts revealed this.

“That’s not what it was, that’s…”

Scratching his head, Akito spoke honestly.

He didn’t dislike it; he just hated being teased like that by everyone. That’s why he thought his reaction at the time was the best way to handle it.

After that, the two made up.

The next day, they filmed the climax scene.

The kiss that was supposed to be just acting happened for real. Sana leaned in, and their lips touched.

What had started as a fake feeling had somehow become real, and that changed her.

And with that, the story came to an end.

“…”

I heard someone sniffle next to me. Earlier, when they kissed, it had been obvious that Shinoba had been holding her breath; she seemed to really get into the movie.

When the end credits rolled and the lights slowly came on, the other audience members started moving.

“Alright then, let’s head out… whoa!?”

Looking at Shinoba beside me, I realized she was crying much more than I had expected.

＊

“That was sooooo good!”

After finishing the movie, we went into a nearby café. It had a calm and classy vibe with soft classical music playing in the background.

Since there were other shops around, the café wasn’t crowded, and we were quickly shown to our seats.

As soon as we placed our orders, Shinoba’s eyes lit up like she had been waiting for this moment.

“Yeah. It was way more fun than I expected.”

The movie had been good, but I honestly hadn’t had high expectations. Still, now that it was over, I could clearly say it was really enjoyable.

“The ending made me so emotional.”

“You were crying a lot! That level of tears isn’t something I see every day.”

“…Ah, let’s just pretend you didn’t see that.”

She seemed embarrassed that I had seen her crying, and her expression instantly switched like someone had flipped a switch.

Seeing Shinoba’s obvious change in expression, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“No, it’s fine. It just shows how much you enjoyed it.”

“…Don’t laugh at me.”

We then started talking about the movie. I usually go to movies alone, so this kind of discussion was new to me.

It was interesting to hear her thoughts because she noticed things I hadn’t.

“The scene where Akito came to save Sana gave me goosebumps! He was so cool!”

“It was a bit cliché, though. But it worked because everything leading up to it was done well.”

“True. The way they showed Sana’s trauma was really detailed.”

“If that part was done carelessly, the whole scene would have been ruined. But if it’s too detailed, it can slow the story down. They got the balance right.”

Hearing me say this, “Wow,” Shinoba let out a sound.

“So, Sousuke-kun looks at movies like that? I can’t see things that way, so that’s amazing.”

“For me, your honest reactions are just as interesting.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The food we ordered arrived.

In front of Shinoba was an omelet with demi-glace sauce. In front of me was a plate of meat pasta.

As I twirled the pasta with my fork, I thought back to the movie we had just watched.

And then…

“I write novels. I don’t think you know, but they’re light novels, a kind of genre.”

“Light novels…?”

Shinoba looked at me with sauce smudged on her cheek from the omelet. Her furrowed brows made it clear she didn’t know what light novels were.

“Yeah. Well, it’s more of a hobby. And when I was told I had no romance experience, I accepted your suggestion.”

She stared at me blankly for a moment, then finally spoke.

“Oh, I see. I was wondering why Sousuke-kun agreed, but so that’s the reason.”

“Yeah.”

“Why tell me all of a sudden, though?”

The moment Shinoba asked, my hand holding the fork twitched slightly. I quickly moved it to my mouth as if nothing had happened, trying not to show I was nervous.

“…Just on a whim. The movie said that opening up about yourself is a key to getting closer to someone.”

Akito and Sana had grown closer because they learned each other’s weaknesses. Seeing things I hadn’t noticed before naturally brings people closer.

It wasn’t exactly the same reason for me. I just thought trying the method I saw in the movie wouldn’t hurt. To get information from someone, it’s only fair to share some of your own first.

Besides, I had already learned useful things from Shinoba. I could expect to learn more later, so it made sense to explain things early. Still.

“So, does that mean Sousuke-kun wants to get closer to me?”

It was natural for her to think that. I sipped some water, then glanced at her sideways with half-closed eyes.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I just thought it would be convenient to share some information. How you take it is up to you.”

“Then, I guess I’ll take it that way?”

She smiled slyly while looking both satisfied and happy.

…Well, it’s her choice how she interprets it.

＊

The incident happened after we left the café and were walking through the town.

“Hey, Shinoba-chan?”

“Yo!”

“W-wow, what a coincidence!”

Two girls from our first-year class came toward us. I remembered their faces, but not their names.

They waved at Shinoba, but their gaze naturally shifted to me standing next to her.

And then…

“Huh, why?”

“You’re with Gojou?”

It was only natural for them to think that.

＊ ＊ ＊

Afterword

How did you like the three updates over the weekend?

The latest chapter came with more text than usual!

From now on, updates will depend on how much I have ready, but I plan to post every other day or once every three days. There might be another streak of consecutive updates sometimes…

Starting next time, we’ll reach the climax of the date arc. You’ll see an encounter with classmates, something happens to Shinoba, and a new character appears at the end. It’s going to be exciting, so look forward to it!

If you enjoyed it, I’d be happy if you could show your support with a ★ and a follow.