I Ended Up Pretending to Be the Boyfriend of a Beautiful but Tough Classmate for Just a Month, but It Seems That She Has Awakened Her Yandere Tendencies Because of That. - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

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“Alright, let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“Um, for now, to the station? And, since it’s a date, you should at least plan ahead!”

“How would I know that…?”

That morning, just as the Line message said, Takamiya came to pick me up.

It was the first time I’d seen Takamiya in casual clothes. Her outfit was more relaxed than I expected—a simple shirt and jeans. My mom, noticing her unusual appearance, immediately got excited and teased, “Oh, a date? You don’t have to come back today, you know!”

Unable to endure my mom’s over-the-top teasing, I fled the house.

But it was just after 8 AM.

Do people really go on dates this early in the morning? Nothing’s even open yet.

“Um, anyway, we need to plan today’s itinerary first. Let’s head to McDonald’s.”

We decided to head toward the iconic golden “M” sign visible on the way to the station.

Truth be told, this would be my first time there.

My parents, despite their fondness for going out drinking, never liked chain restaurants. And the furthest I ever went on my own was the convenience store. If I had friends, maybe I’d hang out at family restaurants or places like this, chatting away.

“Welcome!”

The clerk greeted us with a perfect smile.

But stepping into a new place for the first time always makes me nervous. What’s recommended here? What’s in the set menus? I decided to follow Takamiya’s lead.

“Hey, do you come here often?”

“N-No, it’s my first time.”

“Seriously?”

“W-What’s wrong with that? A lot of people I know avoid it because they say it makes you fat, and Mika doesn’t eat burgers either. So, this is my first time.”

“Huh.”

“Wait, are you mocking me?”

“I’m not. It’s my first time too.”

“…Huh.”

“What’s with that smug face?”

“Oh, nothing. I just thought, ‘Wow, a high schooler who’s never been to McDonald’s.’”

“You’re one to talk.”

Since it was both of our first times, we awkwardly walked to the register together.

The clerk, chuckling softly, pointed out the breakfast menu to us.

“There’s a lot to choose from, but I’ll just get this set.”

“Then I’ll have the same. Two of those, please.”

After ordering, it was time to pay.

When I pulled out my wallet to cover it all, assuming that’s what guys do, Takamiya grabbed my hand to stop me.

“Wait, let’s split the bill.”

“It’s fine; this isn’t much.”

“I-I’d feel bad if you paid for everything.”

“It’s a date, right? Isn’t the guy supposed to pay?”

“…That’s so old-fashioned.”

For some reason, she seemed a little embarrassed and stepped back behind me.

The clerk, who had been watching the whole exchange, laughed and said, “How cute, so early in the morning!” I lowered my head in embarrassment and paid quickly.

After sitting down quietly, it didn’t take long for us to start bickering again.

“Y-You got us laughed at because of your antics!”

“That was your fault.”

“They probably think we’re a couple. Ugh, I’m too embarrassed to come back here again… Wait, isn’t this weird?”

“Didn’t you want people to think we were a couple? So, it worked, didn’t it?”

“Y-Yeah, I guess. We really do look like a couple, right? That means even if someone from school sees us, it’s fine, right?”

She kept nodding to herself as if trying to convince herself, then glanced around, daring anyone to confront her.

Well, it’s not like we’re going to run into anyone we know so early in the morning.

But just as I thought that—of course—someone started walking toward us.

“Wow, a date in the morning? You two are so close.”

“…Great.”

It was Jinguji.

Unlike usual, she wore a light pink tracksuit—probably on her way back from a morning walk.

“Did you say something? Anyway, Riara, you’ve already talked to your boyfriend about the student council thing, right?”

“Yeah, kind of. It’s not decided yet, but I’m thinking of running too.”

“Huh. Guess you really don’t want anyone stealing your boyfriend.”

“I-It’s not like that! I just don’t want to sit back and do nothing.”

As always, Jinguji was bold and self-assured, but Takamiya seemed unusually reserved today.

She looked like she was struggling to hold something back.

I noticed her hands were trembling slightly.

I see.

“Jinguji, we’re on a date, so could you leave us alone for now?”

“Huh, you’ve gotten a bit sharper, Suzukaze. Is that Riara’s influence?”

“Nothing’s changed. Anyway, if you have business with me, let’s save it for Monday.”

Whether it was a coincidence or Jinguji had been stalking us, I didn’t care.

But I wasn’t going to let her ruin our weekend.

After bowing slightly to ask her to leave, she walked off looking bored.

“Phew… She really pops up everywhere, doesn’t she?”

“Maybe she’s stalking you?”

“If anything, she’s stalking you.”

“Me? I’ve never heard of Maria liking girls.”

“…Whatever.”

Even now, Takamiya seemed unaware that Jinguji saw her as a rival.

Oh well. At least we got the annoying part out of the way early.

“So, what’s next on the agenda?”

“Mm, these fries are so good! Did you try them? They’re amazing!”

“Focus, will you?”

“It’s my first time here. We have all day, so let’s decide where to go later. For now, you should eat while it’s still warm.”

She took another bite of her fries, savoring them like they were the best thing in the world.

Seeing her so happy was surprising.

But maybe coming here wasn’t such a bad idea after all.