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 32

Chapter 32

“Hey, do you think the train will come soon? Oh, want a drink?”

“Calm down a little, will you?”

“W-what? Don’t treat me like a kid! I’m excited, okay?”

On the station platform, Takamiya fidgeted restlessly, her eyes sparkling unusually bright.

She must really love aquariums, but even so, she seemed way too excited.

“Don’t forget the real reason we’re here today.”

“I-I know, okay? I’ll definitely find the real me today!”

“What are you even talking about? This is just a break to clear our minds so we can write better. Don’t overdo it and come back too exhausted to work.”

“I-I know that already! You’re the one who needs to clear that overworked head of yours!”

As we glared at each other, the train arrived with a loud rumble.

For the record, this was my first time ever riding a train.

My chest tightened with a mix of nerves and excitement.

“Whoa, so many people.”

“With this many, being groped would be scary. Make sure you protect me, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The train was packed, so we ended up standing near the door, holding onto the handrails.

As the train started moving, a sharp jolt made all the passengers sway in unison.

At that moment, a man in a suit lost his balance and stumbled toward us. Without thinking, I moved in front of Takamiya and braced myself.

“Whoa.”

The man bumped into me slightly, causing me to bump into Takamiya.

“S-sorry. Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

“R-right. Still, I can’t really move right now.”

Even though I wanted to step away, the crowd was pressing in too tightly, leaving Takamiya’s shoulder pressed against me.

Once again, my heart started pounding hard.

“…It’s cramped.”

“Maybe everyone’s heading to the aquarium?”

“…Could be.”

“Well, it’s just one stop away, so hang in there.”

“…Okay.”

Takamiya, usually so lively, had grown unusually quiet. She must not like crowds.

Her earlier excitement seemed like a distant memory as she stood frozen in place.

When the train jolted again and I accidentally leaned against her, I quickly apologized, but she mumbled something I couldn’t make out.

“Just a little longer… like this…”

His body’s surprisingly solid. My heart’s racing, but is it because of the crowd? Or… is it because we’re so close?

I don’t know what’s going through Suzukaze-kun’s mind.

Even though he’s so close, he feels distant.

And my feelings? They’ll never reach him.

Even though he’s so close, he’s still far away.

But if we stay like this just a little longer…

Maybe I could hear what he’s thinking.

Just a little longer, like this…

“Phew, finally made it.”

“Don’t wear yourself out before we even get inside, okay?”

After a bumpy ride, we arrived at the neighboring town.

Judging by the crowd, many people had come for the aquarium, and as we reached the station, a mass of people spilled out of the train.

We flowed along with the crowd and stepped onto the platform.

“Alright, time to get tickets.”

“I already bought them online. See? Just scan this QR code to get in.”

“You’re efficient at stuff like this.”

“What, was that sarcasm? This is part of a proper work-related refreshment activity. No time to waste.”

Freed from the crush of the train, Takamiya seemed back to her usual self, brimming with energy.

We followed the crowd off the platform, and soon, a large building came into view on the other side of a wide road.

“That’s it, huh? It’s huge.”

“Don’t act like some country bumpkin. Is this your first time here?”

“Yeah, well, it’s my first time on a train too.”

“No way. Seriously?”

“Is it really that surprising? What about you, Takamiya? Do you go out a lot?”

When I asked her casually, Takamiya’s face turned bright red.

“…It’s my first time on a train too.”

“What? So we’re the same. I mean, unless you have a reason to, you wouldn’t ride one normally.”

“…You’re not going to make fun of me?”

“Why would I? We’re in the same boat. Besides, trying new things isn’t bad.”

“Y-yeah. Alright, let’s go!”

She must have been embarrassed because she fidgeted for a while before changing the subject. I decided not to press her further.

When we reached the aquarium and stood in line at the entrance gate, I tried to give her money for my ticket, but she frowned.

“Don’t bother.”

“Come on, I can’t let you pay. It’s not cheap.”

“I invited you, so it’s only natural. What, you don’t want me treating you?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then put your wallet away. Besides, technically, I’m asking you for a favor—this is part of your payment, okay?”

“…Alright, fine.”

Reluctantly, I put my wallet away.

When I told Mom earlier that I was going out with Takamiya, she secretly gave me some pocket money, saying, “Don’t let the girl pay.”

But considering our actual relationship, I guess it’s fine.

Feeling a little deflated, I followed her through the gate.

“Wow, look! That penguin is staring at me! Look, we made eye contact!”

The moment we entered, Takamiya’s energy shot up.

She was glued to the outdoor penguin exhibit, bouncing excitedly at the front of the crowd.

“That’s probably just your imagination.”

“Geez, you’re no fun. You’re here, so enjoy it! Take my picture, will you?”

She handed me her phone and struck a peace sign in front of the penguins.

Half-amused, I snapped the photo, figuring I might as well let her enjoy herself since she was paying.

Then, a woman behind us spoke up.

“Excuse me, would you like me to take a photo of you two?”

She seemed to be with her family, as her husband stood behind her holding their child. He added with a smile, “In exchange, could you take one of us after?”

“Uh, no, she’s the one who wants pictures. We’ll move aside once we’re done.”

“It’s fine! Come on, it’s a nice memory,” Takamiya said, snatching her phone and passing it to the woman.

Then she grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of the penguins.

“W-wait, what are you doing?”

“We’re taking a picture. Duh.”

“I don’t need one.”

“Yes, you do. I’ll show this to the guys at school who still hit on me. It’ll be a good deterrent.”

With that, she stood beside me, pressing her shoulder against mine.

When I tried to step back, she muttered, “If we look awkward, they’ll get suspicious.”

She grabbed my arm and smiled as if she really were my girlfriend.

Resigned, I faced the camera, while the woman taking the picture smiled warmly at us.

“Alright, say cheese!”

I wasn’t sure what kind of face I made in that photo.

But Takamiya, her cheeks flushed, looked truly happy as she smiled.

Even if everything in the photo was fake, was her smile real?

I couldn’t help but hope it was.

Once again, she’d made me feel something I shouldn’t.