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 44

Chapter 44

♤

“Hey, how about that crepe shop over there?”

“…”

“Takamiya, are you listening?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine with that too.”

After leaving the ramen shop, we came to the nearby crepe shop.

Since we left the restaurant, Takamiya has seemed a little off.

She’s been kind of spacing out, or something.

Her face is also a little red.

“Hey, do you have a fever or something?”

“I-I don’t! Come on, let’s just go inside.”

I was a bit worried, but once we got inside the crepe shop, she was back to her usual self, saying, “Hmm, what should I get? Hey, what do you think is good?”

Maybe it was just my imagination.

“I’ll have the custard one. What about you?”

“Then I’ll have the chocolate one.”

“Hmm, that’s good, but don’t you like strawberries?”

“…Do you want them?”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, it’s fine. Then, get two that you like.”

When I said that, she happily ordered the crepes from the staff.

She watched the crepe-making process with excitement, and when the crepes were handed to us, she exclaimed, “They look delicious!”

After taking a bite, she joyfully said, “Mmm, the best!”

“You really like them, huh.”

“Like… well, yeah.”

“It’s fine, I won’t make fun of you for getting so excited.”

“It’s… not like that. Hey, never mind…”

“What is it? If you want, I’ll give you some of mine.”

“…Idiot.”

With a slightly annoyed expression, she snatched the strawberry crepe from my hands and took a big bite.

Holding crepes in both hands, she walked ahead of me.

“Hey, wait up.”

It’s still bothering me. Since after the ramen, she’s been a little strange.

She’s been zoning out, but she also seems kind of irritated.

…I don’t get it.

What is making her so frustrated? I thought hard about it, and then I suddenly remembered.

Not long ago, my mom told me, “Girls sometimes get upset for no reason. When that happens, you should be considerate and try to help them.”

Is this one of those times?

But if it is, should I just leave her alone?

No, wait, there was that one time Takamiya told me, “If I’m upset, try to make me feel better.”

So, maybe I should do that.

“…Which is it?”

I walked faster to catch up with her, watching her devour the crepe, her back to me.

After a while of not coming to a decision, I followed her for a bit.

“…Idiot, say something.”

I got scolded.

“Oh, sorry. But I don’t get why you’re so frustrated.”

“Hey, do you like me?”

“Huh?”

She suddenly asked that as she turned around, and it caught me off guard.

But then I quickly realized what she meant.

“…I like you.”

“Eh?”

“I’m sorry if I seemed uninterested. I like you too. Can I have a bite of your crepe?”

“…Fine, but it’s half-eaten.”

She handed me the custard crepe, which was half-eaten by her.

I was worried about getting scolded for eating from her crepe, but Takamiya said, “I don’t care about stuff like indirect kisses.”

I, on the other hand, wasn’t sure how to feel, but I didn’t want to upset her again.

I nervously took a bite of the crepe.

◇

“Well, we ended up just having fun and doing nothing…”

“You were having fun too, so it’s fine.”

By the time we got back near my house, the sun was setting.

After ramen, the crepes, and walking around the shops near the station, the day passed by so quickly.

“Are you having dinner with Mika again?”

“Yeah, probably. But since school starts tomorrow, I’ll probably head home early.”

When I said that, I noticed Takamiya looked a bit lonely again, and it reminded me of what happened last night.

“I see. I guess I won’t bother you today, then.”

“Don’t worry, it wasn’t a bother. I’ve never had anyone rely on me before, so it made me happy. Thank you.”

“Stop getting all formal… Well, if you really need help, I guess I wouldn’t mind. Just call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, I got it.”

After chatting a little, we parted ways.

When I got home and went to my room, I felt the usual loneliness, but I also felt a little brighter.

I thought it would get worse as the day drew nearer, but…

I think I’m starting to accept it.

If it had been the old me, I would have gotten hurt and shut myself away.

But now, I can face forward.

That’s all thanks to Takamiya.

I’m sure next week’s long weekend will come, and she’ll probably say something about being a perfectionist and insist we go on a date or something.

I’ll enjoy it to the fullest, because it’ll be the last time.

I’ll give my all for her until the end.

I’ll text her once I’m out of the bath.

Until the very end, properly…

♡

“Hey, I said I like you. Did you hear me? You heard me, right?”

“From the way you said it, it sounded like you were saying you like ramen. But you managed to say it, so good job.”

I was sitting with Mika at the family restaurant, reflecting on the day.

But my mind was already ahead of me.

“Hey, what do you think I should do now? What would you do, Mika?”

“I’ve never had a boyfriend, so I wouldn’t know. But like I said before, is it really necessary to stick to the promise? I get what you’re saying, but still.”

“I know, but… I told Suzukaze that we’d keep the promise, so…”

“What was his reaction?”

“He really understood how I feel. So he said we won’t talk about breaking up right now.”

“Ah, that might not be such a good idea…”

“Huh? Did I say something wrong? Do you think he’s going to say we should break up?”

“Mm, actually, I think he’ll keep the promise. But listen, do you even remember what you and Suzukaze promised?”

“Well, we promised we’d date for at least a month.”

“So, after a month, you’re supposed to break up. Maybe Suzukaze is already mentally preparing for that. Are you really okay with that?”

“…But, it’s something I suggested, so…”

“You like him, right? Then be honest. It might be too late once he’s ready to break up.”

“I… don’t know what to do.”

“People who lie to others are the worst, but people who lie to themselves aren’t any better. You’ve always been straightforward, selfish, and honest with yourself, haven’t you? Just like your mom, I guess.”

Mika was laughing, but there was a hint of sadness in her smile.

Seeing her like that made my feelings waver again.

“…Is it okay if I become the one caught in this?”

“It’s fine. But make your move before it gets cold. If you’re sweet, he won’t be able to ignore you.”

“Sweet… Yeah, I’ll try.”

After getting Mika’s advice, we had dinner and parted ways.

When I got home, the loneliness hit even harder than the night before.

If this continues, Suzukaze might leave me too.

Not long ago, I thought it was inevitable, so I tried to accept it.

But now, it hurts.

“…I feel so out of it. Maybe I’m just tired.”

When I got to my room, I realized my body felt hot.

I thought it was just my emotions, but it seems like I have a fever.

How long has it been since I’ve been sick?

I’ve never caught a cold because I’ve always been on alert with no one to take care of me.

“…My head hurts.”

As I realized I was feeling sick, I started to feel cold.

I don’t know where the medicine is.

I thought about going to buy some, but my body wouldn’t move.

But I can’t ask Mika to come over.

Lying in bed with a throbbing headache, I started thinking about Suzukaze again.

Even though he told me not to call him today…

I wondered if he would still come if I called.

But if Mika’s right and he’s already ready to break up, maybe calling him would just make things worse.

I lay there, indecisive.

Then, I got a message from him.

“Had fun today. See you tomorrow. Good night.”

It was the usual straightforward message.

But somehow, it made me feel like he was pulling away from me.

I really don’t want that.

What I’m doing now is lying to Suzukaze.

It was my idea, and breaking it would make me the worst.

But I don’t want to lie to myself.

Right now, I want to be honest with my feelings.

I want to depend on you.

Please let me.

“I’m sick. Can you come over?”

I sent the message, then started to fade in and out of consciousness.

Everything went dark.