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 45-46

Chapter 45

“…No.”

“Hm…? Hm?”

“Takamiya? Oh, good, are you okay?”

“Suzukaze-kun? Is that you?”

When I opened my eyes, Suzukaze-kun was calling my name with a worried expression on his face.

“Takamiya, sorry. The door was unlocked, so I let myself in. I called out to you so many times, but you didn’t answer.”

“Huh? Oh, um… Why are you here?”

“You told me to come, didn’t you? Plus, you said if I called, I’d better fly over.”

“But… tomorrow is Monday.”

“What does that matter? Anyway, you’ve got a serious fever. I’m going to grab a towel.”

Suzukaze-kun left the room and came back a little later with a wet towel.

“It’s not super cold, but it should help a bit. I also brought some medicine.”

He placed the towel on my forehead as I lay there and rummaged through the medicine kit. After pulling out some medicine, he handed it to me along with a bottle of water.

“Can you sit up a little? Take this and go back to sleep.”

“…Ugh, ow.”

When I sat up, a dull pain throbbed in my head. I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain and then reopened them to find him looking at me, concern etched on his face.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah, it’s just a little headache.”

“Seriously, since when? I thought something seemed off when we went out earlier.”

“That was…”

“Well, you were probably just tired. Here, take the medicine.”

“…Thanks.”

The way he quickly and efficiently took care of me was almost surprising—something I wouldn’t expect from his usual self. Maybe it’s because I’m not feeling well, but he seemed especially reliable.

“Ah, my head hurts…”

“Here, try this cooling sheet. Put it on your forehead.”

“…You seem oddly experienced at this.”

Even in this situation, I felt a pang of jealousy.

What if he’s done this for someone else before? What if there was a girl he used to like, and she nursed him when he was sick?

The thought made my body heat up even more.

“What’s with that grumpy face?”

“Because…”

“I wasn’t a very strong kid, you know. My mom used to take care of me a lot when I was sick. I just picked up a few things from her. Never thought I’d actually use them to take care of someone else, though.”

After tidying up the medicine kit, he finally sat down by my bed and let out a small sigh.

“…Sorry. I know I said not to call me over today.”

“You can’t help being sick. But, are your parents not home again today?”

“Probably not. Even if they are, they wouldn’t come check on me.”

“I see. Are you okay being alone?”

“…”

He probably plans to leave once I fall asleep.

It’s normal, right? Tomorrow’s a school day.

A little while ago, I’d probably have said something like, “Of course I’m fine,” with a cold attitude.

But not anymore.

I won’t lie anymore.

“I can’t. Stay with me. If you leave, I’ll be mad.”

As soon as I said it, my face flushed.

What would he think of me for saying something so selfish?

When I looked at him, he seemed a little startled.

“…What’s with that look?”

“Oh, uh, it’s just… you’re being really honest today.”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m usually difficult. Ow…”

“Come on, close your eyes.”

“…If I fall asleep, you won’t leave, right?”

“I won’t. I’ll stay until morning, so just relax.”

“…Why?”

Why are you being so kind to me?

I quietly asked the question, keeping my eyes closed.

“Why? Well, because you asked me to.”

“So you’ll do anything someone asks? For anyone?”

“…It’s because I promised.”

“Huh?”

“I said I’d properly be your boyfriend for a month, didn’t I? If I’m your boyfriend, then it’s only natural to stay by your side when you have a fever.”

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, adding, “Not like I’d know for sure, though. Never dated anyone before.”

When I barely opened my eyes, I saw him smiling shyly. His smile stirred something deep in my chest.

At the same time, I felt another sharp pain, this time near my heart.

He’s trying to keep his promise.

Maybe Mika was right after all.

If I don’t properly tell him how I feel, when the election ends, he’ll…

“Um, hey…”

I tried to force the words out.

But I didn’t know how to say it.

The more I thought, the more my headache worsened, and my consciousness started to fade.

I had to say it.

I couldn’t fall asleep.

If I did, he might not be here when I wake up.

“Good night, Takamiya.”

“Wait, I…”

His kind smile grew blurrier and blurrier.

Maybe the medicine was starting to work.

I felt my body become light and fluffy.

I slowly closed my eyes.

—

Chapter 46

“…Ah.”

When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling.

My body was sticky with sweat.

But somehow, I felt a bit better.

What time is it now?

What about Suzukaze?

“He’s… not here, huh?”

Of course, he must have gone home.

Well, that’s natural.

Even though he said he’d stay by my side to reassure me, it was just a lie.

I knew that, but I couldn’t help expecting a little.

“Ouch…”

Maybe it was because of the fever, but when I sat up, my body ached here and there.

Still, thanks to the medicine, the headache was gone.

Slowly, I started recalling what I was thinking about before I fell asleep last night.

If I hadn’t gotten sleepy then and managed to say what I was thinking…

Would Suzukaze still be here?

“…Six o’clock. Ugh, I’m hungry.”

I tried to get up, but my body felt heavy, so I lay back down on the bed.

I didn’t want to move.

Both my body and my heart felt weighed down.

I’d have to take the day off from school.

“Huh? You’re awake?”

“…What? No way.”

I sprang up at the sound of his voice.

Standing by the door, holding a tray, was Suzukaze.

“Is it okay for you to move so suddenly? Anyway, I can’t cook a proper breakfast, so here, instant soup. I borrowed your kitchen.”

“…Why?”

“You told me to stay here until you woke up. You’re the one who kept saying I should keep my promises.”

“…I see.”

I felt like jumping for joy.

And yet, I also felt a little sad.

In the end, Suzukaze was only doing exactly what I told him to do.

He was so kind.

Too kind, really.

But I didn’t need that kind of kindness.

I wanted him to break our promises for selfish reasons if it came to it.

Over and over, I tried to put it into words, but my throat felt tight. 

Why couldn’t I voice my thoughts?

Even after sipping the soup he made me, warming my throat, I couldn’t say the most important thing.

“…”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Your face is still red.”

“I-I’m fine. More importantly, don’t you need to leave soon, or you’ll be late for school?”

“There’s still time. Actually, I brought a change of clothes and my stuff with me yesterday.”

“…You were planning to stay over from the beginning?”

“Kind of figured it’d turn out that way. I thought if you were asking for help, you must be feeling pretty awful.”

“…Oh.”

I wanted to simply thank him, but instead, I replied curtly and looked away.

I couldn’t even look him in the eye anymore.

My heart was pounding, and it felt like my fever might spike again. 

I had never felt this way before.

Was this… love?

“Anyway, once I leave, you should take it easy and rest. And if anything happens, call me immediately, okay?”

“O-Okay. But… would you really come running from school?”

“Well, it depends on the situation.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Not ‘no matter what’?”

“It’s more like… ‘probably.’ If you call, I’ll come. Definitely.”

“Okay…”

I was probably over the moon.

Whether he was acting the part of a boyfriend or truly meant it didn’t matter anymore.

I was simply drunk on his overwhelming kindness.

“Well, it’s about time for me to go. I’ll change downstairs, so you can leave my clothes as they are, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Come straight over after school, okay?”

“Got it.”

From my bed, I watched him leave the room.

After some time alone, I picked up my phone to send him a message.

“If you cheat on me with Maria while I’m not around… um…”

I’ll kill you.

I stopped typing.

I just couldn’t feel that way anymore.

I probably wouldn’t be able to hurt him, even if he cheated on me.

Because I like him.

I’d end up forgiving him.

I shouldn’t.

It’d hurt.

But no matter what, I couldn’t help giving him special treatment.

No matter what he did, I wouldn’t want to lose him.

I didn’t care what happened, as long as we didn’t break up.

I didn’t even care about school—I just wanted him to stay with me.

I had to tell him these feelings soon.

While Suzukaze was still my boyfriend.

“…A message won’t work, huh?”

After mulling it over, I finally sent, “Take care on your way to school.”

I figured the important things needed to be said face-to-face.

I had to organize my thoughts and prepare myself to properly tell him when he came back.

But first, I’d take another nap.

After school today, I was going to…