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 47

Chapter 47

♤

“Good morning, Suzukaze-kun.”

As soon as I left Takamiya’s house, someone called out from behind me, startling me for a moment. Turning around, I saw it wasn’t Jinguji.

“Mika-san?”

“Oh, you remember me. But where’s Riara? Isn’t she with you?”

“Haven’t you heard? She’s not feeling well and is resting at home.”

“Riara? That’s unusual for her.”

Even as she said this, Mika-san didn’t seem overly worried.

“Does Takamiya’s condition not bother you?”

“Of course it does. But since you were just nursing her and are now heading to school, she’s probably fine, right? Unless you left a dying girl behind to prioritize your studies?”

“…Well, her fever had already gone down.”

Mika-san’s keen insight and deductive ability are far beyond high school level. Her droopy, large eyes seem to see right through everything, completely different from Takamiya’s atmosphere.

“Still, Riara is lucky to have a boyfriend who stays up all night to care for her.”

“Well, it’s just until the long holiday is over.”

“Oh, right, you two are still talking about that. I don’t think Riara minds such things, though.”

“But a promise is a promise. She said we should keep them, after all.”

“Hmm.”

Mika-san suddenly looked disinterested.

“Did Takamiya say anything to you?”

“Not really. I think such matters are best discussed between the people involved, so I don’t say unnecessary things. But if Riara did have special feelings for you, would you be happy?”

“…Well, I guess.”

“Then, if Riara were to confess those feelings to you, would you accept them?”

“That’s… how would I know about such a hypothetical?”

“Ahaha, true. But isn’t it about time you figured out whether it’s hypothetical or not?”

“….”

Though roundabout, I understood what Mika-san was implying. Essentially, Takamiya might have feelings for me, and if she confessed, would I accept them?

“Well, you’ll be visiting Riara after school, right? If so, make sure you listen to her properly.”

“…I get it. But would Takamiya ever break a promise?”

“That’s up to her. Besides, both of you are so rigid. There are ways to stay true to your feelings without breaking promises.”

Speaking as if she understood everything, Mika-san laughed. But before I could ask her what she meant, she added, “Figure that out yourselves,” and laughed again as if she saw through it all.

“…Who are you, really?”

“Just a classmate. Like Riara, I’m someone with a troubled past.”

“You won’t tell me even if I ask, will you?”

“Hmm, who knows? If you were a close friend of mine, I might tell you. Or as thanks for taking care of Riara.”

“By the way, why don’t you want to visit Takamiya’s house?”

The last time I visited Takamiya’s place, she had firmly avoided calling Mika-san. Even today, there was no mention of visiting her sick friend.

“Hmm, maybe you’re more on my side than you think, Suzukaze-kun.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Let’s save that for later. I need time to prepare myself.”

As Mika-san spoke evasively, we reached the school gates, and there was someone unwelcome waiting there.

“Oh my, spending the morning flirting with Riara’s best friend? What a sinful man you are, Suzukaze-kun.”

It was Jinguji.

What a consistent nuisance.

“Good morning, Jinguji-san. Well, I’ll be going.”

“Oh? Don’t you want to hear something important?”

“If it’s important, wait until Takamiya comes tomorrow. She’s absent today.”

“Oh, but that would be too late. The election has been moved to tomorrow.”

“…What?”

I stopped mid-step and turned back. Jinguji smiled triumphantly, covering her mouth as she giggled.

“I persuaded the teachers. There didn’t seem to be any other candidates, and I suggested we move it up to tidy up the student council’s leftover tasks during the holiday. Everyone was in favor.”

“Before we could come up with a countermeasure… you pulled this.”

“That’s a rather violent way to put it. It’s all for the school’s benefit. Besides, the teachers don’t see the election as more than a formality.”

“So they think the outcome is obvious.”

“I don’t dislike people who understand. As my right hand, you’ll need to be that way.”

With that, she left, laughing loudly as she walked toward the school building.

“…That woman is insufferable.”

As I glared after her, Mika-san sighed beside me.

“Maria is the same as ever.”

“Come to think of it, you were in the same middle school, right?”

“Yep. She’s always been like that. Not my type at all. But if what she said is true, you’d better contact Riara soon.”

“Oh, right. Well then…”

“Not me. I’m just an outsider. Besides, Riara would be happier to hear from you.”

Grinning mischievously, Mika-san disappeared into the school building.

◇

“…Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’ll step out.”

Shortly after class began, I raised my hand and left the room.

It wasn’t because I was actually unwell. Before class, I had reported what Jinguji said to Takamiya via LINE. Since then, my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing.

Calls lasted several seconds, followed by LINE messages, then more calls. The cycle repeated endlessly, vibrating in my pocket until I couldn’t take it anymore. Once in the restroom, I opened LINE.

“Hey, is that true?”

“Why were you with Maria again this morning? Cheating? You’re not cheating, right?”

“Why haven’t you read my messages? Are you hiding something?”

“Why won’t you answer? Are you with Maria? You are, aren’t you?”

“Not answering means you’re guilty. Do you prefer life without me? I see. Fine, I get it.”

This continued, even after the “I get it” message.

“Damn it. What’s her deal?”

I thought she was panicking about the election, but no—it’s about me possibly cheating with Jinguji. Ridiculous. I decided to call her.

“…Hello?”

“Why are you whispering? Are you with Maria?”

“I’m in the restroom during class. Don’t you get that?”

“Restroom during class with Maria? What are you doing?!”

“Alone, idiot! Anyway, shouldn’t you be more shocked about the election?”

“This is more important. My boyfriend might be cheating!”

“I’m not!”

We couldn’t even have a proper conversation. I wanted to yell but couldn’t risk getting caught talking on the phone during class. Lowering my voice, I tried again.

“The election is tomorrow. What do we do?”

“I know. Complaining won’t change anything. We accept it and think of the best strategy.”

“…Fine. I’ll call again at lunch. Let’s come up with something by then.”

“All right. But if you meet Maria again before then, I’ll… I’ll be mad.”

She hung up. I sat on the toilet seat, sighing deeply.

This is exhausting. Why does a simple report turn into this?

Oh, right. I forgot to ask if she’s feeling better. Calling again is out of the question… I’ll just send a LINE message.