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 77

Chapter 77

♡

“…Ugh, I feel like I’m gonna die. Tokito, what the hell were you thinking?”

I found myself unable to move in front of the mirror in the restroom.

My heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

I was embarrassed.

But more than that, I was overwhelmingly happy.

I was on a super lovey-dovey date with Suzukaze.

We held hands the entire time at the aquarium, fed each other while eating, and even shared the same drink.

The happiness was too much for my body to handle.

I’m going to die.

“Are you okay?”

As I tried to steady my breathing, Tokito entered the restroom.

“Ah, s-sorry. My breath just…”

“No, I went a little overboard with the service. I almost got a nosebleed.”

“A-Are you okay?”

“Yes, no problem. This is what you call a major bloody service. Even if I die from blood loss, I will have no regrets.”

Speaking to me through the mirror, Tokito sniffled, bowed, and then left with the words, “I’ll make sure to bring two cups of coffee after the meal.”

♠

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your after-meal coffee.”

As I waited for Takamiya, who still hadn’t returned from the restroom, Tokito brought over a single cup of hot coffee.

“Ah, thank you. Wait, don’t tell me you want us to share this too?”

“I won’t say that. I’ve reflected on my actions a little. I’ll bring the president’s coffee later.”

After a polite bow, Tokito disappeared into the back.

“S-Sorry for making you wait.”

Shortly after, Takamiya returned to the table, her face flushed. As if following her, Tokito came back and silently placed another coffee cup on the table before leaving.

“…Another heart.”

“Yeah. I really don’t get that person.”

We slowly sipped our heart-decorated coffees together.

And of course, they tasted amazing.

If she’s doing all this by herself, she must have some serious skills.

“Tokito is kind of like a maid, don’t you think?”

“Oh, I get what you mean. She seems like she’d be good at that kind of job.”

“It’s an honor to receive such praise.”

“Whoa!”

Suddenly, Tokito appeared again, startling both of us.

“Apologies. I completely forgot to deliver a message to the president.”

“W-What is it now?”

“From Maria-san. She said she wants to have a proper talk soon.”

“Maria? She actually said that?”

“Yes. I believe she genuinely wishes to make amends. I ask for your understanding.”

After bowing deeply, Tokito once again vanished into the back.

“…So she really wants to talk.”

“You look kinda happy.”

“N-No, it’s not like that. It’s just… if we can talk things out, maybe she’ll stop harassing me.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But still, that’s good news, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah.”

In the end,

Tokito might actually be the most mature one among us, capable of handling the selfish Jinguji Maria and guiding Takamiya Riara toward resolving her deep-seated issues.

At the register, she once again reversed roles by saying, “Thank you so much for all the treats today,” as she saw us off.

She really is a strange person.

Even Takamiya muttered, “Seriously, Maria should just say it to my face,” but she didn’t seem all that displeased.

For this, I’m grateful to Tokito.

♥

“What do you want, Sanae? I thought you sent me home, and now you’re suddenly calling me out again.”

Evening.

After returning home from the aquarium, Sanae contacted me again.

And so, here I am, since she told me to come to the shop.

“I’ve already informed President Takamiya.”

“What kind of message is that? You could’ve just called me.”

“There’s one more surprise.”

“A surprise?”

Now what?

I followed Sanae’s gaze and saw a single boy standing there.

“Wait, no way—Asou-kun?”

“…It’s been a while, Maria.”

“W-Wait, why?”

“I wanted to talk, so I asked Tokito for help.”

As the shock nearly made my legs give out, he slowly sat across from me.

Asou Keita.

My childhood friend.

My first love.

The one Riara hurt.

The one I hurt.

“W-What do you want to talk about?”

“I’m sorry!”

Suddenly, he slammed his head down onto the table in a deep bow.

“W-What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“Back then, confessing to Takamiya was a mistake. I thought you had rejected me, so I acted out of spite and confessed to her as a way to get back at you.”

“…What?”

“Takamiya even told me at the time—I should be honest with my feelings toward the person I truly liked. That’s when I realized how stupid I was. But by then, I felt too awkward to tell you.”

Watching Asou desperately explain while keeping his head down, I regretted everything I had done up until now.

“…What have I been doing all this time?”

“Seeing you obsess over Takamiya from afar, I kept blaming myself, thinking it was my fault. But after talking with Tokito, I realized I really do want to make up with you. I know I’ve been an idiot, but… can you give me another chance?”

He bowed even deeper.

And then, I asked something that had been on my mind.

“So… you didn’t stop talking to me because Riara rejected you and you were hurt?”

“No. I never really thought I had a chance with her. But after confessing to Takamiya, I just felt too awkward facing you.”

“What the hell? You confessed just to get my attention, then got all awkward about it? That’s so stupid.”

I said it firmly but then shook my head.

No, that’s not what I should be saying right now.

I need to be more honest.

Just like Sanae told me.

Just like Asou is now.

“…I’m sorry too. I knew how you felt, but I was just being mean. I was actually really happy about it.”

“…I was at fault too. I should’ve known better, considering how well I know you.”

When he lifted his head, I saw his eyes glistening with tears.

And mine were too.

I wanted to look at his face properly, but my vision was blurry.

“D-Don’t cry, you’re a guy.”

“Y-You’re the one crying.”

We looked at each other, our faces a mess.

Asou excused himself and headed toward the restroom.

Sanae immediately appeared, muttering, “Hmm, this is truly precious.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Sanae?”

“I just wanted to get a closer look since Maria-san has returned to her old self. My eyesight isn’t great, after all.”

“…Thank you, Sanae. It’s all thanks to you.”

“I only followed the will of God.”

“Your god might actually be a good one.”

“Indeed. Now that I’ve saved a fallen friend, all that’s left is to defeat the Demon King.”

“What?”

“Who knows? That too is God’s will.”

With that, Sanae quietly disappeared into the back.

I anxiously waited for Keita to return.

I wanted to talk more.

I wanted to talk so much that I could make up for all the time I had wasted.

And then—

The door chimed.

A woman entered.

And then—

“Oh my, you must be Jinguji Maria. My name is Enjouji Itsuki.”

Introducing herself, she walked straight toward me.