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 86-87

Chapter 86

❤︎

“Alright, Sanae. Next is the food court.”

“You’re really into this, Maria.”

“That’s not it. I’m just following them because they’re heading there.”

“Yes, yes, I see. Let’s toast to discovering a new form of purity.”

Chasing after Riara and the others, we also made our way to the food court.

Since it was lunchtime, the place was quite crowded. By the time we arrived, there were already people waiting in line.

After standing in line for a while, we were finally guided inside. Following the staff, we sat down at an available table.

“Wow, it’s packed in here.”

“Well, there aren’t many places around here for families to go on weekends.”

“Seriously, it’s all couples and families. Don’t they ever get tired of it?”

“Some might eventually, while others will stay happy forever. You can’t enjoy life if you’re always thinking about the future.”

“You really do act like an old man sometimes, Sanae. More importantly, where did those two go… huh?”

I felt someone’s gaze from the side.

Slowly, I turned to my left.

“R-Riara?”

“Eh… M-Maria? And Tokito too? W-What are you two doing here?”

Riara, who had just been about to feed Suzukaze a spoonful of food, hurriedly pulled it back, her face turning bright red.

She suddenly stood up.

“L-Let’s go, Suzukaze. I’m not eating next to her.”

“Calm down, Takamiya. You said you wanted to make up with her, right?”

“Y-Yeah, but…”

Soothed by Suzukaze, she hesitantly sat back down, her face still red as she looked at me.

“…Maria, I’m sorry about that time.”

I hadn’t expected her to say that.

“…What, you think apologizing now will make me—”

“Maria, didn’t you want to make up with her?”

“T-That’s not… Ugh, fine. I’m sorry too. Oh, and I already made up with Asou.”

Though her attitude didn’t seem like she was really apologizing, she still said it.

Hearing that, Riara smiled at me—

Just like she had when we first met.

She smiled at me.

“…You have such a sweet boyfriend now that you should just drop the whole ‘I hate men’ act already.”

“I-I know that! And we’re not flirting!”

“Oh, sure. Well, I won’t get in your way, so do whatever you want. Sanae, I’m not hungry anymore. Let’s go.”

“Yes, I’m full as well. Well then, President, see you later.”

Without ordering anything, we got up and gave our seats to the next people in line.

Leaving the restaurant, I looked back through the window.

Inside, Riara and Suzukaze were feeding each other and sharing their food, looking like a sweet and innocent couple.

“Yeah, this is fine. Ah, I feel so much lighter now.”

“That’s good. Now, let’s continue our mission of watching over them.”

“I never agreed to join that.”

Just as I was about to tease Sanae, I felt someone standing behind me.

“Mind if I join that mission?”

I turned around at the voice—

And saw the very person I had been looking for.

“Enjou… san?”

“Girls going on dates together… Is yuri becoming more popular lately?”

“And what about you? Are you just a lonely soul in this couple-filled place? Or do you have another reason for being here?”

Enjouji Itsuki.

She seemed to have some kind of grudge against Riara.

I was certain she was here to interfere with their date.

“Well, I did have a reason.”

“Past tense? So you’ve already accomplished whatever it was?”

“No, I should say my reason changed. I want to protect Kagami’s happiness.”

“Kagami… you mean Suzukaze? What, are you his guardian now?”

“Not at all. I love Kagami. That hasn’t changed. But I’ve realized that wanting to be with someone at the cost of ruining their happiness is just disgusting. Watching others made me see that.”

Enjou’s distant gaze and expression were completely different from when I last saw her.

Did something happen?

“Enjou, did something happen?”

“If you and Tokito want Takamiya Riara to be safe, I’ll give you a warning. The real threat is close to home. Pass that message on to Kagami.”

“…What do you mean?”

“He’ll understand. Anyway, glasses girl, if you’re continuing this little mission tomorrow, mind giving me your contact info?”

“Of course. You are now our second official member. Please call me Secretary Tokito.”

“Shoki-chan? That’s an unusual name. Well, nice to meet you.”

Not fully understanding, I watched as the two exchanged contact info. Then, Enjou disappeared somewhere.

It was time for Sanae and me to head home as well.

And with that, our day of watching over Riara and Suzukaze came to an end.

As we stepped outside the park to wait for our ride, a slightly cold, out-of-season breeze blew past.

I wondered if those two would be alright.

Well, all I could do was hope for the best.

—

Chapter 87

♤

“Hehe, say ‘ahh.'”

“…Ahh.”

“You should look happier while eating! Are you embarrassed?”

“…Yeah.”

I wonder if there’s anyone who wouldn’t be embarrassed to be fed in the middle of a packed food court.

But Takamiya, completely ignoring my embarrassment, happily stuffed a spoonful of omelet rice into my mouth.

“Hehe, Maria really isn’t honest, huh? If she made up with Asou, she should just say so.”

“She already said it, though.”

“I meant sooner. And to think she went to the amusement park with Tokito… That girl has a surprisingly cute side.”

“Yeah… though, I don’t really think it was a coincidence.”

If it were just Jinguji, fine. But since Tokito was with her, I had a feeling she was seriously following Takamiya around, even on weekends.

“Well, either way, one problem is solved, and I feel a lot better. What should we do next?”

“Since we’re already here, we could stay a bit longer before heading home.”

“Sounds good. Let’s take a stroll after we finish eating. Here, ahh.”

“…Ahh.”

I hesitated a little before opening my mouth.

Takamiya didn’t seem to mind, but I kept feeling eyes on us.

And it wasn’t the kind of warm, supportive looks I got during the election.

It felt heavier, filled with jealousy, almost like sharp daggers being thrown at me.

Maybe… I’m just imagining it.

◇

“Mmm, that was fun. But this place is huge, so I’m exhausted.”

After we left the food court, we took it easy by riding the nearby teacups.

Then we bought some souvenirs and finally left the park. Takamiya looked a little tired.

“Yeah, I’m exhausted too. I’m not used to this kind of thing.”

“But I’m glad we came. I got to make up with Maria too.”

“That’s true. So, what now?”

“I wanted to stay together a little longer, but I think I’m too worn out. I have dinner with Mika tonight, so I should probably go home and rest.”

“I see. Well, no need to push yourself. We still have tomorrow off.”

“…You sound too casual about this. Do you just want to end things quickly?”

“No, I just thought you were tired.”

“Then maybe you could say, ‘Why don’t you rest at my place?'”

“…If you want to, I’d prefer that too.”

“Yeah. Then, I’ll stop by for a bit.”

In the end, we went to my place, relaxed, and watched TV together.

This kind of thing had become normal for us.

But we only had one day left of the holiday.

Once the week started, I’d confess properly, and we’d officially start dating.

The thought of it made me incredibly happy.

They say good things never last, but… that has nothing to do with me.

♡

“Huh? You’re not feeling well? Mika, are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah, well… It’s rare, but I guess even I can get sick sometimes. So, no dinner tonight. Why don’t you invite Suzukaze instead?”

When I called Mika after getting home, she told me she had a fever.

I was surprised—I’d never heard of Mika getting sick before.

“Is your dad home today?”

“Ah, no, he’s on a business trip. But actually, that makes things easier since I don’t have to do housework.”

“But what if your condition gets worse?”

“Haha, you’re overreacting. A cold will go away if I just sleep.”

She laughed and simply said, “Well, see ya,” before hanging up.

“…Idiot. That’s so cold of you.”

I’ve never thought about it before, but Mika never really talks about herself.

She never shares her day, what made her happy, or what’s bothering her.

So, I don’t really know much about her.

Even now, I can’t tell if she’s just acting tough or if she really means it.

I don’t even know if she prefers being alone or if she gets lonely.

I don’t know if visiting her would be the right thing to do or if it would just bother her.

But…

“…Like hell I’m leaving her alone.”

It feels wrong.

I’ve always relied on Mika, so just this once, I want her to rely on me.

She always says, “We help each other out when we need it,” but I don’t think I’ve ever really done anything for her.

So, at least this time…

I need to be there for her.

♣︎

“Ugh, this is so lame… What the hell is wrong with me?”

Saying it like that… I just guaranteed that Riara is coming over.

If I wanted her to come, I should’ve just asked. But I couldn’t say it.

She’ll probably show up with something for me, acting all worried, saying it’s because she always depends on me too much.

But she’s wrong.

She doesn’t understand why I do things for her.

It’s not because I want to help her.

It’s because I want her to rely on me.

I thought if I could be someone useful to Riara—someone she depended on—then she’d never leave me.

Even though I knew it was a selfish way to keep her close.

Even though I knew that if I stopped, she’d find someone else to lean on.

And in the end… she did.

I tell myself that’s how it should be, but at the same time, I hate it.

I’ve always kept these contradictions bottled up.

But ever since that Enjou girl said what she did, my thoughts have been spinning non-stop.

My head is killing me.

I haven’t felt like this since…

Since the day I saw my mother cheating.