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 99

♧

“What’s so noble about this? Seriously, everyone just does whatever Mika says.”

“Maria, be honest with yourself. You’ve already said ‘noble’ twice today.”

“D-Don’t remind me.”

After school.

Sanae and I were standing in front of the school gate.

Since the student council had no activities today, we decided to go home together. But before that—

There was someone I wanted to say something to.

And that person showed up right away.

“Ehehe, I’m coming over to your place today! And I’ll pick you up tomorrow, too! Hehe, honestly, it’d be easier if we just lived together.”

“T-Takamiya, everyone’s watching.”

“I don’t care. ‘Be noble,’ remember?”

“I think you’re using that wrong.”

A girl clinging to her boyfriend, completely lovestruck.

Takamiya Riara.

Seriously, I still can’t believe this airhead is the student council president.

I had to set her straight.

“Hey, Riara.”

“…What, Maria? I’m busy right now.”

“Don’t just ignore me and try to leave. I need a minute.”

“…What is it?”

She stayed glued to her boyfriend, looking a little annoyed. Seeing her like that, my anger just faded.

Honestly, just be happy, I guess.

“Looks like you’re having a great time. That’s nice. But aren’t you forgetting someone?”

“Huh? Who?”

“Enjouji Itsuki. I doubt there’ll be any trouble now, but you should settle things properly.”

“I know that already. Suzukaze-kun is going to talk to her. That’s what you wanted to say?”

“…Well, that and—uh, congrats.”

“Huh?”

“I-I mean, I’m saying you look happy, and that’s good! Come on, Sanae, let’s go.”

“Mmm, noble. See you tomorrow, President.”

Dragging Sanae along, I left the school gate behind.

“…Ugh, that was exhausting.”

“Maria, you’re not honest with yourself. But that’s what makes you great.”

“What’s great about it? Anyway, I’ve done my part. Starting tomorrow, I’m your enemy again, so be ready.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, let’s go home.”

I had settled things in my own way.

Maybe not completely, but at least I had no more unfinished business. My home situation would work itself out.

It’s not like I have a bad relationship with my parents. The company is doing fine. I have some inconveniences, but they’re just luxury problems.

If anything, what really concerned me was Riara and Mika.

Their emotional wounds, their strained relationships with their parents—how would they deal with those?

That was still on my mind.

♡

“Oh, Mika!”

“Yo! You two on a little home date? Nice, nice, looking hot together.”

On our way home.

We stopped by a convenience store and ran into Mika by chance.

It was nothing unusual, but seeing her made me happy for some reason.

Maybe after everything that had happened over the past few days, I’d come to appreciate her more.

“Hey, Mika. This weekend, we were thinking of visiting your place one of the days.”

“Oh? But if you’re just worrying about me, don’t bother.”

“It’s not like that. I told you, I’m greedy. I want to spend time with you and with Suzukaze-kun.”

“Huh. So there’s still a chance I could steal Riara away?”

“S-Steal me?!”

“Ahaha, just kidding. Sure, let me know. My dad’s coming home early today, so I need to make dinner. See you later.”

With that, a cheerful Mika walked off.

“Mika really seems in a good mood.”

“Yeah, it’s great. Let’s head home too.”

“Yeah.”

Everything was going well.

Usually, that’s when something bad happens—but this time, there was nothing left to worry about.

Or so I thought.

Because I still hadn’t solved my own problems.

“Riara.”

The voice calling me from behind wasn’t Mika’s.

It was a mature voice, one I recognized—and hated.

When I turned around, I saw a woman who looked a lot like me.

“…Mom.”

“Huh? Your mom? Takamiya, this is—”

“Yeah. This is my real mother, Takamiya Asa.”

When I glared at her, she smiled awkwardly and said, “Oh? Your boyfriend? That’s great, Riara.”

Her tone was so fake it pissed me off.

“If you don’t need anything, don’t talk to me.”

I shut her down completely.

Looking disappointed, my mother turned around and slowly walked away.

“…What the hell was that?”

“Takamiya, um… Maybe she wanted to talk about something?”

“…Even if she did. She left me alone all this time, and now she suddenly shows up?”

Yeah, it was too late.

If I were the one reaching out, that would be different. But she abandoned me, ran from every bad memory, and left me behind.

She had no right to talk to me now.

As irritation flared up inside me, the sun finally set, and the world around me grew dark.

—

Chapter 100

♤

“Takamiya, when was the last time you met your mother?”

“I’ve passed by her a few times, but as for actually talking… it’s been years.”

In my living room.

I thought Takamiya would be more shaken up, but she spoke with more composure than I expected.

“She’s always been like that. Acting like she’s the victim, sulking all the time. I’ve never liked that about her. I’m not defending my dad, but I think he also hated that part of her personality. Well, not that it excuses cheating, of course.”

“Well, people have different personalities. By the way, what does she do for work again?”

“Apparently, she works for a fairly big company. And she gets along well with a colleague there, so she often stays over at their place.”

“Hmm. Have you met that colleague?”

“A few times. She seems like a responsible woman. Every time we meet, she tells me how my mom is doing. Honestly, it’s pretty funny that she worries about me more than my own mother does.”

Shaking her head with an exasperated smile, she didn’t show any signs of sadness.

That just meant this situation had been familiar to her for a long time.

Not that it should be normal, of course.

“…Still, shouldn’t you at least hear her out once? You could even have her colleague there with you.”

“Yeah… I do think I was a bit harsh earlier. I’ve been avoiding her partly because I never wanted to become like her. But maybe it’s time to face it. The thing is, it just feels too late now. Thinking about how we’re both probably better off as we are, I don’t even know what she hopes to get out of this conversation.”

“Because you’re mother and daughter—that’s not reason enough?”

“Hmm… I don’t know. But I guess I won’t know unless I try talking to her. I’ll do it properly next time. So, Suzukaze, you should hurry up and settle her issue too.”

She was talking about Enjou.

“I know. Could you let her know I want to talk as soon as possible?”

“Got it. I’ll send her a short message.”

Takamiya sent a message, and a reply came almost instantly.

“…She says how about tomorrow during lunch break. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. It’ll be easier at school.”

“Alright, I’ll let her know. That means I have to talk to my mom when I get home, too. Ugh, I’m not looking forward to it.”

“Want me to be there?”

“I’d like that, but no. This is my problem.”

Saying that, Takamiya leaned her head against my shoulder.

“…I finally have a boyfriend, so I want to be spoiled more.”

“Then just be spoiled.”