Chapter 1

As a matter of fact, Satoru and Reika are dating.

Their relationship began shortly after they entered high school.

However, because Satoru wanted to keep this fact a secret, they had spent their time so far ensuring that no one would notice.

While Satoru held onto this desire, Reika would always say, “It’s fine if people find out, isn’t it?”

Because of her lack of concern, she would often translate that attitude into actions, like she was doing now.

The situation they found themselves in—a deserted rooftop with just the two of them—was an overly specific set of conditions that had accidentally come together. It had led to Reika taking a more aggressive stance.

Back in their first year, they had been in different classes, so there were very few chances for them to share the same space on school grounds. As a result, there were almost no opportunities for their secret to be revealed.

However, now that they were in the same class in their second year, Satoru found himself constantly on edge, wondering what Reika might do next.

“Th-There’s no one watching, right…?”

“It seems like your friend really did leave. Whether it was out of pure intentions to leave the two of us alone, to run off and tell someone about it, or maybe he just wasn’t that interested in you and left quietly. It’s one of those three, don’t you think?”

“Ugh… I’d like to believe the first option, but I have a bad feeling the second one is correct. If it’s the third, I think my heart would break.”

Just moments ago, Satoru had been concerned about his own popularity, thinking about things like whether or not he was considered attractive. If Seiya’s conclusions from earlier got shared, they could easily become the talk of the class.

Though he considered Seiya a good friend, depending on the reaction of their classmates once they returned to the classroom, Satoru might need to brace himself.

“You’ve spent an entire year with him as your friend, and yet you don’t seem to trust him much.”

“N-No, it’s not like that…”

As Satoru worried about what might come next, Reika threw out a sharp remark, causing him to falter.

“Fufu, I’m just joking. Besides… he seems like a very good person to me. Even from my perspective, it’s clear that he cares about you as a friend.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. After all, he’s your dear friend, isn’t he? For better or worse, he’s someone who dislikes malice, and I think he’s as pure-hearted as you are.”

“…Can I take that ‘pure-hearted’ comment as your usual teasing?”

“Hmm, I’d say it’s about half genuine and half teasing. Although, to be fair, I’m the one who stole that purity of yours, aren’t I?”

“And you did it by force, too.”

“Did I now?”

Reika made a small fist and pressed it against her cheek, pretending to think deeply. Then, looking off into the distance with an exaggeratedly innocent expression, she feigned ignorance.

To Satoru, this was one of her more blatant “cute” gestures. However, because of her sharp mind, cool demeanor, and elegant appearance, it somehow suited her perfectly.

“Well, whatever happens doesn’t really matter to me. But if we don’t get going soon, we’ll miss fifth period.”

“‘We’ll miss,’ you say… You make it sound like it’s my problem alone, but you’re in the same boat.”

“Indeed. But if you’d prefer, we could just skip it together. I don’t mind getting in trouble. We could always use the excuse, ‘I wasn’t feeling well.’ With your academic track record, it should work.”

“Alright, I get it. Let’s head back to class immediately.”

Cutting her off mid-sentence, Satoru hurriedly suggested they return to the classroom. 

He knew all too well that Reika wasn’t just bluffing. 

Reika was the type of person who could easily do things others might hesitate to consider, simply because, in her mind, it was fine “if it’s with him.”

Her personality, her way with words, and their unique relationship made it clear that Satoru could never hope to beat Reika in any way.

Afterward, the two returned to the classroom quietly, but Satoru deliberately lagged behind, adjusting his timing to avoid entering the room with Reika.

If rumors had already started spreading, such a gesture would likely be meaningless, but still…

“…”

When he cautiously stepped into the classroom, he found that no one seemed particularly focused on him. Even Seiya was chatting normally with their classmates.

“…Does she understand my friend better than I do?”

The thought was both frustrating and oddly relieving. 

Reika had spoken so confidently about Seiya’s sincerity, yet Satoru couldn’t shake his doubts until now. That fact left him feeling strangely conflicted.

The afternoon classes began, and the sixth and final period of the day was homeroom.

“Alright, since this is the beginning of a new school year, we’re going to use this time to decide on your committee and class duties for the first semester,” the young homeroom teacher announced to the students in the classroom.

“By the way, at least once during either the first or second semester, everyone must take on a committee role,” she added with a cheerful tone.

A collective groan of discontent echoed throughout the room.

Committees could involve sacrificing lunchtime, staying after school, and in rare cases, even volunteering for a few hours on a Saturday outside school grounds.  

For high school students who valued their time for clubs or personal activities, committees were nothing short of an unwelcome obstacle.  

While some students willingly joined committees like the library committee due to their love for books, others, like traffic or beautification committees, were notoriously avoided.

The classroom quickly turned into a lively debate about which committees were less demanding or whether it would be better to delay taking on a role until the second semester.

“Alright, alright! It’s great that you’re all taking this seriously,” the teacher interrupted, clapping her hands for attention. “But before we get into that discussion, there’s one thing we need to decide first: the class representatives. I’d like you to select two people to act as class leaders, and they’ll help facilitate this discussion.”

That was a perfectly reasonable request for a brand-new class without assigned roles.  

“So, who wants to volunteer to be the class representative?”  

Despite the teacher’s enthusiastic question, silence fell over the room.  

It was only natural—everyone was already trying to dodge unwanted committee duties.  

No one would willingly volunteer for the most demanding role, the class representative, which required constant involvement.

“Hmm… no volunteers? If that’s the case, I’ll have to pick someone myself,” the teacher said, looking somewhat troubled.

Most students expected this outcome. It was the easiest way to settle things without tension.

After all, nominating someone among themselves would only lead to resentment.

“Alright then… Hatsune-san, would you mind taking on the role?”

The teacher immediately turned to Reika.  

The entire class likely thought the same thing: Of course.

Reika Hatsune was consistently the top student in their year, making her a natural choice for the teacher to rely on.

“Well, if it’s a request from you, sensei, I can’t refuse. I’ll do it.” 

“Thank you so much!”

she agreed with a slightly troubled yet graceful smile. Her response, polite and poised, was quintessentially her in the eyes of most people.  But to Satoru, something felt off.

“Now, Hatsuune-san, how about you choose the male representative?”

“Me? Choose?”  

At the teacher’s suggestion, the boys in the class visibly perked up.  

Being chosen here would implicitly mean they were the most favorably viewed by her—a fact that wasn’t lost on anyone.

“Let’s see…”

Reika scanned the classroom slowly, and Satoru quickly ducked his head, trying to avoid making eye contact.

Even though he knew it was futile.

“It’d be great if it were someone who seems willing and enthusiastic,” Reiba commented.

(Wait, what? Am I… not getting picked?) (TL: nope, you’re not getting away this easy….)

Satoru was baffled. He had been so sure he would be chosen.  

He had intentionally acted disinterested, giving off a vibe that said I have no intention of doing this, yet here she was, seemingly considering someone else.

(What’s going on? She’s not going to pick me?)

The thought of not being chosen crossed his mind for the first time, stirring emotions he wasn’t used to feeling in everyday life.  

With Reika’s personality, he had been convinced she would immediately pick him without hesitation.  

Her comment threw him into disarray.  

And, without realizing it, he raised his head.

Their eyes met directly.

“Alright, Takashima-kun, I’ll choose you.” (TL: he got played lol)

In that moment, she flashed her usual mischievous grin for just a fraction of a second. The situation veered sharply back to what Satoru had initially anticipated.

The classroom erupted in chatter, and all eyes turned toward Satoru.  

But he was too stunned to care.  

I’ve been had.

In the time they had spent in their peculiar relationship, Satoru had come to understand her nature all too well.  

In that brief exchange, he realized she had toyed with him yet again.

“Alright, Takashima-kun, you’ll take the role, right?” the teacher prompted.

“…Yes,” Satoru replied weakly.

Having been thoroughly manipulated by Reika, he had no choice but to accept.