The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 12

“Hmm… It’s nice to be in places like this once in a while. I feel like my body is lighter than usual.”

After trying various baths and then relaxing in the sauna, I slipped into the new pajamas I had just bought. Holding a coffee milk in one hand, I waited in the waiting area for Shirafuji to return.

This is exactly what I think of when I imagine hot springs.

Even though we’re in a super sento, I’ll ignore that, but coffee milk after a bath is extraordinary.

Of course, I fully enjoyed the bath.

A large bath is really great.

You can stretch your body as much as you want, and it feels like your tiredness just melts away.

“If it’s only a one-coin fee, it feels like a good deal. It’s a nice little luxury.”

While cooling my slightly overheated body, I took a sip of the coffee milk.

The perfect harmony of bitterness and sweetness helped calm my mind in a way no one would notice when I was lightly tapped on the shoulder.

Thinking it was Shirafuji returning, I turned around—

“You got caught.”

A slender finger pressed against my cheek, and a cheerful voice followed.

Standing behind me was Shirafuji, dressed in matching pajamas, only in a different color. It seemed she had dried her hair as well, and her silver hair shimmered more than the white pajamas she was wearing.

Her usually pale skin, probably from the bath, had a healthy flush, and there was a unique charm about her.

Perhaps because of her charm, people around us were sneaking glances at her.

When I gave them a pointed look to let them know to stop staring, they turned their faces away as if saying, “Sorry.”

They weren’t going to eat her, after all.

More importantly—

“Your pajamas look good on you.”

“Yours fit really well, too.”

“But… it’s a little too light for this weather. Put this on.”

I pulled out a thin hoodie from the things I brought and handed it to Shirafuji.

It was still June, so it was a bit chilly, and besides, I didn’t want Shirafuji, in her vulnerable pajamas, to be exposed to the public. Who knows what might happen.

Shirafuji seemed to understand my intent. She quickly took it, saying, “Thank you,” and put it on over her pajamas.

“It’s mine, so it’ll be a bit big on you, but bear with it.”

“Is this a ‘boyfriend’s hoodie,’ then? It’s definitely big, but… it feels nice, like I’m being wrapped up.”

She let her hands peek out of the sleeves and smiled faintly with just her eyes.

At that moment, the people who had been staring at Shirafuji were completely captivated, and an overwhelming feeling of rejection built up inside me.

I knew exactly what that feeling was, and I sighed out of irritation.

“Why are you sighing? Didn’t you enjoy the bath?”

“No, I enjoyed the bath. I ran into Rin inside.”

“You met with a friend too, huh? I met with Juki-san and her sister. It was fun talking to them.”

There was no falsehood in Shirafuji’s cheerful report.

Now that I think about it, she has really changed since the past.

Before, Shirafuji kept everyone at a distance. She never made friends and lived a solitary school life.

That changed when we started our fake relationship.

After being forced to be close to me, it opened her up to others… or at least, that’s how I see it. Is that arrogant?

External factors were just a trigger.

In the end, it was Shirafuji who chose to take that step forward.

“By the way… What are you drinking?”

“Coffee milk. When it comes to sento, it’s got to be this.”

“I’m not sure I understand just from you saying that. Can I have a sip?”

“I’ll go buy another bottle.”

“I don’t want too much. Just one sip is enough.”

Shirafuji extended her hand, as if urging me, and I handed her the half-drunk bottle.

She held the bottle with both hands, took a small sip, and nodded.

“It’s delicious.”

“Right?”

I took the bottle back from Shirafuji and finished the rest in one gulp.

We had kissed indirectly many times before, but I tried not to think about it too much.

Shirafuji only wanted a sip, and the amount left in the bottle was just right for that.

There was no deeper meaning or intent behind it.

And there was no awkwardness or embarrassment from Shirafuji either.

“The sento… I haven’t had many experiences with large baths, so it was fun in that sense, too.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. It’s close, so we can come anytime.”

“I want to go to a hot spring inn with an indoor bath someday, just the two of us.”

“…I’m not going to take a bath with you, though.”

“You’re the only man allowed to see my skin. You’re the only one who would turn me down like that.”

She gave me a tired, reproachful look, but there was nothing I could do about it.

It was a very tempting offer, no doubt.

I knew all too well how captivating Shirafuji was.

And that’s exactly why it scared me.

If I did something like that now, the delicate bond we had could break. That vague fear of ruining everything was always there.

It felt like being offered the finest prey in front of me, and I knew my reason wouldn’t be strong enough to just walk away.

I’d probably end up staining Shirafuji without being able to fight my instincts.

I couldn’t betray her trust…

Not Shirafuji, who accepted me.

“…That’s enough joking around. It’s getting late. Let’s head home.”

“Let’s stop by a convenience store on the way back. I want to buy some ice cream. When we get home, let’s watch a movie or something. Stay with me until I fall asleep, okay?”

“Isn’t staying up late bad for your skin?”

“This is a special sleepover, so this much is fine.”

If that’s the case, I couldn’t refuse.