The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 17

“…Doesn’t it feel like we’re doing the same thing as usual?”

“There’s no need to change how we spend our days even when we’re staying over.”

This was after a bit of a commotion.

After finishing breakfast, we spent our usual quiet time together.

Of course, I was holding Shirafuji in my lap, just like always.

Our bodies were unintentionally close.

The softness and the scent of her shampoo up close brought back memories of her skin tone, clearly etched in my mind.

But still, I didn’t push Shirafuji away. It was a matter of pride for me.

I didn’t want to betray the trust she had placed in me with something so casual, especially with the small, daily gestures that had become a routine.

As I absentmindedly watched the superhero show on TV, I muttered aloud, and Shirafuji answered in a detached voice.

The sleepover that started yesterday.

The only difference from usual was that we were sharing a room for the night.

But when I think about it, Shirafuji got drunk from some chocolate with alcohol in it and passed out, so there was no tension at all.

…There were dangerous moments, like this morning and right before she fell asleep, but that’s just how it is.

Overall, our way of spending time was no different, including the outing from yesterday.

“I think you feel that way because you consider a sleepover to be something special. If we were just a normal couple, it wouldn’t be any different from how we usually are.”

“But we’re faking it, right? Without that, we’d just be friends of the opposite sex… If there were other people around, maybe, but just the two of us staying over? That’s kind of rare, don’t you think?”

“…Even if we weren’t lovers, if we were close enough to be called best friends, I think there’s still a possibility for that kind of thing.”

“I see.”

I thought Shirafuji’s point made sense.

In other words, it was about whether or not friendship between the opposite sex could work.

Maybe somewhere in the world, there are people who can form that kind of bond, as Shirafuji suggests.

But, standing in a similar situation, I think it’s a very delicate balance.

“But doesn’t that fall apart the moment one person starts to want something more? Even if we call it friendship, we’re still a man and a woman… if one of us makes a move, the balance would be destroyed.”

“Maybe. But, the fact that we’re alone together in one of our homes makes it clear that, honestly, I couldn’t complain if something were to happen.”

“Is it really okay for you to say that, Shirafuji?”

“That’s fine because it’s me.”

Shirafuji casually dismissed my concerns.

It was Shirafuji who was taking the risk in this situation, after all.

“I actually think it’s the other way around.”

“…The other way?”

“Before being friends, we’re the opposite sex. It’s natural to look at each other that way. But instincts and reason are two different things—I’m sure you understand that, don’t you?”

“If we acted on our instincts, we’d be like animals.”

“Exactly. Once we label ourselves as friends and set boundaries, it’s perfectly fine for two people to stay over together. And since we’re lovers, even if something… happens, I don’t think it would be a problem.”

“There’s no way that’s true.”

I sighed and made sure to deny it.

I didn’t want to do anything like that with Shirafuji… at least, not while I’m still in my right mind.

Though, if she were to come on to me like this morning, I don’t know what I would do, but I shouldn’t say that.

Wait, does Shirafuji really think that? I hope that’s just a joke.

“Anyway, let me get back to what I was saying. I don’t think there’s any need to do something special just because we’re having a sleepover. If anything, spending time with someone important is what really matters.”

“……”

“Haruko?”

“…Yeah, I think so too.”

Though my response was delayed, I felt my defenseless hand being teased by Shirafuji. I squinted at the ticklish feeling, and with my free hand, I took hers in return, pulling it into a lover’s handhold, fingers intertwined.

Simply doing this made me feel a quiet kind of happiness. It was probably because of the trust we’d built over the past six months.

We exchanged warmth between our hands, feeling the melting sensation of it, while in the back of my mind, I thought about Shirafuji’s words.

Just as Shirafuji called me an important person, I wouldn’t deny that I also considered her someone important.

The reason I consciously called her an important person rather than a friend, best friend, or lover, was because of the awareness of the fake relationship we had.

Only the lover label was fake, but the emotions between Shirafuji and me as individuals couldn’t be faked.

So, even if this relationship ended, if Shirafuji wanted it, I don’t think I’d change the distance between us.

…No, I’m being tough on myself.

If possible, I want to keep spending time with Shirafuji like this, always.

Right now, my situation is built on a miraculous set of circumstances.

I can’t imagine something like this happening again.

If Shirafuji hadn’t brought it up that day, things would have been very different.

“…I guess, I should be grateful. Really.”

“Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”

“I just realized I can’t thank you enough. If you hadn’t chosen me for this fake relationship, I’d probably be stuck with a boring, lonely high school life right now.”

“Is that so? If you were here and living as yourself, I think I would choose you as my fake relationship partner again, no matter how many times the world repeats itself. You’re the most convenient person for me. My situation wouldn’t change either.”

“Well, I agree that you’d be popular, Shirafuji.”

“…You’re saying that like it’s someone else’s problem. I really was struggling. I was confessed to so many times, sometimes by the same person who was persistent, and there were forceful people too. The girls also made me their target… I didn’t want that kind of school life. I just wanted to live quietly.”

Shirafuji spoke calmly, but I knew it must have been incredibly hard.

Girls who are as beautiful as celebrities or idols don’t get to live quietly. Men gather around them, even without trying. And even if you push them away, some people will cross the line.

Just like how I get feared and rumors are spread about me, even if I haven’t done anything.

“So, I should be the one thankful. Thanks to you being by my side, I don’t have to be scared, and I don’t have to fight with the girls. I haven’t had zero confessions, but I’ve accepted it as something I can’t change.”

“…Well, if you’re okay with it.”

“Also, with the room, the housework, and the meals—I’ve been taken care of in so many ways. There’s no way to hide it; I can’t manage without you. I really am grateful for all of that.”

“…Honestly, I’d like you to learn to handle things on your own. I won’t always be around.”

After high school, we’ll each go our separate ways.

Whether that means going to university, getting a job, or something else.

No matter what, the chances of being together with Shirafuji will be low.

“We’ll think about the future when it comes. There are too many uncertainties.”

“Whether we end up with someone we like, too. Continuing this relationship for a long time, with how it looks to others, that’s also something to think about.”

“I don’t care what people say. I like spending time with you, Haruko. Don’t you feel the same?”

“…Yeah, I like spending time with you too, Shirafuji.”

“Then that’s fine. We’re like this, and that’s enough.”

Even if staying as we are might be seen as running away, I felt the same way—I wanted to stay in these warm, gentle days for a while longer.