The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 18

Shirafuji, as always, had visited my room early in the morning. She stood there showing off her summer uniform: a short-sleeved blouse and a skirt, giving off a refreshing vibe.

Her long-sleeved blouse was replaced with a short-sleeved one, leaving more skin exposed. The skirt, typical of a high school girl’s uniform, stopped a few centimeters above the knee, making her pale, shapely legs look even more striking than usual.

The outfit suited her perfectly as always, but the increased exposure of her skin made it hard to know where to look.

“It looks great on you, but… I’m a little worried about how defenseless it is.”

“Hakuto, you always say the same thing.”

“Well, it’s true…”

“Are you saying you’re properly a boy, after all?”

“I’m not denying it, but isn’t it normal to worry?”

Feeling awkward under Shirafuji’s playful gaze, I answered as best I could. She gently took my hand.

“Then protect me, Hakuto. Make sure no one even gets close enough to touch me.”
“…As you wish, my princess.”

When I replied dramatically, Shirafuji chuckled softly again.

After breakfast together, we prepared for school.

I’d been planning to switch to my summer uniform today too. When I went for my morning run earlier, I noticed how hot it felt outside. July was just around the corner, bringing the height of summer. Yet, we hadn’t experienced much of a rainy season this year.

I wondered if the rain would come later. Honestly, I hoped it wouldn’t—rain was such a hassle.

Now dressed in my summer uniform, I was styling Shirafuji’s hair as she sat before the mirror in my room.

Her long, silver-white hair had a lustrous shine, clearly the result of careful maintenance. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was really okay for me to touch it so casually.

“Having long hair must be tough in the summer.”


“It is, but I’m not cutting it. I worked hard to grow it out, and it would be a shame to lose it. Plus, if I cut it, you wouldn’t style it for me anymore.”

“You could always do it yourself.”

“I’m clumsy enough that I can only manage a simple ponytail. Besides, I’ve told you many times—I love it when you do my hair.”

Ignoring her words, I continued brushing her hair.

Her reflection in the mirror showed a calm, content expression, as if entrusting everything about her hair to me.

“So, what’s the order for today?”

“Hmm… Let’s go with a bun today.”

Nodding at her request, I carefully gathered her long hair to form a bun at the back of her head. With hair as long as hers, there was quite a lot to handle.

“Thank you. This feels so much more refreshing.”

Shirafuji smiled happily, lightly touching the bun. I found myself staring at her.

More precisely, at the nape of her neck, now exposed by the raised hairstyle. Stray hairs just barely covered the skin, giving off a unique allure that I couldn’t look away from.

Gulp.
Before I realized it, I swallowed hard.

The sensation of my fingers brushing against her neck earlier replayed in my mind, and unnecessary thoughts began creeping in.

“Is my neck that interesting, Hakuto?”

“…No, it’s just, you don’t usually see it.”

“Guys really seem to like it, don’t they? Though I don’t see the appeal—especially in a school uniform, not even a yukata.”

Her words brought me back to my senses.

Though Shirafuji sounded exasperated, there really was something oddly captivating about the nape of the neck. It felt like an instinctual attraction. And if it belonged to someone as beautiful and precious as Shirafuji, it was impossible not to stare.

As she turned around, finished with her hair, Shirafuji crossed her legs.

She wore short white socks, and her thigh pressed down ever so slightly against the leg underneath, emphasizing its softness.

As I tried to pull my gaze back, a teasing smile spread across her face.

“There are plenty of things a high school boy would want to look at more than a neck. Like legs, or a chest… or under a skirt.”

She pinched the hem of her skirt with her fingers. As the fabric shifted slightly, a small patch of her thigh became visible. My gaze moved there reflexively, only for her soft laugh to pull me back, a laugh full of amusement—and mischief. Guilt twisted in my chest.

“…Don’t tease me so much. I might take it seriously.”

“Oh, please. I know you sneak glances when I’m not looking—at my chest, my legs, all of it. You’ve already seen everything, haven’t you?”

“Th-that was an accident! I couldn’t help it! I’ll apologize as much as you want.”

“No need for that. I’m your girlfriend, Hakuto. You’re free to look as much as you want.”

Saying this, Shirafuji uncrossed and recrossed her legs.

The movement naturally drew my eyes again. The fabric of her skirt shifted ever so slightly, revealing a hint of color underneath.

I didn’t need her to explain what it was.

“Just remember, no looking at anyone else, okay? If you need to satisfy those urges, let me help. I can wear something even more daring if necessary.”

“…Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”

“Well, summer means lighter clothing, right? Thin blouses that can easily become see-through. I just want to make sure you don’t lose control and end up doing something inappropriate to another girl. So, I think it’s better to release some of that tension. And isn’t it easier for guys if their girlfriend helps with that?”

She spoke so matter-of-factly that it left me speechless.

…No, I understood perfectly. I just didn’t want to admit it.

Once you acknowledge those thoughts, they’re hard to stop.

“…Isn’t this a bit too blunt, even for you?”

“Sexual desire is a natural part of being human. Everyone feels it—they just don’t talk about it. Directing it toward your partner is completely normal.”

“We’re fake dating, though. And you’re the one who set the rule that this kind of thing was off-limits.”

One of the rules of our fake relationship was a prohibition against physical intimacy or anything resembling it. It was a reasonable rule for a fake couple, and I had readily agreed.

Yet now, it seemed like Shirafuji was about to overturn her own rule.

“…Can you promise me that you won’t be tempted by anyone else?”

“Of course. I’m your boyfriend, fake or not. I’d never do something like that.”

Shirafuji stared at me intently, her expression unusually serious.

“Absolutely, no exceptions. If you break that promise, I’ll make you swallow a thousand needles.”

“Stop saying scary things! I’m not going to break it.”

“And one more thing.”

She stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder. Gesturing for me to lower my head, she brought her lips close to my ear.

“If it gets too hard to handle, come to me first, okay? I’ll properly go along with you.”

Her mischievous whisper sent a shiver down my spine.

I wasn’t oblivious to the meaning behind her words.

“Come on, stop standing there looking so stunned. Let’s get going.”

Without a word of protest, I followed after Shirafuji, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me.