The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Why Don’t You Try Giving an Order?

“…Shirafuji-san, could you consider cheering up soon?”

The walk home after I received what appeared to be a love letter was the heaviest it had ever been.
Rather than just heavy, Shirafuji was completely sulking—or rather, she was in an extremely foul mood. As a result, our conversation didn’t flow at all.

It was the same even after we got back. Unable to withstand her silent pressure, I spent a few minutes letting her use me as a backrest to soothe her. Once I thought she had calmed down, I tried starting a conversation.

The reason for Shirafuji’s bad mood… well, I had a pretty good idea.

I could remember the incident clearly myself.

Even if it’s a fake relationship, it’s understandable she wouldn’t feel great about someone making a move on her “boyfriend.”

After a brief pause, there was only a sigh of resignation came from Shirafuji in response to my attempt.

“…I’m not a child anymore, so maybe I should stop taking my frustrations out on you, Hakuko.”

“Considering that you were taking it out on me in the first place, I’m not so sure about the ‘not a child’ part. Was this your way of venting, though? I thought you were just being clingy.”

“That makes it sound like I cling to you every day.”

“Don’t you?”

“…Well, I do.”

Shirafuji admitted it reluctantly, her voice tinged with embarrassment and guilt.

Even if she admits it honestly, I wouldn’t criticize her.

That’s one of Shirafuji’s cute traits.

“Even if we assume the letter you got was a love letter based on circumstantial evidence, it won’t be certain until someone confesses to you tomorrow. …Still, just in case, I’ll ask: If, hypothetically, you were confessed to with that letter, what would you say?”

“I’d just turn her down. The only girls I really know are you and Hanaha, and I don’t have any interest in dating someone I don’t like.”

I might not be in a position to say this, given my fake relationship with Shirafuji, but it’s only natural to not date someone you don’t have feelings for.

Especially if you don’t know the person at all.

Even if the sender of the letter was Hanaha, it would still feel awkward.

“Shirafuji, you’d feel the same, right? You’d just feel troubled if someone you didn’t like confessed to you. Honestly, I’d wonder why someone would even fall for me.”

“…Don’t sell yourself short. You have plenty of wonderful qualities, Hakuko. You’re kind, considerate, adorable when you smile like a big puppy, great at housework, and many other things—”

“Ah, yeah, okay, I get it. Thanks, but it’s embarrassing, so please stop there. Seriously.”

As I interrupted her stream of compliments, grateful yet flustered, Shirafuji entwined her fingers with mine and replied briefly, “I see.”

It seemed her mood had improved a little.

“Well, let’s leave tomorrow’s matters for tomorrow. What we need to discuss now is the reward for meeting your test goals—the right to make one request.”

“It’s tough to think of a request for you on the spot.”

“It doesn’t cost anything to just say it. Just be honest about what comes to mind. If it’s impossible, I’ll say no. But I doubt you’d ask me for something unreasonable.”

That’s true enough.

Most of the things a guy might want to ask a girl for are pretty unseemly.

I need to filter out any selfish or inappropriate ideas and choose from what’s left.

…Would it be too much to ask her to learn some basic housework?

She’d probably reject it outright, saying, “If I could do that, I would’ve already.”

“What about you, Shirafuji? Have you decided on your request?”

“Let’s see… Maybe I’d like to stay over again or go on a date. Oh, or we could take a bath together—”

“Rejected.”

“Just kidding. But if possible, I’d prefer something you wouldn’t normally do for me. Like, if you wanted, I could wear the maid outfit I bought and serve you. It’d be a waste not to use it, after all. Not that I’m eager to show you how I look in it or anything.”

She definitely wants to show me.

“…Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”

“Understood. I’ll get the maid outfit before making my request. Can I change here? Even though it’s next door, I’d rather not risk running into someone while dressed like that.”

“Yeah, change here. I don’t want people thinking I called a maid to my place, either.”

Most people would definitely think I’m a weirdo.

Shirafuji got off my lap, stood up, and she was about to leave the room.

“By the way, just to confirm… this ‘service’ you mentioned is wholesome, right?”

Not that I’m expecting anything improper, but I couldn’t ignore the questionable word “service” without clarifying.

Shirafuji stopped in her tracks and turned around.

With a finger to her lips, she said,

“While I’m wearing the maid outfit, Hakuko will be my master. Why don’t you try giving an order and find out?”

Her smile carried a unique allure, making my heart race.

Leaving me to deal with my flustered, totally-not-innocent thoughts, Shirafuji said, “Well then,” and exited the room.

In the now-empty room, I sighed.

“…Can I really keep my composure?”

Filled with a mix of anticipation and dread, I waited for Shirafuji’s return.