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

“—Sorry, but I can’t go out with you.”

The day after that rewarding little event, in the afternoon after school, I went to the back of the school building as the letter instructed. Waiting for me there was a girl who seemed vaguely familiar, like someone I’d seen in passing.

…No, wait. It’s not that I’m cold-hearted or anything—I honestly don’t think I’ve ever spoken to her before.

She had a quiet, unassuming demeanor, with a simple and gentle atmosphere about her. She didn’t stand out much, but that doesn’t mean she was forgettable.

Her words, as expected by Shirafuji, were a confession.

Though awkward and hesitant, she poured her feelings out to me with great effort. But her feelings were one-sided, and my heart, already captured by Shirafuji, would not be swayed.

So, my answer to her confession was no. Apologetic but firm, I conveyed my decision. She looked a little sad but bowed politely and said, “I understand. I’m sorry,” before leaving the schoolyard.

…However, as she rounded the corner and disappeared from view, I heard a brief, almost stifled cry. That sound made me feel truly sorry.

I’ll scold someone about this later, so please forgive me.

That aside…

“…I wonder if I did the right thing.”

Watching her retreating figure, I couldn’t help but reflect. Was this the best choice?

Excluding Shirafuji’s case, since her proposal was for a fake relationship, this was the first time I’d been confessed to by a girl. The answer was a binary choice—yes or no—and I’d chosen the latter. Even though my feelings couldn’t lead to any other answer, a nagging unease lingered in my heart.

I believe her confession was genuine. If it had been a joke or a prank, rejecting her would’ve been easy, but her feelings—her affection—were undoubtedly real.

I wonder… Will I ever be able to tell Shirafuji how I feel?

“—So, how long are you planning to eavesdrop?”

Calling out to the supposedly empty yard, I immediately heard a single set of footsteps.

“…How did you know I was here? Could you share your reasoning?”

Naturally, it was Shirafuji who appeared. Though her expression seemed calm, her hands clenched by her skirt and her darting eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

She worries too much. Seriously, this is a bit overprotective.

“You were really concerned about whether I’d be confessed to, weren’t you? And when that girl rounded the corner and screamed, I figured she must’ve run into someone pretty scary.”

“That ‘scary person’ part is unnecessary. I was just worried Hakuto might be deceived and stayed ready to protect him at a moment’s notice.”

“Do I really look so helpless?”

“She could’ve had a weapon.”

That’d be a whole crime.

“…Would you like it if someone spied on you confessing to someone you like?”

“Not particularly. In fact, fewer rumors and meddlesome gossip would be convenient.”

“…Uh, you know, most people don’t like being spied on. I don’t either.”

“I’ll never do it again. I’ll even apologize to that girl. I’m not lying. You can come with me to make sure—”

“That won’t be necessary. But yeah, you should apologize. Getting rejected by a guy with a girlfriend and then finding out his ‘girlfriend’ spied on your confession is nightmare fuel.”

Shirafuji’s cold reputation might contribute to her being feared, but… honestly, her behavior was scary on its own.

“By the way, didn’t I tell you beforehand I’d be rejecting her? Did you think I’d change my mind at the last second?”

“It’s not that, it’s just… Please don’t be alarmed, okay? I knew you’d reject her, but the idea of another girl confessing to you upset me.”

The feelings Shirafuji revealed were sticky and shadowed—something akin to possessiveness. She tried to hide it, likely to avoid being disliked by me.

I wasn’t sure if my hope that this wasn’t a misunderstanding was misplaced or not.

“I don’t want to be controlling. Even if it’s fake—or real—I don’t want to restrict your freedom. But when you left to meet that confession, I couldn’t sit still… Before I knew it, I was here, watching you.”

What could I say to Shirafuji, who spoke with visible discomfort?

Eavesdropping is seen as morally wrong. She knew it too, but her emotions got the better of her. Thinking about the girl who confessed, Shirafuji was clearly in the wrong.

But realizing how much she cared about me, I couldn’t help feeling happy.

“I know it’s no excuse. I’ll apologize properly. But I don’t want to lie about how I feel toward you. Betraying myself is one thing, but betraying you—”

“Raise your head. I’m not angry. You know who to apologize to, right? That’s all I need to say.”

I pulled her close, trying to soothe her trembling form. Stroking her back, I let her catch her breath.

After a while, she calmed down. Still holding onto me, she looked up and murmured, “Thank you.”

“Well, let’s make one promise. If I’m ever called out again, don’t follow me. It’s not just about me—it’s about respecting others’ privacy. Break this promise, and we’re done.”

“…I swear I’ll keep it.”

“Good. Sorry if I sounded harsh.”

“No, I deserved it. But I’m… oddly happy. I’ve never been scolded before, so this feels fresh.”

She smiled faintly, looking lonely, and I didn’t know how to respond.

“…Forget what I said just now. It’s not worth mentioning—”

At that moment, her phone rang.

“A call? From who…?”

She pulled away, checked her phone, and her expression froze.

She tapped to answer, her fingers trembling.

“—Hello, this is me.”

Even her voice shook. It wasn’t hard to guess who was on the other end.

“I see. …Father is coming?”