The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 33

It was nighttime after I returned from the three-way conference.

I had eaten dinner, taken a bath, and spent some time idly. Finally, I decided to go to bed and lay down. Everything was fine until then.

“Shirafuji, why are you trying to get into my bed?”

“I’m feeling lonely.”

Seeing Shirafuji trying to crawl into my bed without hesitation, I quickly stopped her.

I sat up, gestured to the empty space on the bed to have a talk, and she sat down naturally, without a hint of resistance.

…Shouldn’t there be some tension here?

“Listen, Shirafuji, sharing the same bed just because you’re lonely is a bad idea for various reasons.”

“It’s fine. I’m unusually good at staying still while I sleep.”

“That’s not the point. …You do know I might not hold back, right?”

“Someone who genuinely intends to do something wouldn’t warn about it beforehand.”

“That’s a matter of self-control.”

“Even so, it’s not something for you to worry about, Hakuto. I’m aware of the risks, not that I think they’re actual risks in this case.”

Before I could figure out what she meant, Shirafuji closed the gap between us. Our bodies touched entirely now.

I could feel the softness hidden beneath her pajamas, their smooth texture, and the warmth of her body.

All of it stirred my heart relentlessly.

“The day I asked you to start this fake relationship, do you remember what I said when you tried to refuse?”

“…Yeah, I remember. If I recall correctly…”

“Let me say it again, word for word: ‘I won’t ask much of you. I won’t have expectations. This is a desperate attempt to change things for the better, even if the chances are slim. So, please feel free to use me however you see fit. While I ask for no expectations, I promise I won’t betray you.'”

“How can you remember every single word?”

“I have confidence in my memory.”

Is that something you can just dismiss with “I’m good at remembering things”?

Well, she does have a good memory; I know that.

“You agreed to this fake relationship after hearing that, didn’t you? Back then, I just had a hunch that you were like me, Hakuto. That you didn’t expect anything from those around you and had given up in a similar way. That’s why I thought we could build a good relationship, even if it was through something as troublesome and socially unacceptable as a fake romance.”

“…You really hated being relied on that much?”

“Partly, but mostly, I think I was just tired of dealing with people. You know about my parents, and you’re aware of how I’m treated at school. I suppose I just wanted someone I wouldn’t feel drained around. Someone who wouldn’t judge me, someone kind.”

Shirafuji said this while holding my hand.

The faintly cool temperature of her hand and its feel were already ingrained in my memory.

“But I’ve been relying on you too much, Hakuto. I’m aware of my tendency to impose because I didn’t realize I had a habit of leaning on others. …Still, I can’t stop. I’ve come to trust you so much that I feel like I can show you everything about me.”

“That still doesn’t mean we should sleep together.”

“…Were you even listening?”

I should have been saying the logical thing, but for some reason, Shirafuji sounded upset as she asked.

…No, I admit I’ve been pretending not to notice.

Thinking about why she’d say she trusts me enough to show me everything, I can guess why she’s upset.

And yet, I can’t take the step forward. Instead, I pretend not to notice, feigning ignorance because of my lack of experience and scars from the past.

Deep down, I think I’m still holding back with Shirafuji.

I trust her enough to share my past.

I know she won’t deny me.

But the thoughts ingrained in my heart aren’t easy to change.

So, even when faced with such obvious affection, I justify holding back because of our agreement and step away.

If I truly couldn’t resist, I should at least be able to express my feelings.

What I can do is respond to Shirafuji’s wishes.

I know it’s reckless, but I want to prioritize this momentary feeling.

I believe that making these choices will lead to a better future than the present.

It was for that kind of future that I agreed to this fake relationship with Shirafuji.

“…Alright, let’s sleep together, then.”

“…I was the one who suggested it, but are you really okay with it?”

“Well, as long as I can keep my self-control, there’s no problem. Besides, wouldn’t I be a terrible boyfriend if I rejected a lonely girlfriend trying to snuggle up?”

That said…

Shirafuji and I are fake lovers.

Even so, I need to play the part of the perfect boyfriend, even if it’s more real than most real relationships.

There’s no need to continue that act in private, but—

“…I’m truly glad I chose you, Hakuto.”

“If that’s how you feel, then I’m glad too.”

Looking at Shirafuji’s deeply relieved expression, I found myself not caring much anymore.

“Now that it’s decided, let’s sleep. Hurry up.”

Urged by Shirafuji, I lay down on the bed beside her.

I turned to face the wall while she lay down behind me.

“I’d prefer to watch your face even while you sleep.”

“…That’s way too embarrassing, so this will have to do.”

“Then you can be my body pillow instead.”

“Huh?”

Before I could react, she hugged me tightly from behind.

The soft curves of her body pressed against me, along with two distinct mounds.

Her smooth, delicate legs intertwined with mine, her toes brushing against my feet.

The warm breath against my nape sent a sweet shiver down my spine.

Her arms wrapped firmly around me, as if to say she’d never let go.

“This warmth… it feels like I could sleep really well.”

“I’m probably going to develop insomnia.”

“Does it make you feel strange?”

“Just a little. But it’s not unbearable.”

More than that, the sound of my heartbeat pounding loudly since earlier is the real problem.

Being hugged by Shirafuji, someone precious to me, and not feeling my heart race would be strange.

It was more intense than I imagined, but given the situation, it’s understandable.

“For me, it would have been fine even if you couldn’t bear it.”

The faint muttering was too soft to decipher its true intent.

“I’m glad you’re my fake boyfriend, Hakuto. If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t have been like this.”

“…Who knows? That’s a ‘what if’ question I can’t answer.”

“I’m sure they would have been disillusioned. With how messy my room is, my terrible housekeeping skills, and my extreme clumsiness.”

“Nobody’s perfect, right? I’m no exception, so you don’t need to worry. It’s about complementing each other; that’s what being in a relationship is about, isn’t it?”

“But we’re fake, you know.”

She said it with a chuckle, reminding me of something I had momentarily forgotten.

“Hey, Shirafuji.”

“What is it?”

“When will our relationship end, I wonder?”

Shirafuji and I are in a sham relationship.

A fragile connection that would end when either of us found someone we truly liked.

“…Do you want it to end, Hakuto?”

Her probing words were her response to my question.

A question that withheld her intentions, yet her actions, tone, and other subtleties offered enough hints for me to speculate.

“As long as you’re okay with it, I’d be happy if this continues for a little while longer.”

Suppressing the emotions that would bring this relationship to an end, I gave my answer.

“That’s good to hear. I can’t live without you, Hakuto.”

“That’s an exaggeration… or maybe not.”

“Since we have summer break, how about teaching me how to cook sometime?”

“I’ll make sure you don’t hurt yourself. And try not to break any plates either.”

“…I know.”

Even without looking at her, I could tell she was pouting.

Yet, her voice revealed she wasn’t annoyed; rather, she seemed quite cheerful.

The reason for that was not hard to guess.

“Hakuto.”

“Hm?”

“Could you turn this way for a moment? I want to see your face one more time before I fall asleep.”

Unable to refuse such a direct request, I carefully turned over without squishing her.

There, Shirafuji’s face was right in front of me, her azure eyes softened by drowsiness as they met mine.

For a moment, she stared at me, then placed her hand gently on my cheek.

In that instant, the atmosphere became unmistakable.

Shirafuji’s dreamy expression drew closer—her face, no, her lips.

Even in the dim light, their glossy sheen was unmistakable, and they came so close I could feel her breath.

“――――”

Her lips brushed against my cheek.

Soft and warm, an overwhelming sense of happiness flooded my mind and consumed my consciousness.

It might have lasted only a few seconds, or even less.

Yet, it left me with a satisfaction I had never experienced before.

I was still bewildered by the sudden kiss.

Even so, Shirafuji had chosen to do it.

I found myself lamenting how reluctant I was to let go of the lingering sensation.

At this close distance, I could see everything—her long lashes, her smooth skin, every detail.

It made me embrace her even tighter, finding her all the more precious.

“…That was my way of expressing my true feelings, apart from the fake relationship. Since it was just a kiss on the cheek, it doesn’t break any of our rules, does it?”

“Maybe not, but it feels like a pretty heavy gesture.”

“For the record, it was my first time. Even on the cheek. Hakuto, you too… right?”

“Excluding family, yeah, I guess so.”

“I see.”

A brief response.

Shirafuji narrowed her eyes slightly, looking somewhat relieved.

“Please stay by my side forever.”

“Until you find someone you like, that is.”

“…Idiot. Fool. Dense.”

Her complaints, paired with a dissatisfied look, made me wonder.

Could it be that Shirafuji truly likes me?

It might just be wishful thinking on my part.

I could be mistaken.

Even so, the fact that I wanted it to be true spoke volumes about my own feelings.

“That’s quite harsh. Do you dislike me that much?”

“…You’re mean too, you know.”

“I’m joking.”

Whether her feelings were platonic or romantic didn’t matter.

Even if our relationship was fake, as long as these emotions weren’t a lie, the time would come eventually.

“Good night, Hakuto.”

“…Yeah, good night.”

Hoping to stay close to Shirafuji in this peculiar yet comfortable relationship for a little longer, I fell asleep while facing her.