The day I moved on from my crush — who worked as a rental girlfriend — I ended up with a yandere

It was traumatizing.

To see myself getting beaten at the game I take pride in… yes, not something I expected when I woke up today.

She has beaten me by 40–10.

And seven out of that ten came from the initial phase when I was teaching her how to play.

That score is just ridiculous—something that could make competitive players retire from the gaming industry.

Whenever Izumi and I fought, someone whom I believed to be a gaming genius, our scores nearly matched or were just a little up or down.

But this…

If Izumi had seen this score, he might have just made a stinging, disappointed look and told me to leave the nation and live somewhere in a remote area.

“Come on, now… if you are going to make that face, I will feel guilty, Kazuki-kun.” While shaking my arm with both of her hands, Tsumiki-san protested in a cute voice.

My shoulders relaxed as I tossed the controller on the table and told her, “Either you are a genius who is wasting her talent or you have practiced this game in secret to humiliate me today.”

Tsumiki-san grinned and said, “Assume whatever makes you feel better.”

I wryly smiled. “That makes me feel even more pathetic.”

She whined, “Kazuki-kun… this was supposed to be a fun day.”

I chuckled and assured her, “Don’t worry, I am just kidding.” I offered her my hand and said, “Congratulations, you just one-sidedly defeated one of the top hundred players in Japan.”

I wasn’t lying. I was on that list, and she beat me to a pulp in that same game.

She shook my hand hesitantly, still searching my eyes as she asked, “Are you really not mad?”

I grinned and said, “Not mad, just disappointed that I couldn’t impress you at the only thing I do best.”

Tsumiki-san huffed. “Who said you weren’t impressive? I was in a daze seeing you explain things to me.”

I smiled. “That’s… comforting.”

“No, I swear. And in the first place, I believe gaming isn’t your best talent. It’s cooking, and I swear to God I have never eaten anything better than what you make.”

Now, that caught me off guard as I said, “Thank… you. Well, how about I cook something for you, then?”

She perked up. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yes, sure. But would it be alright with your parents?”

“No, Kazuki-kun. I want to come to your place.” She said it with a firm look, but I could tell she was a little bashful.

I tilted my head. “Are you sure? My mom isn’t at home.”

She grinned. “Even better.”

Those red eartips aren’t helping at all, Tsumiki-san.

But well, since it was still early evening, a meal wouldn’t take much time. Not to mention, she has her own car.

“Alright, but inform your parents first,” I told her, only to get an instant response.

“I have already told them, don’t worry.”

I hummed before asking, “Then how about we visit the nearby supermarket and buy all the ingredients?”

“A shopping date? I can’t say no to that.” She smiled like a child. The way she got excited over such trivial things was very endearing.

While talking, we made our way toward the nearest supermarket.

Since it was a weekday, there was some rush as we entered.

Despite the crowd, I saw several heads turning toward Tsumiki-san.

I have slowly gotten used to it. Tsumiki-san is tall and gorgeous, someone who naturally draws attention.

If not for her wearing flat shoes today, she might have walked a few inches taller than me.

“What do we need to buy?” Tsumiki-san asked as we entered the general department.

I noticed that her hold on my arm had grown firmer. Why? The crowd.

Despite what she said earlier in the car about being okay to go anywhere, I knew she couldn’t change overnight.

She was still anxious about entering crowded places. And right now, all aisles were bustling with people.

I sighed and suggested to her, “Why don’t you wait here for me? I just need a few ingredients.”

Tsumiki-san hurriedly said, “No, it’s okay. I can come with you—”

“It’s not about you, Tsumiki-san. In such a crowd, I would feel insecure about someone inappropriately touching you. So please, stay here and wait for me.”

She turned silent at those words and just nodded.

I smiled at her and asked, “What do you want to eat for dessert?”

She innocently muttered, “Pudding.”

I nodded and approached the madness.

…

**[Third Person POV:]**

Tsumiki sighed, watching Kazuki make his way to the aisle with a confident front.

She really wanted to accompany him, but he sensed her anxiety despite how much she tried to hide it and told her to stay in the corner.

While Tsumiki wanted to spend every second of her day with Kazuki—to remain attached to him, touch him, smell him… she couldn’t. Not when Kazuki was still not prepared.

She didn’t know whether she could ever show her real self to him. Like today, too—she couldn’t resist sipping juice from the same cup or picking his hair strands from the cushion when he went to the restroom.

She didn’t know how he would react once he found out how crazy she was for him.

Exhaling another sigh, she kept following Kazuki with her eyes… until someone blocked her vision.

Tsumiki frowned and looked up—only to find a short-haired woman standing there with a frown as she said,

“Who are you? Why are you coming between Satsuki and Kazuki, you home wrecker?”