Episode 4 – common ground

Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6883io/4/

“Fuyunose-kun, won’t you be my boyfriend?”

Koyadori’s words troubled me.

I had expected these words, but when she told me, I was at a loss for words.

But since I had prepared my answer in advance, I managed to reply.

“I’m sorry.”

When I replied, clank! The cup was placed on the table with a clattering sound that I was afraid of it breaking.

“I told you, didn’t I? I told you it was an order. So how can you refuse?”

“No, no, I have the right to refuse, don’t I?”

“Of course not. I’m the one who proposed it.　It’s a good thing for Fuyunose-kun, who has been single all his life.”

“I don’t like the fact that you’re assuming I’m a lifelong loner.”

It is true that I have never had a girlfriend and I have never been popular with the ladies.

When I do, I do. It’s just that it hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will in my lifetime. maybe

“By the way, a boyfriend is not a real boyfriend, but a fake boyfriend, right? Just a formality.”

I had intended to confirm the fact as if to make sure, but what Koyadori returned was a word I had not expected to hear.

“Nothing, I don’t mind if you’re my real boyfriend.”

“Ha…?”

What do you mean by real boyfriend?

…… does that mean we’re officially going out!?

“No, no, no, we just met.”

“It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. I mean, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Well, let me ask you, do you like me?”

“I don’t like you at all, not even a little bit.”

“I didn’t ask you that much.”

Even an evaluation of yourself by someone you don’t care about can hurt you a little.

“You can’t have a relationship with someone if you don’t like them.”

“Well, I guess you’re right. It’s certainly a one-sided love.

“Hey, why are you assuming I have feelings for Koyadori?”

“Why not? Because I think most people would like me after talking to me alone this much.”

“Self-esteem?”

Well, Koyadori’s opinion is probably not entirely wrong.

Men are very easy to fall in love with, and if they are allowed to spend time with a pretty girl, they will like her, even if it is only a little.

But who would like her if she were to be so disrespectful to the face?

“Well, to begin with, it is not necessary that we have feelings for each other. Even if we don’t like each other, if it’s mutually beneficial, it’s no problem for us to be in a relationship.”

“Then what’s in it for each of us?”

“In my case, having a boyfriend means that I won’t have to deal with persistent confessions, I won’t have to deal with jealousy from the girls around me, and I’ll be able to keep that punk in check.”

“What about me?”

“You could call me a girlfriend.”

“That’s not much!”

Moreover, when she says that just in case, she’s resisting a little bit.

“Look, quit your shyness and be honest. I am telling you that I am willing to go along with you to this point. This is a rare chance.”

“I’m being completely honest.”

I show my firm determination, and Koyadori sighs.

“I don’t understand. Because you don’t like anyone, do you? And you don’t have a girlfriend either.Then why don’t you go out with me?”

“That’s not the point. I don’t think that going out with someone is something that is cold. ……”

You sound like you know a lot about relationships between men and women, but do you have any experience with it? ”

“That’s… no.”

“…… heh.”

Uwa, she looks at me like I’m an idiot.

However, my pride has not rotted to the point where I am silently made fun of.

“What about you? Have you got a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“You don’t have a boyfriend either”

“But I just don’t have one. It’s not like I can’t get one.”

“You’re not acting like someone who’s asking for a favor.”

I guess Koyadori was really speaking with the understanding that it was an order.

As expected, there is no limit to this. It’s a bit of a forced approach, but let’s end the story.

“Let’s say that I listen to your order and go out with you. In that case, you and I are lovers.”

“I see. By the way, I don’t like Fuyunose-kun at all, not even a little bit.”

“I understand that already. So, If we are lovers, of course we will do such things, right?”

“…………”

“In other words, it wouldn’t be strange for me to fondle Koyadori’s breasts. I would do more than that. We’re dating after all.”

I looked at Koyadori as if to ask, but Koyadori didn’t change her expression and listened intently to what I was saying.

“If that’s okay with you, then I don’t mind dating you.”

“…I see, that’s certainly true.”

Koyadori looks up as if thinking for a moment, and declares decisively.

“I don’t like that.”

“You’re being selfish!”

She’s overwhelmingly trying to do what’s convenient for her without thinking about what’s convenient for me.

Is she some kind of king?

“I was completely blindsided. I thought that since Fuyunose-kun is a lifelong single and lifelong virgin, he wouldn’t be able to touch me when he went out with me,…… but you’re a pervert whose delusions don’t match your abilities, Fuyunose-kun.”

“I envy you who can turn me into a perpetrator to no end.”

“I get it. Let’s do it this way.”

Koyadori holds up her index finger.　

“I and Fuyunose-kun are formal lovers. In other words, we are fake lovers. The rule is that you can’t touch me. If you do, you will be fined one million yen.”

“I feel like I’m being forced to participate in a death game.”

The conversation proceeds on its own. The fact that she is doing this without my consent makes her worse than any con artist out there.

“Is that okay?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I’ll tell you one thing, Fuyunose kun… this relationship has its benefits.”

“I just heard you say there aren’t any, not at all.”

“No, it does. –There’s a rumor going around the school that Fuyunose-kun and I are dating. What’s more, that day, I clearly told him that you are my boyfriend. You know what this means, right?”

“…………”

“If Fuyunose-kun denies that he is dating me and I claim that we are dating, which side will the public opinion be on? Besides, it’s easy to imagine what kind of treatment you’ll receive from the other man.”

I see, the board is already deadlocked by the time I get here.

I took a deep breath and leaned back on the back of my chair.

“Until the dust settles from the other day. That is the minimum for me.”

“Haa. Well, that’s a compromise. Okay, let’s do that.”

Koyadori gives me a look, still with the same Buddha look.

I let out a sigh so that Koyadori could hear me and poured the rest of my coffee down the drain.

◇　◇　◇

Morning commute to school.

“Hey, you know what? You touch me and you’ll be fined ten million.”

“That’s one more digit, isn’t it?”

I walk shoulder to shoulder with Koyadori, attracting all the attention of the students.

…Haaa, this has become a real hassle.