Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139838626691253/episodes/822139839906690466
“Kurose-kun, shall we head home?”
“Yeah.”
After school.
As usual, I decided to walk home with Nanase.
“The cultural festival is coming up soon, huh?”
“Yeah.”
The cultural festival was finally drawing near.
But before that, there were the regular tests.
We couldn’t enjoy the festival until we got through those.
“But first, the regular tests, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Kurose-kun… are you okay with studying?”
“Hmm… I’m a bit worried about a few subjects.”
“W-well… I’m pretty good at studying… so you can ask me anything…?”
“Really?”
“Yeah…! Before I started dating Kurose-kun… I didn’t have any friends… so I studied all the time on my days off.”
“Hmm. Well then, if I have any questions, I’ll ask you to teach me.”
“Y-yeah…! Ask me anything…! Oh, right… How about we study together on days off or something…? Like at a family restaurant or the library, somewhere we can study… I could teach Kurose-kun…”
“Hmm… I don’t want to bother Nanase too much either…”
“It’s not a bother at all!? If I can be useful to Kurose-kun, I’d be happy to… Ah!”
Nanase’s expression turned to one of realization.
“I forgot something.”
“Huh…?”
“Sorry, Kurose-kun. I think I left my gym clothes in the classroom…!”
“Shouldn’t you go get them?”
“O-okay…! I’ll be right back, so wait here… okay?”
“Sure.”
I watched Nanase head back toward the school building.
“That girl… Is she really getting along with Todo and Mishima…?”
After Nanase left, I let that mutter escape.
The plan to shift Nanase’s dependence from me to someone else and end our fake relationship is still ongoing.
I’m trying my best to maneuver things so Nanase can spend time with people other than me.
I still often see Nanase talking with Mishima and Todo, and her popularity among the boys has risen significantly lately.
Nanase’s makeup skills have improved, and she’s getting cuter by the day. There are even boys from other classes who come specifically to see her.
According to Aiba, the boys in the class have already started splitting into Team Nanase and Team Shiraishi.
It’s nothing short of astonishing growth that Nanase, who barely got any attention just a little while ago, has now become popular enough to rival Shiraishi.
Of course, she had good natural looks to begin with, but changing her makeup and hairstyle, putting in the effort, and becoming more polished is entirely the result of Nanase’s own hard work.
Objectively speaking, Nanase and I don’t look like a well-matched couple, and I really wish she’d leave my side soon.
“…She is becoming more independent, right…?”
Compared to the early days when she’d get depressed and threaten suicide over the slightest thing, Nanase does seem much more self-reliant now.
If she could just leave me and move on, everything would work out perfectly, but it’s not that simple.
I want to believe my plan to make Nanase independent is working, but sometimes I get the feeling she’s sinking into an irreversible abyss.
I hope it’s just my imagination…
“Kurose-kun?”
Actually, it’s about time one of the boys in class confessed to Nanase.
Maybe they’re holding back because they mistakenly think she’s dating me?
If that’s the case, I should ask Aiba to spread the word discreetly that we’re actually fake lovers…
“Hm?”
As I pondered this, someone called my name from behind.
“Heading home now?”
“Hoshikawa?”
I turned around to find Hoshikawa standing there.
She flashed me that idol smile that captivates anyone who sees it.
“Where’s Nanase? You two are always together, right?”
“Yeah. Nanase went back to the classroom to grab something she forgot.”
“Huh. I see.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Nope. Just wanted to say hi since I saw Kurose-kun here.”
“…I see.”
“Ah, why are you looking away?”
“…No reason.”
Looking at Hoshikawa’s face made me remember what happened in the infirmary.
The soft sensation of our lips touching.
Remembering that sweet exchange with Hoshikawa made me feel a little embarrassed.
Just how serious was she about that?
Back then, Hoshikawa had just nearly lost her life, so her emotions must have been running high.
Maybe she came to her senses later and regretted what happened.
Actually, that seems more likely.
I still can’t believe that me, practically a background character, did something like that with Hoshikawa, a hugely popular idol.
“Did you listen to my single?”
“Huh…?”
“My single. The one uploaded to the video site. Did you watch it?”
“Ah… um, probably.”
I nodded.
She was probably talking about the song Haibara forced me to listen to this morning.
“What did you think…?”
“W-well, it was good, I guess?”
“What part?”
“Huh, wh-what part…? Hmm… I guess the part where it didn’t really sound like a typical idol song was refreshing and good.”
“Oh, I see. I’m glad you liked it, Kurose-kun.”
Hoshikawa smiled happily.
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