Chapter 2

Hello. Translator here. If you liked the novel, please join my discord server to know when the next chapter will come.

On that day, after school, I went to a newly opened crepe shop in front of the station with Sayuri. Soon after that, I got a message from Sayuri via NINE. (TL’s note- Why nine?)

Sayuri- [Leave your after school time free for me. We’ll continue our conversation later. You can’t refuse, okay?]

I know you said you’d be in touch, but isn’t it too soon? And isn’t that a little too aggressive? That’s what I thought, but it would have complicated things if I said it, so I agreed to it quietly.

After school, I did as I was told and followed Sayuri to a crepe shop.

“Um, Sayuri-san? What does this mean?”

“Hm? Didn’t I tell you before that you’d have to make up for it with me? I wanted to come here.”

By the way, it’s my treat. I got some pocket money recently.

“What? Got a complaint with that?”

“No, not really.. Oh yeah, what about the request you told me about in the middle of the day?”

“Oh, right. Wait a minute. I’ll talk when I finish eating.”

Sayuri chews on the delicious crepe with a smile. She’s a feast for the eyes. Sayuri finishes the crepe as soon as she can, as if it was too good to eat, and then starts with the main topic.

“Actually, I got confessed to by a senpai.”

Hoho, love advice I see.

“Of course, I rejected his confession, but he’s persistent. He kept coming on to me.”

Oh, so that’s how it is. You’re wondering how to make this senpai give up on you.

“I told him, [You know, I already have a boyfriend!]”

“Eh? You have a boyfriend? If that’s the case, you should talk to him instead of me about this problem, right?”

“…..don’t…..”

“Eh?”

“….don’t have…..”

“Eh?”

“Like I said! I don’t have one!”

Aree? Why are you angry at me? Did I do something?

“So that’s it. You lied to him as an excuse to reject him.”

“That’s how it is. But that senpai didn’t believe me. He said if I had one, he wants to meet him. So I came to Etsuji for a request to act as my boyfriend.”

“So, that’s what is… Eh? Boyfriend!?”

Ah! No, no, no, no! I made a mistake! I only want you to play the role of my boyfriend when I reject that senpai.”

I was able to somewhat grasp the situation. She wants me to be with her when she rejects him. I’ve had similar inquiries in the past. It’s quite a pain but I do want to take care of it for her….

Wouldn’t it feel unnatural if I played the boyfriend? How do I say it, I’m completely out of proportion compared to you, so he’ll immediately find out that I am your fake boyfriend.”

“It’s not unnatural at all! You are the most suitable for this role! Rather… it would be…better if you actually were….”

Hm? I didn’t hear what you said towards the end.

“In the first place, if you want someone to play the role, why not ask Kouki? He’s a cool guy and wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, We’ve known each other for a long time, so it’s easier to ask him right?”

“Haa?”

Aree? Isn’t she still angry? Her face has also been red for a while now.

“Kouki is out of the question. He’s a good guy, but too flashy, I feel. Besides, if my boyfriend has to be cool, Etsuji would be better…”

That’s pretty harsh. Well, everyone has different tastes. I think both of them would be a good match.

“Ne, do you hate taking the role of my boyfriend… that much?”

Sayuri looked at me. I could see the anxiety in her face. Thinking about it, it must have been scary to be courted so many times by an older man. She’s really counting on me for this, huh.

“I understand. I’ll take the boyfriend role for you.”

“Really? Yes! Thank you!”

The expression on her face changed from anxious to a really bright smile. It was as if the weather changed from cloudy to sunny. She must have been really anxious. but it was a small price to pay for her smile.

We continued to talk about our memories and what we had done since entering high school, and before we knew it, the sun went down. It was time to go home, and I left my seat. I had a good time with her.

As we were walking back to the station, Sayuri said,

“I’m glad. I knew Etsuji hadn’t changed,”

Sayuri said, glancing sideways at me. I couldn’t tell if she was talking to me or to herself, but she muttered,

“He hasn’t changed.”

I couldn’t tell if she was talking to me or to herself.

-I haven’t changed at all. It’s you guys who have changed.

The closer we get to the station, the more people we see. The street we were walking on was lined with various stores and full of activity. I wade through the the crowd.

With the station in sight, it was time to cross the crosswalk.

“Aree? Isn’t that Sayuri-chan?”

We was approached by someone who seemed to be an acquaintance of Sayuri. The two of us were wearing the same uniform, so I thought they were classmates, but when I looked at Sayuri, she looked strange. Her expression was a little tense, and before I knew it, she was grabbing my sleeve.

Ah, so that’s how it is. What is happening here is the continuation of the talk we just had.

“What a coincidence to meet up in a place like this! Are you going somewhere?”

“…I am about to go home.”

“Eh?! You’re going home already? Why not play with us a bit more?”

“…It’s enough. Didn’t I reject your confession?”

“Don’t be so tough with me. You don’t have to rush and reply to my confession. Let’s just have fun together.”

“I hate you! Didn’t I already tell you I have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t care if you have a boyfriend. I mean, is this the boyfriend you talked about?”

That’s when I first made eye contact with that man.

“Yes, he is the boyfriend I was talking about. So, please don’t try to invite me.”

“Ahahaha! That’s not true at all! I mean, the both of you even don’t suit each other.”

“That’s the truth! We’re really in love.”

Even if it’s an act, it’s annoying.

Again, it is true that if I was her boyfriend, her taste in men would be really bad. It would be better to go out with this senpai than go out with me, a really plain guy.

You can say whatever you want. I was about to say something, but Sayuri spoke before me.

“I don’t know whether you’re crazy or blind, but Etsuji is a man one hundred times better than you!”

Sayuri became more angry then me for some reason. The senpai then shouted after that,

“What? Don’t get carried away just because you’re a little bit good-looking!”

He took a step forward. I quickly stepped in between the two.

“What’s with you, you gloomy person? Don’t you dare meddle in our problem!”

His aim of attack changed to me. As I took a side glance at Sayuri, i saw that she was looking at me with concern.

It’s okay. Since I decided to be your ray of hope, I’ll take responsibility and protect you until the end. I took a deep breath, and opened my mouth.

“Sayuri is my girlfriend. I can understand why you might like her, but it’s annoying her, so please don’t get involved with her.”