Chapter 15: The Dangerous Deal
Scene 1 – College Campus, Next Morning
Haruki stood by the college gate, eyes scanning every direction.
"Maybe she's late?" he mumbled.
But deep down, he knew Rinako wasn't just late. She was avoiding him.
No texts. No calls. No "Baka-kun" greeting. Nothing.
Kenji approached with a rice bun stuffed in his mouth. "Yo, you look like you didn't sleep."
"I didn't," Haruki muttered. "Rinako… she's different. Something's wrong."
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Bro, girls have mood swings. Maybe she's just… hormonal?"
Haruki shot him a glare.
"…Okay, bad joke. But seriously, don't overthink it."
Scene 2 – Inside Class
Rinako sat in the farthest corner, eyes on her notebook, face cold and distant.
She didn't even glance at Haruki when he passed by.
This hurts more than getting rejected, Haruki thought. Did I… do something wrong?
Just as the anxiety was eating him alive—
"Good morning, senpai~"
Oh no.
Saya.
. Tomboyish. And trouble wrapped in a cute smile.
She sat on Haruki's desk without warning, flipping her hair.
"Wanna hang out after class? I'm planning something fun~" she said, loud enough for the whole class to hear.
Haruki blinked. "W-Why me?"
"I like… your face," Saya smirked. "It screams victim."
Yua, sitting two rows behind, narrowed her eyes. That smile on Saya's lips—way too mischievous.
And Rinako?
She didn't look.
Not once.
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Scene 3 – Saya's Trap
After college, the sun dipped low, casting golden hues across the gym's glass panels. Saya leaned against the wall, one leg crossed over the other, twirling her ponytail.
Haruki arrived, scratching his head. "Uh… why here again?"
Saya gave him a sweet, fake-innocent smile. "You said you wanted to get stronger, right? Well, lucky you—your coach today is very… hands-on."
Before Haruki could back away, she grabbed his arm and dragged him inside like a kitten being kidnapped by a seductive cat burglar.
Inside, she handed him dumbbells and ordered stretches. But it wasn't just stretching. Every move she corrected involved touches that lingered—her fingers brushing along his spine, her chest lightly grazing his arm as she "adjusted his form."
Haruki's face turned crimson. His brain short-circuited every time her breath tickled his ear.
Then—it happened.
Sweaty and flustered, Haruki reached for the towel Saya offered.
As he turned, she suddenly leaned forward—too close.
Boing.
His hand accidentally slammed against her chest. Hard. At the same time, his knee bumped upward—right between her thighs. A photo clicked from someone behind a weight rack.
Dead. Silence.
Haruki froze. His entire body stiffened—except the one part he prayed wouldn't.
"I-I-I-I'm sorry! Saya! I didn't mean—!"
Saya stepped back, eyes wide… then narrowed with a devilish glint. Her voice dropped to a husky murmur.
"Hmmm… interesting."
Haruki gulped. "I-it was an accident! I swear!"
She slowly leaned in, lips brushing near his ear.
"I could scream, you know. Or… send that pic to the school group. Or maybe the PE teacher."
His knees wobbled. "N-no! Please! I'll do anything!"
A slow smirk curled her lips. "Anything?"
Haruki nodded like a scared puppy.
She traced a finger down his chest. "Then be my boyfriend."
"W-What?!"
"Just in public. Don't worry, I don't actually like you… yet." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "But if you say no… accidents like this tend to go viral. Oh—and that pic? Very… suggestive."
Haruki looked ready to pass out.
Saya patted his red-hot face. "Good boy. We start tomorrow. And wear something tight—I want our fake relationship to look real."
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Scene 4 – Saya's Real Plan
That night, Saya stood in front of her mirror.
"Step 1 complete," she whispered.
She scrolled through her phone—a photo of Haruki looking awkward as hell next to her.
She stared at another image—Yua.
"That smile Yua gave him in class? Hah. No way I'm letting her have it easy."
Saya narrowed her eyes.
"If I have to flirt with Haruki to piss her off… then so be it. That guy might be a dork, but he's useful."
She tied her hair back and smirked at her reflection.
"Let the real game begin."
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To be continued...