The incident with the gossiping students and Sakura-san's unexpected defense changed the dynamic between us subtly. We were still a 'fake' couple for the contest, but there was a new layer of understanding, almost complicity, between us. The physical gestures she had used felt less like pure performance and more like... something else. Something that blurred the lines.
We spent the next few days working intensely on the School Spirit Project Contest presentation. Our concept, "Love Stories in Classic Film and Literature: From Page to Screen, and Our Story In Between," was finalized. We selected key scenes and passages, wrote the script for our narration, and even planned a short, simple skit where we'd act out a famous romantic scene. The skit felt terrifying, but Sakura-san was surprisingly good at guiding me through the awkwardness.
Working together so closely, day after day in the quiet clubroom (Mr. Yoshida still napping peacefully), we fell into a comfortable routine. We talked easily about the project, but also about other things – school life, our interests, even silly things we'd seen online. I learned that Sakura-san had a terrible drawing ability despite her perfect image, and she learned about my obsession with collecting vintage erasers. These were the small, unscripted moments that felt genuinely real.
The date for the preliminary presentations arrived. This wasn't the main event yet, but a smaller gathering for participating clubs to showcase their ideas to a panel of teachers and Student Council members (including Akane Sato, I presumed). It was our chance to make a good first impression and get feedback.
My nerves were through the roof. Public speaking wasn't my forte, let alone performing a skit, even a simple one, with the school idol while pretending to be her boyfriend. Sakura-san seemed calm on the outside, but I noticed she kept fidgeting with the edges of her script.
We were the third group to present. As we walked up to the front of the makeshift stage in the assembly hall, all eyes were on us. The whispers started again, but now they seemed more expectant, more curious about the 'couple' presenting for the obscure club.
We started our presentation. Sakura-san led, speaking clearly and confidently about the concept and our passion for classic love stories. Her public speaking skills were impeccable. I delivered my lines, reading excerpts from novels, my voice trembling slightly at first, but gaining confidence as I got into the rhythm.
Then came the skit. We were acting out a short scene from Pride and Prejudice, a slightly awkward, witty exchange between Elizabeth and Darcy. It was brief, only about a minute. Standing there, facing the audience, pretending to be Darcy to Sakura-san's Elizabeth, felt surreal. We delivered our lines, tried to hit our marks. There was a moment where we had to look into each other's eyes, and for a split second, in front of everyone, the line between Elizabeth/Darcy, Hiroshi/Sakura, and real/fake completely dissolved. It was just a look, but it felt charged.
We finished the skit and the narration. Sakura-san delivered the closing remarks, tying our presentation back to the 'unexpected love' theme and the School Spirit Contest. We bowed, and polite applause followed.
As we walked back to our seats, my legs felt shaky. We did it. We survived.
We sat down, and Sakura-san leaned towards me, a genuine smile of relief on her face. "We did it, Tanaka-kun! We got through it!"
"Yeah," I breathed, starting to relax. "We did. You were great, Yamato-san."
"You too," she said softly. "You weren't shaky at all during the skit."
"Only on the inside," I admitted.
She laughed quietly, the sound warm and close. For a moment, we were just two people who had successfully completed a difficult task together. The 'couple' act was momentarily forgotten in the shared relief.
During the rest of the presentations, we sat side by side, occasionally exchanging quiet comments about the other clubs' projects. It felt comfortable. Like we belonged there, together.
After the presentations were over, the panel gave their initial feedback. They praised our concept, calling it 'creative' and 'engaging.' They specifically mentioned the 'chemistry' between the presenters, which made Sakura-san and I exchange a quick, knowing glance. The fake dating was definitely working for the contest.
As we were leaving the assembly hall, I saw Akane Sato standing near the exit, talking to another Student Council member. She looked at us as we approached. Her expression was still unreadable, but it lacked the overt suspicion from before. She nodded slightly at Sakura-san, and her gaze lingered on me for just a moment longer than necessary. Progress? Or just a different strategy?
"Good job, Akane," Sakura-san said as we passed by.
"Sakura," Akane-san replied. Her eyes flicked down to my arm, which was not currently linked with Sakura's, then back up. "Interesting presentation. 'Unexpected love'." Her tone was neutral, but her gaze was sharp.
"Thank you," Sakura-san replied, her smile calm.
We walked past her and out of the hall.
Outside, in the quieter hallway, Sakura-san turned to me, her earlier relief returning. "That went well, I think! They liked the concept. And the 'chemistry' comment... it means the act is convincing."
"Yeah," I agreed. "Looks like the club might actually have a chance."
A genuine smile bloomed on her face, one of pure happiness and accomplishment. "Thanks to you, Tanaka-kun. You were really brave up there."
My heart felt warm. Seeing her so happy, so genuinely pleased, made all the awkwardness and anxiety feel worthwhile.
We walked towards the school exit together, the setting sun streaming through the windows. The hallway was quieter now, most students having already left.
As we walked, she didn't link her arm through mine this time. But she walked close beside me, our shoulders occasionally brushing. It felt different from the forced contact, softer, more... natural.
We reached the shoe lockers. We paused, the quiet air between us filled with the subtle sounds of the evening school.
"Well," she said softly, looking down at her shoes. "See you tomorrow, Tanaka-kun."
"See you, Yamato-san," I replied.
There was a brief moment where neither of us moved. The performance was over for the day. The school was emptying out. It was just us. Two people who had started a fake relationship to save a club, and somehow ended up sharing quiet moments, inside jokes, and a strange, unexpected connection.
She looked up, her eyes meeting mine. Her expression was soft, thoughtful.
"You know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That 'unexpected love' section... maybe it won't just be for the presentation."
My heart stopped.
She held my gaze for another second, a faint, enigmatic smile on her lips. Then she quickly turned away, opened her locker, changed her shoes, and stood up.
"See you," she repeated, her voice a little brighter this time.
"See you," I echoed, my voice still thick.
She gave me one last small smile and walked towards the exit. I watched her go, completely rooted to the spot.
'Maybe it won't just be for the presentation.'
Her words hung in the air between us, in the quiet, settling dust of the school day.
What did she mean by that?
My perfectly average life, now thoroughly turned upside down, seemed to be heading into territory I hadn't even considered in my wildest, most impossible dreams. And I had a feeling that the line between pretending and reality was about to become very, very blurry.