The sun peeked in through the service clubroom window. The quiet hum of the building filled the silence as Kota walked in, dragging his feet like usual.
Airi glanced up from her book, gave him a brief look, then turned the page without a word.
Kota sighed and dropped into his seat. He rested his head on the desk.
Emika tilted her head, grinning.
"So… how was the date?"
Kota twisted his eyebrows in frustration. "Annoying," he muttered, then exhaled and raised his head.
"She saw her crush—Kael—getting confessed to. By a pink-haired girl. The girl said, 'I love you. Will you go out with me?'" he imitated the scene with exaggerated hand gestures. "And the idiot actually said yes."
Emika's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh…"
Kota slumped forward again, head buried in his arms. "Now she wants to keep fake dating me just to make him jealous. Why me? I just want to nap in peace…"
Emika gave him a sympathetic pat on the back and laughed awkwardly.
Airi finally spoke. "You still have to go through with it."
Kota looked up with a frown. "Why?"
Airi sighed and closed her book. "That's what this club does—help people. If we stop following our roles, the school could drop our points."
Emika blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
Airi nodded. "The principal keeps track of all club activity. If we slack off, it affects our record. You did agree to join."
The room went quiet. Kota and Emika stared at her, mouths slightly open.
Click.
The door creaked open. Rina walked in with a confident smile and sat down beside Kota.
Kota stared at her. "Why are you here again?"
Rina leaned in, voice sweet. "Because my boyfriend is here."
Kota narrowed his eyes. "We're just pretending. Don't take it too far."
Rina puffed her cheeks and turned away.
Emika laughed awkwardly. "Ehehe… tension already?"
---
🏫 Later – In Class
The bell rang. Everyone made their way to class. Rina clung tightly to Kota's arm as they walked through the halls.
Whispers followed them.
> "Are they really a couple?"
"Wasn't she into Kael?"
"Drama…"
Kota sighed but didn't say anything. He could feel Kael's eyes on them. When he glanced up, Rina briefly met Kael's gaze—then quickly looked away.
Kota gently pulled his arm free and walked to the back of the classroom, taking his usual seat. Airi followed and sat nearby.
Class started—but no one paid attention.
A group of boys bragged about their new electronics.
"Check out my new PC."
"I got the newest iPhone!"
Airi sighed in disappointment and closed her eyes.
Kota leaned over. "What is it?"
She opened her eyes slightly. "These people… they're forgetting how this school works. The only way to rise in class and keep your points is to study. To improve. Not waste everything on gadgets."
Kota blinked. "Huh… never thought I'd hear that from you."
The bell rang again, signaling the end of class. Students bolted out like racehorses.
---
☕ Back in the Clubroom
Kota slumped into his chair and groaned. "Finally. Nap time."
Airi returned to her seat and resumed reading. Emika burst in a few moments later.
"Wait for meee!"
Kota yawned, closing his eyes…
Click.
The door opened again.
Rina walked in, holding a bento box and wearing a bright smile. She sat beside Kota, practically glowing.
"Guess what I brought~" she sang. "Lunch for my beloved!"
Kota squinted at her. "I'm not—"
She opened the box. 🍙 Onigiri, 🍜 noodles, and fried shrimp.
"Say aahhh~," she said, holding up a piece with chopsticks.
"I'm good, really—OW!"
She kicked him lightly under the table.
Kota opened his mouth reluctantly and let her feed him.
He chewed and swallowed. "You know that counts as abuse, right?"
Rina just laughed.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The clubroom door slammed open.
Standing there was a familiar face.
The girl with pink hair. The same one who had confessed to Kael.
Everyone froze.
"I… I need help," she said, her voice trembling.
Rina's expression darkened instantly. She glared at the girl with fiery eyes.
Airi calmly set her book down.
Emika blinked. "Oh no… here we go again."
---
Next Time: "The Girl Who Stole My Crush"
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