I'm not! I didn't! Don't just make things up! Ho Fei-yu screamed internally.
Even through their clothes, he could feel the radiating warmth of Natsuha's breasts. He could smell a faint perfume on her, mixed with the slightly pungent, "arousing" scent of a woman who had recently climaxed. The scent made his "head" throb.
It felt great, but the "boyfriend" label was a bit much. He knew she was just using him to escape Masaru, which was unnecessary—once Ho Fei-yu had his sights on a target, no scumbag's plan would ever work again.
He opened his mouth to deny it, but when he saw the desperate, pleading look in her eyes, his heart softened. He swallowed his words. Pretending to be a boyfriend... just this once. I hope it doesn't become a habit.
Natsuha breathed a sigh of relief. If Masaru wasn't so persistent and terrifying, she never would have resorted to this. In her heart, her only boyfriend was supposed to be Yuta, her childhood friend.
Yet, as she held Ho Fei-yu's arm, her soft hand drifted down toward his. Her long fingers spread, seeking the gaps between his fingers. She wanted to lock them together.
Ho Fei-yu, sensing this, clenched his hand into a fist to stop her. But Natsuha didn't stop. Her nails pried at his closed fingers, digging into his palm slightly.
What is she doing? You don't need to interlock fingers just to lie to this guy!
He finally gave in, relaxing his hand. Her cool, jade-like fingers slid in, and their hands were firmly interlaced.
The feeling of their fingers tightly locked together made Natsuha's brain overheat. Her face became scalding hot, and her heart pounded against her ribs. What's happening to me? Why did I do that?
She felt as if she had inhaled a strange, intoxicating scent.
"Ouga! See?! If this isn't a couple, what is? Stop harassing me!" she yelled, raising their joined hands high.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Masaru hissed, his eyes turning blood-red with rage.
Seeing the position that should have been his being occupied by Ho Fei-yu made Masaru want to charge in and kick him. But for some reason, he was paralyzed. A primal fear was spreading through his gut.
His instincts told him that Ho Fei-yu was not someone to be trifled with. If he charged, he would only get beaten to a pulp.
Why am I so scared? He's just a guy with a slightly bigger dick and better soccer skills! He's handsome, sure, but I'm taller! I can take him! Move, legs! Move!
But his feet were glued to the floor.
"Shizunomiya-san, play along with me," Ho Fei-yu whispered into her ear.
The hot breath on her ear made Natsuha's body tingle. "Mmm..." she moaned softly.
"Heh! Ouga, she's right. She's my girl. Don't bother her again. Understand?" Ho Fei-yu pulled Natsuha into a full embrace, wrapping an arm around her waist. "If I catch you bothering my girlfriend again, I'll beat you every time I see you!"
He used his most arrogant, punchable tone. The things I do for system rewards... I'm even selling my 'charms' now. Sigh.
Natsuha was caught off guard by the sudden embrace. She tried to squirm—this was too intimate. Interlocking fingers was her limit, but this...
As she moved, she felt something hard and massive pressing against her lower abdomen.
"Nngh..."
She remembered that feeling. Her legs went weak, and a wave of numbness washed over her. She felt herself slipping. Ho Fei-yu tightened his grip on her waist to keep her upright. The extra pressure only made the "object" against her belly more obvious. Her red eyes clouded with a watery mist. Terrified that someone would see her in this state, she buried her face in his chest.
Wow, Shizunomiya is really committed to the role, Ho Fei-yu thought, admiring her acting.
"You're dead! Ho Fei-yu, give her back!"
Anger finally trumped fear. Masaru, who viewed Natsuha as his private property, roared and charged with a raised fist.
Reality, however, was cruel.
As Masaru reached them, Ho Fei-yu delivered a casual kick, using less than 30% of his strength. Masaru flew backward, slammed into the wall, and blacked out instantly.
What a weakling... Ho Fei-yu sighed. Without the system rewards, he wouldn't even waste his breath on this guy.
"Alright, Shizunomiya-san. He's out. I think he's learned his lesson. If he bothers you again, let me know."
Ho Fei-yu let go of her waist and looked at the unconscious Masaru. "Shizunomiya-san, you can let go now. We don't have to pretend anymore."
Natsuha didn't answer. She was still rubbing against him. Ho Fei-yu reached behind him to pry her hands off his waist.
"Oh... really? Then... thank you, Fei-yu-kun..."
She slowly let go. As she did, the faint heart-shaped glow in her eyes faded.
"Fei-yu-kun... thanks for today. But we were just pretending, so don't get the wrong idea. I have a childhood friend... however, if you wanted to pursue me... it wouldn't be impossible..."
Natsuha murmured to herself, her eyes still glazed. She didn't hear the chirping of the birds or Ho Fei-yu's hurried goodbye. By the time she snapped out of her trance, she was standing alone in the empty hallway.
The silence was deafening.