The word "try it" didn't leave the air.
It stayed.
Floating.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
System Failure
"…Say that again," Yamabuki said slowly.
"…No."
"…You just suggested we pretend to date."
"…I suggested a solution."
"…That is NOT a solution."
"…Then keep suffering."
"…That's also not a solution!"
Logic vs Reality
"…Listen," Naya crossed her arms,
trying to stay calm.
"…People already believe it."
"…That doesn't mean we confirm it!"
"…Denying isn't working."
"…So your answer is to MAKE IT
WORSE?!"
"…Temporarily."
"…Nothing about this feels temporary."
The Problem
She wasn't wrong.
That was the worst part.
Rumors had already spread too far.
No matter what they said—
No one believed them.
The Choice
"…So what," Yamabuki sighed.
"…We fake it… until they get bored?"
"…Exactly."
"…That sounds stupid."
"…You don't have a better idea."
"…I hate when you're right."
"…I know."
Agreement (Reluctant)
"…Fine."
"…Fine."
Pause.
"…But don't do anything weird."
"…You're the weird one."
"…That's offensive."
"…That's accurate."
The First Rule
"…No unnecessary touching."
"…Agreed."
"…No acting over the top."
"…Agreed."
"…No weird lines."
"…Agreed."
"…No—"
"…You're making too many rules."
"…Because YOU are the problem."
The First Test
Next morning—
The class was already waiting.
Watching.
Hungry for drama.
"…This is a bad idea," Yamabuki whispered.
"…Too late now."
Enter Scene 🎭
They walked in—
Together.
Not close.
But not distant either.
Just enough.
Silence… then Explosion
"…WAIT."
"THEY CAME TOGETHER?!"
"I KNEW IT!"
"CONFIRMED!"
"…I regret everything," Yamabuki muttered.
"…Stay calm."
"…I AM NOT CALM."
Acting Begins
Takumi rushed over.
"…So it's true?"
"…Yes," Yamabuki said flatly.
"…No," Naya said at the same time.
Silence
.
"…You're terrible at this," she whispered.
"…YOU SAID YES TOO LATE!"
"…You said it too early!"
Damage Control
"…We're… trying," Naya corrected.
"…Trying what," Takumi smirked.
"…To date."
"…OH—"
The class lost it.
Fake… Right?
Yamabuki scratched his head.
"…This feels illegal."
"…Relax."
"…I AM NOT RELAXED."
Close Call
During class—
Their shoulders brushed.
Just slightly.
Both froze.
"…That was accidental," Yamabuki whispered.
"…Obviously."
"…Good."
"…Yes."
Neither moved away.
Lunch Time Chaos
"You two eat together now?"
"…Yes."
"…No."
"…Fix your answers."
"…You fix your face."
"…That doesn't even make sense."
The Pressure Builds
Every action—
Watched.
Every word—
Judged.
Every glance—
Noticed.
The Slip
"…You're staring," Yamabuki said.
"…I'm not."
"…You are."
"…You're imagining things."
"…You're bad at lying."
"…You're worse."
The Moment
"…If we're doing this," Naya said quietly,
"…we should at least be convincing."
"…What does that mean."
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
She grabbed his sleeve.
Lightly.
"…Like this."
Critical Hit
Yamabuki froze completely.
"…This is too much."
"…It's normal."
"…FOR WHO?!"
"…For couples."
"…WE ARE NOT—"
"…Fake."
"…Right."
Heartbeat Problem
Something felt off.
Too real.
Too close.
Too dangerous.
After School
They walked together again.
Silence.
But not empty.
The Truth Creeps In
"…You're too stiff," Naya said.
"…Because this is weird."
"…You'll get used to it."
"…I don't want to."
The Question
"…Does it bother you?" she asked.
"…What."
"…Being seen with me."
Pause.
"…No."
"…You hesitated."
"…I was thinking."
"…Slow thinking."
"…Careful thinking."
The Answer
"…It doesn't bother me," Yamabuki said again.
"…Good."
"…But this still feels fake."
"…That's the point."
Final Line
Naya looked at him—
A little too seriously.
"…Let's see how long it stays fake."