Chapter 5: The Pain of Miscommunication

「Hey, did you hear? This morning's story. Tsukishiro-kun and Shigure-san...」

「I heard, I heard. Who would have thought those two...」

After this morning's incident, I was in a depressed mood.

The rumors spread from students who witnessed that morning scene, and now it's completely known throughout school that Shigure and I are a couple. I was exposed to curious stares.

「Oi oi, Kanato-kun~? What's the meaning of this~?」

I sighed looking at the mushroom-headed guy who was peering into my face with a grinning smile.

「Oi, sighing when you see someone's face, what's that about?」

「I was just thinking that an unpleasant guy showed up. I didn't sigh because your face is terrible.」

「I... no, my face isn't that messed up! Who said I look like a landslide!」

「I didn't say that much.」

The guy who crossed his arms and puffed his cheeks in dissatisfaction plopped down on my desk.

His name is Nanase Sena. One of my few friends since middle school. You could describe him as a pervert who doesn't get tired of talking to someone like me.

Sena presses that annoying face close to mine, showing me that dissatisfied expression as much as possible. With that slightly androgynous, cute face, he's captivated the school's girls. ...This guy does have a well-formed face.

「So? Kanato-kun, whose name combines "fulfill" and "person". What's the deal with that rumor?」

「What deal, that's all there is to it. ...We became a couple.」

「What do you mean "became"? If you got a girlfriend, you should have told me! And such a beautiful girl, where did you pick her up!」

「Your way of putting it's creepy... Well, various things happened. Will you listen if I tell you?」

「I guess I have no choice but to listen.」

Why is he taking the superior position? I complained and reluctantly started telling Sena the sequence of events.

Sena listened quietly to my story as if digesting it.

When I finished the whole story, Sena opened his mouth with a dissatisfied expression.

「...So they were white.」

「That's your impression? Well, they were indeed white.」

「I personally thought Shigure-san would wear black...」

「What were you listening to in my story?」

「No, I listened, but it's a confusing development. The characteristics of the fictional boyfriend she made up overlapping with you... fate?」

「Unpleasant fate.」

"Right", Sena lightly dismisses and asks me again.

「So what are you going to do? You've ended up in a relationship built on lies that you hate. Are you going to tell everyone it's a lie?」

「I don't want to, it's too much trouble. There'd be no end to telling everyone one by one.」

「So you're going to keep playing the fake couple?」

「...Well, I have no choice. Minazuki-senpai memorized my face from this morning's thing. Besides, if I back out now, Shigure will be in serious trouble. It's not really my business, but... well, it would leave scars on my heart if that happened.」

「I thought you'd say that. Kanato does have a strong sense of justice.」

Sena smiled with satisfaction for some reason. I didn't understand the reason for his smile, but I arbitrarily interpreted that this weird aspect is the secret to our long friendship.

「...But what are you going to do about Honoka-chan?」

「Why does Honoka's name come up here...」

My heart jumped with a thump. My gaze is drawn to Honoka, who is talking with her friends in the classroom.

「I mean, she's your childhood friend, right? Did you explain her properly?」

「...I didn't explain to her. I don't intend to burden her with this problem. I'll handle this on my own.」

「Hmm... I think you should be honest.」

My smartphone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. When I turned on the screen, there was one message from Shigure. It was from the contact information we exchanged this morning.

『Lunch break, rooftop. I won't forgive you if you run away.』

「...What a dying message.」

「From your girlfriend?」

「The fake one. ...If I die, throw my bones into the sea.」

Even though it's an exciting situation, being called by a beautiful girl, why can't I help but feel hopeless? I sighed, carrying my depressed mood.

「......」