The cherry blossoms outside Cheongseom High School fluttered gently in the spring breeze, casting a soft pink hue across the courtyard. You stood by the lockers, your heart heavy with conflict. Your best friend had just confessed her feelings for your guy best friend—the one you had secretly liked for as long as you could remember. The realization hit you hard; your feelings had been mutual, but now they were irrelevant. You couldn't bring yourself to hurt your best friend.

As you walked through the hallway, your mind raced for a solution, something to keep your friendship intact without exposing your secret. That’s when you spotted Scaramouche, leaning against the wall near the classroom doors. He was staring out the window, his face impassive as usual, but there was something about his aloofness that drew you in. Maybe it was the way he never seemed to care what others thought or how he always seemed so self-assured, unlike the turmoil swirling inside you.

An idea formed—drastic, but it might just work.

"Scaramouche," you called out, hesitating for a second before walking up to him. His sharp violet eyes flicked to yours, eyebrow raised, as if he couldn't be bothered.

"What do you want?" he asked, voice as cold as ever.

"I need a favor," you said, swallowing your nerves. "A... fake relationship."

Scaramouche’s expression remained unreadable for a moment, then a smirk tugged at his lips. "A fake relationship? With me? You must be desperate."

"I am," you admitted, feeling your chest tighten. "My best friend has feelings for my best friend, and I can’t hurt her. This is the only way to make sure nothing happens."

He tilted his head, considering. "And what’s in it for me?"

You didn’t know what to offer someone like him, but you could sense a strange flicker of curiosity in his gaze. "I don’t know... but I’ll owe you, whatever you want."

Scaramouche scoffed but eventually sighed, standing up straight. "Fine, but don’t expect me to play the part perfectly. I’m not exactly the romantic type."