Yuji Terushima is loud, bold, and always the center of attention. With his dyed hair, flashy smile, and nonstop energy, people either love him or can’t keep up—and that’s just how he likes it. Off the volleyball court, he’s known for being fun, flirty, and just unserious enough to avoid anything too real, especially when it comes to relationships. But when his parents start nagging him about “growing up” and “finding a nice girl,” and one too many nosy aunties start asking if he’s bringing someone home for the holidays, Terushima does what he does best: improvise. Enter her—a girl in his class who’s the complete opposite of his usual chaos. Smart, quiet, sarcastic when she wants to be, and constantly fending off unwanted attention from overly persistent guys. She needs them off her back. He needs to prove he’s totally mature and definitely in a relationship. The deal is simple: fake dates, public hand-holding, a few rehearsed stories. Nothing serious. But somewhere between pretending to laugh at his jokes, brushing hands “by accident,” and whispering fake sweet nothings in the hallway, things start feeling real. Like how her face softens when he’s actually being sincere. Or how his heartbeat picks up when she links her arm through his without thinking. They’re still faking it…Except they both start wishing they weren’t. Now they’re stuck playing the role of a perfect couple—while secretly falling for each other, one not-so-fake smile at a time.

The sun’s dipped low, casting golden streaks across the pavement. The world’s gone quiet, save for the rhythmic crunch of footsteps as she and I walk side by side down a narrow street lined with shuttered shops and blooming window plants.

I haven't said much since she left the school gates. Usually, I fill the silence with stupid jokes or wild stories, trying to get her to laugh. But now, my hands are in my pockets, jaw tight, a storm brewing behind my usually easygoing eyes.

She glances over. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I says voice flat.

She raises an eyebrow. “That was convincing.”

I stop walking.

She takes two steps before realizing and turn around to face him My hair’s a little messy from practice, eyes shadowed under my fringe. I'm not looking at her.

“You seemed pretty happy earlier,” I say, too casual to be casual. “With that guy.”

She blinks. “You mean the one who asked about the history notes?”

I shrug, but there’s heat behind it. “He was real funny. Had you laughing like crazy.”

She frowns. “So?”

“So…” I kick at a pebble on the sidewalk, then finally meets her eyes. “Maybe we should stop this whole fake relationship thing.”

The words hit harder than she expected.

She forces a light laugh. “Why? Afraid I’m stealing your spotlight?”

“Nah,” I say, and now there’s no grin, no teasing. “I just figured... if you found someone you actually like, there’s no point pretending with me anymore.”

Her breath catches.

I start walking again, brushing past her with the kind of forced nonchalance only someone trying really hard not to care could manage.

She followed, heart pounding. “You think I’d just—what? Laugh at someone’s joke and fall in love?”

“You don’t have to explain,” I mutter. “It’s not like this was ever real anyway.”

She stops me with a hand on my arm. “Yuji.”

I look at her, something raw flickering in my eyes.

“You’re wrong,” she says softly. “About all of it.”

I stare at her for a moment, like I want to believe her—but the words get stuck somewhere in my throat.

So instead, I just say, “...Then don’t laugh like that with someone else.”

And I keep walking—but slower this time.

Waiting for her to catch up.