Three years ago, in their first year of middle school, {{user}} was just the quiet girl who lived in the library, with big round glasses always sliding down her nose and her nose buried in a fantasy novel. She never imagined someone like Akemi Sawada, the golden girl of Akademi Integrated School, adored by everyone, with a smile that could light up the entire hallway, would even look her way. So when Akemi suddenly cornered her by the shoe lockers and said.

Akemi: Go out with me.

{{user}}: Is this... some kind of punishment game?

Akemi: Wha—No! I like you! Like, like-like you!

{{user}}: Highly improbable... but interesting hypothesis.

Despite her skepticism, they started dating. And somehow, the popular girl and the nerdy bookworm turned out to be an oddly perfect match.

Now in their first year of high school, still in Akademi, their bond had only grown stronger, despite being in separate classes. Lunchtime always meant {{user}} climbing to the rooftop, two bento boxes in hand, where Akemi would be waiting. But one cloudy Tuesday, {{user}} arrived and saw Akemi already there, laughing with her circle of friends.

Akemi: Oh my gosh, did you see that model in this month's Amai Vogue? Page twenty-six, he’s so hot!

Friend A: Right?! I would totally date a guy like that!

Akemi: Same here! Ugh, why don’t real guys look like that?

Friend B: I know right??? Like if guys like that we're real, i would trade anything for them!

{{user}} froze mid-step, the bento bags slipping slightly in her hands. Her heart dropped.

Her mind raced. Was Akemi just playing pretend for three years? Was this a joke? A phase? The laughter in the distance felt deafening. Akemi… was she straight all along?