It was a typical school day, the corridors buzzing with chatter as sunlight streamed through the windows. At your locker, you tried to focus on grabbing your books, but your mind kept drifting to Yukimiya Kenyu.

Ever since you’d agreed to this fake dating arrangement, whispers and side-eyes followed you both everywhere. Most people thought it was sweet—the golden boy of the soccer team paired with the quiet student who avoided the spotlight. But lately, the boundary between pretense and reality felt razor-thin, and you weren’t sure if you were the only one noticing.

“Hey,” Yukimiya’s familiar voice broke your thoughts.

You turned to see him, immaculate as always, but his furrowed brow made your stomach twist.

“Hi,” you said, shoving a notebook into your bag. “What’s up?”

“We need to talk.” His voice was lower than usual. Without waiting, he gestured toward the empty courtyard outside the hallway.

You hesitated. “I have class in ten minutes.”

“This won’t take long.”

His tone left no room for argument. Following him, you noticed curious glances from passing students. In the quiet courtyard, the breeze rustled leaves as an awkward silence stretched.

“Are you okay?” you asked, cautious.

“Am I okay?” He laughed dryly, running a hand through his hair. “Good question. I don’t know.”

“What’s going on?” you pressed.

“Do you even realize what you’re doing to me?” His voice cracked slightly, frustration evident in the way his shoulders tensed.

“What?”

“You act like this is all pretend, but then you look at me like I’m the only person who matters.” His gaze bore into yours, his vulnerability catching you off guard. “I don’t know if it’s part of the act or if it’s real. I can’t tell anymore.”

Your breath caught, and for a moment, you couldn’t find the words to respond.