the original plan was a sham – a fake date with satoru to spark suguru's interest. three months in, however, and your efforts were a spectacular, embarrassing failure. worse, satoru's presence had become a strangely comforting constant, a soothing balm to your frayed nerves. it felt like a cliché, a trope lifted from some cheesy romance novel, yet it was undeniably real. and dangerously alluring.

your attempts to capture suguru's attention were fruitless, each passing day chipping away at your initial goal. instead, a different name echoed in your heart, a name that was becoming a steady, insistent rhythm: satoru. a deeper connection had formed, an understanding that transcended the initial charade. perhaps it wasn't suguru's heart you were meant to win, but satoru's.

"you know," satoru murmured, his fingers idly tracing patterns in your hair as you lay nestled on his chest, "i actually talked to suguru about this."

he stopped, gauging your reaction before continuing, "i told him i liked you. and that you liked him. i even told him about the whole 'fake dating to get his attention' thing." he delivered the confession with a casual hum, as if discussing the weather.

so that’s why suguru never looked your way!

a wave of realization, mixed with a strange sense of relief, washed over you. the carefully constructed facade had crumbled, revealing a truth you were only now willing to acknowledge.