Akane went first and I left after her.
On the way to school, I was thinking about what to do.
Honestly, obsessing over the novel's possible story line took a heavy toll on me.
To the normal person I might have looked like I was changing.
But to those close to Yuuta I might have looked weird and unnatural.
It was alright to change and improve one's self but the trajectory I took was out of the norm even by extreme standards.
When I was focused on following the story line, I might have subconsciously ignored those around me.
Especially Miura and Shinji.
As for home, I can feel like all 3 of Mom, Dad and Yume might want to ask me something but since I haven't done anything too extreme they don't want to prod into it.
Hmm...
Let's leave the stuff for home for now.
First I should start with Shinji and Miura.
Let's also rope in that not-so-dense-anymore fucker Yosuke Yukishiro too.
Baby steps should work for now since I don't have the anxiety of the time I was following the novel and Akane is firmly keeping me grounded to reality.
Although it would be nice to rely only on her, it would be dangerous to do so.
After all if something happened to her, I might just lose my shit since she is the most precious person to me.
✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
I enter the classroom and alot of the people look at me.
I nod and say hello to those that that seem to want to greet me.
I have a word or two with those that want to share something with me.
Of course, no licking anyone's assess and no treating anyone harshly.
A joke here and there too.
I wear a light mask and interact with them.
One that allows the others to have friendly contact with me, but still keeps them at quite the distance too.
All of this while trying to stay true to my principles and keeping my White Knight persona.
After all real estate in my personal space is mostly occupied and exclusive to a certain group of members.
I can't get chummy with everyone, after all it is too taxing and I frankly don't trust any of these people.
It's not that they're untrustworthy or so, but rather I already have enough people close to me.
I head towards two of those people.
"Yo Shinji, Miura."
I shed off most of my mask and only keep 2 layers on.
Only Akane has the rights to see through that.
"Yo Yuuta, I thought you forgot us and made new friends."
Shinji grumbles.
Oof.
Sorry.
I kind of feel that.
We've been together for so long and now suddenly I start rolling alone.
That must have been shitty to watch and feel.
But none of that from now on.
"Nothing, I lost a little meaning in my life and did some soul searching."
I talk like a sage that has experienced enlightenment.
"Hahaha look at this bastard talking about weird shit. But did you find some answers?"
Miura started mocking me.
But he seemed oddly happy though.
"Quite some. Let's go out to play today. It feels like it has been some time since we hung out."
"Hmm, I've heard it is okay to skip clubs activities during important times. Shinji what about you?"
Miura immediately confirms it seems like he's happy to play.
"Sure, I was going to play at home anyways."
Shinji got onboard too.
And with that we made a plan to go with the three of us.
✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
Lunch time.
I'm back at the garden.
"Kazama, it seems you were absent yesterday. Did something happen?"
Aya Amasawa asked me.
I almost died, got saved, got a girlfriend.
Nothing important though.
But that's not what she's asking.
She probably is trying to probe into my love interest who is literally sitting next to her.
Hmm...
Is it a trap question?
After all Mai Sekizawa (the novel's black-haired female lead's name) got engaged yesterday.
A lot of the boys must have been in shock.
Plus I left school running like a madman leaving my bike at school.
She might think I lied about it and I was in love with Sekizawa.
All 5 of the girl's eyes turn towards me.
Even Hina and that fujoshi Watanabe are curious.
Akane was probably curious on how I evade this landmine.
Well, I am a slippery snake and you won't catch me with just this.
"Hmm, after watching the story of the engagement and I felt life was too short and precious, hence I went to find this girl I liked. I proposed to her and she happily accepted it."
I casually mention it as if it was another daily occurrence.
They all gasped and shut their mouths.
After all this is sensitive information.
"Please keep this a secret though. I don't want anyone finding her."
I seriously look into their eyes.
Of course they are all trustworthy but I needed to make sure.
But it seems like someone isn't willing to believe me.
"But Kazama, do you have some proof? After all a lot of people liked Sekizawa and it wouldn't be weird if you did too."
Amasawa straight up called my lie.
I see my hunch was right...
I can't blame her either.
I am part of this social group of 6 brought together by mine and Akane's efforts but she doesn't inherently trust me.
If she did she might not be in the position she is in.
There will always be people who want to harm you.
The higher you go, the more the people that would like to see you fall.
There will always be snakes who try to sneak in your house and bite you for the right price and opportunity.
She might think me being nonchalant is a fake identity I created to get others interested in me.
Of course it isn't true and in fact I really am nonchalant and a lazy fuck.
But right now she believes I am a liar and the evidence she has points to it too.
But right now she wants to use this opportune moment to strike me.
Why?
Why the hurry?
Why the sudden urge for someone like her to try to destroy a pleb like me in front of my precious friends Minami and Hina?
Why do all this when a few words from her could destroy the meager social position I have worked hard to build over the past few weeks?
The answer is simple and it is 'Akane Tachibana'.
Yes this overprotective mother hen is looking out for her baby chick.
In front of Akane she will show support to her chasing her love like a true best friend.
But behind the stupid and naive Akane's back she will protect her like a shadow guard.
She doesn't trust me at all.
There are two outcomes to this: either I have a girlfriend and then Akane cries in Amasawa's arms and gives up on me, or I am lying and she will expose my true face to Akane and banish me from this place.
Either way for her this is a win and Akane won't be harmed by the likes of me, or so she thinks.
I am thankful for her protecting Akane.
Akane is really blessed to have such a good best friend.
But all I feel right now is pure jealousy.
Akane may have thought my obsession went away but it is still there.
That is why I need to attach myself to people closer to me.
So that they can be kill-switches during times I may lose my head.
As for the obsession, it's all attached to her now.
But Akane doesn't know it yet.
I have hidden it behind the final mask.
Akane does have the rights to see through it but not the qualifications.
Maybe one day when she is ready, I will show what I truly feel for her.
Of course, I am not going to act like a male yandere and lock Akane up in a cage.
Why would I even do that?
She is free to do whatever she wants and be her most beautiful self.
In fact I am sure this obsession will heal in the future.
And even if it doesn't I don't mind having it if it means I get more infatuated with Akane.
.
"Well I can show you proof. But I swear on my name and my lover's, I will destroy you if you leak this."
I show resolute eyes to Amasawa.
She looked shocked.
Whether it was because of my resoluteness, because of me having proof or any other reason.
But it is all a lie.
Destroy someone? LMAO, no!
Jesus Christ, I am cringing inside at these weird protagonist-like lines I am spewing.
All I want to do is embarrass Akane with these cringy lines.
Right now I am writing her black history page by page in the name of my mystery lover.
Akane must probably squirming at the thought of others finding out she is my girlfriend and that I said all these embarrassing things for her.
.
Well I prepare the proof.
I open my two buttons and show the love bite Akane gave me in the morning.
Amasawa gasps and she seems to have finally accepted it, but I'm not interested in her at all.
I focus on Akane from the corner of my eyes without anyone noticing.
Aaah!
She looks so cute with that shocked red face.
She then hides her face down to stop anyone from seeing her face.
I truly am blessed to have her as my girlfriend.
But still this best friend of her's is too troublesome.
So I create another page in her black history.
"As a bonus for you all being so trust worthy, I'll also share with you that even though yesterday was our first day as a couple i found out her fetish wa-"
"STOP!"
Akane gets up and yells before I spill the beans out to everyone.
Hahahaha!
I am dying of laughter internally.
Now everyone in the whole garden is staring at her while I hide my horribly contorting face.
She reacted exactly as I expected.
I deliberately dragged it out so she does this.
She sits back down and hides her face in embarrassment.
.
After a while everyone else goes back to their own business while everyone in our group is looking at her.
"Tachibana, is there a problem?"
I ask her with a wicked grin on my face no one but Akane can see.
"Ugh no. I.. I just think we shouldn't know such private stuff."
She barely squeezes it out.
"Fine but if you want to know, tell me. My girlfriend is quite kinky and she doesn't mind this."
I innocently speak and lay all the blame on Akane.
"ugh"
She hides her face in her hands and gives up.
Hahahaha!
May every day I see newer faces of yours, Akane.