As Shiriku found himself at the center of Ayaka's attention once again, he couldn't help but feel a slight nervousness creeping in. He glanced around at his friends, noticing their amused expressions, which only added to his apprehension.
Sachi couldn't contain her laughter, nudging Junichi with a mischievous grin. Junichi wore an amused smirk, clearly enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them. Meanwhile, Aoi observed the scene with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, Ayaka's sudden interruption brought a sense of seriousness to the conversation. Shiriku turned his attention back to Ayaka, waiting for her to speak.
"Okay, stop everyone," Ayaka commanded, her voice firm yet gentle, demanding the attention of everyone at the table. "I have something to say to Shiriku." Her words hung in the air, drawing all eyes to Shiriku as anticipation filled the room.
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The playful banter and dessert talk abruptly ceased, replaced by a tense silence that enveloped the table. All eyes were fixed on Ayaka as she took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with Shiriku.
With a flirtatious smile, Ayaka broke the silence with her unexpected question, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation. "Shiriku, would you be my boyfriend?"
The shock was palpable among the group. Fuyumi's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping in astonishment. Sachi and Junichi exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions mirroring their surprise. However, Aoi remained calm and composed, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she observed the unfolding scene.
Breaking the silence with her calm demeanor, Aoi addressed Ayaka directly, her voice steady and confident. "Finally, Ayaka-sama," she remarked, her words carrying a sense of inevitability.
Shiriku's eyes darted between Ayaka and Aoi, confusion evident on his face as he struggled to process the unexpected turn of events. He stammered, his voice shaky with disbelief, "W-what?"
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Ayaka, realizing the gravity of her words and the effect they had on the group, quickly backtracked and attempted to clarify her intentions. "Oh, aww shucks, hehe. Let me rephrase what I just said. What I meant was, Shiriku, will you pretend to be my boyfriend?"
The tension in the room eased slightly as Ayaka corrected herself, her tone lightening as she tried to diffuse the awkwardness. Fuyumi, still recovering from her initial surprise, narrowed her eyes, clearly not pleased with the situation unfolding before her. Sachi and Junichi exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the brewing romantic entanglement with amusement and curiosity.
Shiriku, caught off guard by Ayaka's request, blinked in confusion. He searched for the right words, his mind racing as he tried to navigate the delicate situation. "Uh, Ayaka, I... I'm not sure if pretending to be your boyfriend is the best idea," he replied hesitantly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, it could lead to misunderstandings, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings."
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Ayaka's playful demeanor softened, and she nodded understandingly. "I see. You're right, Shiriku. I didn't consider the potential complications. I apologize if I put you in an uncomfortable position."
Fuyumi, unable to hide her jealousy any longer, interjected with a mix of annoyance and determination evident in her voice. "Ayaka, you should have thought about that before making such a bold request. Shiriku is not someone to be toyed with."
Shiriku, ever the peacekeeper, tried to diffuse the tension with a reassuring smile directed at Fuyumi. "It's okay, Fuyumi. Ayaka didn't mean any harm. Let's not make a big deal out of this."
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Junichi chuckled, joining in on the teasing. "Yeah, Shiriku, you're quite the catch. Are you secretly a heartthrob?"
Shiriku laughed along with them, trying to ease the tension further. "Oh, come on, guys. You're blowing this out of proportion. Let's focus on enjoying our meal and the rest of the day. There's no need for any dramatics."
As Shiriku finished speaking, Aoi politely interrupted, "I apologize, Shiriku, but Miss Ayaka has something important she needs to say."
Shiriku, still slightly flustered, responded, "O-okay, Aoi. But please, no more 'sama' for me, alright? It just feels a little weird, aha-ha."
Aoi blushed slightly, her voice reflecting her embarrassment. "A-as you wish, Shiriku... I mean, Shiriku."
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Fuyumi, growing more intrigued by the situation, leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Ayaka. "Alright, Ayaka. You have our attention. What's the reason behind your request? Why do you need Shiriku to pretend to be your boyfriend?"
Ayaka took a deep breath and began to explain, her voice tinged with frustration. "You guys know that my family owns that famous modeling company, right?"
The group nodded in acknowledgment, aware of Ayaka's prestigious background.
"Apparently, my father has arranged a marriage for me with the son of the wealthiest man in the country especially if it is my father's best friend son," Ayaka continued, her tone laced with defiance. "But of course, I refused. I don't want to marry someone I don't love or care for. I despise that boy and how he thinks the world revolves around him just because of his entitlement."
Fuyumi's eyebrows furrowed in concern as she listened to Ayaka's predicament. "That sounds like a difficult situation, Ayaka. But how does pretending to be Shiriku's girlfriend help?"
Ayaka sighed, her frustration evident. "Well, my father is quite traditional and believes in upholding the family's reputation at all costs. He thinks that if I have a boyfriend, especially someone as respectable as Shiriku Kami, he'll reconsider the arranged marriage and respect my wishes."
Shiriku's eyes widened in surprise, his expression reflecting his shock at Ayaka's revelation. "Wait, me? But why me?"
Ayaka smiled softly at Shiriku, her gaze filled with gratitude. "Because you're kind, respectful, and well-regarded by everyone since your one of the"Kami's". If my father believes that I'm in a relationship with someone like you, he might be more willing to listen to my objections."
Fuyumi nodded in understanding, her expression thoughtful. "I see. So, you want Shiriku to pretend to be your boyfriend to buy you some time and hopefully change your father's mind about the arranged marriage."
Ayaka nodded, her resolve firm. "Exactly. I know it's a lot to ask, but I wouldn't have approached Shiriku if I didn't believe he could handle it."
She sighed and continued, recounting her efforts to persuade her father to cancel the arranged marriage. "But my father would force the marriage on me anyway. It's as if my desires and happiness don't matter. Every time I plead with him to reconsider, he simply dismisses me, saying, 'It's for the business, Ayaka. Business is business.'"
Shiriku glanced around at his friends, silently seeking their input. Sachi offered an encouraging smile, while Junichi gave him a playful wink. Aoi nodded in support, her expression reflecting her trust in Shiriku's judgment.