As the weight of Ayaka's words settled in, Shiriku regarded her with a mixture of sadness and concern, understanding the gravity of her situation. Aoi, unable to contain her anger, reacted with a slight slam of the table, her frustration evident in her muttered words. "That good-for-nothing piece of..."
Before Aoi could finish her sentence, Ayaka intervened, her tone firm as she silenced Aoi's outburst. "Aoi, that's enough," she said, cutting off any further remarks.
Recognizing her lapse in judgment, Aoi immediately apologized, addressing Ayaka with respect. "Apologies, Ayaka-sama," she said, regretful for her momentary loss of composure.
Seeking to offer support and reassurance, Shiriku spoke up. "Don't worry, Ayaka. Everything is gonna be alright."
Ayaka mustered a small smile, appreciating Shiriku's words of encouragement. "Thank you, Shiriku. That's why I thought if we pretend to be in a relationship, it might buy me some time and create a diversion. Maybe then, my father will reconsider and give me a chance to find love on my own terms."
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As the conversation lingered in the air, Fuyumi's curiosity got the better of her, and she turned to Ayaka with a furrowed brow. "Ayaka, I understand your predicament, but why Shiriku? Out of all the boys in school, why him?"
Ayaka's gaze softened as she considered Fuyumi's question. "It's because Shiriku is kind, reliable, and respected by everyone," she explained, her voice filled with sincerity. "He's someone my father would find suitable, and I trust him to help me through this."
However, Fuyumi's expression remained skeptical, and she shook her head in disbelief. "But Ayaka, you know as well as I do that it can't be Shiriku," she stated firmly, her tone tinged with frustration. "He's just... not the right fit for you."
Ayaka's brows furrowed in confusion, taken aback by Fuyumi's sudden objection. "What do you mean, Fuyumi? Why can't it be Shiriku?"
Fuyumi hesitated, struggling to find the right words to convey her concerns without causing offense. "It's just... Shiriku, he's too... ordinary," she began, her voice trailing off as she searched for a tactful way to express her thoughts.
Shiriku, who had been listening quietly, felt a pang of hurt at Fuyumi's words. He lowered his gaze, unable to meet anyone's eyes as he wrestled with the sting of her unintentional criticism.
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise at Fuyumi's blunt assessment, her expression shifting from confusion to concern. "Fuyumi, what are you trying to say?" she pressed, her tone urging Fuyumi to clarify her stance.
Before Fuyumi could respond, Sachi interjected, sensing the tension in the air. "Hey, Fuyumi, maybe let's not go there," she said gently, shooting a meaningful glance at Shiriku.
Fuyumi paused, realizing the impact of her words, and glanced around the table. Her eyes met Shiriku's, and she noticed the disappointment and sadness reflected in his expression. Guilt washed over her as she realized the unintended effect of her remarks.
"Shiriku, I... I didn't mean to..." Fuyumi started, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the right words to apologize.
But Shiriku remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the table, his hurt palpable in the air. Ayaka watched the exchange with a mixture of surprise and concern.
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As the tension hung heavy in the air, Shiriku took a deep breath, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. With a heavy sigh, he looked at Ayaka, his gaze searching hers for reassurance. In a moment of resolve, he reached out and gently took hold of both of Ayaka's arms, his touch conveying a silent understanding.
"Ayaka," Shiriku began, his voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability, "I... I accept. I'll pretend to be your boyfriend."
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat at Shiriku's unexpected declaration. She felt a rush of gratitude wash over her, tinged with relief that Shiriku had agreed to help her navigate the challenging situation.
Aoi, ever composed, couldn't help but offer her approval. "Splendid, Ayaka-sama...and Shiriku - sa I mean Shiriku,," she corrected herself with a slight blush, her voice filled with genuine admiration for Ayaka's resilience and Shiriku's willingness to support her.
Junichi and Sachi exchanged amused glances, their expressions a mix of awkwardness and excitement. "Well, this just got really awkward and exciting at the same time," Junichi remarked with a nervous chuckle, trying to break the tension with humor.
Sachi nodded in agreement, her playful demeanor masking the underlying tension. "Yeah, definitely not your everyday high school drama," she quipped, offering a supportive smile to Ayaka and Shiriku.
Meanwhile, Fuyumi felt a pang of embarrassment wash over her as she still horrible about her earlier words about Shiriku. She swallowed hard, mustering the courage to look at Shiriku, only to find him already averting his attention back to Ayaka. She winced inwardly, silently regretting her hasty remarks.
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As Fuyumi watched Shiriku and Ayaka interact with each other, a knot formed in her stomach, and a pang of regret washed over her. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as she witnessed the genuine happiness radiating from both of them. Fuyumi's mind raced with conflicting thoughts, and she found herself lost in a whirlwind of emotions.
She couldn't understand why she had said those hurtful things about Shiriku, especially knowing that Ayaka was considering him as a potential pretend boyfriend. Was it jealousy? Insecurity? Fuyumi couldn't pinpoint the exact reason behind her actions, but she knew deep down that she had acted impulsively, driven by her own fears and insecurities.
As Shiriku and Ayaka laughed together, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment, Fuyumi felt a pang of envy gnawing at her heart. She had always admired Shiriku's kindness and sincerity, and seeing him share that with someone, and that someone being Ayaka Kazahana only intensified her feelings of regret.
Deep down, Fuyumi knew she had to confront her feelings and apologize to Shiriku for her hurtful words. But the fear of rejection and embarrassment held her back, trapping her in a cycle of self-doubt and remorse.
As the minutes passed, Fuyumi's internal struggle intensified, her mind consumed by thoughts of what could have been. She watched as Shiriku and Ayaka's laughter filled the air.