Chapter 88: To Bold
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Rin Matsuoka didn't expect that Karuizawa Kei wanted him to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Horikita Suzune didn't expect that Karuizawa Kei wasn't confessing her love but instead asking Rin to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Rin looked at Karuizawa, who was bending down, pleading with him. He spoke delicately, "Karuizawa-san, you don't have to bend down like that. Can you tell me why you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend first?"
"Because… because…" Karuizawa mumbled without straightening her back, unable to explain her reasons.
Karuizawa Kei always felt a deep sense of fear whenever she thought about the bullying she'd experienced, and speaking about it made her tremble in fear.
Seeing that she wasn't answering, Rin guessed, "Is it because some boy is pursuing you, and you want to use me as a shield?"
"Yes" Karuizawa quickly nodded.
"Then go ask someone else. Hirata or Ayanokoji seem like good choices," Rin said, waving his hand dismissively.
"But I only like you!" Karuizawa blurted out, suddenly standing up straight.
Rin, unimpressed, replied, "Oh, should I thank you for that? Thank you for only liking me to pretend to be your boyfriend?"
"You're welcome" Karuizawa replied instinctively, still flustered.
Rin couldn't help but show a helpless expression. What was wrong with this girl? Didn't she realize he was being sarcastic? She seemed clueless.
Realizing her mistake, Karuizawa quickly changed the subject, "Um, Rin... can I ask why you refused?"
"Tsk, it's simple. I want to live a fulfilling high school life without regrets, and dating a girl is a big part of that. Do you get what I mean?" Rin explained.
Karuizawa Kei was a beautiful girl. She had a pretty face, slender legs, and a small waist—definitely someone who could easily be a girlfriend.
However, Karuizawa's chest wasn't particularly prominent, and Rin couldn't help but think about how her future kids might have to grow up on formula...
There was no way Rin would accept her request to pretend to be her boyfriend. If he agreed, he'd be blocking his own chances of finding a real girlfriend.
Rin had already planned to find the right girl to date during his high school years, so he could fully enjoy his youth and the experience of a fulfilling high school life.
Not dating in high school would be a major regret!
Karuizawa, now understanding why Rin refused to pretend to be her boyfriend, felt discouraged but suddenly had an idea.
"What if I didn't want him to pretend? What if I actually wanted him to be my boyfriend for real? Then he wouldn't refuse, right?"
This thought took root in Karuizawa's heart, and soon her cheeks were flushed with the shyness of a girl who had suddenly realized her feelings. Her youthful bashfulness gave her a glow of shy beauty.
The thought of not pretending, but truly making Rin her boyfriend, made her feel embarrassed and nervous.
"Then... Rin, would you... would you be willing... willing to be my boyfriend? Not just pretend, but for real..."
Horikita Suzune, who was leaning against a tree, felt her heart tighten. Rin, too, looked at Karuizawa Kei, who had suddenly become so shy.
"Are you confessing to me?"
Karuizawa Kei, despite feeling shy and fighting the urge to run away, nodded softly.
"…Yes."
Originally, Karuizawa Kei had no intention of actually dating a boy. She just wanted to find someone to act as her boyfriend and supporter, so others wouldn't dare bully her.
However, after spending some time with Rin Matsuoka, Karuizawa suddenly found herself thinking, "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to date him." Overcoming her shyness, she mustered her courage and decided to confess her feelings.
Confessing to a boy she'd only known for less than two days... Was that even possible?
It certainly was.
In Japan, it's common for someone to develop feelings for you and then muster the courage to write a love letter, even if they barely know you. They'd slip the letter into your shoe cabinet, and from there, a relationship could begin.
Love letters usually include the sender's name and Line account, and the relationship starts with online chatting.
Some bold individuals will even directly arrange a time and place to meet and confess their feelings face to face.
If you don't show up for the meeting or add their Line account, it means you've rejected them. If you do, it means you're open to dating and want to see where things go.
Through this process, two people who don't know each other well can gradually become close. If things go well, they continue dating; if not, they part ways.
This is why many Japanese students begin dating in junior high, and some even start in elementary school...
So it wasn't strange for Karuizawa Kei to confess to Rin Matsuoka at this moment.
Had Rin been an ordinary boy, receiving a confession from a beautiful girl like Karuizawa Kei would have thrilled him, and he would have happily accepted to spend time with her.
But Rin Matsuoka wasn't an ordinary boy, so...
"I refuse."
"Eh…"
Rin looked seriously at Karuizawa Kei, whose eyes widened in disbelief. "Karuizawa-san, your reason for confessing to me isn't pure."
"..."
"My girlfriend will be someone I like, and who likes me in return. But you, Karuizawa-san, just want a boy to protect you from life's hardships, so I refuse."
Stop being passive, and take control of your life!
"I'm serious about this! I really do want to date you, not just pretend!" Karuizawa hurriedly explained, her bright eyes glistening with tears as she was on the verge of crying.
Pretending to have a boyfriend had been Karuizawa's initial plan.
Now, however, she truly wanted to fall in love with the boy standing in front of her!
Tears?
But crying wouldn't change Rin's decision!
Still, Karuizawa Kei's pitiful, tear-filled expression stirred something in Rin. It made him feel as if he were bullying her, and with it came an unexpected sense of guilt.
"Um..." Rin scratched his cheek awkwardly. "There are plenty of boys who could be your protector. Why focus only on me?"
"I already told you, I'm not looking for a protector!" Karuizawa insisted. "Rin... maybe you'll change your mind after seeing this."
Karuizawa Kei seemed to make a significant decision. Closing her eyes, she grasped the left side of her school uniform with a trembling hand and gently pulled it up, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white skin.
Rin's eyes widened at her bold move. What was she trying to do? Was she really going to show him her body?
This was too bold!