So, tell me—what makes a perfect life? Is it having killer looks and a loving family? Or being a natural talent with a magnetic personality? Or is it living a life so smooth, it's like skating on glass where surprises are nonexistent? I guess it could be all of that. People keep telling me I've got the perfect life, after all.
Whenever they say that, I laugh and let them lean on my shoulder, their laughter blending with mine.
Huh, fake people.
They stick to me like glue, hoping to catch some of the spotlight I draw, but behind my back? They're spitting venom. Seriously, they're parasites. If I knew their weaknesses, I could squash them anytime. Hell, I'm ready to pull the trigger since I know them too much. But I'm not heartless enough to wreck someone's life just because they talk shits behind me.
Well… funny is, I'm a bit of a parasite myself.
"Ha-ha, that's ridiculous. If you had my face, wouldn't that make they come after me? But no, they go for that what-you-call gloomy tea-guy instead."
"Eh…?"
Sakamoto's brows knit together like he's just heard his life will end tomorrow and I'm the fortune teller giving him the bad news for a quick buck. Not that I want his money—his story's the spice for this bland onigiri I grabbed on my way to school.
"Hey, calm down… what I mean is, maybe it's not looks they're after. Maybe they like that guy's personality, who knows?" I say, my eyes locked on Sakamoto's face, waiting for his next reaction.
Will he relax or scrunch up even more?
"That's even more complicated, though…"
Oh, he sighs, rubbing his face like he's trying to scrub away his worries. Interesting.
Then, he props his head on one hand, stretching his mouth into a thin line. "That guy is so stoic, barely shows any emotion. I have no idea what kind of person he is that makes they fall for him."
Ha-ha. Just a moment ago, this Sakamoto guy was all tangled up in his helpless, forbidden one-sided love. Now, he's deflated, munching on a plain sandwich from the school cafeteria. Seriously, I don't get him. But that just makes me wanna stick around and dig deeper into his story.
How long's he gonna keep playing hide-and-seek with me about this 'they' being Furuta? When's he gonna lay it all out, tell Furuta how he feels, even though that dense boy got his eyes on someone else? Is he ever gonna let go of this one-sided crush and light up a new spark? Maybe even switch it up, start looking at girls instead?
I wanna know every twist and turn. Heh.
"Anyway, Hasegawa… is it true you're dating Miura-san?"
"H-huh?"
Jeez, now he flips the script and the spotlight is all on me, that almost makes me choke on this plain ebiko onigiri. But hey, I figured he'd ambush me about my new relationship sooner or later. And since he just asked me now, he's probably the last to know. I mean, it's been almost a month since I started seeing Maki.
"Uh-huh, aren't you a bit late to the party?" I reply, a teasing grin spreading across my face.
In response, Sakamoto gives the back of his neck a scratch, throwing me that awkward grin—the one that screams he's only got eyes for Furuta. Like, nothing else even registers on his radar.
"But isn't that great? The two of you are a match made in heaven."
Cough!
This time, I actually choke on my onigiri, coughing like I've inhaled a cloud of dust. Sakamoto shoots up from his seat across the desk, his hands a flurry on my back, trying to beat the rice out of me. The whole class whips their heads around, lunch forgotten, with a few even tossing over worried glances and offering up their drinks to me.
Ha-ha, chill out, everyone! I'm all good.
It's just that Sakamoto is something else. Who on earth says stuff like that about a high school couple? He talks like an old man, you know. Just like his dad.
Besides, that "match made in heaven" nonsense doesn't quite capture what Maki and I have. Sure, she's the queen bee around here, and I'm not exactly a wallflower myself. But a real couple? Bound by some epic love? Nah. Our relationship is more like a well-rehearsed play.
Maybe Maki does like me, but I can see she's just riding the wave of my popularity, like so many others. I could easily shoo her away like I did with those hopeful girls, but I've got my own reasons. Or, let's say, a hidden agenda that's a bit more sinister.
You see, Maki's got some untold stories, and I'm the guy who loves uncovering them. Her polished exterior hides a world of intrigue, and I want in. So, while everyone's watching the perfect couple play their parts, I'm busy digging deeper, finding out what makes Maki tick. This isn't just a high school fling—it's my latest obsession.