Sunday.
So, I did my search yesterday for a part-time job. Turns out, there are a lot of available positions around my area and even nearby. I came across all kinds of listings—like part-time cashier jobs. But that feels a little wild for me. Isn't that mostly a girl's job? I mean, there are male cashiers, but it just doesn't seem like my thing. Then there's the water delivery gig. It sounds decent, but lugging heavy containers all day? I'd be dead by the time I got to college after doing the work.
Now, being a bartender, that sounded interesting. It has this cool vibe. I did some research and found two nearby bars looking for help. So, I thought, why not? I'll try the first one.
I decided to walk there—yeah, literally walked—to apply for this part-time job. It was still early in the morning, so I figured, why not? Plus, the weather seemed decent, not too sunny. I don't have enough money to afford constant transportation anyway, so this is just part of managing my expenses. Thirty minutes later, here I am. Not bad, right? I guess I'm a fast walker.
And now I'm standing in front of this coffee shop. My target. My heart's racing—like really racing. It's not even sunny, but I feel like I'm sweating buckets. Dang it, I just showered this morning, and now I smell like… the sun? Gross. I'm so nervous I could pee myself.
A cashier—well, I think she's a cashier—greets me from behind the counter. "Hello, sir. How can I help you?"
"I-I…"
Gah. Why won't my words come out? It's like they're trapped in my throat. I can feel them there, but my brain is too fried to function.
"I-I'm here to apply for a part-time j-job," I finally stammer.
The cashier gives me a small, apologetic smile. "Oh, sorry, sir. We're not hiring today. The manager is off. Maybe you could come back tomorrow?"
Tomorrow? Seriously? That's the worst. I have class tomorrow—it's literally the start of a new term. If I skip, I'll fall behind, and with no friends to help me catch up, I'll be totally screwed. As the invisible NPC of the school, there's no one to hand me notes or fill me in on missed assignments.
Feeling defeated, I turn away from the shop. My first destination, and it's already a bust. How am I supposed to handle another stop when it's probably even further away? Ugh, maybe I'll take a break. There's a park nearby; a short rest won't hurt.
...
Sugiyama's House.
The Sugiyama residence is massive. The kind of mansion you'd only see in magazines. White walls gleam under the sunlight, accented by elegant balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. Manicured hedges line the driveway, and a sleek sports car is parked out front. It's the type of house you'd expect a celebrity or CEO to live in.
Inside, Sugiyama Kaori sits with her family in the sprawling living room.
"You still don't have a boyfriend, do you, Kaori?" her mom asks casually, sipping tea.
Kaori rolls her eyes. "Mom, having a boyfriend is just a waste of time. It would interfere with my studies."
Her mom leans forward, a teasing tone in her voice. "You're at the right age now. You need to get a fiancé soon. You know that, right?"
Kaori blinks. "Fiancé? What are you talking about?"
Her mom sets down her teacup with a delicate clink. "It's simple. You need someone—a fiancé, or at least a boyfriend—for now. Your father and I won't be around forever, and the company needs someone to help manage it. You're an only child, Kaori. There's no brother to take over, so we need a strong man by your side."
Kaori's dad chimes in with a nod. "Your mother's right, sweetheart."
Then, as if on cue, her parents turn to each other and start exchanging sweet, loving looks. "Isn't that right, darling?"
"Yes, darling," her dad replies, taking her mom's hand.
Kaori groans. "I'm still here, you know."
Her mom looks at her sheepishly. "Oh, right."
The lovey-dovey display continues, completely ignoring Kaori's growing irritation. "Goodness," she mutters under her breath before standing abruptly.
"I'm done here," she announces before walking out of the room.
Her mom watches her leave, a concerned look on her face. "She's upset now, darling."
"It's fine, darling," her dad reassures her with a smile.
...
At the Park.
The park is lively—families having picnics, kids chasing each other around the playground, couples holding hands. It's a nice distraction. I settle onto a bench, letting the noise of laughter and chatter wash over me.
That's when I notice it.
Across the street is a house—or rather, a mansion. Massive windows, a sprawling garden, and walls so pristine they practically shimmer. It's the kind of house you only see in magazines. I wonder what kind of family lives there. Man, imagine owning a place like that. I can't help but dream for a moment—having a house like that someday would be amazing.
The front door opens, and a girl steps out. She's heading toward the park. Even from a distance, I can tell she's pretty. As she gets closer, I realize why she looks so familiar.
Wait.
Is that Sugiyama Kaori?
Our class president? The girl who stood up for me just the other day? My crush?!
Oh no. My chest tightens. She's stunning, even out of her uniform, but something's off. Her usual bright aura is dimmed. She looks upset, lost in thought as she walks right past me. That's when it happens—her wallet slips from her bag and falls to the ground.
"Umm, m-miss! Miss Kaori!" I call out, picking it up and rushing toward her.
She turns around, her expression softening slightly. "Oh, thank you. How do you know my name?"
"Uh… we're in the same class," I mumble.
She doesn't remember me. Figures. NPC status confirmed.
"Oh! Wait. Iwasaki, right?"
My brain short-circuits. Wait—she remembers my name? My heart skips a beat. Is this a dream? Is this real life? Lil' bro, stop dreaming! Wake up!
"Y-yeah. Iwasaki Yuto," I manage to say.
...
We exchange a few pleasantries before I muster the courage to ask, "By the way, are you okay? You seem… upset."
"Do I?" She hesitates, then sighs, sitting on the bench I had just vacated. "My family… they're pressuring me to get a boyfriend. Or worse—a fiancé. All because they want someone to help manage the company. They don't care how I feel, as long as it benefits them."
I stand there, awkwardly, as her voice wavers. Then, to my shock, her eyes fill with tears. She quickly wipes them away, trying to maintain her composed exterior.
I pull out my handkerchief—the clean one, thankfully—and hand it to her. "Here. It's okay to be upset, you know."
"Thanks," she says softly, taking it.
The park feels quieter now, the noise of the world fading as I sit down beside her.
...
After a moment, she turns to me. "What about you? Why are you here, Iwasaki? You look tired."
I rub the back of my neck, embarrassed. "I've been looking for a part-time job. My mom needs medicine, and I need to cover my college expenses. It's… tough."
Her gaze softens further. For a moment, we just sit there, sharing an unspoken understanding.
Then, out of nowhere, she says, "Why don't I become your part-time job?"
"Huh?" My brain glitches. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, pretend to be my boyfriend. Just in front of my family. At school, we'll stay classmates, nothing more. But at home, you'll be my 'boyfriend.' I'll even pay you—enough to cover your rent and your mom's medicine."
I blink, stunned. Did I hear that right? Is this real? Is she serious? Sugiyama Kaori wants me—Iwasaki Yuto, the NPC loser of our class—to pretend to be her boyfriend?
"Are you… for real?" I ask, still processing.
"Deadly." Her tone is firm, her eyes resolute.
I don't know what to say. My brain is spinning in a million directions. This isn't some rom-com plot, right? This is real life. She's offering to pay me to act like her boyfriend, of all people.
Me. Iwasaki Yuto. Her part-time boyfriend.
Wait… My part-time girlfriend?