[Scene: Classroom 2-B – Morning Homeroom]
The moment Ryo and Aoi stepped into the classroom, they were bombarded.
"Is it true you guys are engaged?!"
"When's the wedding?!"
"How long have you been secretly dating?!"
"Wait, does this mean we missed the childhood-friends-to-lovers development arc?!"
Ryo stood frozen, his brain short-circuiting.
How did this happen?!
He turned to Hina Tanaka, who was already surrounded by eager classmates.
"You seriously told everyone?" Ryo groaned.
Hina beamed. "Of course! This is the biggest news of the semester! You and Aoi have been best friends for years, and now you're getting married! It's so romantic!"
Ryo felt his soul leave his body.
Aoi, on the other hand, remained completely unfazed. "Wow, that was fast."
"You don't sound surprised at all," Ryo muttered.
Aoi shrugged. "Eh, I figured Hina would spread it eventually."
"You planned this?!"
Aoi smirked. "Not planned. Just… expected."
"YOU'RE EVIL."
Before Ryo could protest further, their homeroom teacher entered. The students quickly scrambled to their seats, but the excited whispers didn't die down.
Ryo sank into his chair, already exhausted. This fake engagement is going to kill me.
---
[Scene: Lunch Break – Rooftop]
Ryo sat on the rooftop bench, resting his forehead on the table. Aoi munched on her sandwich beside him.
"This is a disaster," Ryo mumbled.
Aoi sipped her juice. "It's not that bad."
Ryo lifted his head. "Not that bad?! Everyone in school thinks we're some kind of fairy tale couple! I even heard people saying we're 'proof that true love exists'!"
Aoi smirked. "Well, that's kinda sweet."
Ryo groaned. "You enjoy this, don't you?"
"I mean… it is entertaining."
Ryo leaned back, staring at the sky. "This is going to be impossible to keep up."
Aoi tilted her head. "Why? We just act normal."
"Normal?!" Ryo shot up. "We have to hold hands in the hallways now! People expect us to act like a couple! Do you have any idea how awkward that is?!"
Aoi blinked. "...Is it?"
Ryo stared. "You seriously don't care, huh?"
Aoi took another bite of her sandwich. "Nope."
Ryo buried his face in his hands. I'm going to die from stress.
---
[Scene: After School – Walking Home]
As Ryo and Aoi walked home, they noticed a small crowd watching them. Some students were whispering and giggling, clearly waiting for something to happen.
Aoi nudged Ryo. "They're watching us."
Ryo forced a stiff smile. "No kidding."
Aoi suddenly grabbed his hand.
Ryo jolted. "W-Wha—?!"
"Gotta make it convincing, right?" Aoi said casually, swinging their hands like it was nothing.
Ryo felt his face burn. "Y-Yeah, but—"
"Ohhh, they're so cute together!" someone whispered.
"AHHH! Hand-holding in public!" another gasped.
Ryo gritted his teeth. I take it back. I won't die from stress. I'll die from embarrassment.
Aoi glanced at him, amused. "You're all red."
"Shut up."
---
[Scene: Home – Ryo's Room]
Lying on his bed, Ryo stared at the ceiling, still processing everything.
How did my life turn into this?
He had agreed to this whole fake engagement to avoid his parents setting him up, but now the entire school was involved. And the worst part?
Aoi wasn't even bothered by it.
She just went along with everything so naturally. Hand-holding? No big deal. Fake love story? Easy. Meanwhile, Ryo felt like he was barely holding it together.
He groaned, covering his face with a pillow.
This is only the beginning, isn't it?