[Scene: The Walk Home – Awkward Silence]
After the rooftop incident, Ryo and Aoi found themselves walking home together, as they always did. But this time, something was different.
Neither of them spoke.
The usual playful banter? Gone.
The casual teasing? Nowhere to be found.
Instead, an awkward silence stretched between them.
Ryo glanced at Aoi out of the corner of his eye. She was walking slightly ahead, her ears red, her hands stuffed into her pockets as if she didn't want to acknowledge what had happened.
He sighed, trying to shake off the strange feeling in his chest. It was just an accident… right?
Finally, Aoi spoke, her voice unnaturally stiff.
"T-That thing earlier… on the rooftop… f-forget about it."
Ryo blinked. "Huh?"
Aoi turned toward him suddenly, her face completely red. "I said forget it! It was nothing! An accident! That's all!"
Ryo stared at her for a moment before suppressing a chuckle.
Aoi narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
Ryo shook his head, a small smirk on his lips. "Nothing. It's just… you're really bad at pretending it didn't bother you."
Aoi froze for a second before gritting her teeth. "I-It didn't bother me! I'm just making sure you don't overthink it, idiot!"
Ryo smiled. "I wasn't overthinking it."
Aoi looked at him suspiciously. "…You sure?"
"Yeah." He put his hands behind his head. "I mean, accidents happen, right?"
Aoi hesitated, then let out a relieved sigh. "Yeah. Exactly. Just an accident."
But for some reason, even after saying that, neither of them truly believed it.
[Scene: The Next Day – School Hallway]
The next morning, Ryo walked into school, expecting things to go back to normal between him and Aoi.
But he was wrong.
The moment Aoi spotted him, she immediately looked away and started talking to some classmates as if she hadn't seen him.
Ryo raised an eyebrow. Is she… avoiding me?
It was strange. Usually, Aoi would drag him into conversations or tease him about something. But today, she seemed distracted.
Before he could approach her, a voice called out to him.
"Yo, Ryo."
He turned to see Miyu leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching him with a smirk.
"You really did pick Aoi, huh?" she said, tilting her head.
Ryo sighed. "Yeah."
Miyu studied him for a moment. "So… how's she acting now that she knows you chose her?"
Ryo frowned. "Weird. She's… avoiding me, I think."
Miyu raised an eyebrow. "Avoiding you? That's so like her."
"What do you mean?"
Miyu crossed her arms. "She probably doesn't know how to deal with this. You basically changed everything between you two overnight. Aoi's always been the 'cool and confident' one, but now that she's the chosen one, she doesn't know how to react."
Ryo thought about it. Miyu might be right…
He sighed. "So what do I do?"
Miyu smirked. "Easy. Make her flustered."
Ryo stared at her. "What?"
Miyu leaned closer. "She's obviously confused, right? So if you start messing with her, she'll have no choice but to confront her feelings."
Ryo hesitated. "I don't know… That seems kinda cruel."
Miyu shrugged. "Or you could just keep waiting for her to act normal again. Your choice."
Ryo sighed. "I hate that you have a point."
Miyu grinned. "I always have a point."
[Scene: Classroom – Ryo Strikes Back]
During lunch, Ryo spotted Aoi sitting alone near the window, pretending to scroll through her phone.
Alright… Let's see if Miyu's plan works.
He walked over and casually leaned over her desk. "Hey, Aoi."
She jumped slightly, then glared at him. "D-Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Ryo smirked. Bingo.
He sat down across from her, resting his chin on his hand. "Why are you acting so nervous?"
Aoi scoffed. "I-I'm not nervous! Why would I be nervous?"
Ryo leaned in a little closer. "I dunno. Maybe because of yesterday?"
Aoi's face immediately turned red. "I told you to forget that!"
Ryo chuckled. "Oh, I did. But you clearly haven't."
Aoi gritted her teeth. "I swear, Ryo—"
He cut her off. "You know, if you wanted to do that again, you could've just asked."
Aoi choked on air, her entire face turning crimson. "W-WHAT?!"
Ryo smirked. Miyu was right. This is too fun.
Aoi stood up abruptly, pointing a shaking finger at him. "Y-You! You're messing with me on purpose, aren't you?!"
Ryo rested his chin on his hand. "Maybe."
Aoi huffed, looking away. "Y-You're impossible…"
Ryo grinned. At least she's finally reacting normally again.
[Scene: After School – Aoi's Conflicted Feelings]
After school, Aoi found herself alone on the rooftop, staring at the sky.
Her heart was still racing from lunch.
She touched her warm cheeks, groaning. "That idiot…"
Ever since Ryo had chosen her, she had felt strange—like her usual confidence was suddenly shaken.
Before, she had always played the role of his childhood friend. She had even faked being his fiancée. But now… it wasn't fake anymore.
And that terrified her.
Because now, she couldn't hide behind an act anymore.
She had to face the truth.
And the truth was—
She liked Ryo.
More than a friend. More than a fake fiancée.
And she didn't know what to do about it.
[To Be Continued…]