“Please let’s pretend that we’re dating!”

Through the words someone spoke, a shudder feeling engulfed through my body. Holding my shoulders, a girl named Kagome stands before me; her eyes glaring profoundly.

“Huh?” I grunt.

“You promised me that you’ll help me get closer to Kei, right? Then, do it. Let her be fall out of love for you, and start dating with me instead.”

“I… I do said I’ll help you get closer to Kei.”

“Then, let’s do this. You’re going to be my lover, and make her feelings get rid off for you. That said, this will be a good thing for both of us.”

On a sunny day, above the stairs before reaching the rooftop of the school; as I was about to come over to meet Kei… this happened.

My back leaned on the wall; my body petrified while looking at Kagome’s stoic face. No, I shouldn’t say she’s stoic. It’s way of showing loath at me, but trying to conceal it.

As I never know that she already knew Kei likes me instead of her, a heroine… this turns out to be the worst thing in the concept of the story.

Now, how is this happened?

****

5 hours ago:

I arrived at the train station on a usual time. Boarding passengers starts to gain all over the platform.

Another morning, another me who will face this novel-like scene like reality. Also, today… I’ll see Kei again.

The train arrived 3 minutes after I came from the station. The usual routine of passengers getting off and boarding in started. There isn’t much crowd today, and I saw Kei sitting at the left aisle of the train.

She sees me quickly and took a wave by wriggling her fingers. Showing a bright smile at me as well, I also greet her. Beside her is Kagome, also sitting. But there’s something unusual on her.

I know Kagome is getting hostile at me since I get closer to Kei instead of her. Yet, right now… her looks show glum. Our eyes meet, and she greets me as well. But without the hostile mood.

I wasn’t sure the reason behind it, but I don’t want to interfere on her personal matters.

We just wait to arrive at the station without saying anything at all.

Upon coming into the station we’re dropping off, Kagome straightly go ahead of us.

“Kagome!” Kei called, but she didn’t flinch to look. I wonder what’s wrong with her.

Kei and I started to walk towards school together, while both of us were pondering about Kagome. “I wonder what’s with her? She didn’t tell me something what’s going on at all.”

Kei speaks with worrysome on her voice.

Is it because I’m getting all the attention she must supposed to have with Kei? I know this isn’t something I should take. Kagome’s the one who is with her right now. I need to solve this problem.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Senior,” I called, halting from walking. “You must see Senior Yukiyama?”

Kei tilts her head, looking at me. “Huh?” she uttered. “She needs you, senior.”

Kei didn’t say anything, but her eyes pleads at me, trying to confirm if she must do what I’m asking. “I’m fine, go with her.”

Yeah, that’s right; from the beginning, they’re meant for each other. I’m just an extra to this story in the first place. Kagome is the leading character, and the heroine must see the potential on her.

“I’ll see you later, Kira.” Kei nods at me and runs to catch Kagome among the crowd.

“I’m doing the right thing, yes. Because Kei belongs to Kagome.” I mumbled. However, that left a stinging feeling through my chest. I wonder why, this must be nothing for me.

After all, I’m cheering for their romance to bloom. Yet, why I feel bothered by it?

****

Upon arriving the classroom, I got on my seat and place the bag beside the table. Some group of the students gathered, having bustle inside the classroom while waiting for the homeroom.

“Yo,” Haruki greets me as he arrived. “Good morning” I greeted back at him.

Placing his bag beside the table, he then sits at the chair and turns sideways to face me. “You seemed bothered by something?” he asked.

“Huh?”

“Your face. You seemed bothered by something. I never saw you having that expression before.”

Haruki’s eyes locked at me. I look back at him with wonder. “Don’t tell me, it’s you having fight with Senior Sakagami?”

“Huh? What’re you talking about?”

Haruki grins, his eyes squints. “Having lover’s quarrel, huh?”

What’s this person talking about? “I don’t have lover’s quarrel with Senior Sakagami. We’re not even dating.”

Haruki snorts and chuckles softly. “You can deny, but the fact that Senior Sakagami likes you can’t hide…”

“Shut up. We’re not even good together, okay? She’s pretty, and friendly… a girl who can’t be reached with someone like me.”

Yeah, right. Because I’m just an extra to this novel. The one who doesn’t even supposed to exist in the first place. And pondering that we’re made for each other is even hilarious.

“Is that what you really think about?”

From beside me is another familiar voice. Haruki got baffled as she sees the one spoke. Turning my head sideways, Shirasawa stands right before me, her arms crossed.

“I can’t helped but to be curious about Senior falling in love with a guy like you.”

Huh? What is she even talking about? “Uhm, Shirasawa—”

“It’s no fair only I call you by your name, Kira. Ayase. Call me by my name.”

This girl who shows hostile mood at me suddenly interrupts us. She even gazes at me like I’m a piece of shit. “And so, what’s with you? Shirasawa—”

“A-ya-se.” Shirasawa—Ayase, this girl convinced me to call her by her name. What’s even with her right now? “Well, I was curious as per you, a not-so-good looking guy, made Senior Sakagami looks your way?”

“Huh?” I asked. Ayase’s brows furrowed, scrutinizing my whole appearance with her eyes. “You’re not even my type of guy, though. You look plainer than Haruki here.”

“Hey! Don’t talk like I’m not even here!” Haruki protested.

I admit, Haruki is way better looks than me. Even Kei might have a chance to look on his way. “What are you guys talking about?”

Another one joined, and Ayase turns to see the one came. “Ah, Hinako.” she called. Kobayashi smiles at her and greets. “Good morning, Ayase.”

As Kobayashi greets her, Ayase’s face flushed a little. It’s as if there’s something happened between them. Wait, is this the true story of this novel? I mean, Ayase and Kobayashi are both ‘swinging that way’?

”We’re just talking about Kira.” Haruki interjects as he looks at Kobayashi. “I see, and what about it?” she asked.

“Ah—no, it’s nothing!” I immediately replied. I don’t want to get rumors about it. Given the situation where I’m in, I don’t want anyone other than these people to talk about it.

“It’s about Senior Sakagami liking him.” however, as I tried not to talk about it, Ayase, grinning at me, turns to face Kobayashi and speaks. What the fuck!?

“Heh….” Kobayashi snorts and grins at me. “I see. I see. Our Miyamoto—I supposed to say, Kira… seems got a girl hooked by his singing voice, huh?”

No, not even you, Kobayashi!? “No! What’s that even supposed to mean!?” I protested. The three giggled at my protest. It’s not even funny. And how come I became friendly with them?

“But I’m not gonna lie, dude.” Haruki taps my shoulders with a grin on his lips. “You and Senior Sakagami look good together. You should ask her to go out.”

“Eh!? Why should I?” I asked.

“Because you two are great. Feels like you two are match for each other.”

Both Kobayashi and Ayase nods after Haruki’s words. I can’t even rebut from his words. There’s no way we can be match together. Kei and I, a side character who doesn’t even supposed to exist.

“That’s ridiculous.”

The three became silent after my reply. “There’s no way, me and Senior Sakagami will be good together.”

Standing up from my chair, I quickly left the classroom. Right, there’s no way for us to be together. Kei is Kagome’s lover, and I don’t need to change the track of the story.

She isn’t really in love with me. This is just but an infatuation. Yet, why my chest feels clumping when I think about it.

I entered the comfort room and goes in one of the cubicles. Sitting at the bowl, I took a deep breath. Calm down, Kira. You’re trying to make things complicated. You should only focus on your goal: to make this story end up with the two characters fall in love with each other.

“Yeah, you’re right…” I mumbled. I must think of a way to make Kagome and Kei fall in love and be together.

That thought oozes a pain through my chest. The thought of them ended up being together makes my chest clump tighter. Why? Why do I feel this way? It shouldn’t be this way.

It shouldn’t be this way, but I can’t helped it…. tears fall down to my eyes without me knowing.