60 - If You Think About It Rationally

RAW

The day after spending a whole day searching for limited-edition ice cream with Ayaka on what was essentially a date, Haruto found himself in his best friend Tomoya's room.

"So? Since when have you been dating Tojo-san?"

Tomoya's matter-of-fact tone made Haruto sigh as he replied.

"I already told you last time—Ayak… I mean, Tojo-san and I aren't dating."

"You were about to call her 'Ayaka' just now, weren't you?"

"...I wasn’t."

Haruto averted his gaze from Tomoya, who was staring at him with a sharp, accusing look.

"Haruto-kun! Lying is bad, you know!"

Tomoya imitated Ayaka's tone and mannerisms, mocking Haruto, who had turned away and clammed up.

That earned a twitch of annoyance from Haruto.

"I'm telling you, there's nothing between me and Tojo-san like what you're thinking. She's a housekeeping service client, and that's it."

"But didn’t you say before that you wouldn't be going to her place anymore? So why are you still doing housekeeping at Tojo-san's house?"

"That's because… her parents liked my cooking and stuff, and they decided to hire me regularly."

Hearing Haruto’s explanation, Tomoya smirked and stroked his chin knowingly.

"Oh, so you’re already approved by her parents. Got it."

"Approved by her parents? You’re jumping to conclusions again..."

As Haruto gave him an exasperated look, Tomoya shifted to a more serious expression and stared at him intently.

"Look, are you sure you two aren’t really dating? Because if you’re not, then the vibe between you two yesterday was... weird."

"Weird? It wasn’t that bad."

"It was that bad. If you're not dating, then either you’re ridiculously oblivious to the point it affects your daily life, or Tojo-san’s some kind of heartbreaker who toys with men. Or... she’s head over heels for you."

Tomoya’s pointed assertion made Haruto scratch his head.

Despite his seemingly frivolous demeanor, Tomoya was surprisingly perceptive and often had a knack for hitting the mark with his observations.

Haruto let out a small sigh.

After some hesitation, opening and closing his mouth a few times, he finally resigned himself to explaining his current situation with Ayaka.

He told Tomoya about the lie he had told his grandmother.

How Ayaka agreed to go along with it and pretend to be his fake girlfriend.

And how they were practicing being a couple to make their act believable.

After hearing everything, Tomoya stayed silent for a few moments before speaking.

"Haruto, are you an idiot?"

"What’s with that all of a sudden?"

"A fake girlfriend? Practicing being a couple? Nobody does that unless it’s someone they like."

"...You can’t just say that for sure."

Haruto half-heartedly denied it, his voice lacking conviction. He had just been told something similar by Shizuku not long ago, and Tomoya’s words only stirred his heart further.

"Tojo-san is really nice. Maybe she’s just going along with my lie out of kindness."

Haruto's reply sounded more like an excuse, prompting Tomoya to cross his arms with a thoughtful "Hmm."

"I don’t know anything about Tojo-san, so I can’t say for sure. But think about it: no matter how kind someone is, no one would go that far, right?"

"...…”

Haruto fell silent, unable to counter Tomoya’s reasoning.

"Then how do you feel about Tojo-san?"

"That’s…"

"Do you like her? Or is she really just a client?"

Tomoya’s direct question made Haruto lower his gaze.

He already knew the answer—what he felt toward Ayaka. But saying it out loud, turning it into words, felt impossible. His lips stayed sealed as if stitched together.

Seeing this, Tomoya nodded knowingly.

"Ah, so you’re head over heels for her too, huh?"

"I haven’t said anything. Don’t just assume things."

Haruto reflexively denied it, prompting Tomoya to shake his head with a sigh.

"You not saying anything just proves it. You can’t even casually say ‘I like her,’ which means you’re seriously in love with her."

"...…”

"And because you’re serious about her, you’re scared of what might happen between you two. If it were just a crush, you’d confess easily, thinking it’d be cool if it worked out."

"...That’s not…"

Haruto weakly denied Tomoya’s accurate assessment, avoiding his gaze.

Though inexperienced in love, Haruto had started noticing Ayaka's possible feelings for him. Yet he lacked the confidence to believe it, dismissing it as wishful thinking.

But spending time with her—her smiles, the fun atmosphere, the warmth of her hand—gave him hope. Hope that she might truly become his real girlfriend.

Haruto let out a deep sigh.

"She’s the school idol, Tojo-san. The girl who’s rejected every confession. What are the odds she’d like me?"

"Who knows? But I doubt any of those guys got her parents’ approval like you did."

"That’s true, but..."

Haruto sighed for the third time, lowering his gaze again.

He wished he could be as oblivious as the typical rom-com protagonist. It would save him all this heartache.

Tomoya's earlier words echoed in his mind.

"You’re scared because you’re seriously in love with her."  

He wanted more from Ayaka than just being a client or a classmate. But his fear of rejection made him hesitate, holding back his feelings.

"I wish I could be one of those dense protagonists."

"Nah, Haru. You’re already oblivious enough."

"...Huh?"

"You’re not even aware of it? That’s serious, man."

Tomoya gave Haruto an exasperated look, just as the door burst open.

"Haru-nii!"

It was Tomoya's younger sister, Haruka, barging into the room with a loud call.

"Haruka, how many times do I have to tell you to knock before coming in?"

"If I knocked, your door would’ve shattered into pieces!"

Clenching her fist, Haruka retorted with a feisty comeback.

"What’s got you so riled up?"

"Of course I’m riled up! Haru-nii, who was that super pretty girl yesterday? Is she your girlfriend?!"

"Uh, Haruka-chan, she’s not my—"

"Liar! You’re definitely dating her!"

Interrupting Haruto mid-sentence, Haruka’s accusation made Tomoya chuckle as he chimed in.

"Apparently, he’s not dating Tojo-san. That’s what Haru says, anyway."

"Really?! You’re not dating her? Are you insane, Haru-nii?!"

Haruto averted his eyes, looking sheepish.

"I thought I was sane, but now I’m not so sure…"

"Hey, Haru-nii! Introduce me to Tojo-san!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Because she clearly likes you! There’s no way you won’t fall for her! Actually, you’ve already fallen for her, haven’t you?"

"That’s…"

Trying to refute her, Haruto found himself cut off again as Haruka confidently declared, "There’s no doubt about it! She’s 100% in love with you!"

"...And your proof is?"

"A woman’s intuition!"

"Uh… right. But why do you want to meet her?"

"To see if she’s good enough to be your girlfriend!"

Haruka’s fervent declaration made Haruto laugh nervously.

"Well, maybe someday. If the opportunity comes."

"That’s a no! I’m going to evaluate her myself!"

"No, Haruka-chan. You’re Tomoya’s sister, not mine."

"But you’re like my real brother, Haru-nii! You’ve always been part of our family!"

Tomoya chimed in, clapping Haruto on the back.

"Of course! Haru’s not just my best friend; he’s family!"

Haruto scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

Back when his grandfather passed away, Tomoya and Haruka had been there for him. For that, he was deeply grateful.

But introducing Ayaka to Haruka felt like opening Pandora’s box. Haruto could only sigh as he evaded her demands with vague promises.