75 - From Fake to Real

RAW

On a slightly humid midsummer night...

In a quiet park where only Haruto and Ayaka were present, both of them blushed as they stared into each other's eyes.

"…So, Ayaka, does this mean you’ve… for a while now…"

Haruto's words trailed off, a mix of embarrassment and confusion coloring his expression.

Ayaka, her face equally red, nodded softly.

"Yes… I've liked you for a long time."

Her voice was small, almost lost in her shyness. Hearing it made Haruto feel warmth spreading to his ears, and a joy unlike any he had felt before swelled within his chest.

Caught in overwhelming happiness, Haruto was further astonished as Ayaka continued.

"I’ve always liked you, Haruto. Ever since you started coming to our house as a housekeeper. You made delicious meals, spent time with Ryota, and even got along with my parents… I fell for you. That’s why I gathered the courage to invite you to the movies that first time."

"What?! Wait! From back then?!"

Learning how long she had felt this way, Haruto's eyes widened in shock. Seeing his surprise, Ayaka pouted adorably.

"Of course! I tried so hard to get you to notice me. I wouldn’t have held hands with you if I didn’t like you."

"Wait… so when I asked you to pretend to be my girlfriend…?"

"I liked you then, too. I was surprised when you told your grandmother I was your girlfriend, but I was just as happy."

She smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed. Haruto, still processing everything, stared at her in a daze.

"And the 'practice' of being a couple…?"

"That was my strategy to seduce you."

"…"

Ayaka now wore a playful, almost mischievous smile. Her shifting expressions captivated Haruto, and he couldn’t look away.

"I see…"

"Yeah… Hey, Haruto?"

Ayaka looked up at him with her face still red, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"When did you start liking me?"

"Um… I couldn’t hide it anymore after we watched the stars together."

Haruto scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

"But I think I started noticing you after we went to the Animal Forest Park."

"Oh, was it when I fell in the puddle, and you caught me?"

"Y-yeah, that time."

He vividly recalled how he had shielded her when she stumbled, and they ended up in each other's arms. Under the bright summer sun, with sparkling water droplets around her, Ayaka had looked like a dream.

"I see…"

"Yeah…"

Both of them blushed, lowering their gazes. The summer night breeze wrapped around them, carrying a warmth beyond the season’s heat.

"We took quite a detour, didn’t we?" Ayaka murmured.

"Yeah… Sorry, it’s because I was so oblivious."

Haruto looked down apologetically. Ayaka stepped closer.

"No. I’m happy because my feelings finally reached you."

She peered up at him, close enough to touch. Haruto met her eyes and spoke with determination.

"I promise you, Ayaka. From now on, I won’t run away. I won’t make you sad."

"…Really?"

"Yeah. Never again."

She beamed, stepping even closer, their toes almost touching.

"Can I confirm that promise right now?"

"If you want to…"

Ayaka placed her hands gently on Haruto’s chest, her eyes glistening. He rested his hands on her shoulders, their eyes locked.

After a moment, she closed her eyes and rose on tiptoes. Haruto leaned down, and their lips met softly.

It was brief, yet it felt eternal. When they parted, Ayaka’s face was radiant, her eyes fixed on his.

In that moment, everything else vanished—the park, the night, even the summer heat. All Haruto felt was the warmth of her lips and the intensity of his feelings for her.

Realizing she was now his real girlfriend, not just a pretend one, Haruto was overwhelmed by the urge to hold her tight. But then, he remembered something important: he was drenched in sweat.

"Ayaka, I’m really sweaty right now. Maybe we should…"

"No. I don’t want to let go."

"But… I smell bad, right?"

"No. You smell like you. It makes me feel calm."

"S-seriously…?"

Haruto was torn between embarrassment and happiness. Maybe Ayaka had a thing for his scent? He blushed deeper, but let her stay in his arms, content to simply hold her.