Chapter 9: The Temporary Date

That night— After a day fueled by nothing but exhaustion and chaos, I had every intention of collapsing into a coma. Then, my smartphone vibrated. The name flashing on the screen made my heart give a small, unnecessary jolt.

Ishikawa Yukari.

Since when did I even have her number? I didn't remember her asking for it, let alone saving it.

“How did you get my number?” I shot back, my fingers flying across the screen. The reply came almost instantly, as if she’d been hovering over the device. “I have another request. A special one, just for you.”

My internal alarm bells started ringing. “What is it? And please, keep it normal.” “Relax. It’s simple.” I swallowed hard, my thumb hesitating over the glass. “Fine. What?” “Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?”

I nearly dropped the phone on my face. “Hah?! A date?!” The next bubble popped up immediately. “Calm down. It’s just for reference.” Then another, this one with a sharper edge. “If you refuse... don’t expect a positive rating for that little club of yours.”

I gritted my teeth. “That’s low. You’re not even a member.” The final reply silenced me. “Kengo-kun. I have a lot of connections at this university. The fact that I got your number so easily... doesn't that explain enough?”

I stared at the screen in silence. She had a point. It was a terrifyingly subtle threat. And so, whether I liked it or not—I had to accept. After all, it was just a temporary date. A research trip for her manga.

Nothing more.

The next morning, I found myself standing at the bus stop. The spring breeze blew softly, carrying a light flurry of falling cherry blossoms. Nature seemed to be blessing the day, even though I’d spent the last hour praying for a thunderstorm to cancel the whole thing.

This isn’t a date. It’s research. It’s for the club’s reputation.

“Kengo-kun.”

I turned. Yukari was standing there, and I had to admit, she looked... different. Her long, brownish-black hair shimmered under the morning sun. Her green eyes were clear and steady. She wore a soft pink blouse, an elegant black skirt, and of course—her grey sketchbook clutched in her hands.

My face heated up for no logical reason. “Are you ready?” she asked. “Ready for what? This forced date? Absolutely not.” “Don’t be like that,” she replied casually. “It’s only for one day.”

Without a hint of hesitation, she looped her arm through mine. Passersby watched us with knowing smiles, clearly mistaking us for a young couple enjoying a spring romance. It was fundamentally unfair to my mental health.

We walked toward the city park. By the small pond, a pair of swans swam alongside their cygnets. Yukari immediately began scribbling in her book. Then, almost instinctively, I reached out to take her hand to guide her through the crowd.

She stopped writing. Her face flushed a deep crimson. “Please don’t look at me like that… it’s embarrassing.”

I quickly looked away, pointing toward the water. “Look at that.” She turned, watching the swans move in perfect sync. “How beautiful…” she murmured. “I guess the 3D world isn't entirely terrible.” I could only offer a wry smile in response.

We tried our luck at a ring-toss stall. Yukari was deadly serious. “I need to win this for a dramatic scene in the next chapter!” Yet, she missed every single shot. I finally stepped up, and with a stroke of luck, I won. The prize: a teddy bear with a heart on its chest.

Yukari looked slightly dejected until I handed it to her. “Here. This is for you.” “B-but you’re the one who won it…” “Just take it.”

She hugged the bear tightly. “Thank you, Kengo-kun.” Her smile this time didn't look like "reference material" at all.

Later, we bought ice cream. A bit of cream ended up on the corner of my lip. Yukari noticed and, before I could react, she wiped it away with her finger—then licked it. “Sweet.”

I froze. She seemed to enjoy my shocked expression far too much. “Kengo-kun… can I ask you something?” “What now?” “In your opinion, what is the meaning of love?”

I paused for a moment. “Love isn't just something you feel. It’s something you do. It’s a condition where someone else’s happiness becomes essential to your own.”

She listened with surprising intensity. Then, she smiled. “Kengo-kun… you’re actually a bit of a genius, aren't you?” “Stop mocking me.” But her expression was sincere. And for the first time today, she didn't write that answer down.

Evening fell. We boarded the bus home, exhaustion finally hitting me like a truck. Without realizing it, I drifted off, my head resting on her shoulder. Yukari was startled, but she didn't pull away. She watched my sleeping face for a long moment.

Then, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Thanks for coming with me, Kengo-kun.” It was brief. Gentle. And completely unrecorded.

The next morning, Yukari appeared at the Heartbreak Society room again. “Kengo-kun! Good morning!” “You’re here early,” I noted, suspicious. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

The entire room turned to glare at me. “What happened yesterday?” “Why are they suddenly so close?”

Just then, Kurumi walked in. “Kengo-kun?” Yukari gave her a sweet, honeyed smile. “Thanks for the temporary date yesterday. I’m already looking forward to the next one.”

The air in the room turned to ice. “HEEEH?!” “They went on a date?!”

Kurumi stood frozen, her face gradually losing all color. “And thank you for the teddy bear,” Yukari added with a lethal dose of innocence. The room exploded again. “They’re already at the gift-giving stage?!” “K-Kengo-kun… a date?” Kurumi whispered, her voice trembling.

I scrambled for an explanation. “Wait, it was just—” But the chaos was already out of control. I knew right then—this was the dawn of a brand-new drama in my life.

Meanwhile, beneath a streetlight near the bus stop, a woman stood surrounded by several suitcases. Her jet-black hair reached her waist, and her golden-yellow eyes were sharp and commanding.

She offered a thin, enigmatic smile. Harumasa Hitomi. My older sister.

“It’s been a long time, hasn't it… Kengo?”

For some reason, I felt like my life had just entered an arc far more dangerous than any forced date could ever be.