CHAPTER 4: Pretend Lover

“SO THEN CAN someone please explain to me why both of you picked me for this personal request?” Nao and Sayu stayed silent with their wide grin as they stared at me. Out of the three of us, for this ‘pretend’ cliché plot of a romance novel they chose me? To pretend as the popular guy’s ‘lover’?

They come here in our apartment expecting that I would say ‘yes’ cause they have already prepared for the whole date. Apparently, this guy has an admirer that keeps pushing herself to him. He tried to date her and now he wants to get rid of her by proving that he likes this ‘pretend lover’. Which is the whole point of the three people date.

Aww god. What has the future society in store for us?

“We already bought you a dress that perfectly measures with your size. Nao also brought her make-up kit and will now help you fix yourself up.” One by one, Sayu placed all the items on the table with a happy and sweet smile. I ground at them and pushed back the items.

“No. We’re not playing dress up and pretend.” With a firm voice, I stood up and prepared myself a coffee. “Also, how did you guys know my sizes? I never groped you guys.”

“They asked me.” My mother came out from the other room with her bed hair and a cardigan on. She turned to me and gave me a cold stare. “It’s a dress up event. You never go to the salon even when you promised to. Just let them do this for once.” I blinked a few times as my jaw dropped.

“Oh wait, so you’re totally fine with me going on a date?” She didn’t respond. Shrugging her shoulders, she sat with the two and stared at me.

“Mother?!” I exclaimed.

“Do it for me, then.” And from the corner of the table, I saw a picture Nao flashed at me. It was the time when I got my face slapped hard. Mother never really knew what actually happened. If she knew I got in trouble with the guys, she’s sure to flip out and meet the parents of the three guys directly. I’m pretty lucky Mother took the excuse ‘I hit myself on a tree’ and accepted it.

Basically, this is how Nao blackmails people.

I sighed in defeat and grunted with a whole-hearted irritation. “Fine. But just for the record, this is stupid.” The two of them clapped together in unison. Sayu had a pure excitement in her face and joy while Nao on the other hand looks like she found another amusing thing to do for the day.

While the three of them gossip over the ‘perfect’ date outfit, I felt my phone vibrate on my pockets. I received a message and immediately frowned when I saw the ‘Daily free fortune’. A text message directly from Nao’s mom. And honestly, I’m pretty scared for my life now. It’s pretty clear why Nao came to be manipulative.

“Nao, you’re mom messaged me another fortune.” I complained as I sat next to mother. She groaned and placed her hand on her forehead.

“She kept saying that you shouldn’t dwell on things too much but she’s sending you fortune? She’s pretty hooked on your faith, Angea.” I pressed my lips together as I felt the chills run down my spine.

The fact that they know what’s happening is scaring me.

“I hope you didn’t pick me for this request because she told you so.” Nao paused and stared at me.

“What? Don’t be ridiculous.” She said followed by an ominous laugh.

“That laugh is not helping at all.” I whispered and looked back at my phone. Sighing, I closed my phone and accepted the fact that another crazy thing will happen again today.

From: Mrs. Sugawara

The emotion of betrayal is truly sour. Be sweeter than candy that lasts more than an hour. (Please don’t think too much of this fortune. I hope the three of you stay safe today. Support for your date <3)

“I’d prefer it if you guys stopped reading my fortune.” I complained as I went to Sayu, kneeled infront of her and rested my head on her lap. Of course, I immediately received a slap on my face from Nao.

“Ow~” She wrapped her arms around Sayu’s neck and pulled her for a hug.

“Never. Ever. Rest your head on her lap. That lap is mine.” With a strong gaze, she growled at me like a puppu. Sayu laughed awkwardly and looked at me.

“I’m sure Mrs. Sugawara has her reasons for sending them to you. Just take it as an advice, Angea. I sometimes get that much from her too. She’s just looking out for us.” Shrugging my shoulders, I walked back to my seat.

Even if I did take it as an advice, I never know how to interpret the words. She talks in tongues sometimes. Riddles that confuse me more. If she’s gonna give me a piece of advice, why not just send me a straight and clear one instead? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Despite that though, I know it’s far-fetched but didn’t Mrs. Sugawara also gave me a fortune reading when I met Watanabe at the park?

Will I also see her today?

“SHE JUST TEXTED me. She said she just arrived from the bus stop. Su should be here in a few minutes.” I nodded as I looked around the whole area. The place feels so spacious even though we’re just as the entrance of the park. Sayu and Nao said they would walk on up ahead but I feel like they are still around. The presence of my own camera can never be hidden from me.

Nao wanted to take videos and pictures of this ‘date’

“Why do you want to ditch her anyway? This seems like a harsh turn down.” I asked as I turned to face the shrine we stayed on. He sighed and rested his back on the tori gate.

“It’s simple. I realized relationships weren’t for me.” With a pity expression in his face, I can see that he doesn’t like just as much the three of us do. After all, this is no way to reject someone. You’d just be piling one problem on top of another. Even so, it’s hard to reason out the truth that we feel.

“You don’t get it, do you?” He said with a chuckle. I shook my head and placed my hand on my chest.

“I kinda do…somehow. I guess.” With that, I earned a laugh from him. Then he stopped and stared at me. He looked at me from head to toe as if he was checking me out.

“You look cute, by the way. It’s nice to see you without your bed hair.” I grinned and raised an eyebrow at him.

“Oya? What’s this? Complimenting girls will give them a fake signal. Didn’t you know that?” He paused then grinned back at me.

“I was being nice. Not flirty.” Rolling my eyes, I nudged him with my elbow.

“Yeah right.” As we both laughed, on a few distance away, a woman stood there. And when I saw who it was, I immediately wanted to leave. I felt my stomach turn and a slight sting on my chest when I realized she was looking straight at us with her ruined expression. Watanabe stood there in awe as she stared at us. Somehow, Mrs. Sugawara portrayed the ‘betrayal’ to be Watanabe’s expression.

I turned to the guy with a visible displease on my face. “Su? When you meant Su, it was Watanabe?” The panic rose through my whole being as she walked towards us. I took a deep breath and tried super hard to calm myself.

Argh. Why does it have to be you?

“Really?” Watanabe looked at me with disappointment and sarcasm in her voice. All I could do was raise my hand and wave at her while it trembled.

“W-Watanabe. Nice to see you here. What a coincidence! Ha-ha” I bit my lower lip as I failed to play smooth. Cause all I earned is her piercing gaze and her silence as she grabbed him by his sleeve.

“Let’s go.” She tried to hold him by his hand but immediately, he pulled away and held mine instead. Her eyes followed his hands as it intertwined with mine then looked up at me. All I could do was shake his hands and smile sheepishly. I can feel my heart beat racing so fast.

‘We’ll help in any way we can’ my butt. This is just purely hurting her!

“Fine. I’ll go on ahead. So you two lovebirds have your fun.” And as soon as she left, I gave him a questioning look. Understanding that I needed an explanation, he took a few steps back.

“Don’t give me that look, I explained to the other two who the girl was. They didn’t told you?” Groaning and grunting, I started to walk and headed inside the park. Of course they wouldn’t tell me. What did I expect? Apparently, I keep getting wind up with Watanabe.

What’s her deal anyway? Last week she was at the pier alone. She said she ditched somebody. Now I find her here? Attending a date? On top of that she seems like she was hurt when she saw me?

Oh, to hell with pretending as lovers.

“Wait. Wait, where are you going? You’re supposed to be my pretend girlfriend, Suzuki.” I faced him and pointed a finger at him.

“There will be no pretending lovers today.” I then pointed inside the park, pertaining to Watanabe. “You need to go inside, talk to her, and explain everything. She, out of everyone, does not deserve this.” And just like that, his eyebrows met each other and gave me an annoyed look.

“What is your problem? We had an agreement. Besides, it’s not like she’s innocent in this relationship.” I bit my lower lip tight and closed my eyes, hoping he wouldn’t say it in front of my ace. “She’s been going around hanging out with a bunch of different guys. Out of everyone here, she deserves to be dumped in the worst way possible.” Hearing that, I can feel the need to slap him. But instead, I slapped myself. The look on his face says it all.

I’m overreacting.

“Please. Just explain this to her. I can’t play pretend with you.” I begged as I held my numb cheeks from my own slap. My gaze on the ground as it started to get blurry. This feeling is suffocating and confusing me. I don’t know whether to feel upset that she’s supposed to be here, on a date or be upset on myself cause instead, I’m the one hurting her here.

“Alright. So, stop crying.” I looked up at him as he flashed a salty smile. “I’ll explain it to her for the sake of your own feelings.” He gave me a pat on my head and walked past me. And I was left there, realizing that I was crying for no reason at all.

“Angea.” Nao approached me, appearing from behind the tree. She handed me a handkerchief and smiled. “The day’s not over yet. Also, sorry for not telling you it was gonna be Watanabe.” I said nothing as I took the handkerchief and started walking. With a deep breath and confusion brewing in my mind, I headed inside the park.

Not from afar, I spotted Watanabe and the guy I was just with. They both stood under a sakura tree. Her expression was blank as her eyes once again gracefully flowed in the wind. From where I stood, I can see the glint of sadness in her eyes. And I wonder if this was all a part of Mrs. Sugawara’s fortune reading.

Maybe I should take her advices more seriously.

Cause even after the push and pull of trust I have in her, I’m still willing to hug her for comfort. I’m still willing to help her. I still wanted to be close to her. Somehow, this girl managed to get me to care for her. I want to know what kind of person she is. Maybe I can be friends with her?

I stopped at my thoughts and laughed at myself. Mrs. Sugawara is right. I’m reading too much in all of this. “I should get some drinks.” Looking around, I spotted a nearby vending machine. I was about to get three but then the guy that we were with today approached me. He raised his eyebrows and looked at the vending machine.

“You getting drinks?” I nodded, trying to read his facial expression. And to the look of it, everything went well. He looks more relaxed rather than earlier. “I’ll buy you drinks as apology for this personal request. I shouldn’t have dragged you in my own issues in the first place.” He didn’t spare a time for my answer and immediately got me two Kirin Lemon Soda. And without a word, he patted my head and smiled at me, encouragingly.

“I should have thought more about what other’s would feel in a situation like this. Especially you, Suzuki.” Afterwards, he said his goodbyes and walked away. Even though I’m pretty sure that before he leaves Nao will probably block him and demand for drinks as well. I chuckled at the thought.

Walking back to where I last saw them talking, I found Watanabe sitting on one of the rocks that drew the line between grass and pathway. Trying to calm myself down, I approached her. I knew well she wouldn’t forgive me that easily, but she has the right to do so. That’s why instead of sitting beside her, I stood in front of her and handed one of the drinks he got for us.

She looked up at me and I can feel myself wanting to melt away from her sight. Her gaze burned with sharp daggers as she looked at me. I awkwardly smiled and said

“He got us some drinks to apologize.” Despite the strong annoyance and her want to avoid me, she took the drink. I walked away and sat on a rock with just the right distance from her.

“So, you’re supposed to be the pretend girlfriend, right?” I sighed heavily at the strong pressure on her question.

“If I only knew it was gonna be you, I wouldn’t be the pretend girlfriend.” At times like this, it’s better to say the truth. I don’t like the thought of her hating me in any way.

“Why wouldn’t you do it because it was me?” I took another deep breath.

“Because I believe you don’t deserve false rejection. Not like this.”

“That’s a pretty deep answer for a person who agreed to play pretend lovers. Everyone doesn’t deserve to be rejected like this. What makes me any different?” And just like that, I choked on the ‘truth is better’. My mind immediately wondered about what makes her different.

“I—uhh…y-you’re, because you’re Watanabe?” I closed my eyes, expecting another whiplash set of words countering my reasons. But to my surprise, I heard a gentle laugh. And when I looked up at her face, I was once again reminded of how much I adored her smile. I was again reminded of the photo I took of her.

Ah. How much more can I take this confusion?

“I love how you’re easily flustered, Suzuki.” She said as she stopped laughing and smiled at me.

 “Don’t worry, I’m not mad at you. To be honest, I was here today to let go of him as well. He’s not the one I’m looking for.” I know it wasn’t part of the deal to feel uneasiness, but hearing her confirm the relationship she had with him, I… I felt uneasy and somehow I did not like that.

“Hey, Watanabe.” I called out. She turned to look at me with her emerald eyes that sparkled under the sun. Her gaze was so full of anticipation. And as the wind blew her hair into the air, I got a hint of scent that was very very familiar.

“Yeah?”

“What kind of girl are you?” At the look of her eyes, I’m sure she didn’t expect the question. Even so, she smiled at me once again.

“I’m kind of like a lemon.”

A lemon…