A blooming couple

Today, my Girlfriend and I are walking through the campus.

We were on our way to our class and since the college department is just outside the High School building, we took the shortest route with her arms clinging to mine.

My Girlfriend is very energetic today. I could hear her humming a sound that is melodic as we walked together.

She is a very beautiful woman, to be honest with you.

Boys and girls are fawning over her blooming beauty as if there is a celebrity visiting the school.

I like her shiny blonde hair, styled in a glamorous half-up half-down tie-back hairstyle that complements her bangs to the side. Her uniform, which is a standard for college students inside SASMNHS, accentuates her curves as if the whole clothing itself was designed to fit her.

She also wore some expensive pieces of jewelry. As expected of the daughter of a wealthy family.

Oh? Are you asking me who my Girlfriend is? Oh, you're not interested? Ah, wait. You're asking me how did this happen?

Well...

***

"HUH?!" I screamed after hearing what she had in mind.

"As I said, I want you to become my Boyfriend..." I thought I just misheard her but she's actually pretty serious.

My face reddened when she asked me that. There's no way her only solution would be to force me to become her boyfriend, right? There must be something else that we can implement to avoid her problem.

"Wait wait, I don't think I can accept that..." I appealed.

When I said that, Miss Yvette placed both of her palms on my cheeks and pulled me near her face. Just a few inches away and our noses would already touch.

"Hou? Are you saying you're going to decline a beautiful woman like me?" her tone seemed deeper than usual and I can sense a serious provocation to my manliness.

She tried to captivate me with her womanly charms. I admit that she's very beautiful. But I'm not a guy who would instantly jump in the sea whenever I see a treasure swimming around.

"Y-Yes..." I answered with a grim look.

Miss Yvette heaved a sigh and pulled off. She took a sip of her coffee and continued.

"Shame, I thought you were going to jump in."

"Unfortunately, I'm not that kind of guy..." I replied.

"So you're saying you have someone you like already...?" she asked.

She seemed to be curious about my personal life so I gave her a vague answer.

"More or less."

"Heh. Anyway, it's not like we're actually going to become an official couple per se; I just want them to think that I don't want to become someone's fiancee without my consent."

"A pretend couple, huh? Is that how you're going to fix your problem?" I asked in a serious tone.

"It's only a temporary solution. I'll try to think of a good strategy while we pretend." she nodded.

"Okay, I get it, but... Why me? In the first place, I'm not really an official member of the Committee. I'm just volunteering for them. And there are other guys out there, especially the college building who would suit you better." I asked.

"Why you asked..." Miss Yvette scoffs. "It's because I'm interested in you. You're the only guy that I met who treated me like this and it feels really reassuring."

I didn't sense any lies on that one but it's too good to be true. It's hard to believe that no one would treat her how she wanted to be treated despite being in a wealthy family. Or maybe I'm missing something based on her answer.

"And if you're not in the committee, then that makes it even better. Our little pretense won't get interrupted by council work. So, what do you say?" she winked at me.

"Hah..." I heaved a sigh. I'm sure she's going to pester me if I decline here right now. "I'll accept..."

"Hah~~ Really?" her eyes sparkled. It's like watching a child get her favorite doll.

"Yes, but I have some condition..."

***

And so I told her a bunch of things that I won't tolerate and now we're on campus looking like a pair of shiny gems stringed to each other.

Miss Yvette was locking my arms as she clung to it. It's her way of telling me that she won't let me run away until my role is done.

And to be honest with you, all of the things that I said in the beginning; I take that back.

She's not my Girlfriend and I'm dying of embarrassment from the way we act.

Soon after that, we reached the building's hall and everyone standing on the way looked at us. Most of them are utterly confused and I could guess why:

Nathan Sumirez is walking with a beautiful mature woman and they're acting lovey-dovey.

That's a hit on a paper for sure.

"Hey, I told you to not cling to me too much... Let go of me, you're too close!" I reminded her of one of the conditions that I don't want but she's stubborn.

"Nope, not happening. We're being viewed as a couple right now and we're on track so stay like this until then." her smile looks cute outside but it's scary for me.

Multiple eyes were peering all over the place and I couldn't take it. I told myself that I won't let myself stand out but now I'm getting eyed by a lot of people.

"Tsk..." I clicked my tongue in annoyance and Miss Yvette seemed to hear that one.

"You're stingy, you really hate to be with me that much?" she asked in a depressing tone.

"No, it's not like that... I just don't want to stand out. Me, suddenly getting a girlfriend, is going to be a big deal later!" I told her my excuse.

And while we are walking, I saw them.

Oh no! No no no no no no no no no no! We need to stop!

Autumn, Haru, and Kylee stood near the entrance of my section and they were bewildered while looking at me.

"N-Natsu... Y-You're Natsu, right? What happened? That's not how my Natsu should be! Who're you? Why are you doing this?!"

Immediately after we stopped on the track, Haru pulled my arm and knelt down dejectedly. He was looking at me with a pity—no I'd say it's more like he's lost for words and his spirit left his body.

"N-No! It's not like that! We're—"

"Ara, look who's flexing right now..." I tried to explain but Kylee shut me down with a cold stare. "You seem to be enjoying your youth, Natsu."

"You misunderstand! We're doing this for a reason!" I was trying to clutch myself out of Miss Yvette's arm but she won't let me go.

I tried to look at Autumn and I saw her flabbergasted reaction.

One thing that I actually hate is that I don't want Autumn to misunderstand my situation right now.

"I-I think it's fine? I never saw anyone looking up to Natsu so it's a bit surprising... Congratulations?" Autumn said while backing off.

It's fine?! No! You're wrong, this is not what it looks like!

"No, Autumn! Listen to me..." I wailed.

"Are they your friends?" Yvette asked me and I nodded.

She then let go of my arm and proceeded to whisper something to them.

"Don't worry, you three. We're not actually dating, we're just pretending to be a couple for some personal reason at my request. I hope you understand." Yvette explained everything to them.

"I-Is that so...?" Autumn confirmed and Yvette nodded.

"So all of this was just a stunt for something?" Kylee asked.

"Yes. I specifically asked for his help." Yvette answered.

"So umm, you and Natsu are not together?" Haru stood up.

"That's right. We're just friends... for now." Miss Yvette winked while showing off her alluring smile.

I don't like that pause!

"Ugh... " everyone was astonished by her answer.

"Anyway, thank you for accompanying me, Nathan. I'll be waiting at the gate right after school. We'll go home together. Later~!" Miss Yvette then left the scene.

I dropped to the floor and my head was spinning...

Kill me, please...

"S-Sounds rough, buddy... I never imagined you getting toyed like this..." Haru pitied me.

"To think that a fine woman would consider getting your help..." Kylee smirked.

"I-It's okay, Natsu! I don't know what the reason is but if you need my support, I'll be here!"

Autumn... Hah, my Angel is here to save me!

***

Nathan told Kylee about the problem that Yvette is facing and she immediately understood that it was a part of the committee's work to help students so she gave him permission to leave early with Yvette.

Nathan and Yvette had a great time strolling around the town to fake their date.

They've gone through the mall to buy some outfits for Yvette. They also ate in a fancy restaurant and wasted most of their time playing around on the game station.

However, while they were having fun, Nathan noticed two students following them around.

"Those are your servants, right?" Nathan asked in a low whisper. Yvette clung to his side so that they could mutter their conversation.

"Yes. Those two are Rodney and Lance. They're the same age as me and they have been serving our family for ten years now." she answered.

"Are they always watching your back wherever you go?"

"Yes, more or less. But I don't really mind since they're giving me enough freedom to enjoy my day." Yvette sighed.

Nathan narrowed his eyes as he walked forward.

After that little trip, they finally reached the park where countless streams of colorful lights illuminating the area popped out.

The weather is still not great so there aren't many people outside but the atmosphere was chilly.

"Thank you for today, Nathan. I genuinely enjoyed our little date even though it's fake. I'm really sorry if I caused you a lot of trouble" Yvette bowed in front of him. Nathan didn't expect her kind gesture so he smiled, forgetting about all of the trouble that Yvette caused.

"It's fine. As long as you're happy then that's good enough for me. And besides, I don't really hate you or anything. I just don't like the methods..." Nathan replied.

Yvette smiled genuinely for the first time when she heard his response. How long has it been since her last real smile? She couldn't remember. All of her days were locked up in a cage that is pressuring her growth. And no one was there to let her experience the bloom of youth.

She was bound by the responsibilities produced by the prestige of her generation and she couldn't do anything about it, let alone create her own path.

That's why her fake date today is more enjoyable than her arranged marriage.

People would normally be happy whenever they're getting engaged but it's different in Yvette's case. Such a huge leap minimizes a person's ability to dream for themselves.

And Yvette was facing that huge leap right now.

While she is enjoying her moment with Nathan, a black limousine car pulled off in front of them.

Rodney and Lance who were following the couple a while ago confronted it.

Both Nathan and Yvette looked at the person who got off the car.

"Miss Yvette, I was told that you ran away last night without any bodyguards. It's dangerous for you to be out here so please come back home with us."

The person who spoke was Yvette's oldest servant.

"I don't want to. I want to go home by myself for this day. Besides, can't you see that I'm on a date with someone?" Yvette snapped at her servant as she pulled Nathan's arm.

"This is not my words, Miss Yvette. But your parents are really worried about you. They asked us to bring you home as soon as possible so please refrain from playing around any longer." the old servant respectfully bowed.

"Can't I just have some free time for myself once? I told you I'll go home by myself!" but she was stubborn.

"I'm afraid the Master won't permit that. I beg your pardon, Miss Yvette. While I'm not sure if it's true, if you keep dragging this problem, all of your close companions will be in trouble."

Yvette widened her eyes ever so slightly. She slowly loosened her grip on Nathan's arms and walked slowly to the black limousine.

"I understand. I'll go home with you so please leave him alone now..." she had her head hung when she said that.

"Thank you for understanding."

Rodney and Lance also boarded the car and stared at Nathan for a while.

Yvette knows what the old servant was implying when he said those words. If she keeps on dragging the problem, there's no guarantee that Nathan and her other friends wouldn't get involved.

And she couldn't risk that. She won't let her friends be dragged into her thorny path.

"I'll see you again soon, Nathan. Be careful on your way home..." Yvette waved goodbye as the window of the limousine panned up.

Nathan noticed the sorrowful look on her face as he watched the car drive.

He clenched his fist when he realized what happened. He knows what's up but he couldn't do anything to protect Yvette.

If an orthodox way won't save her then...