Upscale Restaurant – 7:00 PM
Ryo Kazuki adjusted his blazer and exhaled. This was insane.
One hour ago, he was sitting in a quiet café, having an absurd conversation with Aria Valentine. Now, he was about to pretend to be someone's boyfriend in front of her high-society parents—all because of a sudden job he hadn't even fully agreed to.
As he stepped inside the restaurant, he immediately felt out of place. The chandeliers sparkled like stars, soft violin music played in the background, and well-dressed elites dined under golden lighting.
His gaze shifted to the corner table by the window.
Ayaka Tachibana.
She was elegant in a deep blue dress, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders. Her delicate fingers clutched a wine glass, but from the way she held it, she was nervous. Her shoulders were stiff, and her eyes darted toward the entrance repeatedly.
When her gaze met his, relief washed over her face.
Ryo approached casually and slid into the seat across from her.
"You look like you're about to run," he murmured, eyeing her fingers gripping the glass.
Ayaka exhaled and set the drink down. "You have no idea."
"I might," he said dryly. "You hired a fake boyfriend, after all."
Ayaka offered a weak smile. "I didn't have a choice."
She reached into her clutch and pulled out a small envelope.
"Before they arrive, here's your briefing."
Ryo raised an eyebrow but took the envelope. Inside was a neatly folded paper.
---
Fake Boyfriend Guidelines
Name: Ryo Kazuki
Age: 24
Occupation: University Researcher
How We Met: Bumped into each other at a bookstore two months ago. He recommended me a book, and we started dating.
Relationship Timeline:
First date: Cute café.
Second date: Night walk at the park.
Third date: Dinner and meeting friends.
Details About Me:
I love classical music.
I hate spicy food.
I volunteer at an animal shelter.
Rules:
1. Be polite to my parents.
2. Do not break character.
3. Absolutely no kissing or crossing boundaries.
---
Ryo folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket.
"Prepared this in advance, huh?" he mused.
Ayaka's face turned slightly pink. "I had to. My parents… they can see through lies."
He leaned forward. "Then let's make sure they don't."
Just as he said that, the restaurant doors swung open.
Ayaka's entire body tensed.
Three people entered.
At the front was an older couple, both elegantly dressed. Her father had the stern gaze of a businessman, and her mother carried an air of refined elegance.
But the third person was the real problem.
A man in his late twenties, dressed in a tailored suit, walked beside them with a smirk. Souta Hoshikawa.
Ryo recognized his type instantly—rich, arrogant, and full of himself.
Ayaka inhaled sharply. "That's the guy they want me to marry."
Ryo's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he sighed. This was going to be a long night.
---
Dinner with the Parents
Ayaka's parents approached the table with pleasant, yet calculating, smiles.
"Ayaka," her father greeted, taking his seat. "And this must be…?"
Ryo straightened and extended a hand. "Kazuki Ryo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ayaka's mother observed him carefully before shaking his hand. "My, my. You're quite handsome."
Souta chuckled, sliding into the seat next to Ayaka. "Really? He looks a bit… average to me."
Ryo didn't flinch. Ah, so that's how this is going to be.
Ayaka shot Souta a glare. "He's more than good-looking. He's kind, intelligent, and—"
She paused, realizing she was about to oversell.
Ryo smoothly picked up where she left off. "—and she's the reason I started volunteering at an animal shelter," he said with a charming smile. "She's passionate about it, so I wanted to understand why."
Ayaka blinked, surprised by how easily he improvised.
Her mother seemed impressed. "How wonderful. Ayaka has always loved animals."
Souta scoffed. "Isn't it tiring? Cleaning up after strays?"
Ryo tilted his head. "Not at all. You'd be surprised how loyal some animals can be. More than some humans, actually."
Ayaka bit her lip to hide her smile. He was fighting back.
Souta's smirk faltered for a second before he forced a laugh. "Well, Ayaka and I have known each other since childhood. I suppose I'm just surprised she's dating someone like… you."
Ryo casually took a sip of his wine. "And yet, here we are."
Souta's smile vanished.
Ayaka's father cleared his throat. "Kazuki-kun, tell me, what do you do for a living?"
"University research," Ryo said smoothly. "Psychology, to be specific."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. And what are your thoughts on arranged marriages?"
Ayaka nearly choked on her drink.
Ryo remained calm. He held her father's gaze and spoke without hesitation.
"Well, sir, I think it depends. If both parties genuinely love each other, then that's beautiful. But if it's just for business, then it's nothing more than a contract disguised as romance."
Silence.
Ayaka's mother's lips curled into a small smile. Ayaka's father, however, observed him carefully.
Souta sneered. "Sounds like an excuse for people who are too scared of commitment."
Ryo set his glass down and smiled coolly. "Or maybe it's an excuse for people who can't win a woman's heart without their parents' help."
Ayaka gasped quietly.
Souta's face darkened.
Her mother laughed softly, breaking the tension. "My, my. You're quite sharp, Kazuki-kun."
Her father nodded slowly. "You're bold, I'll give you that."
Souta gritted his teeth. "It's clear who the better choice is here."
Ayaka suddenly reached under the table and squeezed Ryo's hand.
Ryo glanced at her, surprised.
She turned to her parents, her expression firm. "I love Ryo, and he loves me. That's all that matters."
For a moment, the table was silent.
Ayaka's father sighed. "If that's how you feel, then we won't interfere."
Souta stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This isn't over." With that, he stormed out.
Ayaka let out a relieved breath. They bought it.
As dinner wrapped up, her parents excused themselves.
Once they were gone, Ayaka turned to Ryo. "That was… amazing."
He smirked. "Told you I was the right guy."
She suddenly leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Ryo froze.
A fake job… was starting to feel a little too real.
---
End of Chapter 3