Ryo's Apartment – 11:30 PM
Ryo Kazuki stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, his fingers lightly touching the spot on his cheek where Ayaka had kissed him.
It had been a simple gesture. A fake kiss for a fake relationship. So why was it bothering him?
With a sigh, he turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on his face. This wasn't his first time pretending to be someone's boyfriend for a consultation, and it definitely wouldn't be his last.
But something about this case felt… different.
His phone buzzed on the sink counter.
Ayaka Tachibana: Thanks again for tonight. I owe you one.
Ryo dried his hands and typed back.
Ryo: Don't worry about it. As long as your parents are convinced, that's all that matters.
Her reply came almost instantly.
Ayaka: They are. My mom even told me she "likes you."
Ryo smirked. I must be really good at this.
Ryo: Just don't fall for me. That'd be trouble.
Ayaka: Hah. You wish.
He chuckled. Good. She wasn't getting attached. That would've been a problem.
At least, that's what he told himself.
With that, he tossed his phone onto his bed and collapsed onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling.
One job done. Hundreds more to go.
Love Lab – The Next Day
Ryo strolled into the office, only to be greeted by the sound of Aria Valentine's laughter.
"You. Went on. A date?" she gasped between giggles.
Ryo rolled his eyes as he set his coffee down. "It wasn't a date. It was a job."
Aria leaned against the desk, grinning. "Oh, really? Then why is everyone talking about how Ayaka Tachibana kissed you last night?"
Ryo frowned. "Wait. How do people know about that?"
Aria tapped her phone. "Someone posted a picture of you two at the restaurant."
She turned the screen toward him.
It was a blurry but recognizable image of Ayaka kissing him on the cheek.
Username: HighSocietyGossip
Caption: Looks like Ayaka Tachibana finally has a man in her life! But is it real… or just another fling?
Ryo sighed. "Great. Just what I needed."
Aria smirked. "Looks like you've officially entered high-society drama."
Before he could respond, the office door swung open.
Ayaka stormed in, her eyes filled with panic.
"Ryo, we have a problem."
The Aftermath of a Fake Relationship
Ayaka placed her phone on the table, showing another message from her mother.
Mom: The media is asking about you and Ryo. If they start digging, they'll find out he's not really your boyfriend. We need a solution.
Ryo rubbed his temple. "I knew this would happen."
Ayaka folded her arms. "I thought we could just go our separate ways after last night. But now, my parents want me to keep up the act… at least for a little while longer."
Aria grinned. "So, let me get this straight. You're asking Ryo to be your fake boyfriend again?"
Ayaka hesitated before nodding. "Just for a little longer. Just until this blows over."
Ryo leaned back in his chair. "You do realize the longer we do this, the harder it'll be to get out of it, right?"
Ayaka bit her lip. "I know. But my parents are already invested in the lie. If they find out the truth, they'll be furious."
Aria elbowed Ryo playfully. "C'mon, Love Doctor. Isn't this just another consultation for you?"
Ryo exhaled. "Fine. But we need ground rules."
Ayaka perked up. "Of course. Whatever you need."
Ryo grabbed a pen and paper, jotting down a quick list.
Rules for a Fake Relationship
No public displays of affection unless necessary. (No random kisses!)
Limited contact outside of public events. (No unnecessary texting or calls.)
No getting emotionally involved. (This is business, nothing else.)
No breaking character in front of her family. (Lies need consistency.)
This ends the moment it becomes dangerous. (No long-term commitments.)
Ayaka read the list and nodded. "Fair enough."
Ryo tapped the last rule. "Especially this one. The second this turns into something bigger than we can handle, we walk away. No questions asked."
Ayaka hesitated but eventually agreed. "Deal."
Aria grinned like a devil. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Ryo wasn't so sure about that.
First Public Test – A Charity Gala
Three nights later, Ryo found himself uncomfortable in a suit at one of the most extravagant charity galas in the city.
Ayaka, however, was completely in her element. She moved through the crowd with practiced ease, greeting people, exchanging pleasantries, and making it seem like Ryo was her long-term boyfriend instead of someone she had met just days ago.
"I'm impressed," Ryo muttered as she smiled at yet another socialite. "You're a natural liar."
Ayaka whispered back, "It's called survival."
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite couple."
Ryo and Ayaka turned to see Souta Hoshikawa, smirking as he approached with a champagne flute in hand.
Ayaka's grip on Ryo's arm tightened slightly.
"Fancy seeing you here, Souta," she said coolly.
Souta chuckled. "Of course. I wouldn't miss an event like this. Especially not when the city's newest 'it' couple is in attendance."
Ryo didn't like the way he said that.
Souta leaned in slightly. "Tell me, Kazuki, how does it feel to date a woman who's so obviously out of your league?"
Ryo smirked, wrapping an arm around Ayaka's waist. "Wouldn't know. She's exactly where she belongs."
Ayaka's eyes widened slightly, but she played along, leaning into his touch.
Souta's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second.
Then he laughed. "Enjoy it while it lasts." With that, he walked away.
Ayaka exhaled. "I hate him."
Ryo removed his arm and looked at her. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for that."
Then she surprised him again—by taking his hand and squeezing it softly.
"For what it's worth," she said quietly, "you make a pretty good fake boyfriend."
Ryo wasn't sure how to respond to that.
Because, for the first time since taking this job…
It didn't feel so fake anymore.
End of Chapter 4