Walking out of the Classic Literature & Film Society clubroom after that conversation felt like exiting a different dimension. The school hallways, usually familiar, now seemed charged with a new energy. We had walked into that room as a 'fake' couple ending a project and walked out as... well, as us. As Hiroshi and Sakura, agreeing to explore something real.
The confession, the mutual feeling, the simple act of holding hands not for show but because we wanted to – it was overwhelming and incredibly exciting. But it was also terrifyingly new. What did 'real' even mean for us? How did we act now? The script for the fake relationship was over. There was no script for this.
That night, my head was buzzing even more than after Sakura-san's initial "unexpected love" comment. We exchanged a few tentative messages, the tone shifting from project updates to shy, slightly awkward attempts at just... talking.
Me: So... about today... Sakura-san: Yeah... Me: It was... unexpected. 😊 Sakura-san: Very 😊 Still feels a little unreal. Me: Me too. What do we... um... do now? Sakura-san: We... see what happens? Slowly? Me: Slowly sounds good. 😊 Sakura-san: 😊
Slowly. That was the plan. But even 'slowly' with Sakura Yamato felt like being fast-tracked to an unknown destination.
The next morning was the first morning I walked to school knowing we were a real couple. The feeling was surreal. Every step felt different. Every person I saw felt like they knew. Of course, logically, they only knew that we seemed very happy together after winning the contest, especially after that hug on stage. They thought the 'fake' was just the initial, awkward stage of a real relationship. Now, the real relationship was just... starting.
Meeting Sakura-san at the school gate (not planned, just happened naturally) felt like a milestone. We exchanged shy smiles. There was no need to hold hands for the public yet, but the awareness of each other, the knowledge of what had happened the day before, hung between us, a tangible presence.
We walked towards the school building together. The usual morning buzz of students felt louder, and the glances in our direction seemed more frequent, more significant. Our win, combined with the very public hug, had solidified our status as 'the couple' in the school's eyes.
As we walked, side-by-side, navigating the stream of students, I risked a glance at Sakura-san. She looked radiant, as always, but there was a softness to her expression, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes that I was starting to recognize as the 'real' her.
"Morning, Tanaka-kun," she murmured, her voice quiet.
"Morning, Yamato-san," I replied, my voice a little husky.
We walked in comfortable silence for a bit, the kind that had started to feel natural in the clubroom, but now held a new weight.
As we passed the main office, a group of students near the bulletin board started whispering and pointing towards us. It wasn't just general gossip anymore; it felt more focused.
"Look, it's them." "The contest winners... and the couple!" "They look happy." "Is it really true?"
It was the reality of our new public status sinking in. We weren't just a fake couple for a project; we were the couple who won the contest. That came with its own level of scrutiny and attention.
Sakura-san noticed the whispering. Her posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. Her public smile clicked into place, but I saw a flicker of something else in her eyes – a mix of pride (for the win) and perhaps a little weariness (from the attention).
"Just... ignore it, Tanaka-kun," she murmured, her voice low, meant only for me.
Easier said than done. My quiet life was officially over, replaced by one lived under a spotlight I hadn't asked for.
We reached the stairs to our classrooms. We paused, a natural point to part ways.
"So," I started, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over me. "Um... about... yesterday..."
She met my gaze, a faint blush touching her cheeks. "Yeah?"
"It was... good," I managed. "Really good."
She smiled, a genuine, shy smile. "It was. I... I meant what I said, Tanaka-kun. About wanting to see what happens."
"Me too," I replied quickly. "Definitely."
A comfortable silence settled again, but this time it felt different. It wasn't the quiet of planning, or the tension of pretense, but the quiet hum of two people standing on the threshold of something real, unsure of the next step.
Just as I was wondering if I should say something else, or if she would, a voice called out from down the hallway.
"Sakura! Tanaka-kun!"
It was Kenji, power-walking towards us, a huge grin on his face, with Aiko walking slightly behind him, looking more reserved.
"Hey, Kenji," I said, bracing myself.
"The conquering heroes!" Kenji announced dramatically, stopping in front of us. "The couple who saved the club and stole the show! You guys are the talk of the school!"
He clapped me on the shoulder, then beamed at Sakura-san. "Seriously, Yamato-san, that hug on stage? Epic! Even Akane looked surprised!"
Sakura-san managed a polite smile for Kenji, but I saw a flicker of annoyance in her eyes at his boisterousness and the mention of the hug. The public display, while real for us, was still something she might need to process later.
Aiko reached us, offering a quieter, more sincere smile. "Congratulations again, you two. You were amazing."
"Thanks, Aiko," I said.
"Thank you, Aiko-san," Sakura-san replied.
Aiko looked at us, a knowing look in her eyes. She saw the subtle shift, the new dynamic. Her look was one of quiet support now, perhaps mixed with a little curiosity about what came next.
"Well, don't let me keep you guys," Kenji said, oblivious. "You've got classes! And... couple stuff, I guess!" He winked broadly.
Sakura-san and I both flushed.
"See you guys later," I mumbled, eager to escape Kenji's commentary.
"See you, Sato-kun, Aiko-san," Sakura-san said, managing to maintain her composure.
We walked away, heading towards our respective classrooms. The hallway was still full of students, the whispers still following us.
The first morning of being a real couple felt just as public, just as overwhelming, and just as full of unexpected moments as the fake one. We had won the contest, yes. But the real challenge – navigating our feelings, our relationship, and our newfound public status – was just beginning.
And I had a feeling it was going to be even more complicated than saving a club.