We started our match. A match that basically implied us to serve our girlfriends—of course this was done without their knowledge or consent.
It was obviously a rather foolish challenge, but nevertheless, that was what we were doing.
However, unfortunately for Miyamura, I had the edge. I happened to have studied tea ceremony and Omotenashi.
I wonder how this match will turn out.
I thought this silently as we walked to the mall. We began as soon as we entered the mall—rather, I started just before we entered.
I opened the door for everyone, with a warm grin.
"What a gentleman," Yoshida teased.
"Y-Yeah," Aiya was surprised.
I couldn't blame her for being shocked considering how I acted during dates.
I was boring and just simply went with the flow though that was because I didn't know what to do.
However, now I completely changed my entire personality—it was a personality makeover.
"So, are we following the schedule that we had originally had, Aiya?"
"Yeah, why not."
"I see," I said. "Is everyone ok with starting with going to a cinema?"
"Yup."
"Yeah."
"Sure."
They all gave positive answers, so headed over there. It happened to be on the third floor.
On our way there, I prepared a text to a certain someone but didn't send it. After I was done, I decided to make some small talk with everyone.
"These days classes are hard, huh?" I said to no one in particular, expecting Yoshida to take the bait.
"Yeah, for real. If this continues, I don't think I'll even reach the 11th grade," she took the bait.
"Hey, don't say that you have an amazing boyfriend so I'm sure you'll pull through. Right, Aiya?"
"Yeah, classes are way too stressful, luckily I have someone to lean on," Aiya suddenly hugged my hand with a grin.
"Y-Yeah," I blushed slightly. "Anyway, how did you and Miyamura start dating?"
"Huh?" Yoshida and Miyamura had the same response but for vastly different reasons—Miyamura was confused at my question and Yoshida was surprised.
I sent the message I prepared beforehand to Miyamura, and he read it of course, understanding what I meant.
I told him not to react to what I said because it would be weird otherwise.
After reading it, he gave a slight nod.
While I told Aiya not to tell Yoshida that it was because of my favor with Aiya that she met Miyamura, I told Miyamura no such thing so it's best he doesn't intervene for now.
"Well, that's unexpected," Yoshida was a little red as she continued. "Miyamura texted Aiya that he wanted to meet me, and he asked me out—Let's just say it was love at first sight."
"Wow, so romantic," Aiya commented.
It's good that Aiya is unreactive to the lies but it really make you wonder—
"What about you?" Yoshida asked, breaking my train of thoughts.
"Huh?"
"How did you and Aiya-chan start dating?"
"Well, it's similar to yours. She asked me out, and I agreed."
"Is that all? I know that already, I wanna know the details."
"Uh…Well, that's everything."
"Oh…" Yoshida was sorely disappointed but what did she expect?
We arrived at the cinema, and it was now time to select a movie to watch.
"What movie are you guys interested in?" I asked the whole group—however, it was focused on the girls.
"Let's watch an action movie," Miyamura said, beaming with excitement.
I looked at with a stare that screamed "Really?" I was totally flabbergasted at what he said.
Dude, you're supposed to let the girls choose. Did you forget about the competition?
I considered telling him my thoughts but eventually decided against it.
"…I think the girls should choose," I said finally.
"Huh?" Miyamura realized his mistake. "Y-Yeah, you're right."
"Really? We should?" Yoshida asked.
"How bout' that one over there," she pointed at a romance film. "What do you think, Aiya-chan?"
"I'm ok with it."
Miyamura had an expression that showed his disinterest, but he didn't say anything.
He really is giving his all, huh.
"That means it's settled," I went over and paid for all of us.
"Nakamura?" Miyamura was shocked and so was everyone else.
"Yeah, why'd you pay for all of us?" Even Aiya was surprised at what I did.
"Don't worry about it. I mean after all, a gentleman pays for people, doesn't he?" I grinned.
We walked in and went to our seats—I sat close to the front at the far left with Aiya beside me.
Yoshida was beside her, and Miyamura was beside her—we sat close to each other.
Throughout all this Miyamura was unusually quiet—rather he had been quiet the entire day, it seemed he really was giving his all.
We made some small talk about school, but it dwindled when the movie started.
It had a basic premise—a girl who wanted freedom from her parents.
Such a thing wasn't uncommon among young adults and was rather prevalent among Japanese individuals.
However, what was different about her was when she met the supposed love of her life.
They managed to get together and eloped to another country and were living happily.
I quietly enjoyed the movie until—
"We have no popcorn?!" Yoshida said a little too loud that it warranted stares.
"Don't worry I'll go buy some."
"Let me join you," Aiya said.
"Nah, it's fine."
"You sure? We could go together."
"Nah, I'm fine."
I left and went to go and get the popcorn though I was surprised Miyamura didn't offer to follow.
It must be because he's totally focused on the film
Miyamura looked quite engrossed in the film despite his expression earlier.
On the line I noticed that a certain someone was directly in front of me.
I didn't say a word and just kept quiet until she bought popcorn. I also bought mine and left quietly.
However—
"What an unpleasant surprise," she growled with disdain.
She caught me.
"Hey Hayashi," I grinned awkwardly.
"You know what? I won't let this spoil my day, I'm leaving."
On a normal occasion, I would have let her go but this time was different—I wanted to know something.
"Hayashi, how do you know me?" I put emphasis on 'me' intentionally.
"You don't know?"
"I wouldn't ask if I did."
"Well, if it isn't important to you then there's no point wasting my time," she walked away.
"Do you know there?"
She turned back at me and stared blankly before answering. "But of course, Eiya-kun."
Her voice was sweet but the words behind it hurt more than even poison.
My expression changed immediately like I had been stabbed by a knife.
How, how, how. She isn't from there,I'm sure of it. I remember every single person, but she doesn't ring a bell.
Calm down, let's hear what she wants.
I regained my composure as quickly as possible, but the damage was already done.
It's been a while since I lost my composure like that.
"…What are your demands?"
"I want just one thing. Help me get into the student council."
"…"
"Do you refuse?"
"No," I sighed. "What a drag."
"Don't care what you say as long as it's done."
"Ok, but if I do that my secret is safe, right?"
"Sure."
After she left, I pulled out my phone and stopped the recording. It was why I lost my composure like that.
While it wasn't a real agreement, it would work on Hayashi. On the first day, when she acted harshly towards me she checked if people were there—she wanted to protect her social image.
And that's why I didn't make this deal before now, because I wanted her image to grow.
Perfect.
Another thing I happened to notice is that she knows nothing about there.
She just wanted leverage but unfortunately, I saw through that.
If she really knew, then she would have said something about it or would have made a better deal.
Well, either way it works in my favor though her being in the student council might really help me.
I returned back to the cinema to continue the film. The second part was unlike the first.
While the first started off grim, it became somewhat happy-go-lucky; however, for the second part it was the other way around.
The protagonist had to become manipulative and exploitative so her and her lover could hide from their parents.
She lied and cheated more and more people. Until she eventually got tired with her lifestyle and committed double suicide.
Yoshida, Aiya, and Miyamura cried when it ended, it seemed it really was a grim ending.
Well, not only them, almost everyone that left the cinema felt sad—including me, but that was to be expected–it was the normal reaction.
Why's everyone so sad? The movie isn't that grim, rather than feeling sad it feels rather nostalgic, in a way.
Or perhaps self reflective
After we left, we went to a café and I paid for everyone's drink.
"What did you guys think of the movie?" I asked.
"It was…amazing. Like the acting, visuals, even the ending was something else," Miyamura excitedly went on about it.
"Yeah, it blew away my expectations."
"Mhmm."
It seemed everyone liked the movie, I did too. It was such a visually stunning movie with an amazing twist.
"And the way they died was so romantic," Yoshida clasped her hands in admiration.
We all gave a look that said, "It's only you that thinks that." Personally, I hated the thought of double suicide.
And never thought of it as "Romantic." I disliked books like Romeo and Juliet because it made such a thing prevalent though that was a special case.
Though I couldn't solely blame the book, especially when there was a writer, I knew that was even Japanese, that happened to commit double suicide.
That person was no other than Osamu Dazai. However, just like before I couldn't solely blame him so I couldn't say I hated Shakespeare or Dazai.
Moreover, I rather enjoy re-reading their works.
After we finished from the café we went shopping—it seemed I would have to pay for yet another thing…Despite the fact no one forced me too.
"Heugh," I sighed out loud.
"Huh? You bored?" Yoshida asked.
"Nah, not really. I was just thinking about something."
"Oh, ok."
After we arrived, Yoshida and Aiya went to change into some clothes.
At last, Miyamura and I were alone.
"Yo dude," he said.
"Yeah?"
"What do you think? I've been real quiet today, I'm a good boyfriend, aren't I?"
"Is that what you think? I've done way better."
"Huh? All you've done is be a yes-man."
"First of all, no one asked me to do anything, I did it myself."
"Doesn't matter. It's about how they feel, not what you do."
"Well, they won't feel anything if you do nothing."
"I'm doing a lot."
"Sure, you are."
"That movie choice, did I complain before or after?"
"You enjoyed the movie!"
"As if, I just pretended to!"
We unintentionally started to shout, and our heads were basically so close to each other that we were in our faces. However, the staff were too afraid to stop us.
"That's BS and you know it!"
"Like hell I know."
"That's—"
"Hey, stop fighting and check us out," Yoshida said, though it seemed she didn't know what we were talking about.
"Sure," we said in unison. "You guys look…Amazing."
The girls looked glamorous, fabulous, and every other adjective you can think of—bottom line, they looked amazing.
Particularly, Aiya, though I made sure not to stare too much as she wore something a bit revealing.
In fact, I didn't look all that much at all.
"Whatcha think?" Yoshida asked.
"It's good you should buy it," Miyamura managed to say as he looked the other way.
"You sure?" Yoshida teased, pushed her cleavage to the embarrassed Miyamura.
"D-Do whatever you want," he said in a small tone.
"S-So what do you think," Aiya asked shyly, waiting for my approval.
"It's ok," I said, also looking away, so she won't see my red face and tease me.
"A-Anyway," I blushed, as I saw her clothes before quickly turning away. "Let's start leaving. It's already 5 PM."
After I paid for the clothes, we left the mall, however, Aiya had a sad expression like she had been hurt.
Should I ask? Probably best if I don't.
When we left the mall, Aiya stopped in her tracks and looked at me.
"Why?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"Why did you do that? Do you not love me?"
"I-I do."
"Really? Then why do all this? You only act cool when people are around and even when I offered to go with you to buy popcorn, you refused," Aiya said, her eyes getting teary. "Also, when we put on our clothes, you looked at Yoshida a ton but barely at me."
"I was just—"
"Why is that?!"
"I was..." I contemplated saying these words but after seeing Aiya's puffed-up eyes, I said the words. "I was trying to be a gentleman."
Damn, that means there's no winner.
"Huh?"
"There's this unspoken law that states when on a double date, you have to be on your best behavior."
"Huh? What kind of stupid law is that?"
For real.
"Hey. I know I'm not the best but bear with me. Sorry for how I acted."
"N-No, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. I just assumed you didn't like me."
Who knew a gyaru like Aiya would really care about stuff like this?
Then again, she only looked the part, she's kind, nice, and willing to talk to anyone.
If anything, the real gyaru is Yoshida.
"No, I do."
"Really? Well, I like you too. No scratch that. I love you, so do you love me?"
While those words were innocent and sweet I couldn't give the answer she expected, and I went home disappointed in myself.
The only words I could mutter to her that day were: "But of course."
Her expression said everything—she wanted an answer along the lines of "Yes, I love you too."
I lay on my bed that night considering if I should just have lied to her.
Maybe I should have, considering I already told several lies today.
***
Author's Note:
Don't have much to say so…Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.