Chapter 81

When did I start to like that person?

I suddenly thought back.

I first met that person at the entrance ceremony.

My adoptive father had strictly instructed me, "Never cause any trouble."

So from the beginning, I knew about him and had a clear impression of him.

He was very quiet and composed.

That was my impression of him, and I think many of my classmates felt the same way.

The girls in the class described him as cool but quiet.

However, I didn't think he was quiet.

Looking back now, I thought he was... scary.

To compare, he was like a large tree or a dense forest.

Quiet and composed.

But... he had a very strong presence.

That's how I felt.

After we became classmates, there was no particular conversation between us.

I didn't want to get involved with boys, and he didn't seem particularly interested in me.

So when my adoptive father told me, "He hopes to arrange a marriage with you," I was a bit surprised.

He was clearly indifferent towards me.

I wondered if he really liked me... but I couldn't refuse the arranged meeting and agreed.

It turned out that my adoptive father's statement was a misunderstanding.

In fact, he didn't seem to want an arranged marriage at all.

I can understand that.

A high school student getting engaged or married... it's hard to imagine.

So, maybe...

I thought he might agree to a fake engagement to help me.

And he did agree to my request.

To protect me.

He was kind and considerate.

That impression added to my feelings.

If someone were to ask me if I liked him from that moment on, I wouldn't know.

At least, I didn't have strong feelings for him at that time... I think.

I can't say for sure because, looking back now, his consideration made me very happy and gave me a sense of security, and... it made my heart feel heavy.

After that, I started visiting his house once a week.

I got to know him better.

And I found myself telling him about my family situation.

Most people, when they learn about my situation, take one of two actions.

They either meddle too much or run away.

No, this might be too convenient for me to say.

My adoptive brother sometimes meddled too much.

Even though he couldn't do much, his interference made my situation worse.

So I started saying I didn't need help, even though I did.

Because people try to help even when they can't, which makes my situation even worse.

Because I rejected help, people started to ignore me or run away.

I want help, but I don't want to be helped.

I want to be helped in a way that suits me.

I know it's selfish, self-centered, and arrogant.

There's no way someone like a prince on a white horse who understands my intentions and acts on them could exist.

There's no way...

But he did.

He said he would be there for me.

He tried to help me as much as he could without making my situation worse.

Maybe I'm idealizing him too much.

It might be a coincidence.

But even so... he saw me clearly, understood my unspoken intentions, respected my will, and did what I wanted him to do.

This person will protect me.

I started to feel a sense of security.

So... I felt safe with him and agreed to go on a date to the pool.

There, I ran into Ayaka and Chiharu, who asked me if I liked him.

I don't know when I started to like him.

But when I clearly realized it... it was then.

First, I felt very relieved to tell Ayaka and Chiharu that I had a boyfriend (I'm not sure if I can call him that. If he is my boyfriend, Sato is dating two people, and those two are accepting it. It's confusing and concerning, but that's not important here).

I was relieved to confirm that there was no such relationship or feelings between him and Ayaka or Chiharu.

Additionally, when Ayaka and Chiharu asked me if I had feelings for him... I realized it.

I liked him.

On the day of the summer festival, it became definitive.

He forgave my "lie."

I thought, if it's him, I can trust him.

I feel safe.

I can entrust my body to him.

I felt my heart race when he hugged me.

I felt secure when he stroked my head.

I felt a mischievous urge to stroke his head.

I clearly understood that this was love.

I don't know if he liked me at the same time.

But he protected me from my mother and was happy with my modest birthday gift.

So... I felt a bit guilty.

Because I couldn't give him anything in return.

I kept receiving help without even asking for it.

It was like pushing all the responsibility onto him.

I felt very ugly.

So I... lashed out at him.

I am an ugly person.

He doesn't know that.

I was really unreasonable, selfish, and capricious.

But he accepted me as I was.

He affirmed me even after knowing I was an ugly person.

I still feel guilty.

But my heart felt lighter.

At the same time, I thought I should do something for him.

Not just receive, but give back.

But... all I could do for him was make bento.

But he was happy.

He always said it was delicious.

I thought I could keep making bento for him forever.

I wanted to cook dinner for him every day.

I started to think like that.

On Christmas Day, he told me he wanted me to keep cooking for him.

It felt like a proposal.

Of course, he didn't mean it as a proposal.

But if it were a proposal, I would have nodded.

I would have accepted happily.

At that moment, I thought,

I could marry this person.

I could marry him, become a couple, have children, grow old together, and be surrounded by grandchildren... I could imagine such a life with him.

The idea of marrying him, which I had tried not to think about, started to feel real.

I started to imagine our married life while looking at the necklace he gave me.

I had a vague feeling that he liked me.

That was clear from the necklace.

The necklace he gave me was a high-quality brand item.

I knew it at first sight.

He knew my tastes... he had listened and remembered what I told him during our movie date.

And the necklace was very expensive.

It wasn't a cheap purchase for him, who worked part-time to support himself.

He wouldn't give such a thing to a woman he didn't like.

So, he must like me.

Our relationship was a fake "engagement."

But the premise was that both of us had no feelings for each other, and the engagement would be broken when I could live on my own.

That premise was broken.

I like him.

He likes me.

Then, we should continue this relationship.

If we do, we will eventually become regular fiancés and get married.

I was thinking this naively when my adoptive father suddenly said,

"If you don't want to, you don't have to get married."

I'm sorry, I'm sorry for interrupting with an extra chapter...

And the next one is also an extra chapter from Airi's perspective, I'm sorry.

But I think sometimes it feels good to leave it hanging, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, if you found it interesting and want to read more, could you please bookmark it and rate it (change the stars below the table of contents from ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★)? I'm really sorry...

I'm sorry, and I can now announce the book publication information.

But I'm sorry.

Please check the activity report for details...