Chapter 28

"Ko, kore wa...”

“It’s a Kaito-kun doll.”

“...”

“It’s a Kaito-kun doll.”

No, I heard it clearly. I was just too shocked to respond.

“Anyway, I hug it every night when I go to sleep... the Kaito-kun doll.”

“Eh, eh?”

“As time passed, the desire to be surrounded by more Kaito-kun dolls grew... now I have four.”

“Four, you mean four... dolls...”

I realize that’s not the point to nitpick.

“Even Kaito-kun must find it creepy... to hug a Kaito-kun doll and sleep every night...”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

As I nod, Rinka’s face, which was on the verge of tears, suddenly changes. She regains her smile like a flower blooming.

...Well, I am still shocked.

One doll seemed cute, but four is definitely overwhelming.

How long does it take to make one felt doll?

Rinka and I have only known each other for a month and a few weeks.

That’s quite a fast pace, isn’t it?

“Actually, there are more.”

“Eh, more Kaito-kun dolls?”

“No. The second edition of Kaito-kun merchandise.”

Rinka says this with a hint of pride.

I watch to see what she will do, and Rinka flips the poster of Star☆Mains on the wall.

What appears is... a mini-poster of me eating in the classroom!

“What do you think? Don’t you think it’s super cute?”

“I don’t think so. And isn’t this a hidden camera...? It’s not a direct shot, and I don’t remember being photographed.”

“It’s not a hidden camera. There’s nothing wrong with taking a photo of my husband, right?”

“...”

This is on a whole new level.

I never expected our first date to be so tumultuous!

“Every night before I go to sleep, I hug the Kaito-kun doll and look at the Kaito-kun on the poster... hehe.”

“Rinka, you should be the one being looked at, not the one looking.”

The popular idol making my dolls and taking hidden photos to make posters.

This is getting serious.

“I’m sorry, Kaito-kun. I know my actions are a bit strange...”

“Eh, just a bit?”

“But I can’t control my feelings... If I could live under the same roof as Kaito-kun, I think my desires would be somewhat satisfied.”

“S, so that’s how it is...”

I was speechless.

I never imagined Rinka would be this intense.

...Wait, come to think of it.

“You mentioned the second edition of Kaito-kun merchandise earlier. Is there a third edition?”

“Of course.”

Rinka opens the pencil case on the desk and takes out an eraser.

“I’ve stuck Kaito-kun’s face photo on the eraser cover.”

“...”

“This way, I can feel Kaito-kun’s presence even while studying... Don’t you think it’s revolutionary?”

“...Yeah, I guess...”

I didn’t know how to react.

Should I laugh, be surprised, or be completely freaked out?

What’s the right reaction?

I decided to show my appreciation.

Being treated like an idol by a super popular cool idol is a great thing, right!

“Well... being liked this much is really great as a guy.”

“Really? I was worried you might be put off, even if you’re kind, Kaito-kun.”

“No, no, think about it. Idol merchandise has been sold for a long time, right? It’s not much different from that.”

“You’re right. Thank you, Kaito-kun. I’m glad you accept me like this.”

...Well, there is a difference in whether or not the person’s consent was obtained.

“Just to be sure, are there any more Kaito-kun-related items?”

“...Not exactly items...”

Rinka opens the desk drawer and takes out a piece of paper.

“What’s that?”

“This is our marriage certificate. Both of our names are already filled in.”

“Ah, we’ve crossed the line! This is serious! And it even has the Ayanokoji seal!”

This is a crime.

“It’s okay. This marriage certificate is something I made myself, and the necessary fields like the family registry are deleted, so it won’t be accepted if submitted.”

“S, so that’s how it is.”

“Don’t worry. Even I know my limits.”

“Y, you know your limits...?”

I was confused.

“Every time I see this marriage certificate, my heart is fulfilled. Ah, Rinka and Kaito-kun are married...”

“Oh...”

Rinka hugs the marriage certificate and smiles contentedly.

On the other hand, I let out a bewildered voice.

“Real life is inconvenient, isn’t it? There are age limits for marriage... But don’t worry. Even if we’re not recognized as a married couple in real life, our hearts are truly connected in the online game.”

“...Y, yes.”

What is happening?

The shocking facts keep coming.

This is beyond heavy love.

It’s already in the realm of obsession!

“...Do you still find it creepy?”

“Eh?”

As I was on edge, Rinka, looking down with a worried expression, asked in a small voice.

“Objectively, my actions have gone too far. The dolls, erasers, and posters are one thing... but the marriage certificate is definitely strange.”

“...”

Objectively, everything is strange.

“No matter how much you like Kaito-kun, a girl who does such weird things must be off-putting...”

“No, that’s not true.”

I answer immediately, but Rinka continues to speak, looking down.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to force it. If you find me creepy... it’s fine to cut ties.”

“What are you saying?”

“I love Kaito-kun from the bottom of my heart. That’s why I wish for Kaito-kun’s happiness the most.”

“Rinka...”

“If I become a burden to Kaito-kun... I’m willing to divorce.”

...Divorce.

We haven’t even started dating yet.

“Kaito-kun will surely meet a much better woman than me. If I get in the way of Kaito-kun’s happiness...”

“Rinka”

I interrupt her by calling her name.

She looks up with a face that seems about to cry, and meets my gaze.

“As I said before, I accept any Rinka.”

“But I didn’t expect this much, did you?”

“Yeah.”

“...See, I told you.”

Rinka sniffles.

Her eyes are moist.

If I had scolded her, she might have really cried.

“If you’re going to say that, why did you tell me about the Kaito-kun merchandise?”

“...I value honest relationships. That’s why I decided to tell you when you asked. To let you know the real me that I’ve been hiding...”

If I hadn’t asked, would you have kept this a secret forever?

...No, that’s not it.

Rinka, who values pure hearts, was that afraid of this secret being revealed.

“Please be honest. If you can’t handle me anymore... I want you to say it without forcing yourself. I don’t want to be a burden to you...”

She averts her eyes from mine and speaks in a slightly trembling voice.

But everyone has secrets they don’t want to be revealed.

Even a popular idol is no different.

However, Rinka told me with the courage to be rejected.

Considering her beliefs and my happiness...

What can I do for her?

There is only one thing.

I should speak my true feelings without reservation.

Because we have been exchanging hearts in the online game world for years.

“Rinka”

“...Kaito-kun...?”

To Rinka, who is waiting for a response with teary eyes, I answer confidently.

“I accept any Rinka.”

“...Really?”

“Yeah. Because I... am deeply in love with the existence of Rinka Mizuki.”

“...”

Rinka gasps and holds her breath.

I continue, speaking slowly.

“Even if Rinka wasn’t an idol, I would still be in love with you. To put it bluntly, even if you were as ugly as to shock me, my feelings wouldn’t change.”

“...Kaito-kun...”

“Well, if you were a guy, I would have punched you. Ha ha.”

I try to make a joke to lighten the mood.

However, Rinka, with her cheeks flushed, is only covering her mouth with both hands.

Her eyes, moist with tears, look at me.

I want to remove her anxiety and turn it into joy.

Then, now is the time to say it.

“I... like Rinka.”

I said it clearly.

I said what I couldn’t say before.

I didn’t need courage.

I just said what was natural.

That’s all it was.

“Kaito-kun... even someone like me, is it okay?”

“I can’t do without Rinka. I’ll laugh off the hidden cameras and dolls. Well, I might point out the flaws, but I won’t dislike you for it.”

“...Kaito-kun...”

“Probably, falling in love means accepting everything about the person. It’s not about having expectations or imposing ideals.”

If I had found Rinka’s secret creepy and disliked her, it would mean I didn’t love Rinka, but rather the idol label attached to her.

I didn’t love the real Rinka.

And that’s what Rinka has been saying all along.

In the online game, you can discard the labels and expectations imposed by society.

That’s why the online game allows for pure-hearted interactions.

“I’m sorry for saying it late. I’ve loved 'Rin' for years.”

“...”

“My feelings haven’t changed even after knowing your true identity. It’s not about your status as an idol or your beautiful appearance. I like Rinka Mizuki. In real life... will you date me with the intention of marriage?”

I said it. I said everything.

I didn’t need courage.

I just said what was natural.

That’s all it was.

“Kaito-kun... even someone like me, is it okay?”

“I can’t do without Rinka. I’ll laugh off the hidden cameras and dolls. Well, I might point out the flaws, but I won’t dislike you for it.”

“...Kaito-kun...”

“Probably, falling in love means accepting everything about the person. It’s not about having expectations or imposing ideals.”

If I had found Rinka’s secret creepy and disliked her, it would mean I didn’t love Rinka, but rather the idol label attached to her.

I didn’t love the real Rinka.

And that’s what Rinka has been saying all along.

In the online game, you can discard the labels and expectations imposed by society.

That’s why the online game allows for pure-hearted interactions.

“I’m sorry for saying it late. I’ve loved 'Rin' for years.”

“...”

“My feelings haven’t changed even after knowing your true identity. It’s not about your status as an idol or your beautiful appearance. I like Rinka Mizuki. In real life... will you date me with the intention of marriage?”

I said it. I said everything.

I didn’t need courage.

I just said what was natural.

That’s all it was.

“Kaito-kun... even someone like me, is it okay?”

“I can’t do without Rinka. I’ll laugh off the hidden cameras and dolls. Well, I might point out the flaws, but I won’t dislike you for it.”

“...Kaito-kun...”

“Probably, falling in love means accepting everything about the person. It’s not about having expectations or imposing ideals.”

If I had found Rinka’s secret creepy and disliked her, it would mean I didn’t love Rinka, but rather the idol label attached to her.

I didn’t love the real Rinka.

And that’s what Rinka has been saying all along.

In the online game, you can discard the labels and