Chapter 4

I am Ueda Shinji.

On Christmas Eve, I was cheated on and dumped by my girlfriend, Nakatsugawa Megumi.

But then I was asked out by the class gal, Matsumoto Rika, and we ended up in a fake relationship.

“Sigh... I’m so depressed...”

The next day, the 25th, a Friday.

Today is the last day of school before winter break.

But my steps were very heavy.

Of course, that’s because Megumi, my ex-girlfriend, would be waiting for me in the classroom.

“I don’t want to go... I feel so sluggish... *sneeze!*”

While sneezing, I walked through the school gates.

【Alpico Academy】.

This is the school I attend.

It’s a prestigious sports school.

But since I’m not in any club, it doesn’t really matter to me.

I changed my shoes at the shoe lockers and headed to the classroom.

Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, probably because the winter break was just around the corner.

And probably because those who went on successful dates yesterday were feeling good.

“Sigh... I’m so jealous...”

Just as I was about to reach the classroom, it happened.

Thump.

“Kyaa!”

“Whoa, sorry... Ah!”

A beautiful girl had just come out of the girls' restroom.

She had light-colored hair in a bob cut.

Her chest was small, but her body was slim and well-proportioned.

Her skin was fair, and even without makeup, she stood out.

“It’s... Megumi...”

My ex-girlfriend, Nakatsugawa Megumi.

Her eyes twitched.

“Sorry, Ueda-kun. Can you please not call me by my first name?”

She smiled, but her words were harsh.

I think it’s because there are people around.

“S-Sorry...”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize. In fact, you don’t even need to talk to me.”

“Huh? Why... Why not?”

“Why? Can’t you figure it out? Are you stupid?”

...What a way to talk.

Megumi is indeed beautiful.

At first glance, she looks pure, bright, and kind.

Some of the boys even call her an angel...

“I don’t understand...”

“Now that we’re broken up and just acquaintances, let’s just stay out of each other’s way.”

“But we’re still classmates...”

Megumi let out a small sigh.

“Anyway, don’t ever talk to me again. You’re creepy.”

“Creepy...?”

She gave me a disdainful look.

“Right. You’re disgusting. I don’t want to talk to a pervert who gets off on looking at such filthy things. It taints my soul.”

...That’s terrible.

How terrible.

What did I do? I just like anime! To call it something like a crime... That’s ridiculous!

“What? If you have something to say, say it quickly. What if someone sees us together?”

Just then,

“Shin-chan♡”

Someone hugged me from behind.

“Uwaaaaaah!”

Something soft pressed against my back!

“M-Matsumoto-san!?”

Megumi looked shocked.

Matsumoto-san, still leaning on me, smiled brightly.

“Good morning, Shin-chan♡”

“Huh? What? Huh...?”

What’s going on!?

Why is she suddenly so friendly!?

Usually, Matsumoto-san gives off a very intimidating aura in class and never talks to anyone!

“...We’re in a fake relationship, remember? Revenge.”

Matsumoto-san whispered in my ear.

Ah, right.

That’s right.

We formed an alliance.

We’re going to get back at Megumi, who betrayed me, and the classmates who looked down on me.

“M-Matsumoto-san... What’s going on? You and Ueda-kun seem very close all of a sudden?”

Megumi asked, her eyes darting around.

“Yeah, we’re more than close. We’re dating~?”

“H-Huh!? You’re dating!?”

“Yup♡”

Matsumoto-san hugged me even tighter from behind!

Oh my! Her soft breasts pressed against me...

It feels so good...

“...Ueda-kun, why are you getting all mushy? Touching such vulgar breasts is so crass.”

Megumi’s temples twitched.

Meanwhile, Matsumoto-san smiled wickedly.

“Isn’t it normal? Boys usually prefer bigger breasts, right? What do you think, flat-chested girl?”

“...”

Megumi’s temples twitched even more, but she kept smiling.

Indeed, Megumi’s chest is flat...

“H-Huh, so... lovers... Hmm... Huh... You switched so quickly? Is that okay?”

“Huh? Whether it’s good or bad, you were the one who dumped me, right? Shin-chan is free, so it’s none of your business who he dates.”

“That’s... true, but... I think it’s a bit much to start dating someone just to spite me.”

It’s not just to spite you; it’s revenge.

But Megumi seems pretty shaken up.

She was so harsh to me just a moment ago.

It feels pretty good.

“Spite? That’s just an excuse, right? We’re really close♡ Right, Shin-chan♡”

“Y-Yeah... Matsumoto... Ow ow ow!”

Matsumoto-san pinched my side.

She whispered in my ear again.

“...Call me Rika. Rika.”

“W-What! So suddenly?”

“Just do it.”

She’s scary...

But... this is revenge.

Calling her by her first name will have a bigger impact on her. ...Probably.

“Y-Yeah. Rika and I are... really close.”

“R-Rika...!? Already on a first-name basis...!?”

Megumi looked shocked.

Of course, it’s shocking.

To be dumped yesterday, start dating today, and already be so close...

“Could it be... Could it be that you two... have been dating for a while!?”

That’s a natural assumption.

Just as I was about to say no, Matsumoto-san smiled.

“Maybe?”

“That’s cheating! It’s dirty!”

“Huh! Cheating! Interesting... So cheating is dirty, huh?”

Matsumoto-san smiled sweetly.

“Like you haven’t cheated yourself?”

“!?”

Right... Megumi thinks I don’t know she cheated on me.

She probably thinks that if I find out, I’ll criticize her and her popularity will drop.

But since she cheated too, she can’t criticize cheating.

“How come? What happened to your confidence from earlier? The pure Megumi who never cheated?”

“...”

Megumi bit her lip.

“Come on, Shin-chan♡ Let’s go. Winter break starts tomorrow, so let’s have lots of fun♡”

Matsumoto-san took my arm and started walking.

Her breast brushed against my elbow!

Is this okay...?

“...What’s your problem? You just got dumped yesterday, and now you’re showing off a new girl! I thought you’d be more depressed!”

Megumi started stomping her feet and glared at us.

It’s scary... but Matsumoto-san is by my side.

I wasn’t really scared.

“Phase one is complete.”

Matsumoto-san said to me a little distance away.

“Probably because the rumor about the penalty game hasn’t reached that bitch’s ears yet. She’s probably just upset that we started dating right after the breakup.”

“But... won’t it be a problem when time passes...?”

“Right. She’ll probably think you’re being fooled. She’ll try to regain the upper hand. But... hehe, what a stupid woman.”

Matsumoto-san laughed evilly.

“That’s exactly what we want. They’re the ones being fooled.”

Our plan is to reveal that we’re really dating at the end of the third term.

Until then, we’ll make her think we’re only dating because of the penalty game.

“By the way... Matsumoto-san. Thanks for helping me with Megumi earlier.”

Matsumoto-san stopped.

She looked at me unhappily.

“...Rika.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Rika.”

Eeeeeeeeh!?

“S-Such a first-name basis...!”

“Don’t get the wrong idea! This is just... part of the act! Since we’re in a fake relationship, it would be unnatural not to call each other by our first names, right!?”

“Oh, right...”

So, let me try again...

“Thank you, Rika.”

Her eyes widened.

She turned away.

Did I upset her...?

“...Rika♡ You called me Rika♡ Just like in the old days. I’m so happy...♡”

“Eh? What’s wrong?”

“N-No! It’s nothing!”

I don’t understand, but Matsumoto-san... I mean, Rika, seems very happy.

“Let’s go to class.”

“Eh!? Still holding arms?”

“Of course! We’re dating, after all!”

I was dragged along by Rika as we headed to the classroom.

It’s a bit too forceful...

But I don’t mind.