Chapter 8

I wasn't thinking about it. The meaning of holding hands with her and walking to school.

No, I knew... but I was so elated... so flustered that I forgot its significance. Nanami is a girl who has turned down all the handsome guys.

The scene of such a girl holding hands with me, someone who doesn't stand out in class, was met with curious and surprised glances, and even envy and hatred from those around us.

Fortunately, it was early in the morning, and there weren't many students around. Still, a few were watching us closely.

No one approached us, but those who knew Nanami were whispering to each other.

I didn't feel great, but I told myself it couldn't be helped. I glanced at Nanami, wondering how she felt...

"Maybe it'll become a rumor, huh?"

Nanami, as always, seemed to be enjoying the situation, and she was even teasing me with a smile that showed her beautiful teeth. Her white teeth sparkled.

Incidentally, during the walk, she had been talking to me non-stop, unlike yesterday.

She asked me about my hobbies, what I do on my days off, and if I had dated other girls. We kept talking about these things as we walked.

Yesterday, Baron had advised me, "Don't talk too much about yourself; focus on listening to her. Be a good listener." But all of that advice was useless.

I ended up talking about myself non-stop.

And her way of talking was really good... She was skilled at expanding the conversation. When I mentioned games as my hobby, she deduced that my icon was a game character and asked if I played this game on my days off, even though she had never played it herself.

Her way of connecting questions was brilliant. Before I knew it, I had forgotten Baron's advice and was talking about myself the whole time.

Is this what it means to be a good listener? I'm so different from her.

I was worried that if I talked too much about myself, Nanami might think I was boring... but since she seemed to be enjoying it, I thought I hadn't made a mistake.

"That's true... I feel bad about becoming a rumor with someone like me..."

As soon as I said that, she puffed out her cheeks.

"What's that supposed to mean? That's not the reaction I wanted! We're dating, so it's fine, right?"

I felt an urge to poke her puffed cheeks. What was the right reaction? It's hard to know without understanding Nanami's preferences...

"Also, don't use 'someone like me' from now on. You're my boyfriend now... and you helped me yesterday, so you were really cool. So... let's have an equal relationship, okay?"

...This is supposed to be a punishment game relationship, right?

Ah, I see. An equal relationship. That's the kind of relationship she wants. She's simulating it with me. I understand.

"Okay, I get it... Nanami."

When I answered, she smiled at me, but her smile was slightly clouded. It was a sad smile, unlike the radiant one from before.

"...I'm the one who should say sorry."

What was she apologizing for? For the rumors? Or for the fact that this was a punishment game relationship?

If I told her I knew it was a punishment game... what would her reaction be?

I wanted to see her face when I told her, but I resisted the temptation...

Instead, I poked her cheek with my index finger.

She looked at me with wide eyes, surprised by my sudden action. I had intended it as a playful gesture, but her reaction surprised me too.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Sorry... You said you wanted an equal relationship, but then you started apologizing... Did you not like it? Sorry."

"...No, I didn't dislike it... I was just surprised... Yeah, just surprised..."

Her face was red, and her eyes were darting around. I had really surprised her... I felt bad.

We walked in silence for a moment, and before we knew it, we had arrived at school. We changed our shoes from outdoor to indoor.

Since we were in the same class... I thought we would stop holding hands here, but after changing her shoes, she held out her hand again. ...Even for this short time, she wanted to hold hands. I see.

"Isn't it a bit embarrassing?"

"It's fine, it's early and there aren't many people... just a little longer, okay?"

I reluctantly took her hand. A few people were in the classroom, and the moment we entered, the room buzzed with whispers. Only two of Nanami's friends didn't seem surprised. ...They came early too.

The two of them approached us with smiles.

...What were their names again...?

"...Nanami, you're pretty bold. I didn't expect you to come in holding hands."

"Hatsumi... Yeah... a little..."

Hatsumi, the long-haired friend, seemed surprised by Nanami's actions, but her tone was gentle and reassuring. Nanami responded with a shy smile.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

"Aruto, thanks."

The short-haired girl, Ayumi, clapped her hands innocently. She seemed genuinely happy for us. She also smiled at me and said, "Congratulations," while clapping.

Hmm, this reaction doesn't seem like they suggested the punishment game.

They even seemed to genuinely bless our relationship. I thought they would have more strained smiles... If this is an act, I might become distrustful of women.

"Can I borrow Ayumi for a bit? I want to talk to her."

"Ah, sure... no problem... Nanami, see you later."

When I let go of her hand, she looked a little disappointed but was quickly led away by her friends. I guess it would be hard to talk about the punishment game with me around.

After she left, I looked at my empty hand. I closed and opened it, still feeling the warmth of her hand.

"Is this what they call 'beyond one's station'...?"

I sat at my desk, put down my bag, and wondered what to do next.

I casually looked around the classroom.

A few people who were already in the classroom were staring at us with curiosity, clearly eager to ask questions. It probably wouldn't take more than a few minutes for them to swarm around me.

I could guess what they would ask... but how should I answer? Would I even survive until Nanami came back?

The first person came to my desk, then the second, and more classmates I didn't know by name gathered around, bombarding me with questions.

The main question was, "Why were you holding hands with Nanami and coming to class together?" Everyone wanted to know the answer.

Honestly... that's the question I wanted to know the most... But I decided to be honest with them.

"Nanami and I... are dating now. That's why..."

"Lie!!"

...They didn't believe me. Or rather, it sounded more like they didn't want to believe it. It's hard to believe that someone like me, a quiet guy, is dating her...

Ah, I used "someone like me" again... Nanami told me not to... I'll try to improve on that gradually.

I was bombarded with questions until Nanami and her friends came back. The classroom gradually filled up, and so did the crowd around me... but the questions were the same.

Struggling to answer the questions, the crowd suddenly parted.

Like a scene from the Ten Commandments, the crowd parted, and I saw Nanami, Hatsumi, and Ayumi.

Wow, they walked through the parted crowd like a movie scene... I was mesmerized by their coolness. When they stood in front of me, everyone's attention shifted from me to Nanami.

"Hey, why did you come in holding hands with Aruto? Is it some kind of game?"

"Hmm? I confessed to Aruto yesterday and we started dating. Isn't it normal for a boyfriend and girlfriend to hold hands?"

Nanami's casual response made everyone's eyes widen. The boys looked devastated, and some even collapsed. The girls looked back and forth between me and Nanami, clearly disbelieving.

...They didn't believe me earlier, but they believed Nanami so easily... The influence of the popular girl is strong.

"Come on, everyone, disperse. They're a new couple, so let them be."

"Yeah, yeah. Come on, give them some space."

"Ah, thanks... um... Hatsumi and Ayumi, right?"

Their words made everyone reluctantly return to their seats. I thanked them, but Nanami puffed her cheeks again.

Huh, did I say something to upset her?

"...Why are you suddenly calling Hatsumi and Ayumi by their first names? You called me by my last name at first..."

"Ah, well... that's because..."

...Nanami, you're pouting.

No, I just didn't know their names until now. I didn't mean anything by it. When you pout so cutely, I don't know how to react...

"Ha ha ha, it's okay, Nanami. Aruto and we didn't have much interaction, so he just didn't know our names. I'm Hatsumi, nice to meet you, Aruto."

"I'm Ayumi. Nice to meet you, Nanami's boyfriend."

"Ah, yeah... thanks. Nice to meet you, Hatsumi and Ayumi."

I thanked them and called them by their last names again.

Nanami's pout seemed to disappear, and she smiled at me. Then she took a deep breath.

"Aruto, what are you doing for lunch today?"

"Lunch? I usually eat in the cafeteria... or just grab a snack..."

"Well... I made a bento for you too... So... if you don't mind... would you like to eat together?"

"...I'd be happy to."

In the midst of the classroom's attention, I was caught off guard by her unexpected lunch invitation. At the same time, I realized why she had a slightly larger bag today...

This is a punishment game relationship, right? Nanami, are you taking it too seriously?

Interlude: Nanami's Thoughts

Phew!! I'm glad Aruto doesn't have any food preferences!! I'm relieved!!

Does he dislike anything? Is he okay with homemade food?

Ugh... I'm such an idiot, why didn't I ask him properly... I'm nervous now that I've invited him...