A Romantic Relationship-Can You Do That Thing Again?

He treated ordinary people and awful people in completely different ways.

If she acted like a nice girl,

there was no way he'd treat her like this.

But as she was now, she didn't look like a nice girl at all...

Kushida Kikyo felt a little clammy.

And then she thought of...

Chapter 62: A Romantic Relationship—Could You Perform That Again?

"You can think that if you want."

"Kushida, I'm going to enjoy myself now~"

Kageya Shinjitsu didn't care about any of that.

He looked like a beast had taken over.

"No, don't..."

"Don't do this!!"

"I know I was wrong..."

Kushida Kikyo's expression had changed. Tears streamed down her face.

She could no longer keep up her earlier cold demeanor.

"So you're not threatening me anymore?"

"Going to put on a different face now?"

"You're really crafty, Kushida-chan."

He gripped Kushida Kikyo's chin and watched her cry.

The prettier the girl, the better she was at lying. They were all born actors.

Kageya Shinjitsu spoke without expression.

He couldn't tell whether she was being sincere.

But this woman really was clever.

"No, no, I know I was wrong."

"I won't threaten you again."

"Please let me go."

Kushida Kikyo was genuinely panicking.

Especially when he'd said that even if someone showed up, he'd make a real-life human-body-art display right there in front of the school.

It was terrifying.

And it was the only solution she could think of.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless again. I won't dare. I know I was wrong..."

"There's no need to go this far, is there? You'll be in trouble too, you know."

Kushida Kikyo spoke tearfully, looking pitiful.

When she saw that Kageya Shinjitsu wasn't reacting much, she tentatively tried again.

"As an apology, um, how about I become your girlfriend? Then you won't have to worry about me doing anything reckless."

"Don't you want to experience being in love? There are some things I might not be able to give you, but I'll have a proper relationship with you until you find a girlfriend."

"Compared to a girl you're too afraid or unwilling to accept, I can help you get better at dealing with girls."

"And if we make our relationship official, we can keep each other's secrets. That would be good for both of us..."

That was what she said. Only she knew what she really thought.

"Heh."

Women really are troublesome. The prettier they are, the more easily lies spill out of their mouths.

Watching Kushida Kikyo's performance, Kageya Shinjitsu gave a scornful smile.

"You sound so sincere. Could you perform that again?"

Kageya Shinjitsu didn't keep pushing things.

Kushida Kikyo breathed a little easier.

But then—

"That?"

Kushida Kikyo didn't understand.

Was he talking about when she'd kicked the railing earlier?

Or when they'd just kissed?

Or when they'd pressed their fingerprints onto something?

She was still lost in thought when Kageya Shinjitsu spoke first.

"That thing. Let me think of what you said earlier..."

"Do you think I'd ever date a disgusting guy?"

"You don't actually think I'd go out with you, do you? Ha! I'd rather jump off here than ever be with you... mmph..."

He imitated Kushida Kikyo's way of speaking, vividly reenacting what she'd said just moments ago...

There was a hint of mischief in it, too.

At first, he'd planned to turn her into a tool like Karuizawa Kei, or just scare her into dropping out.

But now, they could both be blackmailing each other. He could always abandon the arrangement if he had to.

As for this deal, it wasn't impossible to accept.

"Kageya..."

"Please don't joke like that. I really do know I was wrong."

"It was all a misunderstanding. I was just worried about my little secrets. How about I tell you all of them later?"

"Please forgive me."

Kushida Kikyo gave him a pitiful look.

Her face was flushed, and she was clearly worked up, but she didn't let it show.

Kageya Shinjitsu simply watched her.

Kushida Kikyo didn't falter either; she studied him in return.

They were holding each other close and gazing at one another like a couple.

"Kageya, let me go first."

Kushida Kikyo saw that he wasn't answering.

So she spoke first.

After considering it, Kageya Shinjitsu stopped holding her so tightly.

He let Kushida Kikyo down.

As her feet touched the ground, the railing could finally catch its breath.

It had endured far too much today—more than anything its age should have had to bear.

Kageya Shinjitsu stepped forward...

And pressed himself against her again.

He pinned her against the railing.

Kushida Kikyo wanted to struggle, but quickly switched to looking pitiful.

She'd already figured out how to deal with him.

"Since you've put it that way, let's do that."

Kageya Shinjitsu looked at Kushida Kikyo.

She was different from Karuizawa Kei. Even if they broke up at any time, he didn't have to worry about hurting her.

Maybe she'd be even happier about it.

"Then it's settled."

Kushida Kikyo felt disgusted inside, but still put on a gentle smile.

But this outcome was better than the alternatives.

If she didn't do this, she couldn't seem to make the guy in front of her believe her.

Just wait. As soon as she found something she could use against him...

"Kageya, we're boyfriend and girlfriend now. I look forward to getting along with you."

At Kageya Shinjitsu's words, Kushida Kikyo truly became an Oscar-worthy actress.

That voice, sweet enough to make your teeth ache, came instantly.

Kageya Shinjitsu could only think that this woman was really hard to handle.

Somehow, he'd discovered Kushida Kikyo's true nature.

And somehow, he'd gotten himself a girlfriend.

"Kushida, now we have a secret in common."

Imitating Kushida Kikyo, Kageya Shinjitsu smiled too.

He looked like a scheming sweet-talker.

Kushida Kikyo even got goosebumps.

But she still had to respond.

"Yeah."

"But since I might find a girl I like in the future, let's keep our relationship a secret."

"You just need to keep me informed about all kinds of things happening at school and teach me how to get along with girls."

"Likewise, I'll help you deal with your little moods and little secrets."

Kageya Shinjitsu looked like a serious student.

That only made Kushida Kikyo more annoyed.

Pah! Who wants to be in a relationship with you?

I'm more worried you'll ruin my reputation.

You bastard, are you saying I'm not good enough for you?

"Sure. No problem at all."

This arrangement was exactly what she wanted, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

She'd been worried that making the relationship public would hurt her popularity with the boys.

P.S. I edited it until it turned out like this. I'm out of ideas.