Faking It with Atsumu Until It Becomes Real

After discussing it with my editor, this novel will go premium on August 28. Thank you, little sweethearts, for your support~ (hands you a heart)

My neighboring fics, the Aran romance Neighboring Seat, Miyakun and the Ushijima romance My Childhood Friend Dropped from the Sky Is the Ace Wing Spiker, are both open for preorders ^3^

[Novel Blurb] [Third-Person Narration]

The Miya brothers live on my street. I know them, but we aren't close. Mainly because they're both so annoying, I spent the first sixteen years of my life avoiding them.

That is, until the start of my second year of high school, when one morning Osamu suddenly grabbed me. "Akie, you have to pretend to be my girlfriend. Please."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "...Did you lose a game of Truth or Dare?"

"No! I'm serious, do me a favor." Atsumu said in despair. "And who plays Truth or Dare at seven in the morning?!"

"That sounds like something you'd do," I said mercilessly. "And I'm afraid I'll have to say no."

"You're the only one who can help me, Akie," Atsumu pleaded. "I'll give you three months' worth of pudding, okay?"

I was tempted, but kept a straight face. "...You think you can buy me off with that?"

"I'll even steal Osamu's snacks for you. How about that?"

I felt sorry for Osamu for having a twin like this, and sighed. "Fine. On top of the pudding, you have to buy me strawberry milk for three months."

Atsumu grinned like a fox who'd gotten his way. "Deal."

*

When Atsumu officially introduced his sparkling girlfriend, Amabara Akie, whom everyone called the "Beauty on a Pedestal," to the Inarizaki volleyball team...

The volleyball fell from Ginjima's hands. "Is this an act?"

Suna narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't look real to me."

Osamu turned to the poor girl being held by his brother. "Amabara, how much did this pig pay you to agree to be his girlfriend for a day? No, an hour?"

Aran said earnestly, "Amabara, if there's something wrong with your eyes, you should get them checked."

"...Hey, you guys are being way too mean, I swear."

*

Since his twin brother had gotten a girlfriend, Atsumu insisted on finding someone to pretend to be his girlfriend so he wouldn't "lose" for such a childish reason. He declared that he could never truly fall for a girl, that they'd break up automatically when their agreement expired, and that they'd have nothing to do with each other afterward. He had it all under control.

But, as you might expect, Atsumu fell in love helplessly and irreversibly.

But this was only a fake relationship, and they both knew it.

[Reading Guide]

1. Atsumu is pure-hearted but occasionally foolish, and gets a bit love-struck in this story. There are sweet moments and angst, so please only read if you're okay with that. Thank you.

2. Osamu wishes every day that he were the Miya family's only child.

3. The group chat [MSBY·BJ Chat (Without Atsumu)] has been renamed by "Atsumu" to [When Will Atsumu Finally Win Akie's Heart?]

"Onigiri Miya" invited "Ninja Shoyo" to join the group chat.

"EJP Sunarin" was invited to join the group chat by "Onigiri Miya."

"WS Sakusa" sent a message: NEVER. Then left the group chat.

4. Before reading each day, repeat three times: "Atsumu is just a dumb fox."

(But the author promises he'll become a handsome, reliable husband with a broad chest.)

Theme: Two people becoming better together