[Currently building a backlog, 17/25 (55,937/70,000 characters). The story will start posting once the backlog reaches 70,000 characters. Third-person narration.] [I used the young master as a shield against admirers, and now the young master wants to date me]
Here’s what happened.
I’m an ordinary high school student. One day after school, a rich young master I had no idea where he’d come from blocked my way. He confessed to me with great passion, claiming he’d fallen for me at first sight, had liked me for a long time, and wanted me to be his girlfriend.
To turn him down without causing a scene, I panicked and made up a story. Putting on a shy act, I said, "You’re a good person, but I’m so sorry. There’s someone I’ve liked for a long time already." Then I pulled out a photo of Atobe, the son of my dad’s boss, and told the rich young master that he was the one I liked.
It worked perfectly. The rich young master wasn’t the type to force anyone into a relationship, so he sighed and left.
I thought that was the end of it. Who could have guessed that one day, my "crush" on Atobe would reach the person himself? Once again, I got stopped on my way home from school.
Atobe: "I heard someone say you like me."
Atobe: "As it happens, why don’t we give it a try?"
Atobe: "Go out with me, Shimizu."
Me: "..."
Three sentences, and my soul left my body on the spot.
Yikes. If I told him I’d only used him to ward off admirers and didn’t like him in the slightest, then with the way this young master thinks so highly of himself, my dad, who’d only just been promoted to CTO and barely had time to settle in, might be out of a job. My whole family could end up with nothing!
I stared at his face for a long time.
I stammered, "O-okay."
Half-asleep, I said, "Then, Atobe, I look forward to getting along with you."
I thought the young master was just overflowing with teenage hormones and wanted someone to experience the novelty of dating with. So I diligently played the role of a girlfriend who "loved him more than anything."
When graduation came around, it was breakup season once again. I thought we’d end there too, and felt a little lost. But it was probably for the best. After all, for a wealthy family, an arranged marriage between equals was the proper path.
After dating the young master for so long, I’d found myself growing strangely bold.
Better to break up with someone than be dumped. I found a time and asked him to meet me.
Me: "Atobe, there’s something I need to tell you."
Me: "The truth is, I only used you to ward off admirers back then."
Me: "When I said I liked you, I was lying. I was acting the whole time."
I’d thought the young master wouldn’t be able to accept the truth, and would then agree when I asked to break up.
But he listened to my confession in silence, calm and unruffled.
Atobe: "I know."
Atobe: "I knew from the very beginning."
Atobe: "What did you think I was going through all this trouble for?"
The young master said he’d gone to all that trouble to figure out whether my feelings were real or fake, so he could adjust his strategy accordingly.
Me: "...?"
I was completely blindsided. I was absolutely shocked.
Ha ha, the sky really is falling!
So he’d been watching me act this whole time!
[The author is sensitive. If you insult the characters or me, I’ll cry under the covers while deleting your comment.]
[High schoolers’ everyday life of studying and romance, with family, friendship, and love all running side by side.]
[I still want to try writing a sweet, subtle school romance. This time, I’m definitely building a backlog!]
Recorded on 2025.10.31. Rough draft; will be revised later.
Theme: Perseverance.
