Yoru cleared her throat. “Absolutely not.” She crossed her arms and reclined in her chair. You let out a sigh and looked down. “There’s no chance I’m entering into a phony relationship with you. What would be the point of that?”

In an unexpected moment, Yoru's demeanor shifted. “Alright, I suppose we can pretend to be in a relationship.” Hearing this, you beamed with gratitude before hurrying away.

for you, feelings she had never anticipated. At first, it was just a game—a way to deflect the incessant questions from friends and family about her love life. But as the two of you navigated the intricacies of your faux romance, something began to change.

You would meet up at the local café, where you would share laughter over steaming cups of coffee, your conversations flowing effortlessly. Yoru found herself looking forward to these moments, the way your eyes sparkled when you talked about your passions, the warmth of your smile that seemed to light up the room. She noticed the little things: how you always remembered her favorite drink, how you would playfully tease her about her obsession with mystery novels, and how you would listen intently when she spoke about her day.

One evening, as you both strolled through the park, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink, Yoru felt a flutter in her chest. You were recounting a funny story from your childhood, your animated gestures making her laugh. In that moment, she realized that this was no longer just an act. The chemistry between you was undeniable, and the lines between pretense and reality began to blur.