Shurabara!:Volume 1 Chapter 1

It's Not My Popular Period

Learning in the classroom alone. The proper learning attitude. Test scores that are above average. Did not join any club or the student council, belongs to the "going home club" after school.

Hoshikawa Saotome, is this kind of girl.

Although she does not have many friends, but that doesn’t mean she is isolated, just that she gives others an impression that she maintains a certain distance from her classmates.

"Kazuhiro-kun? Can't be my...?"

The two pupils that were concealed by the thick lensed glasses till just then, were staring at me slightly from below.

This is totally against the rules. It's too lethal.

There's enough of being asked for "help" then ending up with only "thanks". This situation is the first time.

"Um, mmhmm! Gladly! In fact I'm happy!"

Head nodded continuously.

Kazuhiro could not smile calmly as usual. Face started to itch.

"Really... it's okay?"

"Not taking back those words!"

Kazuhiro replied to Saotome's constant confirmation.

"It's a deal? Can't break the promise?"

"Certainly. Sa, Saotome!"

Called out the name offhandedly while thinking about it.

This is a development I had longed for. There are many girls who are relaxed when they’re talking to me, but only using my surname, and using my given name directly, there is only one girl, and she happens for my childhood friend.

Ahh, a girlfriend.

A girlfriend that can only be met in a dream.

Even mow, it doesn't feel real.

Till now, I’ve been trying hard to be "everyone's good guy" and it has finally paid off.

And it's this kind of unexpected beautiful girl.

Just that —

From the corner of this beautiful girl's mouth, appeared an malicious smile.

This smile isn't happy, nor is it joyful.

This is less like a soft smile. Instead it gives one an ominous premonition.

"So, it's agreed. Better give me some proof."

Saotome, who changed her tone in a flash, loosened her arms that were in front of her chest.

She took out a small recording pen that had been hidden without my knowledge. She pressed the switch, the red light indicating recording mode disappeared accordingly.

"Eh...? Eheh?"

The thing happening before my eyes, made my thoughts confused.

"Kazuhiro-kun, will pretend to be my lover, complete."

To the recording pen, she was fiddling with it in her hand, Saotome affirmed so.

"Pre, pretend? You mean that previous love declaration?"

Looking at the panicking Kazuhiro, Saotome passed the earphone to him without uttering a word, motioned for him to wear it, and played the previously recorded conversation.

"Can you be my (fake) boyfriend?"

Although at that time it wasn't heard, but indeed she said "fake".

The voice that said this word was soft but clear.

"As if I could hear that!"

I blurted out furious words due to being deceived.

Even I, who had never used abusive remarks on girls, could not remain calm now.

"Kazuhiro-kun, will not refuse girl’s requests. You will not break an agreement with a girl. This is so."

"Of course!"

"Kazuhiro-kun? Can't be my (fake boyfriend)?"

"Um, mmhmm! Gladly! In fact I'm happy!"

"Really, (to pretend), it's okay?"

"No taking back those words!"

This dialogue sequence that makes one feel embarrassed, were all emphasized using a soft "fake".

Isn't this equal to printing a sand-sized textbook onto an agreement booklet?

What an appalling profiteer.

Isn't there a cooling-off period?

"There's more."

She replaced the recording pen with a cellphone. Of course it was the kind with camera functions.

Displayed on the small screen was, the posture of Kazuhiro rolling on the ground.

“Aaaaaaaah! Really want! Really want a girlfriend!"

"Butsu!"

Looking at Kazuhiro's ugly situation, she giggled.

"I said it before. I witnessed everything."

There's no turning back now.

"And, and anyway what is pretend love?"

"Just as it means literally, being a fake lover. You don't get it?"

"That, that I know... Why do you want to do this?"

"For me, there's an important reason for me to do this."

Saotome said resolutely.

This guy, is she a tomboy?

In class — rather, till just now, she was still using the normal "me" to refer to herself.

Unless she had always been acting as an obedient girl, and only now it is considered her true nature?