Chapter 24: The Fake-Out

Riku's palms were sweaty as he and Aiko approached Yamato High's gates. Plan C was officially in motion, and his stomach churned with a mix of dread and nervous energy. Aiko, on the other hand, strolled beside him with her usual confidence, her arm looped through his like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her uniform skirt swished with each step, and her hair bounced in a high ponytail, tied with a ribbon that matched his tie. *Did she do that on purpose?* he wondered, then shook the thought away. *Focus, Riku. This is all fake.*

"You ready, knight?" Aiko asked, her voice bright with mischief. She squeezed his arm, pulling him closer as they entered the bustling hallway. Heads turned immediately, whispers rippling through the crowd like a wave.

Riku swallowed hard. "As ready as I'll ever be," he muttered, forcing a smile. "Let's just get this over with."

Aiko's grin widened. "Oh, come on, it'll be fun. Trust me." She cleared her throat and raised her voice, loud enough for the surrounding students to hear. "Riku-poo, you're looking extra handsome today! Did you do something new with your hair?"

Riku's face flushed crimson. "Aiko, don't—"

But she was already on a roll. "My boyfriend is just the cutest, isn't he, everyone?" She tugged him toward their classroom, her laughter ringing out as students gawked, some giggling, others whispering furiously.

Inside Class 2-B, the reaction was explosive. The moment they stepped through the door, all chatter ceased, every eye locking onto them. Aiko didn't hesitate—she marched straight to Riku's desk, planted a loud, theatrical kiss on his cheek, and beamed at the stunned audience. "Morning, everyone! Isn't my sweetheart the best?"

The room erupted—gasps, squeals, and a few shouts of "I knew it!" Taro and Kenji exchanged wide-eyed looks, while Mika peeked over her book, her face pale. Haruka, who'd been chatting with a friend, froze mid-sentence, her smile faltering.

Riku wanted to crawl under his desk and disappear. "We're not—" he started, but Aiko pinched his side, hissing, "Play along, idiot."

He forced a grin, his voice stiff as a board. "Yeah, uh, my girlfriend's amazing. So… in love. Totally."

Aiko wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tight. "Aw, babe, you're the best!" She nuzzled his shoulder, and Riku's brain short-circuited, his entire body stiffening like a statue.

From the back of the room, Yuna whooped, "Get a room, you two!" Her fox-ear headband bobbed as she laughed, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Haruka's expression crumpled, her usual cheer dimming as she sank into her seat. Mika's eyes welled up behind her glasses, and she buried her face deeper into her book. Even Taro leaned over to Kenji, muttering, "Dude, I thought it was a joke, but…"

Aiko leaned into Riku, her breath warm against his ear. "See? They're buying it. Now, let's really sell it."

"How?" he whispered back, his pulse racing. They were already the center of attention—what more could she possibly do?

She pulled back slightly, her hazel eyes gleaming with a challenge. "Kiss me."

Riku's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"Fake kiss," she clarified, though her smirk suggested otherwise. "Just pretend. Make it look real."

His mind blanked. "I—I can't—"

"Sure you can," she said, grabbing his collar and pulling him close. Their noses brushed, her lips hovering inches from his, soft and inviting. The classroom held its breath, the air thick with anticipation. Riku's heart hammered so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it.

Then, the door slammed open, and their homeroom teacher strode in, clipboard in hand. "Alright, settle down! Books out, now!"

Aiko released him with a wink, stepping back as if nothing had happened. "Saved by the bell, knight," she murmured, sauntering to her seat with a sway in her hips. Riku collapsed into his chair, dazed and breathless, as the class reluctantly shifted focus to the lesson. But the whispers didn't stop—they only grew, like a swarm of bees buzzing in his ears.

---

Lunch was no better. Riku had hoped for a reprieve, but Aiko was relentless. She plopped down beside him at their usual table, her tray clattering as she scooted so close she was practically in his lap. "Hey, sweetie," she cooed, loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "Share your bento with me?"

Riku's face burned hotter than the sun. "Aiko, this is—"

"Shh," she whispered, picking up a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks and holding it to his lips. "Gotta keep up appearances."

He opened his mouth reluctantly, letting her feed him. The egg was soft and savory, but he could barely taste it over the embarrassment. Haruka approached, her own bento clutched tightly, her eyes wary.

"Riku, can we talk?" she asked, her voice small.

Aiko turned, smiling with saccharine sweetness. "Oh, Haruka! Sorry, but Riku's busy with his girlfriend right now. Maybe later?"

Haruka's gaze hardened. "Girlfriend? Since when?"

"Since forever," Aiko said, leaning her head on Riku's shoulder. "Right, darling?"

Riku forced a nod, his mouth still full. Haruka huffed, her cheeks puffing out, and stormed off, leaving her untouched bento behind. Aiko giggled softly. "See? It's working. She's pissed."

"She's hurt," Riku corrected, swallowing the egg with difficulty. "This feels mean, Aiko."

"It's for her own good," she said, though her smile wavered. "She'll get over it faster this way."

Before he could argue, Yuna sauntered over, hands on her hips and a grin plastered across her face. "So, lovebirds, when's the wedding?"

Aiko didn't miss a beat. "Next spring. You're invited, senpai."

Yuna laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'll bring the confetti. But seriously, you two are adorable. Almost too cute to be real."

Riku caught the glint in Yuna's gaze—she wasn't buying it. Desperate to sell the act, he draped an arm around Aiko's shoulder, pulling her close. "It's, uh, very real," he lied, his voice cracking.

Aiko stiffened in surprise, then melted against him, her hand sliding onto his thigh. "Yeah, super real," she echoed, her fingers squeezing gently. Riku's breath hitched, sparks shooting up his leg from her touch.

Yuna's grin widened, but she didn't push further. "Sure, sure. Well, carry on, then." She winked and sashayed away, leaving them in an awkward, too-close embrace.

Aiko pulled back slowly, her cheeks tinged pink. "Nice save," she muttered, avoiding his eyes. "Maybe you're not hopeless after all."

"Thanks?" Riku said, unsure if it was a compliment. The fake-out was blurring lines he hadn't known existed, and the warmth of her hand lingered on his thigh like a brand.

---

After school, the drama club gathered for rehearsal, and Riku's nerves spiked. Aiko, still in full girlfriend mode, clung to his arm as they entered the classroom-turned-stage, drawing curious glances from the other members. The director, Hiro, a lanky third-year with a perpetual frown, clapped his hands for attention. "Alright, lovebirds, your scene's up. The rescue kiss."

Riku's stomach dropped. "Wait, what? There's a kiss in the play?"

Hiro flipped through the script, nodding. "Yeah, the knight saves the princess and seals it with a kiss. Didn't you read it?"

Riku paled, his mind racing. "I, uh, must've missed that part."

Aiko squeezed his arm, her voice teasing but her eyes nervous. "Don't worry, babe. It's just acting." Still, her fingers trembled slightly against his sleeve.

They took their positions on the makeshift stage, Riku awkwardly gripping the plastic sword while Aiko adjusted her tiara. The scene unfolded in a blur—Riku "slaying" the cardboard dragon with a clumsy swing, Aiko swooning dramatically into his arms. Then, the moment: he caught her, their faces inches apart, her breath warm on his cheek.

"Now, kiss," Hiro directed, his tone bored.

Riku hesitated, his pulse roaring in his ears. Aiko's eyes were wide, her lips parted, and for a fleeting second, the world narrowed to just them—no audience, no rumors, just her gaze locked on his. Slowly, he leaned in, their breaths mingling, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Just as their lips were about to touch, the door burst open, and Yuna strode in, her fox ears bobbing with each step. "Whoa, didn't mean to interrupt the make-out session!" she teased, waggling her eyebrows.

Riku sprang back, nearly dropping Aiko as she yelped, stumbling to regain her balance. "It's not—" he started, but Hiro waved them off, sighing.

"Break time! We'll pick up later."

Aiko smoothed her skirt, her face flushed as she shot Riku a sideways glance. "Nice almost-kiss, knight," she whispered, brushing past him with a smirk. "Maybe next time."

Riku stood frozen, his mind reeling. Was she serious? Or still acting? The line between fake and real was thinning, and he wasn't sure which side he wanted to be on.

---

That evening, back home, Riku collapsed onto the couch, utterly drained from the day's performance. His muscles ached, but his mind was the real wreck—every fake smile, every forced pet name, every almost-kiss replaying in a loop. Aiko joined him, kicking off her shoes and curling up beside him, closer than usual. Her head rested on his shoulder, her hair tickling his neck.

"You did good today," she murmured, her voice soft, almost vulnerable. "Almost convincing."

"Almost?" he echoed, his arm tingling where her warmth seeped through his shirt.

"Yeah," she said, her eyes half-closed. "But I think we need more practice."

Before he could ask what she meant, she tilted her head up, her lips brushing his cheek in a real, feather-light kiss. Then she sprang up, grinning like she'd won a game. "Night, knight!"

She dashed upstairs, leaving Riku touching his cheek, his skin burning where her lips had been. Was that part of the act? Or something more? He groaned, sinking deeper into the cushions, his heart a confused mess.

Plan C was supposed to be a joke—a ridiculous ploy to kill the rumors. But with every fake touch and teasing glance, it felt less like a game and more like a trap he was willingly falling into. And the worst part? He wasn't sure he wanted to escape.