I Accidentally Sent a Love Letter to the School's Most Prestigious Young Lady Instead of My Childhood Friend, and Now She's Bowing to Me, Asking, "Please Date Me—On the Premise of Marriage!" - 11

“Good morning, Kisaragi-san.”

The day after our temporary lover relationship—which Haru had reluctantly accepted—was established.

The moment Shion-san entered the classroom, she greeted me as usual.

“…Good morning.”

My reply was rather mechanical, but Shion-san showed no sign of minding.

“Good morning, my… time-limited husband♡“

“Do you really understand the terms of our contract…?” I whispered.

To my quiet words, Shion-san responded in an equally soft voice, “It’s precisely because I understand that I feel I must enjoy my school life to the fullest for the remaining year and a bit until graduation.”

She tilted her head with an innocent, beaming smile.

Unable to get angry, I glanced toward the corner of the classroom and saw Haru glaring at us with a displeased expression.

Though Haru was trembling slightly, Shion-san and I were now a school-approved couple, and yesterday’s promise still stood.

She probably wanted to interfere but could only watch.

“Did you do your homework, Husband?”

Shion-san peered into my face, her expression still cheerful.

“Ah… With everything that happened yesterday, I forgot.”

“In that case, please take this. I apologize for being a presumptuous wife.”

Shion-san held out her notebook, spread it open on my desk, and sat down in front of me.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, please ask. I’ll do my best to explain, though I may be inadequate.”

She smiled, crossed her arms, and rested her chin on them.

I started copying the homework, but…

Unable to ignore Shion-san’s steady gaze, I asked, “…Did something good happen?”

“Being like this makes me feel like we’re real lovers. It might be a bother for you, Kisaragi-san.”

“No… I can’t call it a bother since it’s my fault…”

“If only I had met you before Haru-san… I can’t help thinking that.”

“…………”

“I’m sorry. Please forget I said that.”

I glanced toward the corner of the classroom and saw Haru’s face, looking like she was nearing her limit. Wondering what excuse I’d make later, I continued with my homework.

Haru shouldn’t be able to hear our conversation—from the outside, we probably just looked like a happy couple chatting.

“Today seems like it’ll be another good day.”

“…………”

It was the start of a morning that easily foreshadowed another chaotic, hectic day.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Then came lunch break.

We were on a bench in front of the trees behind the school building, enjoying our lunchtime.

Sitting side by side, we nibbled on the lunch Shion-san had made herself.

“Here. Aaah♡“

“…Aaah”

I took the mini hamburger steak she offered with her chopsticks, stuffing it into my mouth.

As I chewed, soft meat juices overflowed, spreading flavor throughout my mouth.

“…It’s delicious…”

“Thank you. Store-bought ones are tasty these days too, but I thought I’d try making it by hand since I had the chance.”

“You mean it’s handmade, not microwaved…?”

“I made it with love.”

“…Thank you.”

“Not at all. It’s part of a wife’s duties.”

Shion-san looked at me and smiled sweetly.

I glanced toward the corner of the school building and caught glimpses of Haru’s face glaring at us from the shadows.

Unable to ignore Haru’s gaze any longer, I muttered, “Since no one can see us here… we don’t have to keep up the act, right…?”

“Act? This isn’t an act.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“I understand. Haru-san, who’s been looking angry since earlier, is your future wife, and I’m just a temporary lover until then. I’ll keep our promise.”

“If you understand, then there’s no need to be so affectionate, right…”

At that, Shion-san’s smiling face suddenly turned serious as she asked me, “Do you dislike being affectionate with me, Kisaragi-san?”

“I don’t dislike it. I don’t dislike you at all, Shion-san, so I don’t mind. But Haru’s watching, and if you’re forcing yourself to act…”

“Do I look like I’m forcing myself to act?”

“…No.”

I answered honestly.

“Exactly. Until now, I wasn’t allowed to interact with men. I was treated like a caged bird. That’s why, even if it’s only for a limited time, I’m happy to have genuine, heartfelt moments with you, Kisaragi-san. I want to cherish this precious time.”

“…………”

Hearing that, I couldn’t say anything in response.

“…That’s my true feeling, but I won’t deny that I’m enjoying your reactions with excessive ‘performance’ rather than ‘acting.'”

Shion-san stuck out her tongue playfully and grinned mischievously.

I burst out laughing too, and our homely lunchtime atmosphere continued until the period ended.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

“Come on. Let’s head home.”

I walked home from school with Shion-san.

We descended the slope from the hilltop school building and made our way through the central park toward the station.

The park’s greenery, illuminated by the evening light, was dazzling and fresh. As we walked side by side through its fragrant air—

Suddenly, Shion-san took my hand.

“Huh?” I was a little surprised, even now, and looked at Shion-san beside me.

A gentle smile returned my gaze.

“For you, Kisaragi-san, holding hands might be nothing special, but for me, it fills my heart to overflowing. To be honest, it satisfies me more than a kiss would.”

“…………”

What kind of life has this person lived? The thought crossed my mind briefly.

That luxurious mansion, living with maids… At first glance, it seemed filled with wealth and lacking nothing.

But maybe she’s been lonely all along.

The school’s Princess.

An unattainable flower on a high peak.

But all alone.

If only for this moment, within our limited time… Thinking that, I tightened my grip on Shion-san’s hand, and the sensation of her squeezing back enveloped me.