Don't Pretend to Be Something You're Not

Kurumizawa-san walked briskly from the school gate.

She must have known this was coming, as she looked straight at my aunt, who bowed her head, and at me, who stood next to her.

This was a set-up encounter.

Kururi Kurumizawa had finally made her move.

"I've been expecting you, young lady."

"Isn't it too much to ask to be called a lady? I'm just a normal girl."

"Humble yourself, ... at least, because you are nothing compared to an ordinary person like me."

It seems that, unbeknownst to me, Kurumizawa-san's family is quite well-known in the industry.

“I have just spoken with your father. He said he will leave the rest up to the young lady."

"Hmmm? I'm sure he still listens to me as usual. Even though we hardly see each other on a daily basis,... I guess if I listen to him sometimes, he feels like he's doing his job as a father."

"It is difficult for me to agree with that statement from my point of view."

My aunt, who is usually coarse in speech and behavior, is exchanging words with Kurumizawa-san, keeping her head down. The smile on her face was stuck, but she was quintessential in the way she bowed to the younger girl, even though it was her job to do so.

"Shall we go then?"

"Yeah, okay. Will you drive?"

"Yes, I'll take care of it... Kotaro, get in. Let's go."

I thought the two of them were going on alone, but this time I found out that we were going somewhere without my consent.

Of course, I'm not such an easy person that I would obediently listen.

"I don't know where you're going, what you want, or what connection you two are talking about, but ... I don't feel the need for me to go."

I resisted, but my will was stomped out with the next words.

"This is not my will, Kotaro, but your 'mother's'."

--With that statement, my mother's words came to mind in my mind.

"I don't expect anything more from you."

The words of disappointment are still etched in my mind.

"..."

My body slumped.

My throat choked, my thoughts dulled, and I felt unexpectedly sick.

Perhaps my body is rejecting the trauma of my childhood.

As if to push me into a corner, Kurumizawa-san explained the current situation to me.

"Nakayama, I'm sorry? It may not be a very good sentiment, but... my father is quite a famous person. I've been allowed to use that power this time."

"... What do you mean?"

"I heard that the company your parents run is in a bit of a pinch. Chisato Ichijo here asked for help from the company my father runs. So this time, I used that to... create a forceful 'connection' between you and me."

The content was somewhat abstract.

I don't even know exactly how Kurumizawa-san and my aunt got to know each other... Anyway, all I know is that she was planning something to make a connection with me.

"I don't really like using my father's power ... but I told you before, didn't I? I want to be your 'special' by any means necessary."

A single word of determination is hurled at me.

"If my feelings for you are to bear fruit, ... I'll use any trick I can to achieve it."

Without any pretense, she is facing love with a lot of effort.

Against such strong feelings, I, who was now shaken, was unable to fight back.

In the end, I got into my aunt's car without being able to argue any further.

It was at this point that the romantic comedy finally changed.

Finally, the story of Shiho and I was set in motion.

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