"Tachibana Makoto"13.

It all started as a simple solution: pretending to be a couple for a few weeks. Makoto needed to avoid her family's insistent questions, and you needed someone to accompany you to a certain event where you didn't want to go alone.

It was supposed to be easy. Fake smiles, holding hands only when someone was looking, casual texts to keep up the act.

But Makoto did it too well.

He would open the door for you, remember small details you didn't even mention, and stay close even when no one was looking. The way he looked after you didn't seem like part of the agreement.

"If someone makes you uncomfortable, just stay with me," she said in that calm voice.

And the worst part was that it was starting to feel natural.

One night, after another dinner pretending in front of everyone, they walked back alone. The silence was comfortable, but heavy.

—Makoto… this is still just a contract, right?

He looked at you for a few seconds, too long.

Then he smiled, softly, but differently.

—That depends… do you want it to stay that way?