chapter 1 - A Quite Life

Kaito Arakawa — Perspective

My name is Kaito Arakawa.

I'm the kind of person people usually don't notice in class. A loner. I always sit alone, don't talk much, and prefer staying in my own space.

It wasn't always like this.

Back in my old school, something happened that changed me. I won't go into detail, but after that incident, I stopped trusting people easily. Even the teachers… even the classroom itself started to feel uncomfortable. Over time, my social skills just faded. Talking to others became difficult. Sometimes even scary.

So I chose silence.

Now, I sit quietly in class every day. No friends, no conversations, no attention. And honestly… I'm fine with it. No drama, no problems, no one bothering me. A peaceful, lonely life.

That's enough for me.

---

The school day finally ended.

Students filled the halls, chatting and laughing as they left in groups. I packed my bag slowly and stood up when the classroom had almost emptied.

Just go home quietly. That was the plan.

But then—

*Bump.*

I accidentally stumbled into someone while walking out.

"Ah—sorry!"

A girl stepped back quickly after bumping into me.

I looked up.

She was my classmate… I think. I didn't really know her name. Not because I forgot, but because I never really tried to learn anyone's name in the first place.

I usually just sit in my seat and ignore everyone. They don't talk to me anyway… so it works out.

The girl studied me for a moment, then tilted her head.

"Oh, it's you," she said. "You're that boring guy in the classroom, right?"

…

That was a nice introduction.

Before I could respond, she leaned in slightly.

"Hey, can you help me with something?"

I blinked. "Help?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes. Please—can you pretend to be my boyfriend?"

That was… unexpected.

I stared at her for a moment.

"…Why me?"

Her expression turned more serious.

"Because I have a stalker."

That explained a lot.

She continued, "He's been following me after school. I need someone to act as my boyfriend so he'll leave me alone. Please. Just for now."

I sighed quietly.

So much for a peaceful day.

"…Fine," I said at last.

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes. But only to get rid of the situation. That's it."

She relaxed slightly and smiled.

"Oh! Thank you. I almost forgot—my name is Yuna Shirosaki."

Yuna Shirosaki…

I filed the name away in my mind. Not that it mattered much.

---

She suddenly glanced toward the window, her expression changing.

"Actually… can you escort me home?"

I frowned. "Why?"

She pointed outside.

"There. That's him."

I stepped closer and looked through the window.

A man stood near the school gate. Not doing anything obvious… just watching. Waiting.

Too still. Too focused.

"…So you weren't lying," I muttered.

Yuna crossed her arms. "What do you think I was doing? Making it up?"

"Sorry," I said flatly. "Just confirming."

"Hmph."

---

I turned away from the window.

"Alright. Let's go."

She blinked. "You're really helping me that much?"

"I already agreed," I replied. "Let's end this quickly. I want to go home."

To be honest, I wasn't doing this because I wanted involvement.

I just wanted peace.

No complications. No unnecessary connections.

Just a quiet life again.

That was all.

And yet…

Something told me this "fake relationship" wouldn't stay simple for long.

Yuna Shirosaki — Perspective

That bump earlier wasn't part of my plan.

I had been watching him for a while now. Kaito Arakawa… the "quiet guy" in class. The one who never talks, never reacts, and always looks like he wants to disappear.

People call him boring.

But I noticed something different about him.

He wasn't just quiet… it felt like he chose to be invisible.

And today, I had no other choice but to involve him.

---

After school, I needed help.

That man outside the school gate… he's been following me for days now. At first I thought it was just coincidence. Then it became obvious. Same route. Same timing. Always watching.

I couldn't ignore it anymore.

So I made a decision.

I needed someone to act as my boyfriend.

Someone believable… but not someone who would make things more complicated.

That's when I saw him.

Kaito Arakawa.

Perfect choice. No friends. No attention. No drama.

He wouldn't ask unnecessary questions.

---

When I bumped into him, I expected confusion. Maybe refusal.

Instead… he just looked tired.

Even when I called him "boring," he didn't react much. That alone told me everything I needed.

He wasn't interested in people.

Which meant he wouldn't overthink this.

Still… I had to push a little.

"Can you pretend to be my boyfriend?"

The moment I said it, I watched his expression carefully.

He didn't laugh.

He didn't panic.

He just asked, "Why me?"

That reaction surprised me more than I expected.

Most people would assume it's a joke.

But he didn't.

So I told him the truth.

"I have a stalker."

---

For a moment, his eyes changed slightly.

Not fear… not shock.

Just understanding.

Then he sighed.

"…Fine."

Just like that.

No hesitation. No questions.

I didn't expect it to be that easy.

"Really?" I asked, even though I heard him clearly.

"Yes," he said. "But only to get rid of the situation. That's it."

Right. Of course.

He wasn't doing it for me.

He was doing it for peace.

That made sense… somehow.

---

I told him my name.

Yuna Shirosaki.

He repeated it in his mind, like he was storing it away and forgetting it at the same time.

That part made me oddly curious.

---

When I showed him the stalker outside, I expected doubt.

Instead, he just confirmed it calmly.

"…So you weren't lying."

That was the first time I almost smiled.

"Do I look like I'm lying?" I said.

He just apologized flatly.

No unnecessary emotions.

Just… straightforward.

---

As we walked out of the school together, I noticed something.

He stayed slightly distant.

Not rude.

Just… careful.

Like he was trying not to exist too strongly beside me.

It was strange.

Most people either try to impress or avoid.

But Kaito… he felt like someone trying to minimize his presence in the world itself.

---

Still, he was walking beside me now.

Because of me.

Because I asked.

Even if it was fake…

For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel completely alone walking home.

And that thought scared me a little more than I expected.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***