Chapter 107: Tracking and Official Announcement
"Mai, is this really okay? Renako is going on a date, right?"
Ajisai tugged at Mai's sleeve while watching Ren and Renako's retreating figures, feeling uneasy about following them.
If they were just friends, shouldn't they respect each other's private time?
"That's exactly why we need to follow them! I absolutely won't allow Renako to be defiled by Ren-senpai!"
Mai declared indignantly, barely restraining herself from rushing forward to separate the two or pushing Ren aside to take his place.
But she couldn't do that—Renako seemed somewhat afraid of her lately. While they could interact fine as friends, the moment Mai showed even a hint of affection, Renako would avoid her.
"Why are you doing this? Won't it affect Renako and Ren-senpai's relationship?"
Ajisai looked puzzled at her seemingly possessed friend, wondering why Mai had suddenly become so concerned about Renako.
"I'll explain it to you later, Ajisai. Just indulge me for today."
"Only until five o'clock though. I need to go home and cook."
While curious about Mai's sudden interest in Renako, Ajisai couldn't refuse her friend's request and agreed to secretly follow Ren with her.
Not only were they discovered by Ren, but when they trailed them to the parking garage, they saw Ren driving away with Renako in a Maybach.
Ajisai silently patted Mai's shoulder. Though she didn't understand what Mai was trying to accomplish, she knew that targeting a famously popular man who drove a Maybach was... unlikely to succeed.
"What a miscalculation. It seems I'll need to have the maid pick me up tomorrow."
Two legs could never outrun four wheels. Mai hadn't expected Ren to drive himself, and she slapped her hands together in frustration.
"Since we can't catch up anyway, can you tell me now why you're so against Renako and Ren-senpai?"
With their targets gone, Ajisai turned her curious gaze to Mai, eager for some gossip.
"Actually, I've fallen for Renako, and Ren-senpai is my love rival. It's that simple."
Mai didn't beat around the bush, confessing her feelings directly.
"?"
Ajisai quietly took a step back upon hearing this. Damn, we've got a lesbian here.
"?"
Mai was taken aback by Ajisai's retreat.
"Ahem, Mai, I don't mean to discourage you, but that's Ren-senpai we're talking about. And he drives a Maybach. Do you have any idea how much appeal that holds for Renako—for any of us, really?"
Ajisai cleared her throat, thinking it better to help Mai face reality. Between a lesbian and Ren, she didn't need to think twice about who Renako would choose.
After all, Renako hadn't shown any indication of liking girls so far. Weren't they all just here to make friends? How did a lesbian suddenly appear among them?
"Of course I know, but I won't back down because of that. Just wait and see, Renako will definitely be mine!"
After the conversation, Mai headed home while bombarding Renako with texts, saying alarming things like "Ren will trick you into going to a love hotel tonight and have his way with you."
Renako glanced at the messages and silently blocked Mai first, planning to unblock her after the date with Ren was over.
"Senpai, where are we going?"
Putting down her phone, Renako looked slightly reserved because she didn't consider this a real date.
"Would you like to go to an internet cafe and play games together or just go for a casual drive?"
Ren left the choice to Renako. He had multiple plans in mind, all designed to help him grow closer to her.
"We can't go to an internet cafe to play games on a date, right? Let's go for a drive first."
Renako was actually more tempted by the former option, since it was her favorite thing to do, but she felt it would be a waste to go to an internet cafe on a date with her crush.
"Alright, in that case, let's take a photo together later and you can make an official announcement on your social media. That might make Mai give up."
Either way, the end result would be the same for Ren.
Too few people knew about their fake relationship at the moment—it needed an official announcement. That way, even if it started as fake, it could become real. If they were going as far as making it public, was it still just an act?
"Is that really okay?"
This was something Renako hadn't dared to imagine. If they made it official, wouldn't that make it real, even if it was fake?
But if Ren wanted to break up later, it would be simple—she wouldn't dare refuse him anyway.
"Of course it's okay. Let's go."
With that, Ren drove with Renako to the top of a small hill, where there was a pavilion for passersby to enjoy the view. As soon as they got out of the car, Ren took Renako's hand and led her to the pavilion, overlooking the city.
"Let's do it here. Come, lean into my arms—that'll make the photo look more realistic."
Once they reached the spot, Ren released her hand and instead wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Eep~"
Renako instantly blushed crimson, her body stiffening as she didn't know how to react. Woodenly, she leaned into Ren's embrace.
"Are you very nervous?"
Holding Renako by the waist, Ren looked down at her flushed face and smiled gently. The reactions of an innocent girl were always so endearing.
"Y-You're too close, Senpai~"
Renako lightly pushed against Ren, but the force was so faint he barely felt it.
"It's not too close. Besides, you're just too adorable when you're shy. I'm not letting go. How else will anyone believe we're a couple if we're not a little intimate?"
The weakness of her resistance spoke volumes about her true feelings. Ren held Renako even tighter and proactively took out his phone to snap a photo of them together.
The blush on the girl's face said more than any words could. With this photo, he and Renako had officially gone public.
"Senpai... do you like me?"
Being held in his embrace, her pushing hands turned into palms pressed against Ren's chest. Renako timidly lifted her head, looking at Ren with nervousness and worry.
"I do like you."
Knowing what Renako was worried about, Ren wasn't afraid of being rejected, nor did he feel like it wasn't the right time like before. He directly confessed his feelings.
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
After hearing the answer, Renako found it hard to believe instead. Her heart was racing wildly, the happiness felt so unreal that she almost fainted from the overwhelming surprise.
"Of course it's true. Otherwise, I wouldn't be holding you right now, would I? And I certainly wouldn't have kissed you yesterday."
"So, should we make it official? We can still be that fake couple, except this relationship has become real."
Ren said softly while holding Renako, having already noticed that she showed no intention of rejecting him.
"Yes!"
After Ren's confirmation, Renako no longer hesitated. Her hands that were pressed against his chest now wrapped around him in an embrace, and she rested her head against his chest, savoring this almost unreal happiness.