Chapter 9: Who Exactly Are You Trying to Fool?
"Wh-Why would Yuzuki-kun suddenly come to my house…?"
Under the streetlamp, their long shadows stretched across the pavement—two outlines drawn close by dim light and late hours.
Sakura kept her head slightly lowered, feeling a bit self-conscious. She wasn't confident in the makeup she had thrown together so hastily. In fact, some flaws were painfully obvious… he probably noticed immediately.
"Didn't you just call me 'Yuzuki-kun' earlier? Why's it back to 'classmate' now?"
Yuzuki Gen kept his hands in his pockets, still wearing that laid-back, unbothered expression of his.
Sakura's face flushed. Flustered, she snapped back,
"I never said that! You must've misheard."
Yuzuki tilted his head slightly, pretending to think.
"Can't be helped… I'm getting old. My hearing's not what it used to be."
Pfft.
Sakura couldn't help letting out a small laugh and sneaked a glance at him.
"Why are you pretending to be all mature? That kind of old-man talk doesn't suit you at all."
Yuzuki shook his head.
"I can't help it. Whenever I'm around Kazama-san, I just end up wanting to act like an adult."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you always look like someone who needs looking after."
He said it so casually—but Sakura could practically hear the sound of her heart racing. A tiny deer trapped in her chest began to thump against her ribcage again, singing its loud, frantic song.
She avoided his gaze, looking away.
"That's not true… And if I am troublesome, you could always just ignore me."
He must've noticed how off she seemed after school. That's why he came…
She'd troubled him again.
He was always like this—pretending to be indifferent but quietly warm and thoughtful underneath.
How was she supposed to stop herself from relying on him?
But maybe this would be the last time she acted clingy or needy. Just this once.
Yuzuki kept looking straight ahead, as if the girl walking beside him didn't require any special attention.
The road ahead was lit by a trail of soft yellow streetlamps. His lips curved slightly.
"I can ignore most people. But—"
And then he stopped.
Sakura could almost hear the words he didn't say, filling in the blank with his voice inside her head:
But I can't ignore you, Kazama.
But Yuzuki didn't say it aloud.
Sakura wondered if it was the summer night breeze that had carried his words away. She turned to look at him—
Only to find him grinning at her, mischief dancing in his eyes.
That familiar teasing look. He was doing it on purpose.
"But what?"
She was dying from the suspense. Her heart was pounding like crazy. The imaginary deer had already crashed into a wall and was lying somewhere with a bloody nose.
She had to muster every ounce of self-control not to stomp her foot and grab his sleeve like a kid.
"But… would this oden place be okay? I'm worried it might seem too casual."
"…Huh?"
Following his gaze, she saw the oden stand: a tiny, steamy food cart tucked on a quiet street corner, barely any foot traffic around. White mist from the broth fogged the air.
"Didn't I say we'd get oden?"
He looked completely oblivious to her frustration, speaking as if nothing was off at all.
"I guess… you did say that."
Go to hell, oden.
Seriously. What the hell.
"Kazama-san, are you… suddenly mad about something?"
"Nope. Even if I was, I'm sure you'd be totally oblivious to it anyway, Yuzuki-kun."
"That sounds a bit passive-aggressive."
"Not at all. I just find it fascinating that some people can hear only what they want to hear."
Sitting at the tiny table in front of the oden stand, the warm light lit up Sakura's soft features—pure and lovely.
She smiled, showing her cute little canines like she was flashing a hidden blade.
"Most people only hear what they want. Even if they pretend to listen to others, they're just faking it. Deep down, they never change what they truly think or feel."
"I wasn't trying to get philosophical with you, though!"
Sakura puffed up her cheeks, clearly irritated—it made you want to reach out and poke them.
But Yuzuki simply turned to the vendor.
"Can I get mine a bit spicier? And if you've got vinegar, that'd be great."
Changed the topic again.
Sakura sulked and reached out to pinch his side in frustration.
Yuzuki didn't dodge. He just let her do it, not even flinching.
Instead, he looked at her with a deadpan expression.
"Thanks, but I'm not ticklish."
Sakura: ???
"I should've brought a knife and stabbed you instead."
"Now, now… That's not the Kazama I know. You're not some violent maniac."
---
Kazama Sakura shifted her gaze to the steaming bowl of oden in front of her. She wasn't sure if it was the inviting aroma or simply the presence of the boy beside her, but strangely enough, she felt like she had an appetite for the first time all day.
"So, what kind of impression do you have of me?"
Yuzuki didn't hesitate.
"Cute, pretty, long legs… pretty decent figure, too."
"Stop—stop!!"
Sakura turned crimson, instinctively covering her chest, even squeezing her thighs together.
"Are you some kind of pervert?!"
Yuzuki casually accepted his bowl of oden as he answered,
"I'm just someone with an eye for beauty… and a mouth that's honest enough to say it out loud."
"That's just about looks!"
"Of course. What, am I supposed to lie and say I can see into your soul or some deep essence of who you are? That'd be ridiculous. Whether it's a guy looking at a girl or the other way around, most of the time, it starts with appearances. And what's so wrong with appreciating someone's looks? I think it just means I'm honest."
"Hmph… smooth-talking pervert. I want a beer."
Her eyes drifted to the small fridge behind the stall, zeroing in on the beer cans.
Yuzuki sighed.
"If you go home smelling like alcohol, your mom's going to think I'm some sketchy delinquent luring her daughter into bad habits."
"She won't care. I still want it."
Sakura looked at him with pleading eyes.
She didn't need his permission—but for some reason, she wanted to be the kind of girl who gets gently scolded and protected in a relationship. Someone who feels loved when given boundaries.
"Nope."
"Pleeease~"
The more reluctant he seemed, the more she leaned into her coquettish charm. She wrapped her arms around his and playfully pressed her chest against it.
Blushing slightly, her voice softened to a sweet, sticky tone.
"Pretty please~"
"…Fine, just one. Boss, two cans."
"You're the best, Yuzuki~"
Sakura beamed, the kind of smile that only came out when she was around him. With him, she didn't need to pretend to be strong or hold it all in. She could just… be herself.
She could lean on him. She could be soft.
Even if he didn't always respond the way she wanted.
They popped open the cold beers. The contrast between the icy drink and the hot oden, combined with the summer night air, created a moment that felt oddly perfect.
"You know, I really am a great guy," Yuzuki said after taking a big gulp.
Under the soft glow of the lights, his side profile looked clean and composed. Sakura had only taken a couple of sips, but her cheeks were already warm and pink.
"If you're that great, then why not go after Asagiri-san?"
"Why would I? Someone like me would be wasted on her."
"Then… who should someone like you be 'wasted' on?"
Her question came out bolder than expected. To hide her nerves, she took a big swig of beer.
Yuzuki turned to look at her directly.
His gaze was so steady that Sakura couldn't hold it. She looked away in a panic, heart pounding against her ribs like a drum.
But after a pause, she turned back. And this time, she looked straight into his eyes.
"You're looking at me like that… does it mean you have some feelings for me, Yuzuki-kun?"
Yuzuki took another sip of beer and spoke softly.
"Before I came to your house… you'd been crying."
Her expression dimmed.
"I really thought I did a decent job on my makeup. I didn't think you'd notice."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I put on a lot this time… figured it'd change my face a little."
Yuzuki smiled gently.
"It didn't work. I remember what you really look like."
Sakura's cheeks flushed again, this time from something deeper than embarrassment. Her smile no longer needed the mask of makeup.
She sighed and took another drink before speaking again, her voice barely above a whisper.
"My parents were fighting again. I don't even know when they'll finally divorce… but honestly, that's not what really gets to me.
It's my mom—she keeps saying things like, 'As long as I raise you well.'
'As long as you get into a good university.'
'As long as you find a proper job.'
But I'm so tired. I feel like I can't breathe anymore."
She took a bite of fish ball, but it didn't even register as hot.
Yuzuki looked at her profile.
"Because it feels like your mom is living her entire life through you… and if you mess up even once, it's like you're letting her down?"
Sakura gave a faint nod.
"We don't choose where we're born, or the families we grow up in.
But everything we learn as we grow is supposed to help us break free from that."
"Even if that's true… it's not easy to escape. Everyone's stuck in some kind of box, right?
And barely anyone actually gets out of it.
…Sorry for dumping all this on you. I must sound annoying."
She looked at Yuzuki.
He smiled.
"The way you asked that—it's like you want me to say 'No, I don't find it annoying.'
But truthfully? I don't like carrying other people's problems. I don't enjoy it."
Sakura lowered her head, cheeks turning even redder. But slowly… she leaned toward him.
She gently rested her head against his shoulder, her voice soft and fragile, like it might dissolve into the night air.
"But… you still won't hate me for it… right?"