Chapter 36: Proposal
Haruto stared at her, completely dumbfounded. "Your... what now?"
Azame’s expression became more earnest, a touch of desperation in her eyes. "My boyfriend. My fake boyfriend, to be precise. You see, Haruto, the reason I’m here, the reason I even know about your... encounter with Ryouta, is because my family has arranged a marriage for me. With him."
"Arranged marriage?" Miki gasped, finally putting all the crazy pieces together.
Azame nodded grimly. "Precisely. He’s also from a highly influential family that my elders wish to ally with. But I absolutely, unequivocally, do not want to marry Ryouta. He’s... unsuitable. And frankly, a bit of a brute." She looked back at Haruto, her amber eyes pleading. "So, I need a convincing reason to break off this engagement. Someone who is undeniably... superior. Someone who could make my family, and more importantly, Ryouta’s family, agree that I’ve found a better match."
Jun, who had been listening with wide eyes, finally piped up, a mix of awe and disappointment on his face. "So... you want Haruto to be your *pretend* boyfriend to avoid marrying some psycho? That’s... that’s an anime plot right there!"
Haruto blinked once, then twice, trying to make sense of the last minute of his life. "Wait, wait, hold on a second," he finally managed, pushing himself up slightly against the wall. "You want me to be your fake boyfriend? But I’m just average, my biggest ambition is usually finding a good sale on limited edition gaming figures."
Azame chuckled, a soft, melodious sound that seemed to draw the attention of even more distant students. "Oh, Haruto, that’s precisely why you’re perfect." She leaned in a little, her amber eyes sparkling with amusement. "Your ’averageness,’ as you call it, makes you unpredictable. No one would suspect I’d choose someone like you, which makes it all the more convincing. Besides," she winked playfully, "you have a certain... raw charm. And you clearly possess a unique talent for making undesirables like Ryouta... disappear."
"So." Azame continued, her voice laced with mock seriousness. "My family, they need a distraction, a powerful statement. And you, Haruto, are a statement. A very loud, unexpected statement." She tilted her head, a playful smirk touching her lips. "Unless, of course, you’re not up to the challenge?"
Haruto frowned, feeling a familiar stubbornness prickle. "It’s not about being ’up to the challenge.’ It’s about... this being completely insane. What do I even *do* as a fake boyfriend? Hold your hand? Buy you bubble tea?" He shuddered at the thought.
Azame laughed again, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Details, details. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, just exist. And look suitably devoted when necessary." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper, just loud enough for him to hear. "Think of it as an exclusive, high-stakes role-playing game, Haruto. And your prize for winning is... my freedom. And perhaps, a real princess on your arm, if you truly are as exceptional as I suspect." She pulled back, her smile radiant. "Don’t tell me a ’Game Center Grandmaster’ like yourself would shy away from a challenge this grand?"