บท 52: Chapter 50

(Fujiwara Chika pov)

The final exam for the second semester ended in a flash, and it's surprising how life can change so dramatically.

As for me, I've just been playing around these days since I decided to stop playing the piano. Everyone called me a genius pianist, but I didn't enjoy it because people kept pushing their expectations onto me. So, I decided to break free and enjoy my life as much as I can.

Also, I feel like my chest has gotten bigger again. Looks like I need to buy a new one.

Beside me, there was a certain boy who was missing at first. Yes, I'm talking about my friend, Masamune-kun.

I could say he's one of my best friends, along with Kaguya-san.

After all, while others seemed to try to get along with the genius pianist, they quickly became irritated when the eccentric Fujiwara Chika approached like a whirlwind.

As for Masamune-kun, I thought I understood him better than anyone. However, when his appearance changed, I didn't recognize him.

Also, a few days ago, we started dating for real! How did it come to this?! I can't believe I have a boyfriend because I lost a bet!

It's not that I hate it, though. I don't know why, but we haven't changed at all. We still play online games together, go to the arcade, and eat together like before.

Hmm. Well then~~~~ I guess I don't have a problem with it~

Still, I'm very mad about when he told me. How could he possibly tell me he got the role of the protagonist in a manga I'm a fan of? Worse, he told me only a day before his audition.

I know he eventually got the role because he said the other actors' performances were even worse than trash.

Anyway, I don't have a problem going out with him. However, Masamune-kun is too popular with the girls.

Like now. After the exams are over, we still have a school festival, which has become an annual event.

Our class decided to pick a maid and butler café, and I chose to be a cook since I'm confident in my cooking skills. Unfortunately, Kaguya-san had to go to her family's main house in Kyoto because she emailed me about some family matters she had to attend to.

Still, this maid and butler café... I have a hunch why everyone agreed on this concept.

A tall man with black hair swept back and sharp blue eyes walked in. He was wearing a fitted uniform like a proper butler, and I realized how good his physique looked—not too bulky and not too slim either.

The man, holding a silver platter in his hand, walked between the tables. With every confident step, the customers watched him with admiration, as if this were a fashion show.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are your two omurice for the beautiful customers," Masamune-kun said with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Butler," said a girl with light brown hair, smiling elegantly. It was Chinatsu, Masamune-kun's cousin.

"My pleasure. I hope you enjoy the food."

As he was about to leave, someone suddenly caught his wrist. It was my little sister. Moeha! Stop touching his hand like that!

"Hold on, senpai~ I'd like one of those delicious spells," Moeha said with a teasing giggle.

Oh no! That crazy look on her face. Masamune-kun has triggered my little sister's switch!

"You're right, Moeha. I almost forgot about it. Now, could you please make this omurice more delicious?" Chinatsu added with a little smirk.

The heck with these two?

Since the cooking station has an open kitchen where customers can watch us prepare the food, I could see everything from where I was whisking the eggs.

Masamune sighed, then smiled brightly. "Fuwa-fuwa, pure-pure, please become delicious, dear Omurice."

Actually, I cringed at that.

Chinatsu tried to hold back her laughter while attempting to appear elegant. Meanwhile, Moeha had a strange gleam in her eyes.

After that, they were quite shocked when they found out they had to pay extra—the 'delicious spell' made the food twice the price. Actually, this was Masamune-kun's idea. Shaking my head, I realized he had really turned the school festival into a tourist trap. What a sly boyfriend I have.

---

(Masamune pov)

After finishing my shift, I finally get out of that hellish place. Beside me is Chika, who has been mad at me the whole time. It's not that I'm being insensitive—I know why she's upset.

The reason must be that I've been overly friendly with our female customers.

Right now, after buying takoyaki from the classroom next door, we find ourselves sitting near the school's fountain.

"You've got guts getting close to other girls after we started dating, huh? It seems you get along really well with Chinatsu, and now even my little sister too? What a day. My boyfriend is too popular."

She's being too obvious, right? And about Chinatsu—I think I'll tell her the truth later.

"I'm just doing my job, Chika. Did you see how our customers were spending money like tourists?"

Chika crosses her arms before looking away, her cheeks puffing up like a squirrel.

"Still, it's kind of annoying for me. But I'll forgive Masamune-kun for today since you got the role."

I smile. "Thank you."

"However, I'll be overseeing your training from now on, got that? I'll use our relationship to make you put more emotion into your acting. Understand?"

I chuckle. "Sure, let's go on lots of dates."

After saying that, she enjoys her takoyaki first.

I got the role for a TV drama. However, the project is still in its initial stages. The producer told me they're still working on it. He also mentioned that they haven't chosen the actress for the female lead yet.

The reason is that we need to film during the spring season, as the manga itself begins in spring. Therefore, we'll shoot the first episode at the end of February.

As for Chizuru, she'll still coach me in acting, but the sessions will become less frequent since I have more work now. Also, she's starting acting school after earning more money from working with me.

And about that—no, Chizuru and I aren't a couple. The likability is set to a limit ever since I rented her as a girlfriend.

For now, I open the system.

[Name: Fujiwara Chika]

[Age: 15]

[Rating: A]

[Likability: 90%]

[Current Status: Takoyaki~~~~~~~~]

[Spoiler: Love is War S1, S2, & S3]

[Unused x1 SR Package: [Cooking] Sanji]

That's right, Chika became my girlfriend for a stupid reason—like a bet.

However, I never thought her likability would be this high. How is that possible?

"Chika..."

The girl with pink hair hummed before she looked at me with a silly smile. "What's up?"

I sigh as I wipe some of the takoyaki sauce off her face. Being Chika, she doesn't overthink what I just did. I mean, I always remind her about her bad habits.

"Is there a reason why you wanted to be my girlfriend?"

She hummed again but with a smug grin. "There's no big reason. I just thought, why not? So I decided to give it a try."

"I see."

"Don't give me that face, Masamune-kun."

"Then tell me the real reason."

Chika sighs. "Then let me ask you first: why did you decide to befriend someone as annoying as me?" She smiles at me.

"There's no big reason. I just thought, why not? So I decided to give it a try."

"DON'T COPY ME!"

I chuckle. "Maybe it's because I don't have many friends here at our school. Besides, I always forget my reference book, so I find you really useful."

She pinches my ear like I'm a bad dog. "So that's why you only bring a notebook, huh? You idiot."

She then lets go of my ear and smiles meekly. "Look, Masamune-kun, I've always wanted to play and spend time with you. You were the first person who didn't know my name and genuinely wasn't interested in the genius pianist, Fujiwara Chika."

I'm stunned for a moment. "You played? What the hell?"

"Hey, do I look that incompetent in your eyes?"

"Yes."

"GODDAMMIT. I HATE YOU!"

She punches my shoulder a few times before continuing, "Anyway, I stopped playing piano after Kaguya-san told me to stop. At that time, I really wished someone else would tell me the same thing so I could quit doing something I wasn't comfortable with. That's why, for me, Masamune-kun and Kaguya-san are really important. Heh heh~" She says this with a bright smile.

[Likability: 92%]