On a certain spring morning, Kiyotaka stepped through the school gates to begin a new academic year.
The sunlight shimmered brilliantly overhead, the cool breeze of early spring brushed gently against his skin, and cherry blossoms bloomed in soft, delicate clusters—painting the world in shades of fleeting beauty.
Amidst that tranquil scene, his gaze fell upon a girl known as the “Ice Princess”—Yuzuki.
He had admired her for a long time.
Now, as a second-year high school student, he found himself once again in the same world as her.
Upon arriving at school, Kiyotaka met with Koenji and Manabu, and the three of them made their way to class together.
When the lesson began, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Kenzaki, stepped in and posed a question to the class—who would take on the roles of class representative and vice representative?
Without hesitation, Koenji nominated Kiyotaka.
To his surprise, the entire class agreed.
As for the vice representative, many voices called out a single name—Yuzuki.
And so, from that moment, their story quietly began.
Later that day, in the quiet atmosphere of the library, Kiyotaka found himself face to face with Yuzuki.
Gathering his courage, he spoke first.
“I hope we can work well together.”
“…Yeah,” she replied simply.
But then, without warning, she asked,
“Do you like me?”
Kiyotaka froze.
Before he could even form a response, Yuzuki shifted the conversation.
“Let’s go to the mall this weekend.”
When the day arrived, Kiyotaka made his way to the mall, where Yuzuki was already waiting.
“What exactly did you bring me here for?” he asked.
“You didn’t even dress up much.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“You prefer it like this, don’t you?”
Kiyotaka hesitated, then asked in return,
“You… like me, don’t you?”
Instead of answering, Yuzuki simply took his hand and led him outside—to where cherry blossom trees stood in full bloom.
Beneath the falling petals, she finally spoke.
She confessed her feelings.
But it wasn’t just that.
Since her second year of middle school, she had been followed—watched.
Some of her belongings had gone missing, and there were even times she had been pressured into relationships she never wanted.
She had always refused.
And so, she asked him—
To pretend to be her boyfriend.
To protect her.
Kiyotaka agreed.
But only under certain conditions—no violence, and no involving too many people.
Even so, protecting her would be his responsibility.
And without hesitation, he accepted it all.
Yet, as they stood there, he felt it.
A presence.
Someone was watching them.
To throw off the stalkers, Kiyotaka gently took Yuzuki’s hand, pulling her closer as if they were truly a couple.
Yuzuki played along.
She even leaned in and lightly brushed a kiss against his cheek.
Suddenly, the stalkers revealed themselves.
They confronted Kiyotaka, their intentions clear.
But Kiyotaka didn’t waver.
With firm resolve, he stood his ground—before quickly grabbing Yuzuki’s hand and running back toward the mall.
There, he reported everything to security, ensuring the stalkers were dealt with.
The next day, Kiyotaka arrived at Yuzuki’s house to walk her to school.
When they entered the classroom together, whispers erupted.
The “Ice Princess”… walking alongside one of the school’s most well-known students?
It was something no one had expected.
Questions flooded in.
Kiyotaka answered simply—
“We like each other.”
Yet, amid the noise, he heard it.
A voice.
Calling him to the rooftop.
Though he couldn’t see who it was.
During lunch break, Yuzuki invited him to eat together.
Their conversation flowed more naturally this time.
“What kind of girl do you like?” she asked.
“…Someone affectionate, smart… and athletic.”
“And you?” he asked back.
She smiled softly.
“Someone like you.”
Kiyotaka felt his heart skip.
Later, he went to the rooftop—where he found Hirata Sasuke waiting.
Hirata challenged him.
For Yuzuki.
But Kiyotaka calmly explained the truth—that their relationship was merely an act.
Hearing that, Hirata seemed… relieved.
After school, Kiyotaka and Yuzuki walked together along the riverbank, the setting sun casting warm hues across the water.
“How long will we keep pretending?” Yuzuki asked quietly.
“Until the stalkers disappear,” Kiyotaka replied.
When they arrived at her house, they found something unexpected.
A letter.
A threat.
It demanded that they break up immediately.
Yuzuki was shaken.
But Kiyotaka reassured her—it wasn’t from him.
As rain began to fall, Yuzuki’s mother insisted that Kiyotaka stay the night.
At first, he refused.
But in the end… he agreed.
After changing clothes, he took some time to rest.
That night, he played games with Kuze, casually talking about his relationship with Yuzuki.
“She’s my ideal type,” he admitted.
“…This might last longer than I thought.”
Later, he returned to Yuzuki’s room.
Just as he was about to sleep, she suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
“What will happen… after all of this is over?”
Kiyotaka paused before answering.
“…We’ll go back to how things were.”
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then, softly—
“Can I… sleep like this?”
She rested against his arm.
Kiyotaka didn’t refuse.
And that night, beneath the quiet sound of rain, the two of them fell asleep together.