Chapter One: Fake Couple?
It was yet another normal day in the Neighbor's Club. Maria was downing a whole bag of potato chips. Yukimura was, as always, sitting next to Kodaka on the couch and spacing out. Kodaka was doing his math homework. Kobato couldn't come today because of having to take a make-up test. Rika was panting really hard while staring at her computer screen. Yozora was reading a novel next to the window. I couldn't tell what book it was because it had a book-cover on. I, Kashiwazaki Sena, was playing the new game that came out recently, Love Minus 3, on the PSP.
As time slowly passed along with the ticking of the clock mounted on the wall, Yozora abruptly closed her book and stood up from her seat.
"Let's all go out with each other!"
"Hah?" "Yozora-Aneego, I'm afraid that I don't comprehend." "What the heck are you saying, Yozora?" "Yozora-senpai, Rika doesn't know what you mean." "Oh! Oh! I know what that is! It's when you have s#x with someone! Hahahah!"
All of us wore question-marks above our heads (all except for Maria who was quickly corrected by Kodaka).
"I mean, we should all act as fake couples. Whenever I see the Reaju walking around in public sloshing their lips together, holding hands, and "lovingly" gaze into one-another's eyes, it pisses me off to no end. However, if that is what it takes to be "normal", then the Neighbor's club should practice before we become Reaju too. So, everyone write your names on a piece of paper and put them in this bag. We'll choose who our partner is randomly."
As soon as everyone else, including myself, started doing as we were told simply because there was nothing else to do, Kodaka spoke out.
"But, Yozora, isn't there only one guy? Girls will have to be paired up together you know?"
"Kodaka-senpai! Are you perhaps dissing same-sex relationships? Rika can not approve of such actions! Rika is on the supporting team of yuri!"
Kodaka sighed and ducked his head after realizing that he had just set off the Rika bomb.
"Ah, but Rika does not wish to participate in this activity as Rika is an observer. Rika likes to watch the doing rather than do the doing herself."
…I don't understand that girl one bit.
I glanced at Yozora as she used a pen and was printing her name onto her piece of paper. She turned her eyes in my direction, but she wasn't looking at me. With eyes full of hope and slightly blushing cheeks, she was glancing at Kodaka.
Of course. The one Yozora likes the most is Kodaka after all…
I sighed and slowly printed "Sena" onto my paper and placed it into the bag.
"Alright, everyone put their paper into the bag, right?"
"Wait, Yozora, since Kobato isn't here today we should put in a piece of paper for her."
Kodaka quickly scribbled his little sister's name onto a piece of paper and threw it into the bag.
"Now, I will pick out two names at a time from the bag."
Yozora gulped so loudly that I could even hear it. A small drop of sweat trickled down the pale skin of her neck, and she drew out to name.
"Maria…and Yukimura."
"Heehh? I wanted to be with Onii-chan!"
Maria let out a loud protest while swinging her fists back and forth.
"I will be honored to be the pretend lover of Aniki's fake imouto."
"Alright, onto the next one. Kodaka…and…"
She gulped a gulp louder than last time and slowly reached into the bag with trembling hands.
"…Kobato…"
Yozora's face darkened with disappointment. Although I felt somewhat relieved at the result, I also felt guilty about being glad that Yozora would not be with Kodaka.
"What the…? That is just so wrong!"
Kodaka grabbed his hair and stood up so suddenly that Yukimura, who was sitting next to him backed away.
"Why am I with my little sister? Yozora, could you pick please pick out another person other than Kobato?"
"Yeah, you're right Kodaka. This pairing isn't right. I'll pick out another person."
On Yozora's face appeared a slight and short-lived smile, but nevertheless, I noticed it.
"No! You can't redo it once you've already chosen the pairing! Stupid Yozora!"
I blatantly voiced my protest while slamming my hands into the table.
"Nikuuuu!"
Yozora glared at me, and grinded her teeth together.
"Fine, we'll do what the rotting piece of meat says just to make this thing fair."
Yozora showed a face of disappointment and drew out the next two pieces of paper. Although it was obvious who the next two people who would be together were, she probably wanted to confirm it.
"Sena and…"
My ears perked up when Yozora said my name. It was, after all, a rare occurrence.
"Yo..zora…Wait! Why do I have to be with the lewd lump of pig meat?"
"Hahh? Who is the lewd lump of pig's meat? I don't want to be with stupid Yozora either! I wanted to be with my sweet imouto, the lovely and angelic Kobato-chan."
My cheeks blushed and I tried to keep my face from smiling. Crap, why do I feel so happy?
"Che…whatever."
Yozora looked away, but I managed to catch a glimpse of her face which appeared to be blushing also. Could it be that she might also be happy about being paired up with me?
Yozora regained her composure and cleared her throat before turning her face to everyone again.
"Alright, now we will begin club activity: Fake Couple!"
Author's Note: Thank you, everyone who chose to pick up this fanfiction. Hopefully you'll continue to support me and this story. Please leave comments, whether they be good or bad. They are, after all, what keep me motivated.