“Chisato, would you come and pretend to be my lover?”
Chisato blinked a few times. She removed the phone receiver and looked at the name of the caller. Takina. She put it back on her ear as she held her index finger in front of her as if the other person could see it. “C- Could you say that again?”
“Would you come and pretend to be my lover for a day?”
“Didn’t that get a little bit more tiny detail than the first one? Wait, that’s not the point. Could you say that one mo–“
“Do you want me to just come over to the cafe and explain?”
“Eh? Well, that would yeah, make things faster?”
“Okay.” The call suddenly ended, and the door to the cafe suddenly chimed. “I’m here.”
“Eh? Ehhhh?” Chisato blinked at her phone, then Takina who was suddenly standing before her. “Ehhhhhh?”
“…I thought that it would make the conversation faster if I called, then came.” Takina looked at her in confusion.
“Uh, wait, nope. I think you skipped a looot of details in between. Uh…” Chisato turned to look at Mika who only sighed, and gave her a silent okay to take a break. “Let’s talk behind?”
After their days as an active lycoris, Takina and Chisato both chose to add themselves into Japan’s records and live a normal life. Chisato took the opportunity to continue the work she has been doing all her life, unfortunate that she can’t freely shoot guns now, but well, she doesn’t need them, most of the time. She does have a permit to use and fire one, so it wouldn’t be a problem when the time comes. Oddly, Takina wished to go to a university in Tokyo, to study Accounting. Takina was still able to drop by the cafe on her first year, but the year after that she became extremely busy.
The two of them still kept in touch, giving each other phone calls, messages, but as time passed by they couldn’t make time to meet each other anymore.
“I apologize for suddenly dropping by today.” Takina bowed as she sat on the cushion in the familiar tatami room. “It’s been a while.”
“Mm… At least half a year? How’s university?” Chisato placed a cup of tea on the table and sat in front of her with a smile.
“It’s been busy… I didn’t expect things to be like this, just on my second year.” Takina looked at the cup of tea and took a sip. “How about you? I haven’t been able to help around the cafe in a while.”
“We’re still the same~ You know, board game Tuesdays, some classes in the vocational school, and helping out in the Japanese Language School. All those boring stuff.” Chisato smiled at her. “So… what’s this about pretending…?”
“Ah.” Takina turned her gaze onto the cup of tea, taking a sip before staring at it again. “I joined a circle in my university because it was a requirement. They kept on asking me to go to these group dates but I kept on turning them down, until a few days ago I told them I already had a lover so I couldn’t go.”
Chisato nodded as she listened to the story. “You have a lover!? Who?! Where?! When!? What’s their name!? I swear I won’t ask Kurumi to do a background check! Once I know their name, age, address, I won’t do anything else! It’ll be peaceful and over in two seconds!”
“No, Chisato? Please calm down?” Takina only stared at Chisato. “It was a lie.”
“Eh?” Chisato stared at Takina in surprise. “You don’t have one?”
“No. I just thought that if I said I had one, they would stop inviting me…” Takina trailed as she stared at the cup.
“…So they’re asking you to bring them next time?”
“As expected of you.” Takina gave her a smile. “So… I thought about it for a while, and gave you a call.”
“But… Why me?” Chisato blinked at her.
“I thought that if there was anyone I’d be comfortable with…” Takina turned away as her ears turned red. “…It would be you.”
“O- Ou…” Chisato felt herself feel shy as well after seeing such an expression. “…Are you really fine with me?”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. If it’s a bother, of course I can ask someone else–“
“Ah! I’ll do it! I’ll do it! This Chisato-san will do it~” Chisato gave her a smile. “Am I really going to be fine? I mean, I’m the same gender as you…?”
Takina gave her a refreshing smile. “…? Weren’t you the one who said that love comes in many forms? Besides, my other options were also the same gender… but I thought you might be the best choice.”
“Did you just come to me because I’m easy?” Chisato sulked as she hung her head forward.
“…Maybe?” Takina gave her a teasing smile as Chisato sighed.
“That part of you still hasn’t changed, huh?”
“I don’t think you’ve changed much either.”
“Hehe.”
And so the “Pretend To Be Takina’s Lover Mission” has started!
“Thank you for coming!” Chisato bowed at the cafe’s last customer for the day and flipped the door sign. “Haaah.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Mizuki immediately took out a bottle of sake and poured one as Chisato sat next to her on the counter. “Takina came to visit, I thought you’d be peppier after she’s left.”
“Well… You know, I am happy but… she asked me to be her pretend-lover for a day.” Chisato sighed again staring at the bottle of sake.
“What? Isn’t that something you’ve always wanted? You just kept on making excuses, and now your chance to confess to her was gone.” Mizuki downed her glass of shochu, and poured another. “Want one?”
Chisato, who was already twenty one only stared at the bottle then shook her head. “Weeeellll… I’m going to meet her tomorrow to buy some clothes, so I probably shouldn’t.”
“Yep.”
“I did want to be you know ‘the lover’ without the pretend at the start!” Chisato sighed again, still staring at the bottle of temptation to blow away her woes. “When she said she wanted to attend university, I just couldn’t say it.”
“You think that she would have stayed in the cafe?” Mika entered from the backroom, pushing a cup of coffee towards Chisato.
“Mm… Thank you.” Chisato took the cup and sipped. “Mm~ Sensei’s coffee sure is the best!”
“No one would know what Takina would have done back then.” Mika cleaned a glass tube, lining them up on the wooden tube stand. “…We’re all about moving forward now, right?”
“Mm, yeah.” Chisato smiled as she looked at her reflection on the coffee’s surface. “Moving forward, huh…”
~*
The clothing shopping went by smoothly, not to mention, Chisato was puzzled by the fact that Takina refused to try them out for her in the dressing room.
Takina also didn’t have that much time for that day, and had to go home without having time to get a meal together.
“We’ll see each other again this weekend.” Takina smiled at her.
“Yeah…” Chisato waved at her. “See you this weekend.”
Takina bowed at her and went inside the train station. Chisato waited until she was inside the station before turning back towards one of her usual safe houses.
“Takina…” Chisato breathed out her name as she moved forward. She sure has gotten prettier, even though it’s only been a year.
A lot has happened since then. Chisato getting her life extended, finally having a “reachable future” for the two of them, she still couldn’t put her head on it.
Takina’s effort and sacrifice, Chisato’s new life… “It’s like a dream come true, even for someone like me.” Someone who wasn’t supposed to be in this world any longer.
All Chisato wanted was for Takina to move forward on her own, because she didn’t know when things would end for her. Pretending to be her lover? What a stretch. After putting her through everything, did Chisato still deserve a spot next to her?
Readily giving up the chance for her life to prolong, because what she couldn’t so was take other people’s time… It was all but a change of heart that the Institute gave the heart for her and set her free. However, that was the most frightening. What if something happened again?
Would she be able to get up and fight back?
Chisato shook her head as her gaze ended up a lake. If she was talking to someone like Mizuki, she’d definitely tell her that this wasn’t like her. It felt like when Takina chose a path for her future, Chisato lost a part of her self. It was like her other half was moving forward, and she was on a standstill.
However, for now, she will be moving forward on her own means, loving her, even if it meant to be a pretense of pretend love.
~*
Chisato wore a red hoodie with leggings beneath and some sports shoes. “Hey, Nishikigi Chisato in my phone mirror, you think we’re under dressed?”
“I don’t think you’re under dressed, Chisato! You look just as handsome in your ponytail and sporty cap!”
“Thanks, self! You’re a life save–“
“Why are you conversing with yourself?”
“Gwaaah! Takina!” Chisato swiftly caught the phone she threw up in the air with both hands and breathed a sigh of relief. “Saaaafe.”
“…Is this okay?” Takina showed her clothes to Chisato. It was a combination of a black long skirt with a simple shirt and a cardigan over it. It’s like a simple Takina winter version, but with thinner clothing.
“Oohhh! You really do make a great model!” Chisato made a small fist bump. “Really cute!”
“Th- Thank you.” Takina blushed as Chisato grinned at her. “Shall we go?”
“Yeah~” Chisato swiftly took her hand and smiled at her as Takina looked at their entwined fingers. “We’re lovers, right?”
“I- I suppose.” Takina smiled shyly and returned Chisato’s tight grip. “They’re waiting on the restaurant down the road.”
“Ok-okay~ By the way, I forgot to ask but… What’s your circle?” Chisato watched Takina as they walked hand in hand. “Takina?”
“…G- Gun and weaponry appreciation circle.” Takina blushed as she turned her gaze to the ground, avoiding Chisato’s gaze. “Don’t laugh at me!”
“I’m not laughing.” Chisato covered her mouth with her other hand. “Yet.”
“Chisato…!” Takina squeezed her fingers tightly in revenge.
“Ah! Ow! Ow! Ow! Please forgive me, Takina-sama!”
“Inoue-senpai!” A young man from afar ran towards them with a hand up in the air. “It’s been a while.”
“I think we just saw each other yesterday, Sakaki-san?” Takina nodded at the young man.
“It felt like forever for me.” The young man who looked so dashing he might as well belong to an idol group gave her a flashy smile.
“Yes, ignore me little man.” Chisato raised an eyebrow at him.
“Ah, this is my lover, Nishikigi Chisato-san.” Takina motioned for Chisato using her free right hand as the rest of the crowd met up with them.
“My Lover. Whew that sounded like boom pow music in my ears…” Chisato smiled as she bowed at them. “I’m Nishikigi Chisato. You can call me Chisato, no need for -san! Also, thank you for always taking care of my Takina.” See, Chisato? Saying ‘My Takina’ came out of your mouth as if it was true! Hoping it was true!
The young man only looked at Chisato with a shocked expression, which Chisato just returned with a cheeky smile.
“I told you, Takina-senpai isn’t into men!” Someone from one of the females in the group shouted as she fangirl. Someone near her gave her an elbow. “Ow! Don’t hit me!”
“You shouldn’t say those, they can hear you.” Someone else scolded her.
“Whoops.”
“…They’re an odd bunch sometimes.” Takina whispered to Chisato.
“Haha… If you want odd, you can just go to the cafe…” Chisato laughed wryly as they all chatted. A huge guy suddenly approached them.
“Hey guys, our tables are ready.”
“Whoa… You’re a tall guy.” Chisato looked up at him. “You remind me of that one foreigner guy…” She almost trailed off as Takina elbowed her. “Ugh. Sorry… I’m Nishikigi Chisato, Takina’s lover. It’s nice to meet you.”
Chisato was likely hinting at the foreign arms dealer they had to apprehend a while back. He pointed an RPK at them, and Chisato counted his remaining ammo before throwing a smoke grenade before dashing into it.
“Ah. The lucky person, huh? I’m Izawa, a third year. Takina-kun’s a precious member of the circle. She knows a lot about guns.” He laughed as he shook Chisato’s hand. “I assume you are too?”
“Hahaha~ I think I’m better at shooting and dodg–urgh– them.” Chisato held her stomach as she received an elbow. “…I like–uh–paintball and survival games!” Chisato eyed her with a pout. “You didn’t have to elbow me!”
“You can’t just casually say you dodge bullets!” Takina only stared at her back as if talking with their eyes.
“Sorry, my bad…” Chisato gently held her hand again as they walked towards the restaurant.
“I’m sorry, is it okay?” Takina touched Chisato’s stomach gently.
“Mm…” Chisato only turned to her with a cute puppy expression.
“I’m sorry…” Takina gave her a head pat and smiled at her.
Chisato immediately brightened as if flowers were suddenly growing around them.
“Told ya, you should just give up, Sakaki-kun.” The girl who earlier exclaimed in joy that Takina brought a girlfriend gave the young man a shoulder pat.
“N- No one’s unavailable until they’re married!” He exclaimed to basically no one, and tried to catch up with the group.
Chisato motioned for Takina to sit inside the booth so that she’d be sitting next to one of the female members, and then Chisato next to her.
“Chisato?” Takina looked at her in confusion.
“…I kind of don’t like, the Sakaki-san person…” Chisato whispered into Takina’s ears.
“Ah… I see.” Takina nodded, and Chisato only observed her behavior. She tucked her hair behind one ear, as it surprised Chisato why those ears were red.
Could it be…? Did she…? and that young man?
For the rest of the day Chisato only responded to random questions, as she observed. Other than the obvious like of this guy for her, she couldn’t find anything else that could be a proof of Takina ever having feelings for this Sakaki person. Did she misread it?
“Chisato-san, Chisato-san.” One of the girls to her left side suddenly bumped into her elbow. “How long have you known Takina-senpai?”
“Mm? We first met when she was sixteen so… four years now?” Chisato smiled. She felt a hand trail down her arm, tugging on it on her right side. “Yes, Takina?”
“What are you two talking about?” Takina leaned her jaw onto Chisato’s shoulder.
“Mm… So cute!” Chisato smiled as she relaxed her shoulder so Takina could lean on it without problems. “She asked how long we’ve known together.”
“Ah… It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Takina smiled at Chisato.
“Yeah…” Chisato searched for Takina’s hand as she held it tightly.
“You two are so sweet. How long have you been dating?” Someone else from the other side of the table asked.
Chisato turned to Takina, as if asking for permission. She felt Takina trace her fingers under the table, writing a four and ‘mo’ on the back of her palm.
“Four months.” Chisato answered with a grin. “We’ve known each other for a while but well it took us a while.”
Izawa-san who seemed to be really busy going around two tables because they couldn’t fit everyone into one. He suddenly set down a tray of cocktails.
Sakaki immediately took one coke and rum glass and gave it to Takina. “You seem like you might like it, senpai!”
“She can’t drink yet, because she hasn’t turned twenty this year yet.” Chisato immediately blocked the glass from fully reaching Takina’s side. “Thank you for your thoughts.”
“I’m sorry, Sakaki-san.” Takina bowed her head to him as she felt both of Takina’s hands hold onto Chisato’s right hand. “Thank you, Chisato.”
“Hm-mm. Should I drink it?” Chisato looked at the glass.
“Do you want to?”
“I’ve been wanting to since last week actually…”
“Then, don’t drink too much, okay?” Takina smiled at her as Chisato nodded.
Chisato side eyed the guy and gave him a knowing look.
“Say, Chisato-san, I heard that you liked paintball games?” Sakaki smiled as everyone’s attention was on him. “Want to arrange one for the next circle activity?”
Takina’s hands on Chisato’s suddenly tightened, as if predicting Chisato’s rigid reaction. “That sounds good. Maybe, first, we could do one with members, then after that we could invite friends from outside and maybe, hold a tournament?” Takina offered as everyone chimed in on their ideas.
Chisato only looked at Takina, watching her as they discussed the paintball game.
Why? That was totally my time to flex my skills though… Then again, it’s probably better this way.
“Chisato-san, Chisato-san.” The girl from her left side called for her again.
“Hm?” Chisato lifted the glass of rum and coke and brought it up to her mouth.
“How far have you gone with Takina-senpai?”
“Mrrggkkhh!?” Chisato coughed into the drink as she spilled some on her shirt and the table. “Ack! Gack! Ugh!”
“Chisato!? Are you okay?” Takina immediately grabbed some tissues from the center of the table as she helped dab and wipe the droplets of the drinks from Chisato’s mouth and shirt. “Did you spill anywhere else?”
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” Chisato laughed as she helped Takina wipe the spilled cocktail on the table. Takina handed her a glass of water as she drank it. “Thankyouthankyou.”
“Geez…” Takina sighed as she rested her forehead onto Chisato’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry… I’ve never seen Takina-senpai panic like that…” The girl apologized from her left side. “I guess you two have been through a lot.”
“Y- Yeah…” Chisato smiled at her. “This girl’s perceptive…”
Soon, Izawa brought out the board games, and that was when the party started. After a few hours of board games, and Chisato excusing that she and Takina are a set, and therefore ‘play as one person’, they won the games in a row, to Takina’s relief, at least she didn’t have to let them know that she’s bad at board games.
As the night deepened, the supposedly ‘group date’ that seemed to be just a ‘circle gathering + Chisato’ ended.
“Ah, Inoue-senpai–“
“Takina, let’s go home?” Chisato wrapped her arms around Takina’s waist as Takina leaned in on the warm hug.
“Ah, yes.” Takina turned around to face everyone in their circle as Chisato did the same, they both bowed and waved. “Thank you for having us today.”
“It was fun! Invite me in a paintball game!” Chisato waved at them waved both hands before putting that arm around Takina’s waist again. “I’ll one versus ten–urgh… Violence, Takina-san, violence.”
“Don’t say weird things!” Takina let herself be dragged away as Chisato laughed.
The girl who kept on chatting Chisato just put a hand on Sakaki’s shoulder. “Give up, man.”
Takina and Chisato walked side by side in silence. Chisato looked at the stars with both of her arms crossed behind her head. It was around 11:30 in the evening.
“Chisa–“
“Taki–“
“Ah. Please go ahead.” Takina looked at Chisato before facing the road again.
“Where do you live? I’ll walk you home? Or do you want to go to one of the safe houses? I think it’s closer around this area.” Chisato looked around as she stretched her arms and checked her phone.
“I was thinking, if we could spend time in this playground for a while.” Takina pointed at the lit up playground near them.
“Oh! Sure~” Chisato smiled as she immediately ran towards the swing and sat on one. Takina slowly followed her and sat next to her. “Something on your mind?”
“I had fun today.” Takina smiled. “Um… Thank you for coming today.”
“Well, ah… Thanks for, you know, inviting me. Well, more like, asking me, instead.” Chisato kicked the ground in front of the swing as she swayed a little. “Ah…”
“Chisato?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Well, it’s something, just that, you know… Ugh… I can’t put it…” Chisato agonized as she looked away from Takina, staring at the sand below her feet. “I’m just… a little sad that everything’s ending today.”
“Everything?”
“You know… Getting to hold your hand… Spending time with you… That…” Chisato looked away as blushed.
“…Didn’t we do tons of those when we were young?” Takina looked at her, confused.
“…This time it’s different, right? I get to have a label. ‘Inoue Takina’s Lover’. It sounded nice.” Chisato whispered the last part as she swayed forward, then backward.
“Then… Why don’t you claim it as your own?” Takina looked down on her lap, her swing unmoving.
“E- Eh…?” Chisato looked at her, bewildered.
“I won’t say it again.” Takina turned away. “…Play your cards right, and maybe you can get to keep the title.”
“E- Eh? Um… R- Really…? Ugh… Uh…” Chisato blinked multiple times. “…If my heart could beat I think it has exploded already…”
“Please don’t say something like that.”
“Hehe. Sorry… Before you went to university, I was going to tell you, but I didn’t have the courage to.”
“Like now?”
“Guh… You hurt me…” Chisato hung her head in defeat. “But… Well, hear me out?”
“I’m listening.” Takina smiled as she looked at her lap once again.
“It felt like, if I told you then, then you wouldn’t go and try to reach for your dreams. So I didn’t. I couldn’t.” Chisato looked at the stars. “…I thought that I’d just be a hindrance to what you wanted to do in life, so I kept my mouth shut.”
“What changed now?”
“The guy… Uh… Sakaki? I think he’s a good earnest man.” Chisato looked at Takina who only looked at her confused. “If he could make you happy, then I’ll–“
“Stop. If you’re going to say things like, I should find my happiness with him. I’m leaving.” Takina stood up from the swing as Chisato reached for her hand.
“Ah! Sorry! No! Don’t go.” Chisato looked at her with her eyebrows furrowed. Chisato knew. It was now, or never.
Takina only stared at her, then sat back down on the swing.
“I mean… If you liked him, but if not–“
“I don’t like him? I do think he’s a bit pushy.” Takina raised an eyebrow as she looked forward, lightly kicking the sand behind her as she swung backwards.
“O- Ohh… Okay.” Chisato blinked. Then she did misunderstand that blush? Who was it for? “Th- Then…”
Takina sighed and turned to Chisato, her feet stopping her swing from moving. “…This looks like it’s going to take long, so I’ll be talking instead. Okay?”
Chisato opened her mouth, then kept it shut as she nodded.
“I was intending to graduate from accounting, and once I have my license I wanted to confess to you, and help run the cafe.” Takina smiled at her warmly. “I knew that if it meant helping the place that’s important to you grow, a little bit of distance was nothing. We’ve been through thick and thin.”
Takina then folded her hands in front of her palms up, one hand over the other. She looked at it, as if it there was a fragile thing laying on it before she gently closed both of her hands and rested it on her chest.
“On the case, that in during that time I was away from you, that you have found someone to share your life with, I would still do the same.” Takina looked at her lap, a sullen expression on her face. “Because I was content with being by your side, even if it meant I could only love you silently.”
“Ahh! Geez! Don’t say such sad things!” Chisato got up from her side of the swing and immediately wrapped her arms around Takina’s body. “I love you… I love you too…” She hugged her tightly as she rested her face on top of her head.
“Chisato?” Takina called for her as the silence engulfed them… and there were small sobbing sounds coming from on top of her head. “…Are you crying…?”
“…I’m sorry I made you wait.” Chisato wiped the tears from her eyes as she parted from the hug and flashed her a big smile. “I’m still the same old me, I’m useless and I’ll be in your hair, I’ll probably hurt you because I’m an idiot, I probably won’t be able to say the words I need to say because I dilly-dally and– Agh! I love you… Would you please still have me?”
Takina stood up from the swing and smiled at her. “Of course. Did you listen to what I just said? I’m doing this because–” She turned to look at the floor, then towards Chisato again, those amethysts shining brightly under the moonlight. “I love you. I’m doing this, because I wanted to… and then I’m going to share it with you, because I want you to have it too.”
“Takina…” Chisato smiled widely at her. “I’ll be a handful, but please take care of me.”
“I think even the manager would agree that I handle you the best, so don’t worry about me.” Takina laughed. “Please take care of me, too, Chisato.”
And from here on, they walk forward.
Together.
(Unchanging/END)
