1 An Unexpected Fate

Today has been one of those days that makes me wonder how I ended up in this situation. Ayumi, a girl who has supposedly dated a hundred men, is asking me to be her temporary boyfriend to fool her mother into thinking she has a healthy relationship. But why me?

Honestly, I feel like there's something else behind this. I often watch those series where an ordinary guy is controlled by a mastermind, and now I find myself wishing I was someone like that. But it's complicated, I have no experience in manipulating people or discovering their hidden intentions. It's quite strange, and I wonder what exactly this girl is looking for now that she's begging me to be with her for a year and offering me money, $2000 a month! She's completely crazy if she thinks I'll accept.

"Tell me, Ayumi-san, why are you doing this? What makes you think I'll accept? Is it because I'm the only virgin in the first year? Do you think you can cajole me like this?" I ask her curiously and skeptically.

"Sora, I think you would agree because I see you as someone who would go running to a woman who proposes. Besides, my family is rich, we have a lot of money, you won't lack for anything. And if you want, I can do favors for you," Ayumi replies with a mischievous smile.

"Favors... what kind of favors do you mean?" I ask, trying to figure out how far she's willing to go.

"Don't play dumb, Sora. You know very well what I'm talking about. I'm known as the girl who has dated over a hundred men, and I'll tell you that rumor isn't as false as it seems. I can do all kinds of things for you," Ayumi whispers, hinting at something else.

"No, seriously, I don't understand why you choose me. You should look for Renji, he's the most popular guy. Besides, they say he's an angel of a person. I'm not good for these things," I tell him, trying to reject his proposal and suggest a better option.

"With Renji I have a little problem. My mother knows him, and she would suspect he's helping me. Besides, he's lousy at keeping secrets, he's too honest," Ayumi admits with a worried expression.

"Hell no, see you later. It's really annoying to deal with a girl who's dated a thousand men and done things I don't even want to imagine," I exclaim in frustration as I try to walk away.

"I already told my mother it was you," Ayumi says suddenly.

"What, could you repeat that?" I reply in surprise.

"I already told my mother," Ayumi repeats, this time with a more confident tone.

"Let's tell her it's a lie. Don't involve me in your problems. Besides, there's already someone I love," I reply resolutely.

"You mean Yuna-san?" asks Ayumi, as if she knows my innermost thoughts.

"How the hell do you know?" I reply, surprised by her knowledge.

"Between girls, we talk about a lot of things. You know, I can help you. I know a lot of things about her," Ayumi offers, trying to convince me.

"I don't want your help. I'd rather do it alone," I insist, trying to resist her manipulations.

"Please, please, I won't let you go until you agree," Ayumi pleads desperately.

She pushes me against the wall, and at that moment, I realize that this girl is too persistent. I don't know what to do, and although I expected to be nervous in her presence, I don't feel anything. Could it be because she's already dated so many guys? Knowing that fact makes me feel no attraction to her.

"You could let me in. After class, we'll go see your mother and tell her this is all a lie," I propose, hoping to find a way out of this awkward situation.

"You don't get nervous with me. I'm a really pretty girl, you know? Many men would die to go out with me," Ayumi says, trying to convince me.

"But in the end, none of them stayed with you, right?" I answer bluntly.

She falls silent. That's what I expected. Finally, she leaves me alone. See you later, Ayumi-san. I hope you find someone better than me....

At that moment, I turn to see her frustrated face, but why is she crying? Why are her eyes full of tears? Did I say something wrong? In the end, I can't be with a girl like that. I don't want to be with a person who gets everything she wants by being pretty and nice.

Teachers, older people, all men give her everything without hesitation. I've seen it countless times, how they take advantage of that. And now, why am I turning to her?

"Are you okay?" I ask her, concerned about her crying.

"Of course, you idiot. Go away, I don't need you anymore. I'll find someone else," Ayumi replies between sobs.

"I'm sorry if I was insensitive. I'm sorry," I tell her, trying to apologize.

"You can apologize too, you smug bastard!" exclaims Ayumi angrily.

"When is the meeting with your mother?" I ask, changing the subject.

"At 7:00 p.m.," Ayumi replies.

"Okay, I'll wait for you. Text me the address and I'll be there," I promise.

"You promise?" asks Ayumi, seeking confirmation.

"I promise," I reply, determined to hold up my end of this absurd arrangement.I'm sorry, but I already have someone I'm thinking of. In the end, this means nothing to me. In the end, I don't need her. In the end, I hate this girl, and I will never like people like her. It will just be a passing thing. I'll make money through this and, by the way, I already have someone I love.

"I'm stupid," I whisper to myself, as I walk away from Ayumi.