When it comes to pretending to be someone's boyfriend, no doubt I am kind of an expert at it. Its just an act and if it needs to be a little believable, I wont hesitate at all.

Although the most recent one ended with me stealing the girl completely, it was still a flawless act nonetheless.

Im sorry but Im not following. Can I ask the reason why?

Accepting right away was out of the question. Given that she called me here for this, there must be some important reason why she wanted someone to act.

Juri averted her gaze again and perhaps for the first time since meeting her, I saw her fidgeting. Its as if shes already considering whether to tell me her reason or not.

Sure, she must have some reservations considering I also held back on telling her who I am with.

But since shes the one asking for a favor here, its only right that she informs me of what I need to know so I wont act like a fool.

Seconds later, her fidgeting stopped and she coolly lifted her gaze. While wearing a bitter smile, she started.

Its like this My agencys supervisor set me up to have dinner with someone from the magazine company today. Something like he wants to get to know me.

Cant you refuse? I asked. I looked at her and noticed how she was really uncomfortable with the idea. She should have that choice, right?

Or is it that thing thats prevalent in the entertainment industry? Something like currying favor to the higher-ups. That supervisor was trying to serve up her talent just so they could get some advantageous terms with the magazine that they were going to publish.

I heard thats only happening in the entertainment industry, however, considering how closely tied the modeling industry is to it and how theyre reliant on the bigger companies, its not impossible for the same thing to happen.

Anyway, one thing I can say to that is What an idiotic decision from their agencys management.

Didnt that woman mention her confidence in Juri? Or is this pre-planned even before this day?

Well, no one could answer those questions but this girl in front of me.

I can but Juri bit her lips, lowered her head, and started rubbing her arm. Shes probably starting to feel cold or it was just a revolting idea to consider.

I stood up from my seat, stepped forward, and grabbed her wrist before sliding it down to let her palm rest on mine. Once that happened, I gripped it tightly which led the girl to look up.

Onoda-kun I

I think I understand what youre going through, Koizumi-san. However, how will introducing me as your boyfriend solve it? Will they call off the dinner just because of it? Wont they just disregard it even if youre truly dating someone?

I cut her off and quickly went on to the possible outcome of this in case I helped her.

Right Juri nodded. Surely, that already passed her mind. However, she probably only heard about that today. Otherwise, I would notice that there was something wrong with her earlier.

The air around her now had a hint of despair. Its like she was backed into a wall with no path to retreat and the only chance she could think of was if someone would extend their hand for her from above.

And thats where I would come from.

In any case, this issue mustve been the reason why her fashion sense seems disconnected this time.

I can refuse but Onoda-kun, that will just delay it. Sooner or later, someone will ask for it again. You might not know about it but this is how it is in this industry. Unless I want less work in the future, it will be hard to disregard those invitations.

Juri continued as she elaborated as to what was going to happen in case she chose not to accept those invitations.

Is it really just going to be dinner?

Yeah. Ive actually gone to some of it before. Theyre nice, at least but most of the time, their eyes and the way they wanted to feel my hand lacked the propriety that I expected from them, given their standing. Thats why

As her voice trailed there, I sensed the hand that I was holding returned my grip. Through that simple action, she managed to convey the rest of her sentence. Furthermore, she also stood up, to level her eyes with me.

I put on a gentle smile and reached for her cheek, I see. You dont want to experience it again.

Un. Im glad you understand me, Onoda-kun. She forced a smile despite the feeling of bitterness. And slowly, she closed our distance and placed her forehead on my shoulder.

Due to that, my hand slid from her cheek to the back of her head. She didnt find it uncomfortable though and in fact, she became more relaxed now that she was leaning onto me.

Alright. I think I can see what youre trying to accomplish by asking me to act as your boyfriend. Correct me if Im wrong, but are you hoping that it will stop the same invitations from happening again in the future?

Yeah. At least, they wont see me as the untouchable ice queen anymore.

Untouchable ice queen? Now thats some title. I jokingly said. An attempt to further lighten the mood.

Well, shes not untouchable and shes also never an ice queen. Shes more like the spring breeze, cool and refreshing.

Oh, you tell me Whoever created that title for me, Ill get back to him or her in the future.

Thats a little funny. I couldnt help but laugh at it which infected the girl. Soon her clear laughter filled the room.

Its great that we reached this point. But then, I still havent said yes in her favor, right?

What should I do?

First, I better ask her to whom she would introduce me.

I waited for the lighter mood to settle for a while before raising that question.

Lifting her head, I noticed the troubled look she had earlier was already gone. And with a small smile on her lips, she answered, To the one inviting me. Hell be coming here later. Maybe after the photoshoot. Hes supposed to pick me up and send me home.

Now, thats some bastardly move. Theyre truly cornering her, huh? What a great agency.

Well, I shouldnt get worked up by myself here.

I see. I have one last question, Koizumi-san.

What is it?

If the agency is setting you up to do this, wont it be better for you to transfer to another? I heard someone got poached by the SS agency. Though shes not a model like you, shes a valuable asset.

Juri quickly answered, I signed a contract and it still has a year before it expires.

Ah. Right. Theres a contract. My bad. Alright then, if I can help you with my act then

This was a girl asking for my help. And like Yua said, I wouldnt be this concerned about her if I wasnt the least bit interested. As for my driving force to accept this favor, lets just say I like her better than that spring breeze. Cool and very refreshing.

Will you accept it?

Mhm. On one condition though.

Say it then. Youre the one going to help me, Ill repay you in any way I can.

Ah, dont worry. I wont ask you to give me money or do something for me. Just this forgive me if I ever showed a lack of propriety during the act.

That are you planning something?

Upon hearing that, Juri somehow appeared surprised. Well, it contained the word propriety after all.

Not really but if were going to act, we better up the realism, right? Also, I hope it wont be in front of other people. As I said this, the fingers of our connected hands intertwined followed by the other hand sliding to her back. I pulled her closer to me, embracing her in the process.

Juri tensed up a little. A few seconds later, her shoulders relaxed and I sensed her arm sliding to my back, accepting my embrace. She then moved her slightly before saying, Un. I accept your condition Ill overlook any lack of propriety from you. But only on this occasion, understand?

Upon hearing that, I failed to hold back my laughter which eventually infected her again. As both of our laughter filled the room. Juri and I took a step back, releasing each other. However, our fingers remained intertwined which kept us connected. Like this, we slowly sat back down on the stools and spent the next few minutes just formulating a plan for later.