My Rental Boyfriend Is My Boss?! - Chapter 39

Chapter 39. I Want To Be Unashamed Of Myself

‘But this is it.’

Glittery, fluffy. Blending in with the colorful dresses and suits, Michiru had déjà vu all over again.

‘I’ve decided to go to this event even if I’m alone, now that I’m here, this is a bit depressing.’

Every time, Michiru would feel regret in similar situations over and over again. As expected, she would like to learn a little.

The brand new dress and heels still made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Even more than at a wedding, Michiru had nothing to do but listen to the classical music that echoed comfortably in the hall. The sound of laughter and talking could be heard. If she opened her eyes, she could see the continuation of the Christmas party as if she were a child again.

Of course, there was no huge Christmas tree in the center of the room, and most of the people were older than Michiru.

There were probably forty people in the hall, where students from neighboring schools usually played games. The familiar sound of squeaking echoed in the air as men and women danced as they pleased.

It was much bigger than a children’s Christmas party. Still, if you look at it through Michiru’s eyes, it’s a repeat of that time.

‘Well, after I say hello to Kimitaka and the others, I can just eat and go home.’

Michiru would like to at least get my money’s worth. With that in mind, she looked at the catering set up at the end of the room. It seemed to be in the middle of serving, and from Michiru’s position, she couldn’t really see what was being served.

‘Meat… I want meat… I want beef… anyway.’

“Michiru.”

Michiru looked at him with trepidation as he suddenly called out to her. He looked like he had just put on the same suit he had worn to the after-party.

Michiru was so focused on looking over the waiter’s shoulder and into the table that she let out a small scream.

“Oh… you scared me. Thanks for having me over today.”

“No problem. I saw you at the entrance earlier…”

Kato glanced around and then finally at Michiru.

She knew right away who he was looking for. Michiru shook her head.

“Minoru isn’t here.”

“What? I see. Maybe he’s coming later?”

“No, no, I mean…”

Michiru stammered. It was hard to tell Kato that she had lied to him. Not only was she embarrassed, but she also felt guilty for deceiving him. Especially since they had met at the pub.

However, Michiru made up her mind. That’s why she was here today.

‘I have to change too.’

Michiru wanted to have the same strength as Kamijemori when he told her that night under the cherry blossoms.

Otherwise, Michiru was sure that Kamijemori would not like her as she was now.

Michiru wanted to be a person who was not ashamed of him. Thinking so, Michiru mustered some courage.

“You know… Minoru and I aren’t really dating.”

“…What?”

“I just asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend.”

Kato paused and tilted his head.

“What? So the last time we met at a pub? Or the time you came to our wedding? Really?”

Michiru nodded.

“When I heard that you were getting married, I was very nervous. And I was lonely. You were my best friend for a long time and I felt like we weren’t… so I lied about having a boyfriend.”

In the end, that’s what she got when she told Kato how she honestly felt. For a while, Michiru really thought that they would be together one day. But no. Now, Michiru could say her feelings for Kato were not love.

‘Even I feel so much pain when I think about Minoru.’

Michiru’s heart hurt when she imagined Kamijemori dating another woman even at this very moment. Still, there was a feeling that Michiru couldn’t throw away. She couldn’t give that up.

She decided to let him like her just the way she was, and he smiled when Michiru told him that, so she could put up with as much as she wanted.

It was the first time in her life that she had felt this way, so she knew. She knew that what she had felt for Kato was only friendship.

“I’m sorry I lied to you.”

“Oh… no…”

Kato’s confused voice spilled out as Michiru bowed her head.

“I’m sorry for lying to you. Because…”

Michiru felt sorry for Kato, who was having a hard time comprehending what was going on, but she could feel the results of her after-work practice of pretending to be his girlfriend. It must have been very real if an old friend believed it. But it no longer made sense, though.

“Yes. But I’m done. So I’m going to enjoy myself on my own today.”

Michiru didn’t want to make Kato feel uncomfortable forever. He seemed to be somewhat relieved when she smiled at him.

“I see… No, I think you’d still like it here.”

“Oikawa! You’re here.”

Right after Kato looked at the catering, a gorgeous voice called out.

“Ah… Nakamura.”

When Michiru turned around, she saw Kato’s wife in a dress that was more fancy than the one she wore at the after party.

The dress was always gorgeous, but today it had feather ornaments and glittering lamé on the exposed skin. In addition, the dress was in primary colors, so Michiru thought she looked like an ancient bird.

“Oh no, it’s Kato. Call me Emi.”

“I’m sorry… Emi. Thank you for inviting me today.”

“It’s okay. The more of these there are, the more fun it is… Oh, where’s your boyfriend?”

“Oh, well, actually…”

“He had some urgent work to do.”

When Michiru was about to open her mouth, Kato interrupted her and covered her words. When she looked at him, Kato smiled at Michiru and said, “It can’t be helped, right?”

‘Does that mean I should stay quiet…?’

Michiru was actually going to tell the truth to Nakamura, but her main goal was Kato. If he decided not to tell Nakamura the truth, Michiru decided to go along with it.

Nakamura was taken aback.

“Oh, I didn’t know that… Too bad. It would be boring without a partner. You’re right… Hey, there’s someone I want to introduce you to. Do you have a minute?”

“What? Uh, hey…”

At Nakamura’s sudden suggestion, Michiru was taken without veto.

She asked Kato for help, but he seemed to have just received a phone call and was apologetically raising his hand to Michiru as he ran out of the venue. No help seemed to be forthcoming.

Nakamura was met by a man who looked very smug.