Chapter Text
The hardest thing, You thinks, about receiving so many love confessions at school on an almost daily basis, is having to turn them all down softly and with a kind smile. She always tells them the same thing: that she's busy, and doesn't have time for a relationship, and that's the truth. Having her time table packed with swimming, diving, and school idol activities among other responsibilities that people trust her with, doesn't exactly give her much time to go on dates with somebody else. As well as this, she really doesn't feel the need to be in a relationship. She's content where she is.
"I appreciate the gestures and all, but is it too much to ask for just a little peace?" she tells Chika at lunch one day, as they're sitting alone on the roof. Riko is downstairs working on an art project, and the rest of Aqours are spending lunch in their own ways.
Chika chuckles. "Perhaps it's because you've got that 'hard-to-get' vibe coming off you that makes you even more popular."
"Great."
You lets herself fall back onto the warm floor with a sigh, enjoying the quietness of the roof. Chika leans over her, holding a couple of strawberries. "Want one?"
With a nod of her head, You opens her mouth, allowing Chika to pop it in. She chews slowly, savouring the sweet taste.
"Y'know, the confessions would all stop if you were in a relationship for real," Chika says, and You hums in thought.
"Perhaps, but I'm really not interested in one right now. And how would I find somebody I actually wanna date?"
Chika stands, puffing out her chest and placing her hands on her hips. You looks up at her with raised eyebrows. "You've got one right here!"
Bolting up, You exclaims, "What?!"
But before Chika can reply, the bell signalling the end of lunch rings. You packs up her bag, her cheeks flaming. Why would Chika suggest for them to date? For real? She shakes her head in disbelief, attempting to switch her thoughts back to the lesson ahead of them.
"Race you down the stairs!" Chika says, and she's off in a flash. You grins, accepting the challenge, and takes off straight after, despite the rules about no running in the school.
Yeah, it was probably just a joke.
---
By the time diving practice finishes after school that day, You is exhausted. Chika smiles at her from the stands as she watches, not having anything else to do tonight. And when You finally climbs out of the pool at the end, she's there to give her a pat on the back and a soft towel.
"Thanks," You says, wrapping it around her shoulders, before gladly pulling her swimming cap off. Chika digs around in her bag before taking out a bottle of cold water, which she tosses to her. "Why are you so eager today?"
"Ahaha... Swimming practice is tiring, so I thought I'd help you relax afterwards!" Chika replies.
They head back to the changing rooms in a comfortable silence. You quickly changes, throwing on a hoodie over her uniform, as the nights are gradually getting colder.
Chika asks her a sudden question as they stand at the bus stop. "Can I stay over at yours tonight?"
You blinks. Sure, they sleep over at each other's houses a lot, but this is kind of out of the blue. "Hm? Sure."
"Great!" Chika sends out a hurried text message to her mother, humming to herself in a joyful tune. "Got any work to do tonight?
"Nope, I just finished everything yesterday!"
The ride back to You's place is filled with pleasant conversation, but she still feels that there's something that Chika isn't saying. Perhaps it's because of the way she's tapping her feet impatiently, or how she's looking out of the window too frequently, but You has known her since they were toddlers, and it's almost impossible for either of them to convincingly lie to each other at this point.
"I'm home!" You calls out to nobody in particular, throwing open the door to her house. Her mother is currently out on business for a short while, leaving her to take care of things on her own.
"It's been a while since it was just the two of us here..." Chika says, dropping her school bag at the entrance with You's, and bending down to take off her shoes. The Watanabe house is warm, with its own unique personality that Chika finds endearing. It fits You to a T.
They head up the stairs and get changed into their pyjamas. Chika has a spare pair and some extra clothes and toiletries that she always keeps here whenever they have a sleepover. When they were younger, the sleepovers were frequent; probably at least once a week. But now...
"Chika-chan, I'll take a quick shower, so you can do what you want." You disappears in the bathroom, and Chika is left alone in her bedroom. There's a small box on her dresser, one which Chika knows is filled with various love letters from girls in this town, and even other places they've visited. She leans over the bed, grabbing it, and opens the lid.
By the time You leaves the bathroom, Chika is sitting on her bed, surrounded by letters and giggling like a schoolgirl. "I can see you're having fun," she deadpans, and Chika jumps in surprise, having not noticed her there.
"I'd say it's more of an... investigation..."
"Hm?"
As if to demonstrate, Chika holds up a couple of letters with a grin. "If you want a relationship, you can easily pick and choose from any of these girls. But you're saying that you just want peace for a while. Surely the logical step to take would be to get a girlfriend so they won't pester you anymore."
"But I don't-" Chika places a finger to You's lips, silencing her.
"You may not want a real girlfriend, but nothing's stopping you from pretending to get one."
"Oh yeah, amazing. So how will I be able to pull off being in a relationship without somebody thinking something is off? They won't exactly forget about me just like that, especially if I'm in a 'relationship' with some girl I don't even know all that well!"
Chika stands up on the bed, making it creak, and holds out a hand to You. "Your solution is right here!"
"I don't follow..."
With an exasperated sigh, Chika grabs You's arm, pulling her up. "I'm saying that you should pretend to date me!"
This causes You to stumble back, and she almost falls off the bed, but Chika's grip is too tight. Something about her expression tells You that she won't drop the subject unless she accepts. "Pretend to date you?" she splutters, at a loss for words.
"Yeah, it'll be easy! Our relationship won't change much from how it is now, and we'll be able to convince everyone!"
"And what about Aqours?"
Chika thinks for a moment, then pats You on the shoulder. "Let's not tell them either. Dia-san would probably spill it before the day even begins."
Folding her arms, You looks back to the pile of letters. Sure, it would be nice to have some peace, but is it really worth deceiving everyone? But just maybe...
"Ok," she finally smiles, "I'll do it with you. But we will have to break up after some time. I don't want this going on forever."
"Yay!" Chika throws her arms around her, and they lose their balance and fall off the bed, crashing into You's dresser. They stay there for a while, and You takes this time to sort out her messed up thoughts. She'll actually be dating her best friend. Ok, not really, but they'll need to make it convincing. And what if somebody sees through it?
Chika nuzzles her head into her shoulder, distracting You from her thoughts.
"Alright," she whispers. There's no use in dwelling on it, especially now Chika seems committed. "This might be kinda fun."