Chapter 6: Make Our Fake Relationship into Real

Hanako's POV

"Hanako?"

I heard a soft voice calling my name, followed by a gentle knocking on the door. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, still groggy from my disrupted sleep. Hiroshi's face came into view, and I quickly pulled the blanket over my head. "Hmm, let me sleep for just five more minutes."

Hiroshi, being his usual self, had other plans. He removed the blanket and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight stream into the room. The sudden influx of light forced me to finally get up. "Hiroshi, couldn't you have let me sleep for at least five more minutes?" I complained, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to wake up. After all, I hadn't slept well the previous night.

"Have you forgotten already? Uncle Toshiro is checking about the vacant apartment, and it's already past 10 AM. Plus, you slept for more than nine hours; that's not the best for your health," Hiroshi replied matter-of-factly.

I grumbled, still trying to adjust to being awake. He had a point, but I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed. Why did I feel so disoriented and out of sorts today?

As I blinked and tried to focus, I realized that Hiroshi was standing quite close to me. It took me off guard, and if there wasn't a wall behind me, I might have actually fallen off the bed. My heart raced in response, and I forced myself to stay calm. Don't let him notice anything unusual!

"Sorry if I startled you," Hiroshi said, his voice carrying a hint of concern. I could feel my cheeks growing warm, and I couldn't bring myself to look directly at him. What was it about his proximity that made my heart race so uncontrollably? We had only just met yesterday; this reaction was completely irrational. Even though my former fiancé had done similar things, like surprising me with unexpected hugs, it had never affected me like this.

Hiroshi seemed to sense my unease and continued speaking, breaking the awkward silence. "I've prepared breakfast. Join me when you're ready. Or would you prefer to take a bath first?"

Despite my inner turmoil, I couldn't help but appreciate his considerate smile. "I'll take a bath first," I replied, my voice a bit quieter than usual.

"When you're done, let's have breakfast together," Hiroshi suggested before leaving the room. I let out a sigh as he closed the door behind him. I shook my head slightly, trying to clear my thoughts. It was challenging to understand why my heart reacted so strongly to Hiroshi's presence. We had only met the day before; there was no reason for my feelings to be so complicated.

Taking a bath felt remarkably refreshing, as though I hadn't truly relaxed in a while. I closed my eyes, letting the water cascade over me, reveling in the fleeting moment of tranquility. However, my sense of calm was abruptly shattered when Hiroshi's face intruded into my thoughts. The image felt almost nightmarish, causing me to snap my eyes open. I shook off the unsettling sensation and hurriedly finished my bath.

Exiting the bathroom, my hair still damp, I leaned against the door frame, gently slapping my cheeks to regain my focus. "Calm down, Hanako," I murmured under my breath, attempting to quell the unease that had taken hold of me. I needed to compose myself before entering the living room. I couldn't afford to let these perplexing feelings disrupt our plan.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the living room where Hiroshi was busy tending to a pot of coffee. The room was filled with the warm and inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions I was experiencing. Hiroshi's smile brightened as he greeted me. "Good morning, Hanako. Did you sleep better last night?"

I nodded, managing a smile to match his friendly demeanor. I couldn't possibly admit that my night had been restless. "Yes, I did. Thanks for asking." I took a seat at the table, determined to present a facade of normalcy. Hiroshi poured me a cup of coffee, and I offered a polite "Thank you."

We settled into our seats, the clinking of utensils against plates punctuating the quiet morning. The smell of breakfast filled the air, a simple reminder that life was continuing despite the complex charade we were orchestrating. The act of sharing a meal felt almost like an unspoken agreement that everything was progressing according to our plan.

Hiroshi's voice broke the quiet as he began to speak. "By the way, Hanako, I received a call from our headquarters. There's a case that needs investigation. Are you okay to handle the café on your own? And Uncle Toshiro will inquire about the apartment today, right?"

I took a sip of my morning coffee, its strong and rich flavor soothing my racing thoughts. "Sure, I'll manage the café on my own. And yes, I'm hoping to find a new job today before I go there."

Hiroshi nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You mentioned quitting your previous job. Why not consider applying to join our police headquarters?"

I almost choked on my coffee in surprise. "What? Are you joking, Hiroshi?"

He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. "I'm serious. Think about it – wouldn't it add more authenticity to our story if we were not just pretending to be a couple but also working together? Besides, you never know until you try."

I felt my eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. "But I don't have any qualifications for that field."

Hiroshi's smile remained unwavering. "You'd be surprised. Sometimes, life's surprises can lead us down unexpected paths. Just give it a shot."

His words hung in the air, and I found myself oddly intrigued by the idea. While I had dismissed it initially, his perspective was starting to make sense. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to at least explore the possibility. After all, this entire situation was a series of unexpected events.

"I'll think about it," I finally conceded, a hint of uncertainty in my tone.

Hiroshi's smile grew even brighter as he heard my response, as though he had anticipated my answer all along. I took another sip of my coffee, only to realize that the cup was already empty. Deciding to refill it, I reached for the pot of coffee at the same time Hiroshi did. Our hands inadvertently brushed against each other's, causing a subtle jolt to shoot through me.

For a moment, time seemed to suspend as our fingers made fleeting contact. The warmth of his skin against mine sent a surprisingly pleasant shiver up my spine. I quickly withdrew my hand, my heart racing as I tried to steady myself. My cheeks flushed with an embarrassing warmth that I hoped Hiroshi wouldn't notice.

"Oops, sorry," Hiroshi said, his tone apologetic as he withdrew his hand as well.

"It's alright," I managed to reply, my voice a touch breathless. I busied myself with pouring the coffee, desperately attempting to regain my composure. The simple touch had left an unexpectedly profound impact on me, one that I was struggling to understand.

As I sipped the newly poured coffee, I couldn't help but steal a glance at Hiroshi. He was focused on his own cup, seemingly unaware of the effect our momentary touch had on me. Or at least, I hoped he was unaware. My heart continued to beat a rapid rhythm, a constant reminder of the unexpected flutter that had taken residence within me.

As we finished eating, Hiroshi began gathering the dishes, insisting that I needn't help. He chuckled, his laughter filling the air. "You're my guest, Hanako. You don't need to worry about this... unless we're an officially established couple."

"Officially couple?!" I blurted out in surprise, my eyes widening.

Hiroshi's laughter continued, filling the room with its warm melody. "I'm just teasing, Hanako. I couldn't resist playing a little prank on you."

I sighed in mock frustration, but secretly I was relieved that his comment had been a joke. "You're enjoying this a bit too much, aren't you?"

He turned to me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, can you blame me? It's not every day that I get to play the role of a dashing and charming fiancé."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his playful response, feeling a lightheartedness that had been absent for a while. This bizarre situation we found ourselves in was certainly unconventional, but it had an undeniable way of making me forget my worries, even if just for a moment.

"Unless you want to turn this fake relationship into a real one," Hiroshi added, his voice soft and unexpectedly serious.

My gaze shot up to meet his, caught off guard by his sudden change in tone. His eyes held mine, a mixture of sincerity and a mischievous glint dancing within them. My heart skipped a beat, and I found myself momentarily lost for words. It was as if his words had ignited a spark of possibility, one that I hadn't fully considered before.

I averted my gaze, flustered by the intensity of his look. "I-I... Well, this is all just part of the plan, isn't it?"

Hiroshi chuckled, a warm and gentle sound that seemed to ease the tension that had suddenly arisen. "You're right, Hanako. It's all just a plan. Let's focus on making it a convincing one."

Returning Hiroshi's smile, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. His playful manner reassured me that his previous comment had indeed been a jest. Still, there lingered an inexplicable sensation in my chest, a subtle pang that I struggled to interpret.

"Say, Hanako, why not consider applying to our headquarters as a police officer?" Hiroshi's suggestion caught me off guard, and I found myself agreeing without fully comprehending his words.

"Sure, I will," I replied, my response almost automatic. Wait, did he just suggest that I apply to be a police officer? Why did I agree to it so readily?

Hiroshi's smile brightened as he dried his hands, settling beside me. "Really?"

I nodded, attempting to mask my confusion with a smile. "Yes, you did mention that it would make our act more convincing, right?"

He chuckled softly. "Ah, you're absolutely right."

"But I still intend to find a new job today," I added quickly, hoping to clarify my intentions.

"Of course, no problem," Hiroshi reassured me with a smile.

"Then let me change my outfit first, and you too," I suggested, eager to shift the focus away from my momentary lapse.

"Yes," Hiroshi agreed.

As we prepared to head out, the weather was pleasant, a gentle breeze sweeping through the streets. Hiroshi waved at me, his encouragement evident in his expression. We parted ways, each heading in a different direction.

As I walked, the idea of working alongside Hiroshi as a police officer began to take root in my mind. The notion was oddly appealing. The idea of solving cases and upholding justice, side by side with him, seemed to form a tangible picture in my thoughts. Perhaps this new direction in my life was just what I needed.

With determination in my step, I continued my search for a new job, the possibilities of the future stretching out before me.