Arisa's Fake Romance

Chapter 2

Moonlight pours through the window. Grandma pours me hot green jasmine tea.

"So Arisa, how come you don't talk about boys?"

It is like air has been punched out of me and my aura shattered away from me. A cold electricity goes through me. This is it, she knows doesn't she? Grandma has always been there for me and raises me. I hope she doesn't force me to make a tough decision. After daydreaming about Paris with Kasumi this happens to me.

She continues. "There is a very important party this weekend. One you are going to. I'd like you to find a boy to bring you and by not dating you are missing out on so much happiness. But you are an Ichigaya so you deserve the very best."

Most parents don't want their daughters dating anyone, then again she's grandma. Besides me and Kasumi make each other happy. But since this is grandma I can't just say no. Like she said us Ichigayas deserve the very best.

Hmm, in a few days I promised Ako I'd take para para lessons with her and Rinko which actually sounds fun. At least I'll get my mind off those stupid pregnancy rumors. Why spread such rumors? Is it because they think it'll make Daiki less likely to like me? But I know he likes guys anyway and I will keep his secret. I dust, vacuum, do the dishes, and water the bonsais before going to bed.

***

It's a sunny breezy morning, but something just feels off. While I usually like mellow it's a weird unsettling kind of mellow. The way to school seems far busier than usual but doesn't look too different. I take a quiz on my phone since Ako suggested it and I need to find a date. It says my luck with men is very bad? I know I don't like guys that way but still I hate this stupid app.

"Bad luck with men my ass. Stupid app. I want a minute of my life back. Pisses me off so much."

A weird guy walks up to me. What could he possibly want? "So I heard you aren't really dating Daiki. Keep me company tonight, please?"

An aggressive breeze ruffles the nearby trees, and the sun's golden light suddenly gets redder.

I slap his face and angrily say, "Don't touch me! I'm not like those cheap girls who can be won over with one date. You are way too far ahead of yourself if you think some idiot like you can date the great Ichigaya Arisa."

I kick him a few times and he trips back and falls. People stop but then walk to school quietly talking to each other.

I throw up my hands. "It's like the fortune said, nothing but creeps. Let's go Tae and Saaya."

Besides I love Kasumi. I may have a week until the party but I'm not that desperate. Who does he think I am? I feel so insulted he thought I would be so cheap and easy.

Tae tilts her head and looks worried. "Do you always have to be so violent Arisa?"

"But Tae, he thought I was cheap. I have too much self respect to deal with that you know."

Saaya shrugs. "Well it isn't surprising. That's our Arisa."

A sympathetic whine fills Tae's voice. "I think so too but why?"

It's not long before class and me and Kasumi meet with other girls on the roof to talk about our love luck indexes. Maybe they will have different results on a different app?

Hina's mouth and eyes eagerly widen as she steps towards Kasumi. "What's my love luck index?"

Kasumi smiles telling her, "80 percent."

"Woah 80! Such a boppin result! Me and my new boyfriend will be like wooshy wooshy!"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Wooshy wooshy?"