𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆 | 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘬.

𝟏𝟕

The day that followed were fraught with tension, though you tried your best to hide it. On the surface, everything appeared normal—your fake relationship with Nanami was still intact, and you played the part well. But beneath the carefully constructed facade, everything was unraveling. The truth was, the tension between Nanami and Gojo had only deepened since that night in the garden, and it was becoming harder to keep up appearances.

Nanami had been quieter than usual since his confession. Though he still acted as your partner in front of everyone else, there was a subtle shift in his demeanor—a hesitation in his touch, a softness in his voice when the two of you were alone. It was as if he was waiting for you to make a decision, but neither of you had broached the topic again.

Meanwhile, Gojo had become more persistent. His teasing remarks had become more pointed, his flirtatious comments more daring. He didn't seem to care that people were watching anymore. If anything, it seemed like he was testing the boundaries, seeing how far he could push before someone cracked.

The other students weren't oblivious. You could feel their eyes on you, could hear the whispers whenever you walked by with either man. They weren't sure what was happening, but it was clear that the charade between you and Nanami wasn't fooling anyone anymore.

It all came to a head one afternoon when the school trip group gathered for an outdoor excursion—a hike up to a local mountain that had been advertised as one of the highlights of the trip. The air was crisp, the sun warm on your skin, but there was an undercurrent of tension that made it hard to enjoy the scenery.

Nanami walked beside you as usual, his hand resting lightly on your lower back, guiding you along the narrow path. To anyone watching, it looked like a typical couple enjoying the day. But you could feel the distance between the two of you—the unspoken words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.

Behind you, Gojo was making no effort to hide his presence. He was loud, laughing and joking with the other students, but every now and then, you'd catch him glancing in your direction, his gaze lingering on you longer than necessary. It didn't take long for the other students to pick up on the tension between the three of you, and soon the whispers started again.

"I thought she was with Nanami..."

"But isn't Gojo interested in her too?"

"They've been acting so weird around each other lately..."

You tried your best to ignore the comments, focusing instead on the trail ahead. The climb was steep, and you had to concentrate on your footing to avoid stumbling on the rocky terrain. But the murmurs were hard to drown out, and with each passing moment, the weight of the situation became more unbearable.

About halfway up the mountain, the group stopped for a break. Students scattered across the small clearing, some sitting on rocks to catch their breath, while others took pictures of the surrounding landscape. You found a spot away from the main group, leaning against a tree as you tried to clear your mind.

Nanami stood nearby, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the group. He hadn't said much since the hike began, and you knew he was feeling the strain just as much as you were. When he caught your gaze, he offered a small, reassuring smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Before you could respond, Gojo appeared, his usual grin plastered on his face as he sauntered over. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

Nanami stiffened at Gojo's approach, his posture becoming more rigid. You could sense the tension building between the two men, and you knew that this was the moment you had been dreading. They were both here, both waiting for you to acknowledge what was happening between them. But how could you? You were still locked in this fake relationship with Nanami, and yet Gojo's presence was impossible to ignore.