Chapter 23: The Only Chance of a Lifetime

In the darkness, Yamabuki Tsuki peered at Sugawara Ryuichi’s sleeping face. Her breathing was steady, yet her heart was stirred by waves of emotion. Reflecting on the events of yesterday, she felt as though she were living in a dream. She had searched online for a rental boyfriend, only to accidentally book her own student to pose as her partner for a social gathering. Yet, this sense of unreality had now completely solidified into truth. The presence of Ryuichi right before her was proof enough that everything was real.

Looking back, she realized her booking of Ryuichi was no mere coincidence; there had been clues all along. First, the topic of rental girlfriends and boyfriends had suddenly become the talk of the school, known to both staff and students alike. Second, the profile picture of the "Star" had a familiar air, bearing a seventy percent resemblance to Ryuichi, which had finally spurred her to make the decision. If she had been more observant back then, she should have realized it sooner; even though Ryuichi had worn a black mask covering half his face and the photo was in profile, his brow and eye features were distinct.

"Come to think of it, once he wakes up, will this charade of being fake lovers come to an end?" Gazing at his sleeping face, Tsuki suddenly realized a cruel reality. Yes, the social gathering was over, and the rental contract had expired last night. As this thought surfaced, Tsuki, already feeling a bit restless, let her wandering gaze fall upon his lips once more.

"If I steal a kiss, as long as I’m gentle and don't push as hard as last night, he shouldn't notice."

"But what if he suddenly opens his eyes while I'm kissing him? My life would be over."

Faced with a difficult choice, her reason and her desires waged war. She had to consider it seriously, for she might be facing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ryuichi was sleeping before her, completely unguarded, with no one around to disturb them. If she missed this chance, given their relationship and the disparity in their statuses, such an opportunity would never arise again.

"His lips are so beautiful. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him."

"But he did say before that kissing clients isn't part of his job... If I suddenly kiss him and he catches me taking advantage of him, he'd definitely be angry, wouldn't he?"

Torn by an internal struggle, Tsuki leaned lower and lower, her face drawing closer to his against her better judgment. A woman is an emotional creature, and in such moments, she cares more about the present than the consequences.

1m. 0.5m. 30cm. 15cm. 5cm. Before long, she stopped at a distance of 3cm.

Tsuki gazed at the face so close to her own, even able to catch his scent—it was pleasant. After staring for a while, she ultimately did not kiss him and straightened her back instead. A person’s taste in music often reveals their character. Perhaps she had grown fond of "Marigold" because of the lyric: "I don't have enough courage to speak my full truth." Furthermore, her favorite Sailor Moon theme song, "Moonlight Legend," began with the lyrics: "Sorry for being so dishonest; I can only speak my true feelings in dreams." Even if she didn't want to admit it, she was indeed a person who lacked courage and was not straightforward.

Retreating was easier than being brave. After straightening up, Tsuki suppressed the turbulence in her heart and tiptoed away. However, she did not leave the hotel immediately. Instead, she walked to her own bed, picked up her bag, and retreated into the bathroom.

*Click.*

This time, she closed the door. The hotel’s design was thoughtful, and the door closed with a barely audible sound, considering the guests' need for rest.

"Was she trying to kiss me just now?" Hearing the bathroom door close, Ryuichi opened his eyes, his breathing slightly uneven. Although he had kept his eyes shut the whole time, there were other ways to perceive the world. His hearing caught the subtle rustle of her clothes despite her care. His sense of smell picked up the lingering scent of her shampoo, growing stronger as she drew near. His sense of touch felt the breeze of her breath at such close range.

Beyond that, the system kept popping up notifications:
[Yamabuki Tsuki feels her heart racing. Heartbeat value +1.]
[Yamabuki Tsuki feels a surge of affection. Heartbeat value +2.]

He had only been pretending to sleep, yet in such a short time, he had gained 4 points. In truth, it wasn't just Tsuki who was stirred; he was, too. This was the first time a girl had tried to sneak a kiss while he was playing dead—and this beauty was his English teacher, no less.

His heart peaked when he felt her breath against his face, as he realized the possibility that she might actually kiss him. He had been so hesitant—should he react, open his eyes to reject the kiss, or seize the moment to lean in and kiss her back? Unfortunately, Tsuki didn't go through with it, and he couldn't summon the courage either.

After calming his nerves, Ryuichi didn't rush to get up, instead listening intently. "There’s no sound of water from the bathroom, so she isn't showering."

"And if I wake up now, isn't the timing a bit off? Waking up because of a door closing is too ridiculous."

"If she finds out I was faking it, she’ll be embarrassed to death, just like last night."

Ryuichi considered the right moment. Since it was Sunday and there was no school, there was no need to rush.

"Got it!"

After a moment of thought, he came up with a brilliant idea. He reached for his phone by the pillow, saw it was 6:49 AM, and set his plan in motion. Once done, he adjusted his position, lay back down, and closed his eyes.

*Ring!*

Not long after, a noisy alarm blared through the room. It lasted less than ten seconds before being cut short. Using the alarm as his cue, Ryuichi opened his eyes and sat up, stretching his limbs. It had to be said, faking sleep was tiring work, requiring one to remain perfectly still.

Meanwhile, Tsuki, startled by the alarm and rushing out of the bathroom to turn it off, saw him sitting up.

"Good morning." Ryuichi spoke first as he saw her emerge.

"Good morning." Standing in the light spilling from the bathroom, her hair no longer disheveled, Tsuki met his gaze, paused for a brief moment, and responded with a smile.