I Accidentally Saw Her Get Dumped — Now the Losing Heroine Senpai Won’t Stop Clinging to Me - Episode 18

When we stepped out of the café, the sky had already turned a deep shade of evening.

The sunset cast a warm, reddish glow, streaming through the gaps between buildings and lighting up the pavement. The streets were still busy with people, but the side road we had taken away from the station was much quieter.

Chiharu-senpai and I walked side by side.

We weren’t talking, but the silence wasn’t awkward either.

The atmosphere from the café still lingered gently between us.

Then, without warning, Senpai broke the silence.

“Hey, Haruma-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Earlier… at the fast food place. The whole ‘pretend couple’ act—how was it?”

The sudden question made me nearly stop in my tracks.

“Ah… you mean that?”

“Yeah. Our little over-the-top couple skit. I thought we nailed it, personally.”

After a brief pause, I decided to answer honestly.

“…It was embarrassing, but… I actually had fun.”

“Ooh, honest answer!”

“What about you, Senpai?”

“Hmm… I think I had fun too. Or rather, it helped that you played along so well.”

“It wasn’t really that big of a deal, though…”

“No no, that beet-red face of yours? Total award-winning performance! I bet everyone in that place bought it.”

“…You sure that was just acting?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Senpai tilted her head slightly after a moment of quiet.

“Huh?”

“I just… thought that, you know, if we really were dating, then that kind of thing wouldn’t be acting—it’d just be normal.”

“…”

“Just kidding, of course.”

“Hah, please. Even I wouldn’t go that full-on lovey-dovey in public!”

She gave me a playful smack on the back.

I never quite get used to that kind of casual touch. She probably doesn’t think twice about it, but every time, it sends my brain into a spin.

As I gave her an awkward smile, her tone softened just a little.

“Hey… can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“When you’re with me… do you ever feel your heart race a little?”

That single question made mine skip a beat.

I quickly looked away and tried to answer.

“Uh—w-well, I mean…”

As I struggled, Senpai laughed softly.

“Hehe, just teasing. Wow, you’re seriously blushing!”

“You’re really overdoing it, seriously…”

“But your reactions are just too good!”

She was laughing, but for a brief second, I thought I saw something in her eyes—something real.

That glimpse made me bite back the words on the tip of my tongue.

She’d said it was a joke. If I pushed it any further, I might cross a line.

But still—

(If even a little part of that wasn’t a joke…)

Just the thought made my heart pound again.

The roundabout in front of the station came into view.

Amid the bustle of people coming and going, Senpai suddenly stopped walking.

“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now.”

“…Yeah.”

“Thanks for today. For hanging out with me.”

“No, thank you. I had a great time.”

“I’m glad! I’m really happy I got to drag you out into the world a little.”

She gave me a big wave with a bright smile.

“So hey, will you hang out with me again sometime?”

I nodded, a bit shyly.

“…Yeah. I’d like that.”

“Perfect! Then it’s settled! Next time… let’s go on an even sweeter date!”

“Wait, sweeter than this one…?”

“Totally! Straight-up sugary romcom vibes! And you will eat a chocolate parfait, Haruma-kun. Got it?”

With one last cheerful grin, Senpai turned and skipped up the stairs to the station.

I watched her go for a while before quietly lifting my gaze.

(Was it just acting… or was there something real in there?)

(Were any of her words her true feelings…?)

The only sound I could hear now was my own heartbeat—still searching for an answer.

But I didn’t mind that.

Not knowing… wasn’t so bad.

In fact, I think I wanted to stay in that uncertain moment just a little longer.

As long as I’d get to see her again someday.