It’s not a lie.

It seems pre-orders for this work have started on various sites.

Thanks to that, my ego-surfing is going great, and my need for validation is through the roof!

But when I search my pen name, I keep getting images of a certain anime character floating by the water’s edge.

Why did I choose this pen name? My frustration with myself as an author just won’t subside.

It was the appearance of an unexpected person.

My roommate and caretaker, Hayashi Megumi. For some reason, she was now glaring with hostility at me and the girl named Takeshita standing next to me.

Huh. Did I do something to rub her the wrong way?

I can’t think of anything.

If it’s not me… could it be the girl next to me?

No, wait, Hayashi and Takeshita are meeting for the first time, right?

There’s no reason for there to be any trouble.

In that case… could it be that?

Hayashi’s just in a bad mood today, isn’t she? (bitter laugh)

Geez, what a handful.

“Sorry about the bento, Hayashi.”

“…”

“As an apology and thanks, I’ll treat you to something later. What do you want?”

“…”

“Look, I know forgetting my bento was bad, but cheer up. I feel bad for making you come all the way out here, okay?”

“That’s not it.”

“Huh?”

“I said that’s not it!”

Hayashi’s sudden shout.

I was taken aback, and Takeshita next to me was clearly startled.

“Who’s that girl?”

Her voice was cold.

Takeshita… she seemed overwhelmed by the pressure of Hayashi’s outgoing vibe, retreating into her shell.

“…Takeshita. She’s in my department, same year as me.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean, ‘huh’?”

I got intimidated just for stating the truth.

That’s weird.

Is it a crime to tell the truth these days?

If so, what a tough world to live in. I could almost cry.

“She’s not just a classmate, is she?”

“No, she’s just a classmate.”

If anything, I didn’t even know her face until today.

“Liar.”

“Based on what?”

“There’s no way you, who has no friends, would be chatting with just a classmate this early in the morning.”

“…Hmm.”

I put a hand to my chin.

“Fair point.”

“Wait, you’re agreeing with her!?”

The one shocked this time was Takeshita.

But it can’t be helped.

Look, I don’t have friends, and I don’t think I need them… so would I really spend my precious morning time talking to someone else? The answer’s no.

Hayashi sure knows me well.

“Why are you lying?”

“I’m not lying. I just didn’t realize it myself.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hayashi glared at me a little.

“…Well, it’s you, so I can accept that.”

“Wait, you’re actually okay with that?”

Takeshita was shocked again.

From the looks of it, she’s completely lost in this conversation.

“So, who’s this girl, anyway?”

But Hayashi didn’t pay her any mind and threw another question at me.

“…In that sense, you mean?”

A memory of a conversation at home flashed through my mind.

“A potential friend.”

Hayashi blinked in surprise for a moment.

Then, it seemed to click for her.

“A girl, huh…?”

But the moment it clicked, for some reason, she looked like she was about to cry.

Regret was written all over her face.

“…You, seriously… you, you!”

“I don’t quite get it, but can you stop hitting me?”

As Hayashi lightly smacked me, I spoke up.

“Class is about to start. Can we talk later?”

“…Fine. Fine, I get it.”

Hayashi’s voice was laced with anger.

“Yeah.”

Hayashi thrust the bento box at me.

“Thanks. Sorry about that.”

“…You don’t have a shift at work today, right?”

“Nope.”

“Then come straight home after class.”

“Ugh…”

“Come home.”

“…Got it.”

“And bring her with you.”

“Huh, why?”

“Just because!”

“…”

When she says it like that, refusing is pretty much impossible.

I sighed, my face sour.

“See ya.”

Hayashi quickly left the lecture room.

“…Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Sorry for dragging you into this mess.”

“…”

“Takeshita?”

“It’s true!!!”

Takeshita was furious.

“Who was that!? Who was that girl!? She’s scary! Like, super scary!!! I’m totally going to get murdered by her later!!!”

“…Well, it’s a long story.”

“At least tell me I won’t get murdered, even if it’s a lie!”

I looked away from the half-crying Takeshita.

…It’s not my fault, okay?

I’ve never seen Hayashi that angry before either.

Honestly, I can’t even imagine what Hayashi, in her current state, might do to Takeshita.

“You liar, Yamamoto-kun!”

“Huh, what?”

“You said you didn’t have a girlfriend!”

“I don’t.”

“Then who was that!?”

“My roommate.”

“Not your girlfriend?”

“Not my girlfriend.”

“You’re living in a share house or something?”

“Not a share house.”

“What’s the room layout?”

“A one-room apartment.”

“You’re saying a guy and a girl who aren’t dating are living together in a one-room apartment!?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you saying that like it’s normal!?”

Watching Takeshita get so worked up, I couldn’t help but think she’s got some intense mood swings.

It’s not a lie from the protagonist’s perspective, but from the author’s view, it’s fiction. A fairy tale.

This kind of thing only happens in novels. If it didn’t, there’d be a girl sitting next to me right now.

Haha!

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