Chapter 3 | There’s No Way My Online Wife Is My Real Wife

“N~n, what’s up, Ayanokoji? Faking sleep first thing in the morning, huh?”

The morning classroom buzzed faintly as I slumped over my desk, too drained to move. Tachibana’s voice, probably accompanied by that goofy grin of his, came from my side. I didn’t have the energy to lift my head, so I just waved my right hand weakly in response.

“What’s that? I’m graciously blessing you with my conversation, and that’s all you’ve got?”

“It appears Ayanokoji-kun is utterly exhausted,” Saito chimed in.

“Looks like it. Stayed up late or something, huh?”

“Based on my calculations, the cause of his sleepless night is Mizuki-san.”

Saito’s declaration hit the mark with unnerving precision. Full points, buddy.

“Oi, Ayanokoji! What’s the deal with Mizuki?! You two dating or what!?”

My shoulders shook under Tachibana’s enthusiastic grip, but I didn’t budge. I lacked the strength to fight back.

“As per my calculations, Mizuki-san was totally into Ayanokoji-kun, right?”

“Man, I’m jealous! Did you have a blast chatting with Mizuki? Or maybe a late-night call? Dating your online wife who’s also your dream idol, and now you’re sleep-deprived, huh?”

Their relentless teasing finally forced me to lift my head, muttering a single line through gritted teeth. “Haha, carefree idiots.”

“!?”

If it were the ‘normal kind of love’ they were jabbering about, I’d probably be grinning ear to ear. But the affection Mizuki-san directed at me was far beyond normal. That ‘wife’ comment of hers was so shocking, I hadn’t slept a wink last night.

“No way I can just be happy about this, right?”

I’d wanted to get closer to my favorite idol. That was my wish. But this? This was way too close, even for me. Give me some breathing room, please.

Piron♪

A notification chimed from my phone. I pulled it out, heart sinking as I saw the sender: Rin, on the gaming chat app.

Swallowing hard, I opened the message.

“Wanna spend lunch together today? I actually made a bento for you, Kazuto-kun.”

An unexpected lunch invitation. My fingers trembled slightly as I typed a reply. “Won’t it cause a scene if someone spots us?”

“Why so formal lol. I found a spot where no one will see us, so let’s hang out there!”

I glanced up from my phone, my gaze landing on Mizuki-san at the front of the class. She was hunched slightly, eyes glued to her phone.

Another message followed, hitting like a second blow. “All you eat is a boiled egg, right, Kazuto-kun? That’s no good! Managing my husband’s health is part of being a wife… So eat my bento, okay!”

She knew my lunch habits down to the detail. Mizuki-san’s concern felt genuine, almost wifely.

“Hey, what’s up, Ayanokoji-kun? Already trading love messages with Mizuki-san?”

“It’s not something as tame as that,” I muttered.

“Huh!?”

I brushed it off vaguely, unable to explain. I hadn’t even processed it myself.

“C’mon, man! Spill it! We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Even if I explained, you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Nah, I’d believe it! A gaming addict and a popular idol becoming lovers… sounds like a fairy tale, but it’s not impossible, y’know!”

“Lovers… yeah, normally you’d think it stops at lovers, right?”

I gazed at the clear blue sky, Tachibana still shaking my shoulder and yelling, “What’s that supposed to mean?!” All I could manage was a faint, escapist smile.

☆

Spending lunch alone with a popular idol on school grounds… could anything make your heart race more? And to top it off, said idol thinks she’s your wife. Anyone would get butterflies—though maybe not the romantic kind.

The spot she’d chosen was the old school building, a creaky wooden structure that couldn’t be demolished for some reason. It stood unused, its classrooms supposedly locked, with no one coming or going.

I stepped inside, the wooden floor groaning under my feet as I climbed the stairs to the second floor. At the far end was the classroom she’d mentioned—the only one unlocked, probably by someone’s oversight. I was impressed she’d found such a place.

With a mix of admiration and nerves, I opened the door. Rows of wooden desks and chairs greeted me, the air thick with the scent of damp wood.

“Over here, Kazuto-kun.”

Mizuki-san sat at the back by the window, her soft smile beckoning me over. My heart pounded, the forbidden nature of this moment—an empty schoolhouse, alone with a popular idol—hitting me hard.

“Um, thanks for the bento,” I said, glancing at the rectangular box wrapped in light blue cloth on the desk. Likely mine. Another smaller bento, also wrapped in light blue, sat nearby—hers, no doubt. The matching cloth felt like a subtle claim.

“No need to thank me. Not with the bond we share, right?”

“Uh, yeah, sure. We’re ‘long-time online gaming buddies,’ after all.”

“Exactly. A ‘long-time married couple.’ Preparing lunch for my husband is only natural… as a wife.”

Her gentle smile was one she probably didn’t show to anyone else. Should I be thrilled? To anyone else, this would be an enviable, tear-jerking scenario, but I was drowning in confusion. It felt like some prank by a viral content creator.

“Uh, I mean, just because you’re a wife doesn’t mean you have to make lunch for your husband, right?”

“I want to make it. Is that not okay?”

“No… it’s not not okay.”

My feeble attempt at resistance crumbled instantly. When she said she was doing what she wanted, I had no comeback. Besides, I was happy—confused, sure, but as a fan, genuinely thrilled that my favorite idol had made lunch for me.

“Let’s eat. Sit down,” she urged gently, gesturing to a chair she’d prepared.

I sat across from her, unwrapped the bento, and lifted the silver lid. “Whoa, looks delicious…”

Tamagoyaki, wieners, potato salad—classic items, neatly arranged. The ordinariness of the bento highlighted her skill. The tamagoyaki gleamed golden, the wieners cut into adorable octopus shapes, the whole thing practically sparkling. As expected of a popular idol, even her cooking shone.

“Well then, let’s dig in… uh, Mizuki-san?”

Her soft eyes were fixed on me, unblinking.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… hard to eat when you’re staring like that.”

“Oh, right… sorry. I’ve been waiting so long for this moment, I couldn’t help it.”

“This moment? You mean lunch?”

“Yes. Spending lunch alone with you, Kazuto-kun. And having you eat my homemade bento.” Her voice softened further. “I’ve been practicing cooking for years just for this moment.”

“Huh?”

“Trust me, my bride training is already complete!”

She declared it with a confident, almost smug expression, every bit the cool idol. I was at a loss for words. Saying nothing felt like the safest bet.

“What’s wrong, Kazuto-kun?”

“No, it’s just… you really… like me that much…”

“I love you.”

Her answer came without a twitch of hesitation, hitting me like a shockwave.

“Uh, I mean, aren’t you embarrassed saying stuff like that?”

“Not at all.”

Her instant reply made me feel like a coward. Confessing ‘love’ seemed insanely embarrassing to me, yet she said it as casually as a greeting. And to a gaming nerd like me, no less.

“Well, I suppose… if we were just starting to date, or not even dating yet, I might’ve been too shy to say it.”

“What does that mean?”

“We’re a married couple, aren’t we? Beyond lovers, walking through life together as a matter of course… we’re family. So there’s no reason to feel shy about expressing love.”

“Ah… yeah, I guess.”

“Exactly.”

Her bold declaration left me with nothing but a wry, awkward smile.

“Sharing a meal with the person you love… it’s such a happy thing, isn’t it?”

“Y-Yeah, I suppose.”

Eating lunch with my favorite idol was pure bliss as a fan. Though, when it went too far… well, you know.

“Hey, Kazuto-kun. Can I ask you for one little favor?”

“S-Sure. What is it?”

“Can I… feed you?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, her shy upward glance adorable. She was clearly embarrassed, her tone trembling as if fearing rejection. Unlike her usual wife-like confidence, she was checking with me, her shyness toward someone she loved mingling with her sense of duty.

“Uh, sure.”

“Really? Here, say ‘ahh’…”

She picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks and held it out. This was intense. An ‘ahh’ from Mizuki-san of all people…! I closed my eyes and took a bite, too overwhelmed to taste it, but it was insanely delicious.

“So, is it good?”

“Y-Yeah… it’s delicious…!”

“Good, I’m glad.”

Her genuine smile, raw and unfiltered, was one I’d never seen on TV. That alone filled me up, satisfying the fan in me.

“Here, another ‘ahh.’”

She fed me again, and again, until I realized we’d moved to the second bento box… wait, second bento box?

“Kazuto-kun, there’s plenty more, so eat as much as you want. Here, ‘ahh.’”

“No, I’m… kinda full…”

My stomach was at its limit. I waved my hand to decline.

Her face twisted as if struck, like a dramatic gaaan sound effect had played.

“Huh, why…? Could it be… we’re in a slump!?”

“A sl—what!?”

“Sure, it’s been years since we became husband and wife. But I still get butterflies every day with Kazu, and now I can’t stop thinking about you, Kazuto-kun.”

“No, I mean, I’m just full—”

“But you… you’re tired of me, aren’t you…?”

“Don’t look so sad!”

Her crestfallen expression sparked a fan’s instinct to act. Summoning what little courage I had, I spoke up. “Um, Mizuki-san?”

“What is it?”

“I, uh… there’s no way I’d ever get tired of you.”

“Really? How can you be so sure?”

“I’m a huge fan of yours… Even now, my heart’s racing…”

I stammered, my face burning. As a shy guy who got nervous just greeting girls, confessing my feelings to my favorite idol was mortifying.

“Thank you, Kazuto-kun. That makes me so happy.”

Her sad expression flipped to a joyful smile, her eyes misty. Was she crying?

“I’m a huge fan of you too, Kazuto-kun. Everything I do, I think of you.” Her sharp, confident look returned. “A married couple is basically mutual die-hard fans… That’s what you’re saying, right!?”

“No, not at all.”

I shook my head, deadpan.

☆

Lunch with Mizuki-san ended, and the rest of the day passed uneventfully. After school, I found myself behind the school building, alone, the distant hum of students heading home fading into the background.

“Wonder what she wants to talk about.”

Mizuki-san had messaged me: “I need to talk. Come to the back of the school~.” If it was just talking, we could’ve done it over the phone. Meeting in person was risky, and she had to know that.

“Kazuto-kun.”

A finger poked my back as she called my name. I turned to see Mizuki-san standing there, the bittersweet exchange making my heart skip.

“Hey, Mizuki-san. Isn’t it risky for us to meet like this?”

“You’re right. But I want to talk face-to-face with you as much as possible. Texting just isn’t enough anymore…”

Her willingness to take the risk warmed me, but I worried about her idol career. I didn’t want a nobody like me to derail her future.

“Hey, Kazuto-kun. Can I come over to your place after school? It’s about time I greeted your parents.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Her sudden statement made me squint.

“I know you’re nervous. But don’t worry. My feelings for you will never waver, no matter who I’m facing.”

“Uh, no, my parents both work late. They won’t be home till midnight. Sorry, but today—”

“That’s perfect. I’ve always wanted to see your room. We can take our time, just the two of us.”

Her smile cornered me. I didn’t mind, but the embarrassment and uncertainty were overwhelming. Being pursued so boldly by a popular idol made me want to bolt.

“I’m looking forward to seeing your place.”

“…Alright.”

Her innocent smile, so unlike her cool idol persona, left me twitching with nerves.

☆

“So this is Kazuto-kun’s room… It’s pretty messy.”

“I tried my best to clean up before you came, but you got here way too fast.”

I sighed as Mizuki-san surveyed my room in shock. After parting behind the school, I’d rushed home to tidy up, but she arrived by taxi within thirty minutes, still in her uniform, clearly skipping a change to save time.

My room, on the second floor of an ordinary two-story house, was littered with light novels, gaming consoles, and entertainment stuff. Cleaning wasn’t my forte—more like a hassle.

“Oh, you put up my poster. That makes me so happy…”

Her eyes sparkled at the sight of her poster on my wall, showing her in her idol outfit, gripping a mic with a rare, passionate expression.

“I’m a fan, so…”

I scratched my cheek, embarrassed.

“You’re always feeling my presence like this. Truly the bond of a married couple, right?”

“Uh, not quite.”

I denied it calmly, but my words didn’t reach her. She just smiled happily. Why!?

“Hmm… guess we start with cleaning.”

“No, you don’t have to do that…”

A popular idol cleaning my room? That was too much.

“No way. I want my husband to live in a clean room. It’s my duty as a wife… I’m definitely cleaning.”

Her resolute tone drew a groan from me. Mizuki-san had always been strong-willed, even as [Rin] in the game—though maybe more selfish than strong-willed back then.

Ignoring my flustered state, she began cleaning efficiently, sorting trash from necessities, asking where things went. My room transformed by the second. Her bride training wasn’t just talk.

“Oh, you like light novels too, Kazuto-kun?”

She picked up a novel from the floor, striking up conversation.

“Yeah. You said ‘too,’ so there’s someone else who likes them?”

“Yep, Nana collects light novels. Other members read them too, and one’s even writing one.”

Seriously? The Star☆Mines girls were bigger bookworms than I’d thought.

“More importantly… why isn’t the heroine an idol? And she doesn’t even look like me.”

“Don’t ask me that!”

Mizuki-san glared at the heroine on the cover, almost jealous. Was she the jealous type? She’d called Kotone-san ‘that woman’ before…

“Well, I’m your wife, Kazuto-kun. No matter how charming she is, our bond won’t waver. Keep smiling while you can.”

Smirking triumphantly, she taunted the twin-tailed heroine on the cover. What was she even competing with? She resumed cleaning, but paused again when she reached under the bed and pulled out a piece of fabric.

“This is… underwear…?”

She held a black triangular cloth—my boxer briefs—in both hands, blinking rapidly.

“W-Wait, why… are my underwear here…!?”

Her face turned scarlet, her mouth flapping. “My underwear was under the bed? I’ve been looking for those.”

“H-Hey, Kazuto-kun! That’s sloppy!”

“…Sorry.”

She scolded me with a near-scream, and I reflexively bowed. “T-To think… I’d touch your underwear like this…!”

Her eyes were teary, but she didn’t look away from the briefs. She wasn’t as immune to this as I’d thought. Not that I’d want her to be…

“Aren’t you a bit too careless with your personal belongings?”

“Am I?”

“You don’t clean, your lunch is a single boiled egg… This is a serious issue. We need to overhaul your lifestyle from scratch. I’ll be coming over regularly from now on.”

“!”

“That ‘!’ was a bad ‘!’. Got a problem?”

“No, it’s just… I kinda like my life as it is.”

“No way. This level of laziness is unacceptable. As your wife, I can’t overlook it.”

A fire lit in her eyes, and she cleaned even more vigorously. “What’re you spacing out for? Help out, Kazuto-kun.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

Ugh… how did it come to this? Inviting a girl to your room should be a sweet, heart-pounding event. “Ugh, more underwear on the floor…!? Kazuto-kun!?”

“I’m sorry!”

☆

“Man, I’m beat… Mizuki-san’s a total neat freak. Like, hardcore.”

I caught my breath after hauling a bulging trash bag downstairs. Mizuki-san had been meticulous, organizing and dusting with Spartan precision, barking orders relentlessly. She was doing it for me, so I couldn’t complain.

“I wonder what Mizuki-san’s room is like.”

It had to be spotless, perfectly organized. I could picture it pristine.

“It’s evening, huh.”

The setting sun streamed through the balcony, painting the living room orange. Normally, I’d be gaming by now.

I headed back to my room and called out. “Trash is downstairs—huh?”

My room was far cleaner than before, and Mizuki-san was fast asleep on my bed, hugging my pillow for some reason…!

“Oh, man.”

What do I do now?

“Suu, suu, suu.”

Her steady breathing and unguarded, cute sleeping face threw me. As a fan, I was thrilled to witness such a rare moment, but I was also at a loss.

“Come to think of it, she said today was a rare day off.”

She’d mentioned it while cleaning. Her idol work kept her swamped, so she was probably exhausted. Must’ve dozed off during a break.

“This is the man-hating cool idol, huh?”

Maybe I was the only guy who’d seen her sleeping face. Proof she trusted me. And it made me think.

Mizuki-san had feelings for me. But for me, it was fan admiration and affection for an online gaming friend. I’d love to get closer, but hoping for something special felt presumptuous. Even calling her by her first name felt like overstepping.

“Nnh… Kazuto-kun… nihehe…”

She mumbled my name, her relaxed face breaking into a nihehe. Really…?

“Ugh, damn, she’s too cute…!”

This gap moe—a cool, composed girl showing an innocent sleeping face—drew me to Mizuki Rinka even more.

Looking at her, my worries felt trivial. If I could feel her presence in my life, maybe that was enough.

“Nnh… Kazuto-kun, if you cheat… I’ll cut it off.”

“Cut what!?”