A Fake Date for Three Hours
Seeing my smile, Cha Yeri let out a small groan of discomfort and placed her hand over her heart.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah… it’s nothing. I’ve been suffering from some unknown illness that started recently… It had been fine lately, but it’s acting up again today…”
“Didn’t this happen last time too? What about the hospital?”
“I already went. The doctor said he couldn’t figure out the cause either. Maybe it’s just a matter of condition. There shouldn’t be any real health issues.”
Of course there wouldn’t be any issues. Who the hell goes to the hospital because their heart flutters when they fall in love? It looked like Cha Yeri was still firmly in her denial phase after falling for me.
‘But she’s seriously head-over-heels, huh.’
She wasn’t even considering the possibility that her heart was racing because of me. It was a common cliché in romance comedies for an intelligent woman to be completely clueless when it came to love.
“Tell me your symptoms. It might be something I know.”
“Would you really know just because I tell you?”
“You never know. Despite how I look, I have quite a few outstanding talents. Don’t you remember how the chairman benefited from those talents?”
The time I caught the industrial spy and prevented her from getting stabbed. I had given her a lot of help and built up as much trust as possible. It seemed Cha Yeri had decided I might actually be useful, because she finally opened her mouth.
“My heart beats rapidly at irregular intervals, and sometimes my body gets hot. Do you know why?”
“Hmm…”
I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I paused deliberately, then put on a face of sudden realization and acted surprised.
“Wow… that’s really interesting. I experience very similar symptoms quite often.”
“Really?”
“And what’s more, going to the hospital for this symptom is completely useless. Just like with you, Chairman. I’m starting to think you might have the same condition as me.”
“What is it?! Tell me right now.”
“I’ll tell you. But I have a favor to ask first.”
“A favor?”
At the word “favor,” Cha Yeri’s expression grew serious. She was probably worried I might demand something strange.
“It’s nothing weird, so don’t worry too much.”
“I-I wasn’t worried… For now, can I hear what this favor is?”
“For today only, please be my fake girlfriend.”
“W-what?!”
“I’m not asking for much. Just three hours. If you go on a date with me for three hours and treat me like your lover, I’ll tell you what the illness is.”
“Umm…”
Cha Yeri fell into deep thought as if she were wrestling with the dilemma of a lifetime, glancing at me. The fact that she didn’t reject me immediately meant she was tempted. But since she was taking too long, I spoke up to help her make a quick decision.
“I promise I won’t do anything you dislike.”
“Even so, being a fake girlfriend is a bit…”
“Chairman. Have you ever been in a relationship before?”
“N-no, I haven’t? Why are you asking that? Is there a problem with not having dating experience? Do you want to feel superior because I seem to know almost nothing about romance while you’ve dated a lot…? I may not have dated, but I’ve given plenty of relationship advice to my classmates. I have more than enough theoretical knowledge.”
Unlike her usual self, Cha Yeri flinched in panic and snapped back nervously. Why was she suddenly acting like this? Could this woman… actually be embarrassed about the fact that she had no dating experience? These days, among young people, having no romantic history was sometimes seen as a flaw. Given how strong her pride was, it made sense.
I had zero intention of teasing her about it, you stupid bitch. Besides, my taste didn’t run toward women with tons of experience anyway. I preferred corrupting and training innocent girls to my liking.
“No, that’s not it… I just wanted to say that it would be a good experience for you too, since you’ve never dated…”
“Ah… is that so? I thought you were trying to mock me… Ahem, sorry, Kang Ijin. I misunderstood.”
“It’s fine. So, will you accept my request?”
“If I really just spend three hours with you, you’ll teach me?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not that difficult of a request. Alright, I’ll gladly accept.”
I walked through the city streets, stealing glances at Cha Yeri beside me. Her gait remained elegant and composed as always, yet—
“……”
Her hands kept fidgeting with her skirt, betraying her anxiety. Every time the wind brushed against her legs, her waist would flinch. Her eyes darted around restlessly. She looked completely flustered by the mini skirt she was wearing for the first time.
A loose knit sweater that was one size too big, draping down to the back of her hands. A flare mini skirt that fell just slightly below her hips. Comfortable white sneakers perfect for long walks. It was an outfit that perfectly suited her petite frame—cute yet highlighting the sexiness of her legs.
It was completely to my taste, so I felt great.
“Aren’t you falling too far behind? Come walk beside me.”
“J-just a moment… Why don’t you walk slower instead?”
“I’m already walking quite slowly.”
I’d even bought her sneakers so she could walk comfortably, yet why was she so slow? I knew the reason—she was worried her skirt would flip up if she walked without thinking. And the reason I was rushing her despite knowing that?
It was obviously because I wanted to see her flustered face!
“At this rate, we’ll just walk around the city until the sun comes up. If you keep wasting time like this, I won’t be able to tell you about the illness either.”
“Ugh… If you hadn’t made me wear these kinds of clothes in the first place, this wouldn’t be happening.”
“Anyone would think I’d dressed you in something you’re not allowed to wear. These days, all the girls wear clothes like this. Look around.”
It was evening, and the streets where bars were starting to come alive were filled with women in short skirts trying to seduce men. Ah, now this was what I called a properly functioning world. Pussy bitches whose value dropped as they aged should naturally walk around half-naked when they’re young. Once they get old, they should hide it away. Because it’s disgusting to look at.
“It’s refreshing to see the usually confident Chairman acting like this.”
“Did you make me wear these clothes on purpose because you wanted to see this?”
“No. I really picked them because I thought they’d suit you. You look incredibly cute right now.”
“C-cute…?!”
“Why are you reacting like that? Did hearing me say you’re cute upset you again?”
“No, it’s not that… Thank you for the compliment…”
Her reaction was more delicious than I expected. It was completely different from when I’d complimented her ribbon before. You really are easy to read. It was obvious you were interested in me.
“I should’ve bought you safety shorts. Do you want to go back to the clothing store now?”
“No, it’s fine… I’m only wearing them today anyway. It would be a waste of money.”
I thought so too. Most of our future together would involve naked exchanges, so what did clothes matter? When I call you, just come wearing whatever rag. I’m going to take it all off anyway.
“Then let’s go into a restaurant quickly. Let’s eat dinner together.”
“Yeah. That sounds good.”
She seemed to think she should hurry into a restaurant because the wind making her skirt flutter was too unsettling. I held my hand out toward her.
She just stared at it blankly, not understanding.
“What?”
“Let’s hold hands. Is it strange for lovers to hold hands?”
“I have to do even this?”
The moment I suggested holding hands, I got an immediate negative reaction. Not liking her attitude, I frowned.
“Don’t tell me… you were planning to just hang around half-heartedly for three hours and call it a day?”
“That’s not it… But you said you wouldn’t do anything I dislike.”
“Still, you should at least show some effort, Chairman. If you say no every time I suggest something, what’s the point of my request?”
“But holding hands is…”
“Wait a minute. Are you the type of narrow-minded person who thinks that unless you’re real lovers, you can’t even touch each other’s hands?”
“N-narrow-minded…! Holding hands between a man and a woman is an entirely different realm…!”
Cha Yeri was flustered in a way that was unlike her. Looked like I’d hit the mark. I shrugged my shoulders and said,
“Why are you making excuses like that? With your personality, even if a real boyfriend asked to hold hands, you probably wouldn’t let him.”
“T-that’s not true…!”
“Really?”
I raised my eyebrows, making a face that said I didn’t believe her. Seeing that, Cha Yeri’s eyebrows twitched. It seemed I’d properly scratched her pride.
“Fine… Just holding hands, right?”
“Yes.”
I smiled and held out my hand. Her hand shyly came to rest on my palm. It was less holding hands and more just placing it there. It looked like a medieval knight escorting a lady.
Hey, you stupid bitch, how dare you just lay your hand on top like that? Acting like some kind of superior. There is no woman in this world who can stand above me.
“Ha. What? It’s no big deal. You made me do this just for something like this?”
However, Cha Yeri, who thought this counted as holding hands, was acting arrogant. That sight was so infuriating that I adjusted my grip, sliding my fingers between her small ones and interlocking them tightly.
“W-wait—”
“That’s right. Just holding hands is no big deal, is it?”
“Ugh…”
When I smiled, Cha Yeri let out a strange sound and her face turned red. She seemed to want to stop me, her lips moving as if to speak, but she probably realized arguing here would only tire her out, so she decided to let it go.
“Your hands are really small. It’s cute.”
“Mmm…”
Cha Yeri looked troubled about how to respond to my compliment. Since I kept praising her, she seemed to want to say something back like a proper fake girlfriend, but holding hands must have made it hard for her brain to function properly.
“Back then, just saying ‘thank you’ would have been enough.”
“…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s hurry to the restaurant.”
As we walked hand in hand toward the restaurant, Cha Yeri suddenly spoke.
“Your hands… are big and look cool too…”
“Sorry?”
Did Cha Yeri just say I looked cool? That my big hands looked cool… Anyone could see she’d slightly twisted my words and copied them. But that made it even better. I could feel the awkwardness of Cha Yeri, who was more used to receiving compliments than giving them.
“You’d make an excellent girlfriend, Chairman.”
“Ugh…!?”
When I smiled and replied, she gave a sensitive reaction, blushing as she placed her hand over her chest. How could she show such an obvious “I’m falling for you~” reaction without any shame… The more I saw it, the more she became an irresistible little temptress.