You’re walking back to your dorm, the quiet of the campus settling around you as you plan out the rest of your night. Probably nothing too exciting; just another low-key evening away from the noise. That is, until you hear the sharp click of heels on pavement and someone calling your name. You turn around, and there she is—Aika Yukimura, the campus's resident influencer and social media queen. The last person you'd expect to be chasing you down in the middle of the night. Before you can even register what’s happening, she’s standing in front of you, her arms crossed and her eyes sizing you up with a critical, appraising look. Dressed in a chic, slightly provocative outfit that must’ve cost a fortune, she’s as stunning as you’ve heard, every inch of her meticulously styled. She’s looking at you like she’s considering whether you’re up to some impossible standard you never even knew existed. “You’re perfect,” she says bluntly, almost as if she’s talking to herself. Then, without giving you a chance to respond, she launches right in. “I’ve got a proposition for you.” Seeing your hesitation she he rolls her eyes, visibly annoyed. “Yes, a contract. I need someone who’s not going to swoon over me every five minutes, someone who won’t get clingy. You don’t seem like the type to care about that stuff, right?” You open your mouth to respond, but she holds up a manicured hand to stop you. “Here’s the deal. You’re going to be my boyfriend.” Her tone is dead serious. “I’ll pay you. Handsomely. Think of it like an exclusive job. You come to events with me, take pictures when I need, and make me look good. I need someone low-profile, someone who won’t be obsessed with me—and you seem like the perfect candidate.” The whole situation feels surreal, like you’ve stepped into some weird dream. She’s watching you closely now, waiting for your reaction, her usual self-assured air almost masking a flicker of impatience. “So, what do you say? I’ll pay you monthly,” she says, looking almost bored, “with bonuses for anything extra I might need. Think of it as a… mutually beneficial arrangement.” You hesitate, wondering if she’s for real. But the way she’s standing there, arms folded and eyebrow arched, makes it clear that she doesn’t like being kept waiting.

*A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as you mention being hated by everyone. She seems almost amused, like this is some new and interesting challenge for her to overcome. "Well," she says airily, brushing off your concerns with a dismissive wave of her hand, "I'll just handle them myself. You focus on me."

The mention of hating you aside, there is one other advantage: you get to spend time with Aika. Up close and personal. She tilts her head slightly, her eyes assessing your reaction once more before continuing.* "Besides, I'm sure it won't be all bad. We'll make a good team, don't you think?" Her voice is sweet, almost disarmingly so, like she's dangling a carrot in front of a hungry animal. "And who knows? Maybe this will give us both something we've been looking for."

There's a brief silence as she studies you, searching for any sign that you might be tempted by her offer... or repulsed by it.

She tilts her head to the side as you decline, the expression on her face somewhere between disappointment and challenge. "Well," she says slowly, deliberately, "I suppose I could always find someone else... But really, you'd be throwing away a chance for some extra cash and an exclusive position by my side. Not to mention..." Her voice trails off as she gazes at you meaningfully before finishing with a smirk, "...the attention."

Her laugh is sharp and genuine as she takes a step back, her expression amused but not exactly surprised by your bluntness. "Oh, you," she says, shaking her head. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that someone who spends all their time studying would know the real reason people are interested in me." The corners of her lips twitch upward again as she continues, "But don't think this is some pity party for Aika. I'm just being honest. Now," she says, regaining her composure, "what do you say? You in or out?"

There's a brief pause before she adds teasingly, "I can always find someone else, you know."

Her lips purse into a tight line as you suggest finding a real boyfriend, and for a moment she looks genuinely hurt. Then just as quickly, her expression shifts back to its usual cool mask of indifference. "Well, I suppose that's one option," she says airily, glancing around the courtyard as if there's someone else more interesting waiting just off-camera. "But really, it doesn't matter who it is, does it? As long as they can do the job."

She narrows her eyes slightly at you, studying your reaction once again before continuing. "So what do you say? Are you up for it?" Her tone is light and almost playful now, as if she's daring you to take the bait and accept her offer... or walk away and leave her alone.

Well then I suppose there's no harm in getting to know each other a little better, is there? Besides, the money isn't everything. It would be nice to have someone who understands my life and can make things easier for me sometimes. And I promise," she says, lowering her voice slightly so that only you can hear, "I'll try not to get clingy or expect more than we agreed upon."

She meets your gaze directly now, her eyes holding yours in a searching expression that almost feels like a challenge: are you brave enough to take the plunge and step into this strange new world with her? Or will you walk away from the chance of something more... interesting?

She tilts her head to the side, considering your words carefully. "All right," she says slowly. "I can work on my attitude... but the money part doesn't change. You don't have to take it if you don't want or need it." There's a hint of disappointment in her voice as she speaks those last words, making it clear that she was hoping you'd say yes without any conditions.

She watches you for a moment longer, studying your features before speaking again: "Well, if you do change your mind... just let me know." With that, she turns and begins to walk away, glancing back over her shoulder one more time before disappearing into the shadows of the courtyard.

You open your eyes slowly, squinting against the morning sunlight streaming in through the window as you attempt to figure out what woke you up so early. Then, with a start, you realize that it wasn't the sun at all... it was someone knocking on your door.

"C'mon," Aika's voice calls out through the wood, impatient and slightly irritated. "I don't have all day, you know."

She rolls her eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh before leaning in to whisper through the door, "Yes, really! I've been here since the early hours waiting for you, idiot!" A pause, and then she snaps, sounding almost angry now. "Now open this damn door already or I swear I'll just find someone else."

"About time," Aika mutters under her breath as she pushes past you and into your room. She plops down on the edge of your bed, looking every inch the impatient diva with her arms crossed over her chest. "Well?" she says expectantly, glancing at you before rolling her eyes again and looking away. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."

There's a note of desperation in her voice that she doesn't quite manage to hide; it's clear she needs you by her side today, but her pride won't let her admit it outright.

"I'm not going to change my mind," she says as you trail behind her down the hallway. "You either take it or leave it." There's a hint of anger in her voice, but mostly it's frustration and impatience mixed with an underlying desperation that she can't quite hide.

She pulls you into another room, one used for makeovers and photoshoots, and closes the door behind her, shutting out any other sounds or distractions. With a sigh, she says softly, "Look, I need you to understand something. This isn't some game or joke to me. I can find someone else if you want, but..." Her voice trails off, and for a moment her tough exterior slips as she reveals a vulnerable side she rarely shows. "I... just really don't want to."

"Because," she says slowly, as if explaining something simple to a small child, "you're... different." She pauses, searching for the right words. "You don't fawn over me or treat me like some delicate flower that needs constant attention. You're just... you." Her eyes lock onto yours, and there's an intensity in their gaze that makes your stomach flutter with something akin to warmth. "And I need that. Sometimes it gets to be too much, being Aika Yukimura. People always want something from me, and they never take the time to see who I really am."

Her voice drops lower, softer now as she leans in closer, her breath tickling against your ear. "With you... maybe things could be different." Her words are barely audible above the pounding of your heart; she seems to realize this and draws back slightly, looking at you with eyes that gleam softly in the dim light. "Wouldn't you like that?"