Episode 19

By evening, we were climbing the clock tower’s stairs.

We’d been shown most of the town, but we hadn’t visited its pride and joy, the clock tower, yet.

The clock tower, visible from afar and a landmark for travelers, had a spiral staircase inside that we could climb.

The view from here was supposed to be beautiful, and since Alicia especially liked sunsets, we decided to come at this time.

Alicia and I finally set foot on the last visible step and reached the top.

A cool breeze brushed my cheeks, quickly cooling the warmth from climbing the stairs. Given the height, the wind felt somewhat colder than on the ground, and it might be a little chilly.

“Alicia, aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine. Faik, what about you?”

“I’m fine at this level too. Even so…”

I stared at the town and the setting sun. The sunset sinking toward the horizon was as beautiful as Alicia had said, enough to wash away the murkiness in my heart.

The beautiful sunset seemed to wash away all my fatigue, and I was left speechless, lost in the view.

“How is it? It’s one of my favorites…”

“It’s incredibly beautiful.”

There were probably more eloquent things to say, but that was all I could manage.

But Alicia seemed satisfied even with those words and gave me her usual smile.

“I’m glad. Did you like it?”

“Yeah, it’s perfect. The sunset is beautiful, but the night view and sunrise must be nice too, right?”

“Yeah, want to stay here until the sun goes down? The night view is beautiful too.”

“That sounds good.”

But if we stay too long, won’t we get cold?

As I looked around the rooftop for a place to shelter from the wind, it happened.

“……”

We saw something. A couple so lovey-dovey it made you want to cover your eyes.

They were holding each other and kissing passionately.

I immediately turned my face away, trying to pretend I hadn’t noticed, but my right hand, which was clasped tightly with hers, tensed.

Looking over, Alicia’s eyes darted back and forth and her mouth opened and closed as she stared at the couple.

This is bad. It’s not good for Alicia’s education!

“Ah, Alicia… shall we rest by the stairs for a bit?”

“……”

I said that, but Alicia seemed to have gone completely blank.

I was a bit forceful, but I hauled Alicia along and walked toward the stairs.

The spot where you emerge on the rooftop is a landing with benches. No one was there now, so it seemed fine to relax.

We sat side by side on a bench, and Alicia’s face was so red it looked like smoke might puff out.

She was probably still thinking about that couple.

I was at a loss for what to say when Alicia glanced over at me.

“…I, um, it’s just that…”

“What is it?”

“…If, if we had to do that kind of thing too… um, Faik, would you… dislike it?”

“Huh?”

Ah, does “that kind of thing” possibly mean――

I found myself looking at Alicia’s lips as she watched me expectantly. Their soft, healthy color set a fire in my core.

I bit my lip hard.

B-but Alicia and I are in a fake relationship. We don’t have to go that far――

“Th-that is… um――”

Of course, personally… I couldn’t say I didn’t want to. I was very curious. But if I voiced it, it might ruin what I currently had with Alicia.

As Alicia peered at me, waiting for me to continue, I hesitated over whether to say it.

“Th-that’s why it’s different!”

A man and two women walked toward the landing.

They were the two who had been making out earlier.

…Wh-what? Somehow there’s an extra woman. Come to think of it, there had been a few other people on the rooftop earlier.

Maybe she’s one of them.

“What’s different about it, you cheater!”

The man clinging to the crying woman was slapped hard across the cheek and fell over.

The two women stormed down the stairs in a huff.

“W-wait! Listen to me! It’s not cheating! It was just a mistake…!”

“What kind of mistake is that!”

“You’re the worst, idiot!”

The two women said that and descended the stairs.

Alicia and I watched and forced a small laugh.

“So I guess his cheating got found out?”

“Seems like it.”

After saying that, Alicia glanced over at me.

That smile was a little frightening.

“Cheating is not allowed, okay?”

“O-of course…”

The earlier atmosphere had dissipated.

What was Alicia’s earlier line about? Was she serious? Or was she joking?

I had no idea anymore.