The gym was full of energy as the event kicked into high gear. Music blared from the speakers, and students danced in clusters, caught up in the excitement of the night. My focus shifted back to Erika, who was surrounded by her friends, laughing and chatting as if she owned the room.


    "Ryota-kun! Come over here!" she called, waving me over with a bright smile.


    I joined her, trying to shake off the earlier conversation with Natsumi. As I approached, I noticed that the group had gathered for a game. "We’re playing Truth or Dare! You’re in, right?"


    “Sure,” I replied, though I was uncertain about how this would go.


    One by one, the dares escalated from silly to outrageous, and everyone seemed to revel in the thrill of it all. When it was Erika’s turn, she grinned at me. “Dare!”


    Hana, always the instigator, smirked. “I dare you to kiss Ryota-kun!”


    The room fell silent for a moment before erupting in cheers and laughter. My cheeks burned as I turned to Erika, who was looking at me with amusement.


    “Alright, a kiss it is!” she said confidently, leaning in playfully.


    Before I could react, Erika pressed her lips against mine, and a playful cheer went through the crowd. It was quick and lighthearted, but I could feel everyone’s eyes on us. The dare had succeeded, and as much as I tried to brush it off, I couldn’t deny the electric shock of the moment.


    When the buzz of laughter died down, I noticed Natsumi watching from a distance, her expression unreadable. My heart sank a little, but I pushed the feeling aside. "Great, now they all think we’re a real couple," I muttered.


    The game continued, but all I could think about was how to navigate my unexpected standing with both Erika and Natsumi. Just as the night started to settle back into its rhythm, the lights flickered, and a voice rang out over the microphone.Stolen story; please report.


    “Attention, everyone! It’s time for the couple dance!”


    I had completely forgotten about the planned dance segment. As partners were called up, I felt my heart race at the prospect of being paired with Erika out on the dance floor. “Here we go,” I thought.


    Erika grabbed my hand, and we made our way to the center of the gym. The music shifted to a slow, melodic tune, and as we began to sway, I could feel her warm presence beside me. I had been dreading this moment, but now, it was oddly enjoyable. The crowd around us faded as we moved together.


    As I glanced over at Natsumi, I noticed she had stepped back, watching the dance with a slight frown. I wanted to reach out to her, to clear the air, but the rhythm of the moment pulled me back to Erika. For now, I had to keep up appearances.


    After a few more songs, the dance floor began to fill with more couples, and the atmosphere shifted again as everyone loosened up. Erika pulled me into a spin, and I found myself laughing amidst the chaos. Just then, Akira returned, putting an arm around Natsumi.


    "Hey, want to join me for some dancing?" he asked, and I watched as Natsumi hesitated before nodding.


    But I wasn’t going to lose my chance. “Natsumi!” I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the music. “Want to join me for a dance?”


    To my surprise, she smiled and walked over, leaving Akira standing in bafflement. “Sure, why not?” she said, her tone light.


    I thought I saw a look of annoyance on Akira''s face as he stepped back reluctantly. “I’ll catch you later, Natsumi,” he said, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of victory.


    As Natsumi and I started to dance, I felt a different kind of energy. While Erika may have been the star of the night, dancing with Natsumi felt more genuine, more relaxed. We laughed and talked, and while I didn’t dwell on emotions, it was evident that we had an easy chemistry.


    "Seems like you two are getting cozy," Erika remarked as she twirled by us, a playful grin on her face.


    “Just practicing,” I shot back, maintaining a lighthearted tone.


    As the night continued, I found myself drifting between Erika’s excitement and Natsumi’s calm presence. I realized that while I might have agreed to pretend to be with Erika, I was enjoying the time with both girls in their unique ways.


    Finally, the clock approached ten o''clock, and the event began to wind down. Amidst the laughter and chatter, I spotted Natsumi glancing at me, a question in her eyes. I knew it was time to acknowledge the expectations I had set in this tangled web of pretend relationships.


    “Hey, let’s catch up after this,” I suggested to her as the last song played. I needed to clarify my intentions and navigate the reality of my situation, whatever that may bring.


    After all, the night was far from over. The promised twists and turns of the evening lay ahead, and I was determined to see how things would unfold.