Chapter 122: The Practice That Served No Purpose.

Noah had been sitting next to Luna for several minutes without knowing how to begin, and they had chosen a secluded spot at the high school after classes.

It wasn’t the park where Luna had confessed to him, and they also didn’t want to do it in a café, since the conversation they were about to have with Yume needed privacy.

Especially because neither of them knew how she was going to react.

Luna was sitting next to Noah on a bench while he looked at his phone, since Yume had agreed to meet with them and would arrive in approximately twenty minutes.

"We don’t have much time."

Said Noah, and Luna nodded.

"I know."

"Did you think about what you’re going to say?"

"Yes."

"What?"

Luna looked at him.

"That we’re dating."

Noah remained silent.

"Just that?"

"It’s the important part."

"Luna, if you start like that, she’ll probably kill us."

"Yume wouldn’t kill you."

"Thanks for specifying only my case."

Luna thought about it.

"I don’t think she could kill me either."

"Those words don’t reassure me."

Noah put away his phone.

He had tried to imagine that conversation for several days, but every possible version ended badly.

Yume angry, Yume crying, Yume insulting them, Yume distancing herself, or some combination of all.

Noah knew he couldn’t blame her if she reacted in any of those ways because, after all, Luna and he had started a relationship behind her back.

"We have to explain it well."

Said Noah.

"I already tried talking to her."

"And she rejected you."

"Yes."

"That’s precisely what worries me."

Luna crossed her arms.

"You could convince her better."

Noah looked at her.

"Why me?"

"Because you’re her boyfriend."

Noah held her gaze, and Luna took a second.

"And she’s one of your girlfriends."

"We still haven’t told her that."

"True."

Noah sighed and then had an idea.

"All right."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"We’re going to practice."

"Practice what?"

"The conversation."

"How?"

Noah turned a little to face her.

"You’re going to be Yume."

Luna froze.

"No, thanks."

"Why?"

"I’m not Yume."

"Precisely because of that, it’s a practice."

"I don’t know how to act like her."

"Try."

Luna observed Noah for a few seconds and finally accepted.

"Fine."

Noah took a deep breath.

"Let’s begin."

Luna changed her posture slightly, and Noah watched her.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

Noah imagined that Yume was in front of him.

"Yume, we need to tell you something important."

Luna responded immediately.

"All right."

Noah continued.

"Luna and I have been dating in secret."

Luna nodded.

"I understand."

Noah blinked.

"You’re not upset?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because Luna is a reliable person."

Noah kept staring, so Luna continued.

"Besides, sharing a relationship with her is perfectly reasonable."

Noah opened his mouth a little.

"What?"

Luna went on.

"I completely agree with you being with Luna."

Noah raised a hand.

"Wait."

"What?"

"That was horrible."

Luna frowned.

"What part?"

"Everything."

"I responded correctly."

"You responded the way you wanted Yume to respond."

Luna fell silent, and Noah continued.

"You have to think like her."

"I did."

"I highly doubt it."

"I’m telling you I did."

"Luna, you just made Yume accept in twenty seconds."

"It could happen."

"You and I know it won’t be like that."

"Maybe she’s in a better mood today."

Noah looked at her.

"Don’t suddenly be optimistic."

Luna sighed.

"Then tell me how I should do it."

"Think about her situation."

Noah pointed at her.

"Imagine that you’re the only girlfriend of someone."

Luna nodded slowly.

"Then you discover that that person started dating another girl in secret."

Luna’s expression changed slightly, and Noah continued.

"And that that girl is you."

"That complicates the simulation."

"Concentrate."

"Fine."

"Second attempt."

Luna settled herself, and this time she seemed more serious.

Noah breathed.

"Yume, Luna and I have something to tell you."

Luna looked at him hard.

"No."

Noah blinked.

"I haven’t said anything yet."

"I don’t care."

"Luna."

"I’m Yume."

"I know!"

"Then continue."

Noah sighed.

"Luna and I started a relationship."

"No."

"No what?"

"I don’t accept it."

"Let me explain."

"No."

"Just listen..."

"No."

"Luna."

"No."

Noah frowned.

"We have to be able to talk."

"I don’t want to."

"This doesn’t seem like Yume either."

Luna remained serious, and Noah continued with the practice.

"We didn’t want to hurt you."

"I don’t care."

"It was a complicated decision."

"No."

"I also have feelings for Luna."

"No."

"Can you say something different?"

"No."

Noah looked at her, and Luna held her expression.

"No."

Noah brought a hand to his face.

"I get it."

Luna relaxed her shoulders.

"Better?"

"A little."

"Then it worked."

"No."

Luna frowned.

"What was wrong?"

"You went to the opposite extreme."

Noah pointed at her.

"First you accepted everything immediately, and now you denied even before I finished the sentences."

"Yume could do that."

"Yes, but eventually she would listen."

Luna thought about it.

"Probably."

"We need something in between."

"That’s difficult."

"I know."

Noah checked the time, and he only had ten minutes left.

"One more time."

Luna nodded.

"Third attempt."

Noah took a deep breath.

"Yume."

Luna looked at him.

"I have to tell you something."

"I’m listening."

"That’s better already."

"You broke character."

"Sorry."

Noah started again.

"Luna and I..."

Luna raised a hand.

"Before continuing, I want to know how long you’ve been deceiving me."

Noah opened his eyes.

"That does sound possible."

Luna kept the serious expression, and Noah continued.

"For a while."

"How long?"

"Several weeks."

"I hate you."

"I don’t think she’d say exactly..."

Luna leaned toward him.

"And did you kiss her?"

Noah fell silent.

"Yes."

"More than once?"

"Y-Yes."

"Did you go out together?"

"..."

"Were you alone at her house?"

Noah started to feel uncomfortable.

"This is getting too specific."

Luna brought her face closer.

"Do you love me?"

Noah blinked.

"Luna."

"I’m acting."

"That doesn’t seem like acting."

She got closer, and Noah leaned back slightly.

"Luna."

"If Yume asks that, you’ll have to answer."

"Probably."

"Then answer."

Noah looked at her, and Luna remained in front of him.

"You matter to me."

"That doesn’t answer everything."

"I know."

"Then..."

Luna kissed him, and Noah opened his eyes, since he wasn’t expecting that.

The kiss lasted several seconds, and when Luna pulled away, Noah continued looking at her.

"Was that part of the practice?"

"No."

"I thought so."

"I wanted to do it."

Noah sighed.

"We’re trying to prepare to talk with Yume."

"I know."

"And you just..."

"What are you doing?"

The voice came from behind.

Noah and Luna froze completely.

Both turned slowly and saw Yume, who was a few meters away with a completely serious expression.