As time went on, I began to realize that our relationship was a little strange.

We rarely talked outside of the club.

We ignored each other in the hallways of the school or when someone was around.

We only talked when we were alone in the club room.

It was like our shared secret, moments meant just for the two of us.

There was something mysterious and romantic about it.

"Did you read the manga I recommended?" he asked when we were alone in the club room again.

His voice and face were calm, as was mine.

"Yeah..." I replied.

We tried not to show too much emotion on our faces.

Neither of us knew what the other was feeling because we only showed romantic feelings during the scenes we were acting out.

So all we had to do was play this silly guessing game, not knowing if the feelings were real or not.

It was all mixed up. The game and the real feelings.

I could always tell myself that maybe my feelings weren't real. I could tell myself it was just a game. It was easier that way.

Where was the line between our acting and reality anyway? Did we ever cross that line? Or was it all just an illusion?

How did he really feel about me? Looking at him, sometimes it seemed as if he felt nothing.

God, I'm cringing at myself so hard. I sound like the heroine of a cheesy romance novel.

"And who did you like best in the love triangle?" he asked.

The manga he had recommended to me was a romance about a girl and two guys who were in love with her.

"I liked the second male lead better."

"Really?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Why so surprised?"

"No reason... It's just... I liked the main guy better."

"Hmm..." I said thoughtfully. "I thought the other guy was a little more open and honest."

"Honest?"

"Yeah... he confessed his love to her first..." I said, looking at him indifferently.

"You like it when guys confess first?" he asked, also looking at me nonchalantly.

"I like it when guys get the courage to confess despite their fears..."

"Huh... really?"

"Yeah..."

It was a strange conversation.

The whole thing was strange.

When we were acting, I let myself open up to him, show real emotions, and even openly flirt with him because it was easy to put it all down to acting. But outside of acting, I played a girl who was completely indifferent to him.

I guess we both liked playing our roles. At least I wanted to believe that his indifference was just an act.