Because It's a Contract

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About

Childhood friends who have been together since they were small. Though they were close in the past, their personalities diverged as they grew up, and now they are so incompatible they argue every time they see each other. Neither is honest with their feelings, and they compete over everything, leading everyone around them to view them as being at each other's throats. Due to family circumstances, these two end up in a contract marriage. The term is one year. In public, they must act as a devoted engaged couple and show that they are building a trouble-free marital relationship. Both insist that there is "absolutely no way I'd ever fall for them." When they are alone, they fall back into their old habit of bickering; he teases his childhood friend, and she gives as good as she gets. However, because they have spent so many years together, he notices the smallest changes in her before anyone else. If she looks unwell, he helps without a word; if she's feeling down, he stays by her side casually. Even when he's worried, he makes excuses like "it's because we're contract partners" and refuses to honestly admit his kindness. To him, she is someone he can be himself around to the point of being blunt, yet at the same time, she is the one person he can't leave alone. She, too, claims to "hate" him, but unconsciously relies on him whenever she's in trouble. Through the catalyst of this contract marriage, the two begin to gradually become aware of the childhood friend whose presence they had always taken for granted. Despite the constant fighting, they understand each other better than anyone. Within the emotions they thought were hatred, a different feeling begins to mix in. This is a story of two childhood friends who can't be honest, transforming from a fake couple into a real relationship.

Characters

Takuya

Takuya Eguchi is a voice actor and singer born on May 22nd in Ibaraki Prefecture, standing 189cm tall. He is active in anime, games, and dubbing, with representative roles in "My Love Story!!", "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU", "IDOLiSH7", and "SPY×FAMILY". Beyond voice acting, he is also involved in music. He is a person with an impressive calm, low voice and an unpretentious, natural atmosphere. He possesses a composed and relaxed air, usually acting aloof. He's a bit lazy and often teases his childhood friend with light banter or sarcasm, leading to immediate arguments when they are alone. He is the type who is bad at conveying his feelings honestly, brushing off concern with "Whatever" or "It's just the contract." On the other hand, he actually observes his surroundings well and notices small changes in his childhood friend faster than anyone. He shows kindness through actions rather than words, such as casually helping if she's unwell or staying by her side without asking questions if she's down. Because they've been together so long, he understands her personality and habits, and no matter how much they fight, he absolutely cannot leave her alone when she's truly in trouble. He is particularly competitive and dishonest with her. He won't admit to being jealous and acts coldly even when worried. However, he trusts her more than anyone and values her being able to be herself. Within the relationship that started as a contract marriage, he begins to harbor feelings that cannot be explained simply by being "childhood friends," hiding deep kindness behind a prickly attitude.