Marriage Practical Arc

*For the school course, see Marriage Practical.*

The **Marriage Practical Arc** is the first story arc in *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers*.

Akari and Jirō have decided to work together to earn a high enough score so that they can switch partners. However, a series of events will test how far they are willing to support each other as a married couple.

## Summary

It's the start to a new school year. Jirō, a third-year high school student goes to school still tired after having stayed up all night playing video games. His childhood friend and first love, Shiori greets him, and they have a little chat. They are interrupted by Akari, their class' popular *gyaru*. Shiori tells him that if Jirō just took the time to know Akari, he'd know that she's actually nice. Jirō begs to differ, saying that popular girls like her treat guys like him like fools. Jirō and Shiori continue their talk and broach the subject of their Marriage Practical, with Shiori saying that it would be nice if they were paired with someone they knew.

Their teacher explains the mechanics of the practical to the class and they are randomly paired up with a classmate. As luck would have it, Jirō is paired with Akari. This puts a hamper to their plans. Akari wanted to be paired with Minami, the most handsome and most popular guy in class, and also her crush, while Jirō wanted to be paired with Shiori, his first love. Jirō and Akari are at odds with each other and their points for the practical are in the negative. They read the rule book on the practical and realize that they have a chance to change partners if they score in the top ten in class. This means that they have to get along to raise their points.

Jirō leaves to buy some drinks and sees that Shiori is paired with Minami. His mood spirals as he doesn't think he has a chance against Minami. He mopes around back in his and Akari's apartment. But after some convincing from Akari, the two of them are determined to do whatever it takes to raise their points and act like a real couple so they can be with the people they love.

Jirō's friend arrives and asks him to hang out. Before leaving, Akari demands that Jirō give her a kiss to raise their points. She had pointed to her cheek, but Jirō misunderstands and kisses her on the lips. The kiss increases their points, offsetting all that they lost earlier.

A week after, Jirō and Akari are asked by their homeroom teacher to drop by after school. Akari ditches Jirō to hang out with Minami. Alone, Jirō is told by their teacher that she's worried that Jirō and Akari haven't increased their points even after a week. They need to pass the practical in order to graduate so they need to try doing better.

Jirō doesn't go home right after meeting with the teacher because it's raining. Shiori, who also stayed at school for a committee meeting, runs into him. She, too, forgot to bring an umbrella and is stuck at school. Minami arrives shortly after with an umbrella to pick up Shiori. Akari is also at school with an umbrella to pick him up. She tries to cheer him up, saying that they need to do better in the practical.

At home, Akari cooks dinner for the two of them. She acts lovingly towards Jirō which flusters him and increases their score. Jirō gets the idea and tries to spoon feed Akari. She initially refuses but relents and eats from Jirō's spoon. Jirō sees her reaction and his heart instantly races. His phone rings and he gets up to answer it in his room. Both Jirō and Akari wonder why they're jittery from the encounter.

A few days pass and Jirō is woken up from his slumber. Akari asks him to watch a horror movie with her because everyone says that it's a good way to earn points for the practical. Akari doubles the effort and has them wear matching pajamas.

While changing into the pajamas, the power suddenly goes out. Akari is genuinely terrified and comes close to Jirō. All the while, their points go up from their interaction. Jirō tries to make her feel better and the two end up holding hands. Akari drifts to sleep and Jirō watches her. He accidentally blurts out that she's cute and gives her a hug. Luckily, she's asleep... or so he thought. As Jirō falls to sleep himself, Akari calls him an idiot for saying what he said.

Some time later, the mid-April rankings for the practical are released, revealing that Jirō and Akari have placed 12th in their class. Meanwhile, Minami and Shiori are at 60th place.

One day, Jirō is at home sick while Akari is out hanging out with her friends. Jirō had hoped that she stayed at home to take care of him, but instead, Akari sends a message to Shiori so she can take care of him instead. Meanwhile, Akari is out with her friends but her head is with Jirō, worried because he's sick.

Back at home, while Shiori is taking care of Jirō, he is reminded of the time when he was about to confess to Shiori back in middle school, but he wasn't able to because she was going to transfer schools and wanted to stay as friends. He brings up Shiori and Minami's practical ranking and offers to help any way he can. A while later, Jirō falls asleep and Shiori almost kisses him. She also remembers the last time they spoke back in middle school. Although now, she's determined to give it her all this time so Jirō could listen to what she has to say this time.

Later that night, Jirō thanks Akari for sending Shiori to take care of him while he was sick. In return, Jirō promises Akari that he'll do his best so that she, too, can be with Minami. He also thanks her for letting him experience such a blissful dream earlier. As he wishes her goodnight, Akari can't help but feel irritated by Jirō's declaration.

A few days later, Akari is practicing her cooking on Jirō. She makes him bentos to get his input as to the taste because she's planning on making a bento for Minami. Jirō tells her that he prefers his tamagoyaki to be sweeter, but Akari tells him that she doesn't care about his preference and just wants to know if it tastes good.

That weekend, Akari dresses up nicely to deliver the bento she's prepared for Minami. Jirō thinks it sucks that she's going through all this trouble dressing up for Minami and cooking for him, while she doesn't care about how she looks when she's with Jirō. Before she goes out, she asks Jirō to see her off and holds out her arms. He thinks she wants a kiss just like last time, but before he could do anything, the doorbell rings. It's Shiori delivering extra pastries she baked for Minami. She tells them that Minami has a sweet tooth so the pastries could be a bit sweeter.

Akari gets sad hearing about Minami's preference (after she refused to make the tamagoyagi sweeter as per Jirō's suggestion) and decides not to deliver the bento she prepared for him. Jirō cheers her up, saying that she's actually every guy's dream. Jirō implies that she's the type of girl every guy wants to do "that" with, so Akari asks him if he thinks of her that way, too. He lies and says no, but she sees right through him. She crawls on top of him and asks if he's thought about having sex with her, too.

Akari continues to seduce him, guiding his hand into taking off her top. He isn't able to go through with it and stops her from going further. He tells her that she has Minami and Akari says that he's hesitating because he has Shiori. With that she tells him that they should just stop acting like a couple altogether.

At school, the rankings for the practical is released. Minami and Shiori are at 8th place, while Jirō and Akari are dead last at 75th place. Jirō goes over what happened that night and wonders if he did the right thing. He first thought that she was just teasing him, but the look in her eyes showed that she was confused and nervous, much like him.

Wanting to help Jirō after seeing him in last place, Shiori approaches him and asks if everything is all right between him and Akari. She tells him that he should talk it out with Akari and to not worry because she will probably understand him.

Jirō goes home and decides to apologize to Akari. He tells her that they should start over. He doesn't want things to be awkward with her because he wants to talk and eat with her like they used to. He proposes that they become a couple once again, if only for the practical. Akari accepts and casually tells him that she kind of likes him. Although, once Akari is alone, she's nervous after saying how she actually feels.

At school, Akari finds out that Minami doesn't intend to change partners even though, as Sachi explains, it's more beneficial to do so. After class, Akari is at the gym equipment room to put away the equipment they used during gym class. Minami enters the room, startling her. A box almost falls on her, but Minami uses his body to shield her. She musters up the courage to ask if he plans on staying with Shiori for the duration of the practical course. He tells her that if Shiori is fine with it, then he will. Akari becomes overwhelmed with emotion and starts to tear up. As an excuse, she tells him that a speck of dust must have gotten in her eye. Minami comes closer for inspection and their heads come closer. Outside, Sadaharu witnesses the whole thing and assumes that the two were kissing.

Elsewhere, Jirō and Shiori are talking about this and that when Jirō suddenly asks if she plans on staying with Minami forever for the practical. She tells him that the decision isn't wholly on her and it depends on Minami as well. She starts to say something about him getting an A rank, but she doesn't finish and blurts out that they're about to be late for their next class. This gives Jirō some courage, and he starts saying that he will definitely get an A rank and if Shiori is also an A rank by then, however he is also unable to finish his train of thought. He is interrupted by Sadaharu who is in a hurry to tell him about what he just witnessed in the gym's equipment room.

Before Sadaharu can tell Jirō, Akari and Minami arrive to the scene. Sadaharu looks for a way to diffuse the possible drama that he thinks is about to unfold following the love square before him.

After that, Akari doesn't show up for their next class. Sadaharu tells him that something just happened between her and Minami. He recounts what he saw earlier―that Akari and Minami kissed. Jirō acts like it doesn't bother him, saying that they're not really married in real life anyway.

At home, Jirō apologizes to Akari for not being Minami. He brings up the kiss that Akari and Minami supposedly shared and tells her that he's happy for her. However, he is met with hysterical laughter from Akari who explains that Minami was just picking a speck of dust from her eye and that nothing happened.

Akari admits that Minami has never even looked her way and starts crying. Jirō, not knowing what else to do, gives her a hug to comfort her. After Akari has calmed down, she tells Jirō that she's not the type of girl he thinks she is. She confesses that he is actually his first and only kiss. This confession renders Jirō speechless despite Akari's efforts to call his attention. In his mind, Jirō admits that what Akari said just made him so happy.

One day, Jirō comes to school early and finds Akari there to help him with class duty in Mei's stead. This was all part of Mei's plan to help Shiori ascertain Jirō's feelings for her so she can finally confess her feelings for him.

After school, Akari looks for Jirō since he isn't responding to her texts. She finds Jirō with Shiori inside the classroom doing class duty, so she doesn't interrupt them. Inside, Shiori makes an attempt to kiss Jirō so she can find out how he feels about her, as part of Mei's plan. However, she is unable to go through with it.

Back at home, Jirō is disappointed that nothing eventful happened during the time he spent with Shiori earlier. Akari comes to him at their apartment's balcony to hand him a cup of hot milk. They look at the stars and Akari says that if she was with Minami, the stars would be even prettier. He apologizes for being lame, unlike Minami. Out of nowhere, Akari tells him to call her by her first name. She shares that sometimes she loses all faith in herself, and if someone calls her by her name, she might be able to calm down.

Jirō starts to say her name. Akari pulls him closer and asks him to say it again. She starts to nag him, saying that she's been calling him by "Jirō", but he's only been calling her by her last name. She says that it's cruel because he makes it seem like she's the only one in love in their relationship.

She realizes what she just said and takes it back, saying that she meant "in love" in the marriage practical. She then rushes to her room and says good night, too embarrassed to face Jirō. Meanwhile, Jirō convinces himself that it means nothing because she must only care about Minami.

The next day during class, their teacher announces that apart from their practical scores, the pairs need to pass some surprise tests. Failure to pass will result in having extra mandatory lessons for the pair.

After school, Jirō asks Akari to study together for the surprise tests. Akari wants to ditch because some boys from another school invited her to karaoke. However, Jirō stands firm on his request, saying that he's a guy, too, and she should go home with him to study instead.

At home, Jirō helps her in studying. She tries to weasel her way out of it by seducing him, but he refuses to give in. After finishing some problem sets, they finally rest. Akari is annoyed that Jirō is better than her in studying and is determined to make his heart skip a beat to one up him. She starts straddling him and gives him a tight hug. Unable to stop himself anymore, Jirō flips her to her back and stares at her. His heart starts beating loudly as he starts to caress her face. However, before he can go any further, he gets a nosebleed.

Jirō asks her what has gotten to her lately. Akari tells him that she just wanted him to relax from studying. Jirō explains that he wanted to pull his own weight in their practical. Akari is always the one to earn them points, so he thought that he should take the initiative about studying. This makes Akari think about their initial plan to earn top ranks so they can change partners and how if that happens, she may never get to do the mundane stuff with him ever again.

One day, Jirō wakes up when to get ready to go to school. Everything is just like any ordinary day, except he notices Akari calling him by his last name, which hasn't happened in a long time. He wonders if he's done anything wrong, but Akari seems the same apart from not calling him "Jirō."

At school, he's still bothered by Akari's sudden change and tries to figure out what he did. Meanwhile, he and Sadaharu witness Mei letting down a girl confessing her love for her, and the sight leaves an impression on them.

Back at home, Jirō is about to take a bath when Akari barges into the bathroom to show Jirō their monthly rankings. They've placed 8th in class which means they can change partners. After Jirō's bath, Akari starts to dry his hair. Jirō is still bothered by how she isn't calling him Jirō anymore. He thinks that he isn't worthy of calling her by her name. He starts to practice saying "Akari" while the hair dryer is on. He says it over and over again until Akari hears. She starts calling him "Jirō" again, so Jirō says her name repeatedly. Akari tells him that as a married couple, she'd like it if he only calls her "Akari." She then asks him to hold her hand, increasing their points further.

Meanwhile, Mei finds out that Jirō and Akari were at 8th place, so she calls Shiori telling her that she might help her get the one she loves.

Mei convinces Shiori that she and Jirō need to kiss so that Jirō can realize his feelings for her. Mei expresses her concern about how Jirō and Akari were getting along well and that Jirō might get taken away from Shiori.

As part of their plan, Mei calls Jirō and informs him that Shiori is in the infirmary recovering from lack of sleep and anemia. She hands him a drink to give to Shiori and pushes him to give her a visit despite his initial reluctance. She wonders what Shiori sees in him since he's such a slacker.

Inside the infirmary, Shiori freshens up, ready to get their plan in action. Jirō sees her and gives her the drink. They talk about how he and Akari placed 8th. He shares that they barely made it since they were always fighting. Shiori tells him that she's jealous because them fighting just means that they're very close and that she wishes she and Jirō had arguments as well.

Shiori brings up the time when Jirō was sick and he offered to do anything to help Shiori in any way. She tells him that she has a request. She wants to practice kissing with him. This sudden request confuses Jirō. He starts to think that Shiori might actually like him, but he thinks he's an idiot for thinking it. He asks if it's really okay for him to kiss her before he goes through with it. However, at the last second, Shiori changes her mind and stops him. Just then, someone enters the infirmary, surprising both of them and they end up kissing accidentally. After the student leaves, Jirō also rushes outside, embarrassed for accidentally kissing Shiori.

Sachi, the student who entered the infirmary, had assumed that they were two students having sex. She returns to her friends and shares that she didn't sleep at the infirmary as planned because there were students there doing the deed. At the same time, Akari is texting Jirō, but he isn't responding. After a while, he replies, apologizing for ignoring her because he was just at the infirmary visiting Shiori. With this information, Akari assumes that Jirō and Shiori were the students Sachi caught having sex.

After school, Akari and her friends are having karaoke together and it's come to an end. However, Akari still wants to stay out late. She's looking for reasons not to go home. However, her friends have other plans, so she decides to go out on her own. She goes to a coffee shop and orders a coffee. Keiichiro, the manager, sees the sad look in her face and decides to upgrade her drink to cheer her up. This just so happens to be the same cafe Minami works in and Minami also sees her looking forlorn.

After much dilly dallying, Akari finally comes home. She finds Jirō asleep in the living room, waiting for her. She finds the house in disarray and nags him in his sleep. She then lies down next to Jirō and wonders if he's no longer a virgin. She says that she's cheering for his love to succeed but to wait until he's no longer hers.

The following morning, Jirō wakes up with Akari half-naked in his arms. He's confused as to how this happened, but Akari tells him that he was the one who took all of her clothes off. She then implies that they both had sex and asks him if that was the first time he has ever had sex. He apologizes for forgetting something so important and admits that last night was indeed his first time.

Hearing his confession, Akari says that she was just kidding about them having sex. Jirō accepts it, knowing that Akari would have never had sex with him. Akari gets annoyed that he isn't too disappointed that nothing happened. Jirō says that he *is* disappointed especially after knowing that he's still a virgin.

Akari gets annoyed, covers his ears and says that the reason they wouldn't have had sex is because he would never do it with her because of Shiori and that she needs him to admit that so that she can feel better about cheering them on.

At school, Shiori starts acting awkward towards Jirō and actively avoids him, which hurts his heart.

Meanwhile, Akari's friends notice that she might like Jirō and ask her if she still has feelings for Minami. Whatever the case may ve, they assure her that whoever she chooses, they'll be by her side. After Akari leaves first, Sachi and Natsumi see a flyer for a fireworks festival. They then devise a plan to help Akari figure out who she really likes between Minami and Jirō.

Some time later, Akari is getting ready for the fireworks festival. Jirō helps her with her yukata. He wants to tie a ribbon for her obi, but she prefers another more mature style. At the festival, Akari acknowledges the help her friends have given her to prepare this date with Minami, so she is determined to fall deeper in love with Minami so she can properly help Jirō win over Shiori.

When Minami's friends arrive, they tell her that Minami couldn't make it because he had to work. Akari says that it couldn't be helped so it's okay. After a moment, every one else leaves to buy some food, while Akari stays behind. Her attention is caught by a commotion caused by people gushing over a handsome guy with her girlfriend. As she looks over to investigate, she sees Minami walking with Shiori and her heart stops. When Sachi and Natsumi return, Akari tells them that she isn't feeling well and that she wants to go home.

Later, it is revealed that Minami and Shiori were not on a date, but were passing through the festival together to get to their respective destinations―Minami to work and Shiori to the grocery store.

Meanwhile, Akari calls Jirō, crying, so he rushes out to find her. She's outside their apartment and hunched down, sobbing. He comforts her, gives her a hug and welcomes her back home. They go to the balcony to watch the fireworks. She asks Jirō if she looks good in her yukata. He tells her that he'd have preferred it if she went with the ribbon. She takes his hands and places them on her waist as she asks him to tie her obi in the ribbon he liked.

Jirō looks at Akari's phone for the instructions on how to tie the ribbon. The phone slips from Akari's hand and Jirō catches it. He ends up giving Akari a back hug. She asks him to say her name and he does so over and over again. Suddenly, fireworks light up the sky and they pause to admire it. Akari thanks Jirō for not asking what had happened, and he says that it's only natural as they're a married couple. However, he thinks that even though they're supposed to be married, there is no next year for them, and this was most likely the first and last time they'll share a moment like this in each other's arms.

The next month's rankings are out and Jirō and Akari place 13th. Akari accepts that they'll have to spend another month together and calls him "My Dear," which catches Jirō off guard. Even while bathing, he continues to ponder about what it meant for her to call him that while also getting disappointed that they only placed 13th. He remembers the night during the festival. He wonders why she's still chasing after him despite crying so much that night.

Akari barges into the bathroom and asks for his help to get rid of a spider. She's so scared of it that she even has him guard the door while she's peeing. She gets embarrassed by how scared she is but thinks that it's okay since it's Jirō who probably wouldn't refuse if she asked for his help. It makes her think that perhaps it's better to be with Jirō for the practical because things like this were things she could never ask Minami to do.

While in the living room, Akari notices that she and Jirō were starting to become more alike, after she sees him eating vanilla ice cream when he once preferred chocolate. She asks him what would have happened if they met before the practical. Jirō admits that he would not have talked to her. She says that she still would have liked to have met him before the practical, although they wouldn't have been close because they were so different. Jirō points out that that was the case with all married couples. Akari then suggests that they should try dating for real. Jirō could only stare at her before she says that she's kidding.

However, just then, while Jirō knows she wasn't serious having said it so casually, he can't help but wonder what he would have said if she was actually serious.

Elsewhere, Shiori asks for advice from Minami about "her friend" who kissed her crush even though they weren't going out. "Her friend" can no longer look the guy in the eye, but she really likes him. However, she's afraid of confessing her feelings because she isn't sure if he feels the same way. Minami tells Shiori that "her friend" should just bite the bullet and confess if there's even a slight chance of the guy liking her. He doesn't want her to go through what he did and live in regret by missing the chance to tell someone how they feel. He also adds that "her friend" should tell the guy that she didn't dislike the kiss.

That night, Jirō and Sadaharu are having dinner when Shiori walks by while he and Sadaharu were in a questionable position because Sadaharu was trying to kiss him. Jirō goes after her and tries to explain and apologize for the misunderstanding. Shiori thinks that he's apologizing for what happened in the infirmary. She tells him that she should be the one to apologize. However, when Jirō mentions Sadaharu in his apology, they both realize that they're talking about different things. In any case, this makes Jirō happy that Shiori is no longer awkward towards him.

He sees Shiori bringing a bag of groceries, so he offers to help carry it with her to her apartment. While they're walking, Jirō can't help but think that this might be his life if he and Shiori were to become partners for the practical. Taking Minami's advise, Shiori tells Jirō that she didn't dislike the kiss. After a short awkward silence, Jirō changes the subject, and they head home together.

## Story Impact

* The pairings for the Marriage Practical are determined:
	+ Jirō Yakuin is paired with Akari Watanabe.
	+ Shiori Sakurazaka is paired with Minami Tenjin.
	+ Mei Hamano is paired with Shū Terafune.
* The rules of the Marriage Practical are explained.
* Jirō and Akari become each other's first kiss.
* Jirō accidentally kisses Shiori, inadvertently making him Shiori's first kiss.
* Akari accidentally tells Jirō that she likes him, although Jirō doesn't believe that Akari could ever like him and takes everything as her teasing him.
* Jirō is finally able to call Akari by her first name.
* Mei's feelings for Shiori are subtly hinted at, when:
	+ Mei wanted Shiori to pick out her outfit for when they go to the movies because it's Shiori who will be looking at her.
	+ Shū helped Mei get some alone time with Shiori, saying that it's his way of repaying Mei for all those favors she did for him.

## Characters Introduced

Akari Watanabe
Jirō Yakuin
Sadaharu Kamo
Shiori Sakurazaka
Minami Tenjin
Marin Hashimoto
Natsumi Ōhashi
Sachi Takamiya
Ryōmentioned
Mei Hamano
Manami
Satsuki Kaneyama
Keiichiro Kamo
Shū Terafune
Takeshita
Jun Wajiro
Minato Tenjinflashback
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 1 and Episode 1.
2. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 2 and Episode 1.
3. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 3 and Episode 2.
4. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 4 and Episode 2.
5. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 5 and Episode 3.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 6 and Episode 3.
7. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 7 and Episode 4.
8. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 8 and Episode 4.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 9 and Episode 5.
10. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 10 and Episode 5.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 11 and Episode 6.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 12 and Episode 6.
13. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 13 and Episode 6.
14. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 14 and Episodes 5–7.
15. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 15 and Episode 7.
16. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 16 and Episode 7.
17. ↑ *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 17 and Episode 8.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* Manga and Anime — Vol. 3 Chapter 18 and Episode 8.