Chapter 1

This is the first chapter of the first volume and the first chapter overall of the *More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers* manga series written by Yūki Kanamaru.

## Summary

Akari and Jirō seem to be living like a blissful married couple, doting on each other, but in reality, it was actually hell on earth.

Just a few days ago, Jirō and his friend were on their way to school. Jirō was a bit sleep deprived since he was playing games all night long. Shiori, his childhood friend and first love, saw him and noticed right away. Jirō greeted her by her surname, but she insisted that he call her by her first name like he used to because the former made him sound distant.

The two were interrupted by Akari telling them that they were blocking the door. As she was walking away, Shiori told Jirō how cute and fashionable she thought Akari was and that she was actually nice once you got to talk to her. However, he told her that Akari wasn't his type, also thinking that people like her treated people like him like fools.

Akari looked at him with distaste but immediately changed her mood when she saw Minami. Jirō thought about how handsome he was, seeing how Akari changed her expression from disdain towards him to being shy and cute towards Minami.

Shiori and Jirō discussed their upcoming Marriage Practical. She told him that it would be nice for Minami and Akari to be paired together. Meanwhile, Jirō was worried about being paired with someone he didn't know since he was shy. Shiori said that she was worried about the same thing and that it would be nice to be with someone she knew.

Their teacher started to discuss the rules and mechanics for their Marriage Practical. A boy and girl will be in a pseudo-marriage and will be living in an apartment together. Since the practical was still a school course, their performance would determine whether or not they get to graduate.

There was a 1 in a 75 chance to be paired with Shiori, but with his luck, Jirō was actually paired with Akari. The two are in their apartment, at odds with each other. They start bickering and their points start to get in the negative. They realize that their every move is monitored by the cameras placed everywhere except in the toilet and their individual rooms. Akari starts to insult Jirō and blames him for their point deductions.

Jirō tries to calm her down and starts reading the Marriage Practical rulebook. Akari also tries to read the rulebook and gets close to Jirō, which causes him to get flustered.

Akari declares that they are going to get an A rank so that she can be paired with Minami. According to the rules, at the end of each month, the top 10 students (A rank) in rankings will be allowed to change their pairs. However, Jirō realizes that earning an A rank means that Jirō and Akari would be acting like a real couple to earn points. Akari reads his mind and mocks him for feeling embarrassed by the thought of being intimate. She calls him a virgin and pokes fun at his inexperience with women.

Akari starts to cry at the thought of Minami being a pseudo-couple with someone other than herself. Surprised by Akari's sudden vulnerable expression, Jirō decides to leave to buy something to drink.

While Jirō is buying drinks from the vending machine, he runs into Minami and Shiori. He comments at how rare a sight it was for them to be together. Minami informs him that it will no longer be rare as he and Shiori were paired for the practical. Shiori remarks that it feels a bit strange. They were just classmates the previous day, but now she was his bride. Minami and Shiori share a laugh, while Jirō is speechless at what he sees. He thinks about how unfair life is that the love that he has for Shiori will never blossom.

Jirō suddenly runs away towards his apartment. He starts moping on the couch when Akari snaps him out of it. He expresses his hopelessness because he thinks he is no match for Minami. Akari laughs at his distress, so he begs her to go easy on him. Akari starts to comfort him and strokes his head. He jumps in surprise and questions how she is okay when she was feeling down just a while ago. Akari tells him that she felt better after seeing his reaction. She then suggests that they actually do their best to act like a real couple so they can earn an A rank and be with the people with the ones they liked.

Akari starts to act sweet towards Jirō when the doorbell rings. It is Jirō's friend asking him to hang out. Jirō hops off the couch and gets ready to leave. However, Akari stops him and points to her cheek. The gesture confuses Jirō and asks if she's pointing at a mole. Annoyed, Akari exclaims that she's asking for a goodbye kiss. Jirō is taken aback by the request. Outside, his friend is growing impatient and asks him to hurry up. Akari taunts him and calls him a virgin for being unable to kiss her. The pressure from both his friend who is telling him make haste and from Akari who is provoking him, pushes Jirō to kiss Akari on the lips.

Jirō finally leaves with his friend. He is upset at how Akari just played him and treated him like an idiot. Meanwhile, Akari is left on the floor flustered as she didn't think that he would kiss her on the lips. With that kiss, they earn enough points to recover the ones they had lost.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

Akari Watanabedebut
Jirō Yakuindebut
Unnamed Classmatedebut
Shiori Sakurazakadebut
Minami Tenjindebut
## Chapter Notes

* The manga's characters are introduced:
	+ Jirō Yakuin, an unsociable introvert.
	+ Jirō's unnamed friend, who often plays video games with him.
	+ Shiori Sakurazaka, Jirō's childhood friend and first love.
	+ Akari Watanabe, a fashionable and outgoing *gyaru*.
	+ Minami Tenjin, a popular school idol.
* The rules of the Marriage Practical are explained.
* Jirō and Akari are paired for the couples training. The two are disappointed with their pairings and they both reveal that they want to be paired with other people; Jirō with Shiori and Akari with Minami.
* Minami and Shiori are revealed to be paired together for the couples training.
* Akari and Jirō agree to work together to get an A-rank so they can change partners in the future.
* Akari tells Jirō to give her a goodbye kiss to earn points. Under pressure, Jirō impulsively kisses her on the lips, which flusters Akari as it was not her intention for him to kiss her that way.