"Maybe I shouldn't have done it right away?" — I muttered to myself. Although, considering I'm not really good at these things, I suppose it's forgivable.
I moved back home.
"Akusa, you're back?" — Kifuru asked.
"Looks like it. And let's drop the formalities, we're the same age after all."
"Okay."
Kifuru was standing by the stove, cooking something delicious.
"Where's Tasu?"
"In his room."
"Then I'll go to mine..."
"Akusa, wait. Sorry for asking, but are you and Kimi dating?"
"I think so, now."
"I see... And can I ask you one more thing?"
"Another one? Alright, go ahead..."
"Can you tell me something interesting about Tasu?"
"Hm..." — I paused for a moment. — "Well, if you want, I could tell you something."
Kifuru kept asking questions about Tasu, and it seemed like she really liked him... What's with this? And why is the plot always about love at first sight?!
After a while, I headed to my room. I think now's the perfect time to read the book Kimi gave me.
I stopped at the spell "Barrier." I think I should learn it, it'll be useful in the future.
I started practicing step by step, just like the book described.
My head hurt a bit, probably because some memories were coming back.
Weak sparks appeared on my palms, probably due to the sudden surge of mana, which caused reactions in the air.
After a few minutes, I could control and strengthen the barrier properly.
"Akusa, Tasu, come eat!" — Kifuru called.
I left my room and headed to the kitchen. Tasu was already sitting at the table.
"Akusa, why so long?"
"Sorry, I'm not as fast as you..."
"Nah! You just need to stop being so lazy!"
"Maybe..."
The table was full of sauces, steaks, and baked potatoes.
"Looks delicious, let's dig in," — Tasu said.
"Enjoy your meal, everyone."
"Enjoy."
Tasu nodded with his mouth full.
"Where are you in such a hurry? No one's going to steal anything from you."
"Meanwhile, at Kimi's house"
"What was that?.. And how am I supposed to look Akusa in the eye now…" — Kimi thought, lying on her bed, turning from side to side.
"Kimi?.. Is something wrong?" — Tadoki asked, standing by the door.
"No, everything's fine."
"Did Akusa do something?.."
"Well... not really... but yes…" — Kimi said, embarrassed.
"So he did something after all..."
"He confessed his love to me," — Kimi admitted, a little nervous.
"And I confessed too..."
"So that's what happened. Congratulations, you're a couple now," — Tadoki said with a slight tease.
"Oh, come on!"
"By the way, bro, why are you here?" — Kimi asked.
"I came to see Akira about something," — Tadoki replied.
"But I'm leaving now, so see you tomorrow!" — Tadoki said, heading home.
"See you tomorrow..."
"Akusa's house"
"Phew, I'm full, that was really tasty. Thanks!" — Tasu said.
"No problem, and thank you," — Kifuru blushed slightly.
"Yeah, it was delicious, thanks."
"No problem."
"Alright, I'll go to my room."
"Kifuru, do you want to take a walk around the city, while it's not completely dark yet?" — Tasu asked.
"Sure, I don't mind," — Kifuru agreed, a bit shy.
"That's it, Tasu Sukuzu will never return to his old life…" — I said with a smirk.
"What?"
Kifuru smiled slightly. I waved and headed back to my room to continue studying spells.
The next day.
"Akusa, wake up! You'll be late for school."
I slowly got up, dressed, and went to the kitchen.
"Morning!" — I said, yawning a bit.
"Hi."
"Morning."
I sat down at the table to drink some tea and eat a sandwich.
"What time did you get back yesterday?"
"I think it was around ten in the evening."
"I must have gone to sleep early."
"By the way, we found out that in two days, on Friday, there's going to be a city festival celebrating the victory in the war."
"War? What war?"
"The one that happened a thousand years ago."
"Is it going to be like a festival?"
"Exactly. And we were told that first-years will mostly work as patrols around the city — it'll be good practice for them."
"Got it, I guess Kimi will be busy the whole time."
"Aren't we supposed to go to college?" — Kifuru asked.
"Oh, right…"
"Don't worry, I'll teleport us straight to the entrance."
"Have you already learned the spell?"
"Yes, a long time ago. I just copied it from Kimi."
"Huh!? Cheating!"
We teleported to the college. There were a lot of students heading to the building.
We walked to our classroom.
"Akusa, come here, please," the teacher said when we were halfway to the class.
"Go ahead, I'll catch up soon."
"Come here."
It was some sort of separate room with a terrible mess.
"Akusa, I have an offer for you."
"Sorry, I refuse."
"Just like that?! No one's ever refused me so quickly… Maybe you could at least listen?"
"Is this, by any chance, about using me?"
"Well, not exactly."
"And what is it then?"
"How about creating a club?"
"A club?"
"Yes, we have clubs at our school to help students find their activity, and not only that."
"As far as I remember, the rules don't state that you must join a club, so I refuse."
"Why, if it's not a secret?"
"Well… Let's just say I'm lazy."
I turned around and went to my class.
"Heh…" the teacher said, surprised.
I returned to the class and sat down at my seat.
"Akusa, what happened?"
"The teacher wanted me to create a club, but I refused."
"That's so like you."
A few minutes later, Shiari and Kimi entered the class.
"Hello, everyone," Shiari said.
"Hi."
"Hello."
"Hi," Kimi said, blushing slightly.
"Hello."
She's so cute... I was charmed...
"Hey, Akusa?"
"Yes, what?"
"Your girlfriend came, and you didn't even raise an eyebrow! Is that how it's supposed to be?!" Tasu said teasingly.
"Leave me alone."
Kimi sat next to Shiari and Kifuru.
"Kimi, did Akusa confess to you?" Shiari whispered.
"What? How do you know?"
"So, you and Akusa are a couple now?" Tasu asked loudly.
Kimi turned completely red.
This is the last thing I needed right now...
"Now Akusa Takaru will never be the same," Tasu said with a smile.
"Are you quoting me?"