Chapter 11
—A stream is like a kiss. It never flows backward—
"That's enough, Claris!"
I didn't waste a single second trying to untangle the mess in front of me.
"Get away from her. Now."
"Oh, if it isn't Assarun himself?" Claris clicked her tongue, irritated. "Mind your own business for once, would you?"
"You. Act like the lovely little princess you pretend to be in your perfect world. Would it kill you not to pick on others?"
"You're..." Claris's expression shifted. She seemed to hesitate whether to keep going at me or not.
My position as SST striker and top scorer for Anti Meta 555 meant something. Even if she was from one of the most powerful families in town, she couldn't just dismiss me.
But then again, my position had been shaking lately. That's why she felt bold enough to strike back.
"Don't get too full of yourself. Without football, you're just another nobody. Nothing but a little chick in my palm. I heard you got demoted to the bench. And Kiebler knocked you out cold too. Instead of playing tough guy, maybe use that time to practice and win your spot back?"
Claris wasn't backing down easy.
Damn it. You golden-haired fool. I'm doing this for you too, you know? Do you even realize who you're messing with? This is a level-three sub-boss! Some side character from chapter one like you doesn't stand a chance. If Asuka gets angry and transforms into her demon form, we're all screwed.
But wait. Why is the mysterious girl being bullied by Claris actually Himura Asuka? According to G.O.A.T TRICKS lore, the mysterious girl was supposed to be just some ordinary village kid.
"It's alright, Assarun."
Asuka stepped in.
"Claris and her friends were just helping me with my outfit. We weren't fighting about anything. Please don't give Claris any trouble. This is all my fault for not dressing properly for school."
"..."
What the hell is this? I could see she was being picked on. Her clothes were pulled and torn until I could see her... uh... does Asuka use cloth binding instead of a bra?
Hey, don't focus on that now! If I hadn't shown up to stop them, they might have stripped her naked.
She was treated this badly and she's not even angry?
Not fighting back at all?
And she's asking me not to give Claris trouble?
Is she really a demon?
Maybe Himura Asuka's story goes like this: she's a demon character with a gentle heart who loves humans. Then she hits some turning point. Maybe she meets disgusting humans. Gets betrayed by someone she trusted. Until she becomes the villain who wants to conquer the world.
That theory makes sense. This situation fits the pattern.
If that's true, meeting nasty humans like Claris could be one of those turning points that makes her become a villain.
"What are you staring at! Assarun!!"
Claris snapped. Seems my gaze had lingered on Asuka too long.
But don't get me wrong. I'm not some pervert. A middle schooler's body doesn't stir anything in me.
"It's not that..." I denied it and looked away.
Asuka's gentleness and kindness flooded my mind.
Even knowing she's a demon, if she hasn't done anything evil, I shouldn't fear or hate her.
Right?
On the other hand.
Maybe if I treat her well.
Don't betray her. Don't make her sad. Don't make her lose faith in humanity.
Himura Asuka might never become a villain at all.
I walked up to Asuka. Took off my coat and draped it over her shoulders. Unwound my scarf and wrapped it around her neck. Removed my cowboy hat and placed it on her head.
"That solves the dress code problem, doesn't it?"
I turned to Claris.
"Don't worry. I won't let Asuka bother your precious student council president. So stop picking on Asuka."
Claris and her lackeys went wide-eyed like goose eggs. Faces red as beets. Hands covering their mouths like they were holding back screams.
"Oh my, oh my," lackey number one gasped.
"...Are you serious?!" lackey number two wondered.
"Hmph...let's go!!" Claris stormed off.
Lackey one, lackey two, and Claris muttered something under their breaths, then stomped away together.
I blew out a breath. "Finally. That's over."
"Um... thank you..."
I turned back around.
"You okay?"
The question came out awkward. Thinking about what I'd done to her this morning made me feel like complete shit.
I'd acted wrong.
Maybe she felt the same way. She kept her head down, wouldn't look at me.
"...Assarun... is this... really okay...?"
Her voice carried uncertainty.
Like she was worried. Hesitant. Concerned.
Why ask that? Was she worried about me getting in trouble with a powerful family heir like Claris?
"It's fine. You saved my life. This small favor hardly repays that debt. Don't think too much about it. As long as you need me, I'll keep helping and protecting you."
So please don't become a villain. And definitely don't kick any deadly finishing moves at me.
"Orientation's almost over. You should get to class. Being late might make it harder to make friends."
I started walking away from the bathroom.
But she stopped me. With her words.
"Assarun... you're not afraid of me, are you? Not afraid of a demon like me? Then why do this? Or are you being forced somehow?"
Forced? What does she mean? Like I'm repaying a debt out of obligation?
It's not quite that.
"Yes. I'm afraid of you. Afraid of the demon you are."
I confessed.
"But that comes from thinking. From my brain. My heart feels different. If what I want to do comes from my heart, then it's not being forced at all."
This should help her see humans in a better light. Please, just once more. Don't hate humanity. Don't become a villain. Don't kick any deadly finishing moves at me.
"...If you insist on that... then I'll be in your care from now on."
She stepped forward.
My head was pulled down.
Her lips pressed against mine.
Hey!
This is... a kiss!!
[Demon Love Contract Complete]
[Relationship with Himura Asuka increased to LV2. Acquired special move 'Dark Flame Strike LV2']
Additional note: Easy there, young man. You're getting good fast, but you're jumping levels way too quick.
Uh... what did I just do...?