Chapter 12: The end.

As soon as I came back to Maika’s house, I was exhausted. I arrived home later than I’d expected, so I quickly got my review assignments done and logged in to the game. However, as I played, I noticed something wasn’t right with Kenji (Risa) today. Our conversations often lead to dead ends, and she’d miss the enemy easily. I kept asking her if something was up, but she’d always answer that she was fine.

I thought it’d be better if we met up in person, so I suggested tomorrow after school and she readily agreed. In hindsight, it was thoughtless of me to go to another girl’s house, even though we were nothing more than childhood friends. It’s better if she hears about it from my own mouth.

Thus, school passed me by tomorrow and I quickly went to the meeting place. She was pale despite her insisting it was fine. I clutched her hand and led her to a nearby coffee shop we could sit and relax at. After all, she’s been acting strange since yesterday.

“Risa, are you feeling sick?” I asked, but there was no verbal answer. She just shook her head in denial, but it was clear she wasn’t feeling her usual self.

Could it be… I’ll ask her about it. It doesn’t matter if I bring this up now or later, as I was going to talk about it already. “Did you hear something from Kenichi? Or did you maybe hear our talk by the door yesterday?” As soon as I asked, her shoulders jerked… I knew it, I must’ve made her feel anxious.

After confirming my suspicions, I started telling her exactly what happened yesterday in a clear, soft way so she could understand it.

“And so,” I continued. “I told Maika I don’t have any lingering romantic feelings for her.”

Risa lent me her undivided attention, as she always does. Her affection is clear; she never hides it from me. I need to be as straightforward as she is.

“And I know you told me before we could start as friends, but I don’t want that. I’ll say it again, but will you go out with me as a proper girlfriend?” Her eyes widened in surprise, followed by growing tears.

“O, of courshe… I, I’d love zat…”

I’m so, so happy…

“Thank you, Risa. I’d love that too.”

On the day of that tournament, we decided to participate, I picked her up from her house so we could go to the venue together. I called to let her know I was waiting in front of her house and waited.

We’d managed to make it through the online qualifiers, and I have to say, the level was quite high. One wrong step and we would’ve lost. Since then, I have practiced and practiced in preparation for today.

“Kyo! Good morning!”

“Morning, Risa. How are you feeling?”

“I’m at the top of my game today!”

“You are? I’m quite nervous over here.”

“…Honestly, yeah. Me too.”

“Then,” I wrapped my hand in hers. “Let’s go,” and we set off to the venue.

Since today’s event is offline, this will be the first time that Kenji and the Beast will be playing in public.

For some time now, her viewers have been steadily growing, even doubling by now. That boom happened after she turned off her voice changer. In addition to that, since the brackets have been announced, the event has become basically a festival among the viewers; they poured into the venue to watch the games.

“Since it’s the first time we’ll play in public, I was worried your viewers would flock to you,” in an attempt to relieve the pre-game stress, I brought something up.

“But from the comments, it seems they were captivated by your low-pitched voice as well,” her reply only served to worsen my nerves.

“Are these glasses and hat a disguise? Your hair is different too,” I asked her something that’s been on my mind for a while now.

“Yeah, but am I being too self-conscious?”

“Nope. With the fervor of their comments, I’m sure it’s not excessive in the slightest,” though I’m not sure they’ll come to watch an offline game in a random place.

“But you’ve also changed your impression just by changing your hair, Kyo.”

“You’re right, I mean, you and Kenichi taught me how to do it yesterday…” Their instructions were so clear, I managed to do it. As soon as my parents saw me, they pulled back in shock.

“What’s wrong? You’ve got this faraway look in your eyes.”

“No, it’s nothing. Yeah.”

I switched the topic. “We practiced a lot but still struggled at the qualifiers. I wonder how we’ll do in the real thing,” and honestly, I was feeling a bit weak at the knees.

“We’ve come this far,” she looked straight at me. “Let’s go big or go home.”

“Yeah, I guess so. The boys in the class told me they’d be here to watch, so I’ll have to fight through the embarrassment.”

“Mhm. I’ll do my best as well.”

“But for someone who says they’re nervous, you look like you’re in an awfully good mood, Risa.”

“True. Until a while ago, I would’ve never imagined I would participate in an offline competition together with you. I mean, we hold hands and walk shoulder-to-shoulder, and I couldn’t be happier,” she said with a smile, cheeks kissed pink.

“Me too. Whenever I’m with you, I feel my heart float into a warm cloud. I’m so, so happy,” I’ve started to try as much as possible to express my thoughts in words, no matter where I am. “I hope we can continue to enjoy the same hobbies and learn to walk together as we get older.”

She hears this, looks straight into my eyes, and asks, “Even when I’m old and wrinkly?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll be together forever?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, that’s right. We will be together forever,” she crossed her arms with the happiest smile on her face.

“I can’t wait,” I said, feeling her warmth through her fingers as we envisioned our future together.