Chapter 80

Nikami POV

After buying a bag, I was sitting down on a bench as I heard the bustling noises around me. I felt slightly irritated by the noises, but I tried to pay it no mind.

"So… What was it and that mask?" Raijin finally popped the question.

"I… Met her."

"You what?! Did she hurt you?! Why didn't you tell me?!" As a sane reaction, Raijin was worried.

"Don't worry about it… She didn't do anything to me, but rather… She actually helped me calm down." I stared at my clothes blankly, them laying down on my lap.

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My vision was blurring as I stumbled on the top of the clock tower, dropping on the ground as it gave a small thud. The pain wasn't felt, rather it was numb. Perhaps that was because of how cold my body temperature was? I didn't care either way.

I made my face straight towards the ground, staring as I closed my eyes. Feeling myself empty once again.

No, stop it? Why are you like this? You… You just bawled your eyes out and then you just… Feel empty right after? Why are you like this? Why? Why? Whywhywhywhywhy-

I just want to be happy.

"Oh, gee, when I felt that mana was building up, I didn't know it was you! Ahaha! What happened, my dearest silent reading ice princess?" I heard a certain annoyingly high-pitched voice, playfully humming as she appeared out of nowhere again.

"..." No response. I didn't have the energy nor the will to fight back or run away right now. Or, perhaps, it was because I didn't feel any emotions.

I didn't feel any sort of fear, or courage.

"Hmm…" She gave a disappointed huff, I heard her footsteps coming towards me. She crouched down, poking my back as she sighed.

"Come ooonnnn, I could literally cut off your head right noooowwwwww… I'm like, suuuuuuper evil you know, I'd toooooootally do that." She pouted.

"I don't care." I responded with a slight scoff. It would probably be better if she did kill me right here, maybe then I'd reincarnate in a better place.

"Hmph! No way! That's unfair, I can't let you die after what you did for me!" She placed her hand on my head, which made me flinch. Before I knew it, a sharp pain came from my head. Like a metal rod pushed through my skull and hitting my brain.

I instinctively stood up and jumped away from her, lifting up my arms and making ice spikes. I shot them towards her, which she dodged with ease. I ruffled my eyebrows, stomping on the floor as frost grew on the ground and went straight towards her, becoming a large ice spike as soon as it went near her.

"Ahaha! Now this is what we call fun!" She gleamed, jumping up and placing her body on top of the ice spike, balancing.

"You little mask bastard, what are YOU doing here?! Can't you see I'm busy? Get out!" I yelled out with all of my might as wet tears flew down my face. I didn't need anything like her right now, I fucking didn't!

Huh... ?

Wait… Why am I-

"Yelling…? I'm… Crying?"

"Did… You…?" I stared at her, staring in horror and in disbelief. Did she… Remove my emptiness? No, wait, it isn't that… She… She added emotions?

"Ahahaha! I know your whole thing is no emotions or someshit, but you looked so PATHETIC even I wanted to help you!"

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"Huh? Wait… What are you talking about? She helped you? That's some bullshit! She literally hurt you and Yasachu! Even putting that… Stupid curse on you! Sure, the curse was mostly harmless, but still! Agh…" Raijin grumbled, clenching her fists and glaring at the ground below her.

I've talked with her.

I know who she is, I know what her problem was.

And I agree with why she hurt me, I would have done the same thing if I was in her shoes.

Her ways are… Unethical. Yet, agreeable.

But, I won't tell Raijin.

She wouldn't understand.

"Let's forget about that now, and have fun. That's why we're here, correct?" I started to fold my clothes, giving a sigh as I tried to dismiss her.

"But still! This is something we need to talk about!" Raijin exclaimed, sitting down next to me.

"Not listening." I closed my eyes, looking down at my clothes as I straightened them with my hands.

"This is seriously your problem… You just keep silent there and not tell shit about what you're thinking… Ack! Fine then! Imma have fun!" She stood up, huffing.

As I finished neatly folding my clothes and putting it into my bag, I looked up and as I looked around, I noticed that Raijin wasn't near me.

I saw her talking happily with a man, chuckling as she grinned. Seeing that, I frowned. But it quickly faded as I stood up and approached her.

Did she really leave me for someone like… A commoner man? Tch, is she still irritated?

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll win! Just put my name there as Blaze!" She chuckled loudly, talking to the man that was writing things down on a piece of paper.

"Okay then! I've already told you the location, so meet us there! It's starting in 15 minutes!" The man smiled over at Raijin.

"What's in 15 minutes?" I asked with my usual spine shaking voice, which made the two shiver.

"Ah… Uh um… A battle…?" Raijin nervously spoke, sweat dripping as she slowly turned back to see me glaring at her. She gulped.

"Battle for what?"

"Ju-just a tournament…?"

"So you're gonna leave your date?"

"N-no! Wait! Aren't you gonna watch me kick ass?! And besides, you can join too!" Raijin quickly understood what she did wrong, making impulsive decisions without even asking me.

"No, I'd rather not sit in a place where sweating and yelling is a normal occurrence. Including joining in the battles, I wouldn't have much choice than to use my elemental magic, for I am weak. Which I know is banned in usual town tournaments." I gave my excuses, folding my hands in disappointment. I wanted to spend time with her.

"And besides… Walking around in my lonesome WAS my plan." I turned on my heel, tapping my foot and glaring down at the ground.

"So, go ahead. Go to your tournament. I… I do wish to spend time with you, but you seem too reliant on me. Please, spend some time on yourself." I spoke, not knowing what the expression on her face was.

"I… Ugh… I just… Ack, fine! You're right… I've… Been a bit clingy lately. I'm sorry, I guess. Ahaha, maybe I got too full of myself when we kissed, huh?" Raijin mumbled, scratching the back of her head and sighed.

"I'll go to the venue… I'll meet you at 3:30pm near the school gates. I hope you won't get lost." Raijin chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder and gave a bright smile.

"I got over that weakness of mine, do you really think I would still be that stupid?"

•

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And… I got lost. Great.

Looking around as I furrowed my eyebrows, I tapped my feet on the ground as I tried to look at any indication on where I went from.

When I am alone with my thoughts and nothing to fixate on, I think so much the moment I actually stop to look around to where I am… I won't recognize it.

Why do I still have this problem even in this life…? Come on Gods, if you want to change me, at least fix this problem.

"U-uhm… Excuse me… Are you okay?" I heard a meek voice behind me, Masuculine, yet soft.

I turned back to see a small boy, playing with his messy white hair. He had his long hair in a single big braid and was hung over his shoulders, going down to his hips. His poofy hair had a flower in his ear, it looked freshly picked out. Despite that, his fluffy hair covered most of his face, including his eyes and chin.

"Do I look troubled to you?" I asked him, and as soon as my voice came out of my mouth, the ahoge in the middle of his head stood up and turned into a heart.

"N-no! I mean… Yes, you do look troubled… You keep glancing around like you're lost and uhm…" He kept playing with hair, looking down and not looking me in the eyes at all.

"So?" I raised an eyebrow, being wary of him. Not everyone has white hair, and it's extremely likely that he was sick, especially if they look young like this. He cleared his throat, adjusting the brown coat over his black sweater.

"I-I want to help you Shiro-... M-miss…! You don't seem to be around here…" The small boy finally looked up at me, making some of his bangs be swept away and seeing his bright yellow eyes.

Ah.

He was cute.

"And why should I accept that offer?" I asked him, folding my hands.

"Because uhm… I-I just didn't want a noble like you to get lost!" He exclaimed.

"Excuse me, how did you know I was a noble?" I narrowed down my eyes at him, observing his actions carefully. I was already suspicious of him…

"The way you talk! And uhm… Your posture too… No commoner would have their back straight and chin high up like that… Not to mention your shoulders aren't relaxed at all!" He frantically explained, seeing how I was starting to be on guard.

"Hmm… How observant." He was right, commoners don't care about appearances. So something like this would stand out if you pay attention.

"Very well then, I am a noble. I wish to have a relaxing day… Being in school, My friends told me that I work too much. So here I am, in a land where people are filled with unfiltered emotions. The city." I told him why I was here, I don't know why I felt I could trust this white haired boy.

"My name is Nikami Shiromoru, if you wish to help me, guide me around and show me… The things you deem joyful that commoners usually do. Don't disappoint me." I told him, trying to intimidate him. If he doesn't like my attitude, then I'll be fine on my own.

"I knew it! Uhm… My name is Yasa-" The boy paused, "Yasuo…"

"Yeah! My name is Yasuo…! Uhm… I'll try my best to keep up with your expectations, Shiromoru-sama…" The small boy gave a giggle, continuing to look up at me with his eyes. Despite being almost completely covered by his bangs, I could still feel the energy from it.

"Very well then, lead the way." I instructed him.

With a bright smile and a small nod, the boy turned away with a hop and a small blush, starting to now skip along the road.

Shukona POV

"Pft! Ahaha! She actually did it! Ya think she's gonna be fine?" Yuutsu wheezed, staring over at Nikami and Yasachu/Yasuo from a distance.

"Why would she be in any danger? She's just guiding Nika around. I can't approach her as I am, she would think of me as inelegant to follow her around like this… Ack… Why did you even carry us here, make me stalk Nika, even tell me to crossdress and help her!" I yelled over at Yuutsu, wearing my normal uniform. But due to the infamous Afosíosi Magic Academy uniform, a lot of people were staring.

"It was either her or you! I'm already cross dressing! You could have stopped me at any time, but cha didn't~" Yuutsu smirked, her tail wagging as she shot a smug expression towards me.

I gritted my teeth, inhaling deeply as I wanted to argue back at her, but I only could get out a huff. It's not like I didn't have a counter for that, I just didn't want to waste time arguing with… A fake noble.

I pouted, turning my head back at the two and staring. Ugh… How did we even get to this low point…? I'm so sorry Nika…