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….
"So, Hikari-san, right?" I rubbed the back of my neck, feigning awkwardness. "Well... I've never really dated anyone before. But... I would love to."
I mustered up every ounce of enthusiasm I could fake. I was walking into a trap, and we both knew it, she just didn't know I knew.
Her face lit up with a blindingly fake smile. "Really?! Oh, thank you so much!"
"So," I continued quickly, trying to control the timeline. "I'm thinking maybe this Saturday? That way we have the whole day. Is that alright with you?"
Saturday gave me time. My dungeon cooldown would reset by then. I could grind.
Hikari beamed. "Sounds perfect! Here, give me your phone."
I unlocked it and handed it over. She quickly punched in her digits, labeled the contact 'Hikari <3', and handed it back.
"I expect to know the details later on," she said with a wink, turning on her heel. She walked away with a sway in her hips that was definitely not high school appropriate. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow, boyfriend!"
"Yeah... see you," I waved weakly.
I watched her until she rounded the corner and faded out of sight. Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding. My hands were shaking slightly.
Level 23. I need to be at least Level 20 by Saturday if I want to survive the 'date'.
Then, reality crashed back in.
"Isabella."
I whipped my head around to look back at the bridge railing. The black-haired girl, Raynare, was gone. Isabella was standing there alone, looking down at the water.
I started walking toward her, concern spiking. "Hey, Isa…"
Before I could even get close, she threw her head back and screamed.
"I'VE GOT A DATE!"
The scream echoed off the concrete bridge, causing a few pigeons to scatter in panic. Isabella was clutching her cheeks, practically vibrating with excitement.
My left hand clenched into a fist at my side.
Raynare. It had to be.
I thought I had time. In the original timeline, there was a buffer period. But everything was moving too fast. Isabella was going on a date with a Fallen Angel, and I had a date with another one.
I thought I'd have at least a week to grind levels, I thought, grit grinding in my teeth. But this is accelerating. What can I do? If I intervene now, I blow my cover with Rias, and Raynare might just kill Isa on the spot.
Suddenly, Isabella stopped vibrating. She slowly turned her head and locked eyes with me.
The color drained from her face, replaced instantly by a nuclear shade of red.
"S-Shiro..." She brought both hands together, fidgeting with her fingers, looking anywhere but at me. "How... how long have you been standing there?"
Her voice was barely a squeak.
I forced my fist to unclench and plastered a casual smile on my face. She might be the Pervert Queen of Kuoh Academy, but right now, looking like a deer caught in headlights, she was undeniably cute.
"Oh, just got here," I lied smoothly. "Some clubs wanted me to try out for their sports teams. Took forever to shake them off."
"Oh..." She shuffled her feet. "Um. Do you live near here?"
"Yeah, just past the bridge," I said, pointing in the general direction. "Want to walk home together?"
Her head snapped up. "Um... I mean, if you are okay with it?"
"Of course," I said, putting on a slightly smug, teasing expression. "Unless you're too busy with all your screaming?"
She squeaked again, burying her face in her hands, but she fell into step beside me.
The walk was mostly silent. Isabella tried to start a conversation a few times, but she mostly mumbled to herself. It was endearing, in a painful sort of way. I kept my pace slow, matching hers.
We finally reached a crossroads where the residential district split.
"Um... Shiro?"
I stopped and turned to face her. "Yeah?"
Isabella looked at her shoes, then gathered her courage and looked up at me. "Are you... my friend?"
The question hung in the air. I looked at her, really looked at her. In this school, I was the "Prince" transfer student, loved by girls and hated by guys. I was isolated by my own popularity. She was isolated by her reputation.
"Of course I am," I said gently. "Why do you ask?"
She smiled, a genuine, relieved expression that transformed her face. "I don't have a lot of friends besides my other two... well, they are something else. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. For talking to me. For sitting with me."
She bowed deeply.
I chuckled, reaching out and patting her on the shoulder. She flinched, then leaned into the touch slightly.
"There's no reason to say thank you, Isa. Friends look out for each other." I pulled my hand back and gave her a thumbs up. "Besides, I think you're going to do fine on your date."
She shot back up, her face turning crimson again. "I-I-I didn't think you heard that!"
"Hard to miss," I laughed. "I hope it goes well. Your girlfriend is a very lucky girl."
I waved and started walking down my street. "See you tomorrow, Isa!"
"Y-yeah! See you!"
I kept the smile on my face until I turned the corner and was out of her line of sight. Then, it dropped instantly.
I power-walked the three minutes to my apartment, unlocked the door, and practically collapsed onto the couch.
"Presence."
I closed my eyes and extended my senses. Koneko wasn't there. But the white cat was. It was sitting on a fence in the alleyway, staring directly at my living room window with unblinking eyes.
I let out a long, ragged exhale.
This is too much bullshit to deal with in one day, I screamed internally.
I wanted to tell her. I wanted to grab Isabella by the shoulders and shake her. 'Your girlfriend is a Fallen Angel! She doesn't like you! She wants to rip the Sacred Gear out of your soul and kill you!'
But I couldn't. Not without revealing everything. Not without putting myself in the crosshairs of three different factions before I was ready.
I stood up, scrubbing my hands over my face.
"I need a shower," I muttered to the empty room.
….
Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read ahead by 10+ Chapters or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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