Are you wondering why did I choose Sheena as the first one to save? You know that I am an anime addict, right? I’ve watched countless love stories and according to what I’ve learned, the easiest target for romance is the childhood friend. Well, our relationship is somewhat like that even though we are cousins. Even though she is a real cousin of mine, she is not a daughter of either of my parents’ siblings. That is why romance can be achieved. Back to the topic, I considered the childhood friend as the easiest because you two are already very close to each other. The only one missing in your relationship is romance. But to successfully get this missing part, several requirements are needed. One, you and her bond should remain strong just like in your childhood days. Well, as a matter of fact, we are always walking side by side towards our school every morning and I even go to her house frequently so it’s a check. Two, she should consult you about her problems and vice versa. It is a check because the subjects of our conversations are sometimes about that. I’m tutoring her at her own house because her main problem is her studies. Well, I will leave the other side a secret for now. Three, you should be close to her family like you are their own child. Well…that one is also a check. And the most important requirement, the last one, she should not be in love with someone. That is also the most important requirement in courting someone because it will be extremely difficult to make that love disappear. That is why I need to clarify it as soon as possible. Anyway, all of this knowledge came from watching anime. Am I really gonna be okay at this rate?

When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing before the door of Sheena’s classroom. I checked my clothing and saw that I am wearing a white polo with red necktie and black pants, my school uniform. I also have my red headphone on my ears and my new cross around my neck.

“So this is the nearest time where Sheena is just around 5 meters away from me,” I whispered to myself.

Even though this is not the real word, I guess I can’t skip class because it might affect some events in the near future. Too bad. Well, I can meet Sheena after the morning class so I should enter my room for now.

“OT!” Meryl shouted just after I stepped inside my classroom.

“I forgot about this matter…” I whispered to myself with sudden furrowed eyebrows.

“Why did you escape yesterday? Do you know how hard it is to clean with only two people?” Meryl complained with puffed cheeks.

“I just have some important matters to attend yesterday so I’m sorry,” I answered, not maintaining proper eye contact.

She puffed her cheeks more and stared at me with furrowed eyebrows.

“Will you promise that you will not escape anymore without a notice?” she asked seriously.

“I promise. I will even treat you anything you want if I break it,” I replied after sighing.

Because of what I’ve said, she gave me a smile and said, “Then, it’s a promise alright.”

“...”

The bribe worked too well.

My mission is to make Sheena fall for me. I am a veteran loner. I reached this place without acquiring friends because I know the correct and wrong decisions to avoid people. That means that if I do the opposite of what I am doing, I can have a proper relationship with someone. At least…that’s what I want to think. Please let that be true!

“Everyone, let’s go to the Gym,” Meryl suddenly announced to the whole class.

Gymnasium? I wonder what we’re going to do there.

After the morning class, Sheena showed up in my room and invited me for lunch.

“Orel, let’s eat lunch," Sheena invited cheerfully.

Suddenly, my cross emitted a red light and formed two sets of words in front of me.

[Sure.]

[Sorry, I still have something to do.]

I then made a very surprised face and looked around me.

"Or?" Sheena called with a clueless face.

So the people here really won't notice the light of this cross. Anyway, these are without doubt choices that the cross offered me in order to help me in my mission. So this is one of the abilities that will help me finish my mission. All I need to do is to choose one, right?

“Sure,” I replied and the red writing in the air disappeared.

But seriously, isn't it more convenient to just offer the correct answer? Why would it even give me two contradicting choices? What is this, a dating sim?

Just like that, we are now eating our lunch in the rooftop of the main building. All we can hear is the nice breeze of the wind so I finally decided to break the silence.

“Sheena…” I called with a serious face.

She then looked at me and asked, “Why?”

“Do you have someone you like already?”

“Whe...where did that come from?” she asked with a flustered expression.

“I just want to know.”

“How about you? Do you still...like May?”

May, huh.

“Not anymore so forget about that incident already.”

Sheena suddenly looked at the sky and said, “I already have...someone I really like” with a gentle smile.

Are you...kidding me?

“Who...who the heck is that person? This is the first time I’ve heard about this!” I reacted, clearly shocked.

“Like I can tell you something that embarassing! But why are you even angry?”

“I am not angry. Show him to me this instant,” I demanded with slanted eyebrows.

“W-why?” Sheena asked, now getting confused because of my reaction.

“Isn’t it obvious? I will not hand you over to him that easily,” I followed with seriousness in my eyes.

When I noticed it, her cheeks suddenly turned into bright red. Did I say something weird?

“You are like a little sister to me after all,” I continued.

“Si...sister?” she muttered with a sudden expressionless face.

“Why?” I asked.

She puffed her cheeks and replied, “Nothing.”

What is wrong with her?

“You already know that I can tell if you are angry or not, right? Did I say something wrong?”

“Don’t worry because you will meet him soon.”

“...”

Jeez. Girls are really complicated.

The next day, while I am walking towards my room after the PE class in the gymnasium, a boy suddenly called my name. When I looked at him, I immediately recognized who he is.

“The weather today is so nice, right?” he said with a smile.

What a lame question to start a conversation.

He is not from my class but we are in the same year. His name is Ralph, the ace player of our school’s soccer club. He is a tall, handsome boy with a physically fit body, the ideal prince charming of ordinary high school girls. He is the most popular boy in this school so even someone like me knows him.

“Do you need something?” I asked with serious yet intimidating eyes.

“It looks like you are in a bad mood. Did something happen?” he asked with a smile.

Why do I have to act friendly towards you?

“Can you please say what you want to say already or I will be late for my next class?”

“Well, me too,” he said with a smile.

This guy, how can he smile like it is so natural?

“I just want to ask you something. Is it alright?” he followed.

“Yeah.”

“Do you like Sheena?” he said without discarding his smile aside.

This guy…

“Are you kidding? Sheena and I are cousins, you know.”

“Cousins? The two of you are just relatives, right?” he retorted with a straight face.

Well, that’s right. Her mother is my father’s cousin. We’re not really direct cousins.

“Don’t tell me that you’re planning to ask her out?” I asked after making my eyes squintier.

“Don’t be so serious. You are always with her after all. I just want you to know that II am interested to her,” he replied cheerfully and chuckled.

“I know that you are famous so why Sheena?”

“She is my type, that’s all," she answered with a somewhat honest smile.

“So you will test her if she’ll fall for you.”

He then chuckled and replied, “Don’t make it sound bad. I am serious about her. If I just want a challenge, I will go for Charlotte or May, right?”

Well, Charlotte is the most popular girl here after all and May is.... I know where this is going.

“Well, they are not my types anyway,” Ralph continued.

Is this for real? I have a rival out of the blue? And on top of that, he is the most popular and handsome boy in this school?

“Do what you want,” I said and started walking.

“Wait.”

I once again looked at him to listen for his last words.

“See you later,” he said with a refreshing smile.

What is with him? He gives me the creeps...really.

After that, I walked away from him.

I clicked my tongue and said, “Easiest, huh. I’ve underestimated my childhood friend. At least make my rival someone who I can realistically win against.”

This is the situation. You have a rival in love and that person is the kind of boy which girls will risk their lives just to talk to him. So the question is…what will you do? The correct answer is to give up on the spot but that answer is not an option right now. It is because my cousin’s life is at risk here. If I’m going to describe myself, my looks are at the good side but not that high to make me popular. I also have a good build and height. I am also smart so what do you think is the reason why I don’t have a friend? The answer is…my personality. No matter how many tries to befriend me, if I don’t want to hang out with them, they will eventually give up sooner or later. I survived this social world just by doing the things I should do to avoid people. Well...if someone suddenly converse with me, I always felt the indescribable awkwardness that I will never want to feel again. That is why I tried to think of solutions. While living as a loner, I’ve discovered the “Eight Commandments” to end a conversation. Well...just read the following.

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First, don’t make the topic broader. By uttering words that might lead to another idea, the conversation will only prolong. That is why you should just agree on what the speaker is saying. By agreeing continuously, the speaker will be out of words later.

Second, don’t look at the speaker’s eyes. By doing this, the speaker can conclude that you’re not listening very carefully on what he or she is saying.

Third, act foolish. If the speaker threw a question to you, pretend that you don’t know it even if you know it. That way, the conversation will soon be finished.

Fourth, act uninterested. By looking around you and by always looking at your watch, the speaker will surely conclude that you’re not interested on what he or she is saying. The most effective way is yawning, proven and tested by me.

Fifth, pretend to have a poor hearing. By making the speaker repeat what he or she is saying by time to time, he will surely be irritated, thus, ending the conversation.

Sixth, be a perfectionist. If you’re really knowledgeable about what the speaker is saying, look for the smallest mistakes that she or he will make. This might contradict the third commandment but by correcting almost all of his information, she or he will surely get irritated and stop conversing with you.

Seventh, don’t agree on what the speaker is saying. If the speaker’s topic is only about opinions, you should always contradict his ideals. Prove as much as you could that his beliefs were wrong. I am sure that your conversation will prolong because it is a clash of ideals but I am sure that he or she will never talk to you again after that if you won. More convenient, right?

Eight, if all of this didn’t work, (well...that is near to impossible) say some excuse like “I’m going to the toilet” or “I have something important to do” to stop the conversation. You can call this “the fled plan” and this is your last bullet.

Well, all of those are not important right now. What’s really important right now is Sheena’s rescue plan so let’s focus on that idea alone. Thankfully, I have an advantage. That is my ‘childhood friend’ status with Sheena. Also, let me tell you one thing. Looks is not the most important in courting someone. The most important thing is your action. If you’re characteristics are all average or even higher and you have the knowledge of proper courting, you can make anyone fall for you except the girls with a give-and-receive love relationship already. Where did I get this information? In the anime with romance genres of course!

That is why I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I’ve got to do something about Ralph. Well, what approach should I do?

Suddenly, my cross emitted the red light again and formed these words:

[Go to Sheena and confess that you love her.]

[Go to Sheena and ask your question.]

[Observe for a while.]

Really, Cross of Salvation? Is it just me or these choices just made it harder for me to decide what to do? Is this really designed to help me? Anyway, what should I pick? I guess I should first analyze each one.

If I’m going to choose the first, the confession choice, I can eliminate Ralph in the scene on the spot. Sheena will be confused after all. I’m sure that she will not bother paying much attention to Ralph but in exchange, I will be her center of attention. I should not pick this. I mean, I’ve got a feeling that I will just be rejected if I confess this early.

If I’m going to choose the second, the questioning choice, Ralph will be emphasized. My question is “Do you like Ralph?” after all. I need to prepare for surprise events in the near future if I chose this.

Well, the third choice, the observation choice, is the usual “playing safe” choice. Well, observing first is not that bad. I might learn new information with this which can help to my mission later on.

“I should observe for a while,” I whispered to myself.

There is no need to increase my pace. I can still do the first and second even after choosing the third, right?

“Wait, all of my options….are only applicable if Sheena doesn’t like Ralph, right?” I whispered with a sudden surprised face.

I forgot! If Sheena likes Ralph, it is surely game over. Considering that she might like Ralph, choosing the second should be the right one. If I confess my love to her, I might be rejected on the spot. If I wait and watch, it will be over before I know it. I should ask that question to Sheena after class. If I do so, I might get new choices on what should I do next. That is why I’ll pick the second choice!

“It looks like these choices are surprisingly helpful in some ways,” I thought to myself and the words vanished into thin air.

After the class, I immediately went to Sheena’s classroom and in my surprise, I saw Ralph together with her before the classroom.

“Darn. I’m late," I muttered and clicked my tongue.

I immediately hid and listened to their conversation.

"You don’t need to walk me home, you know,” Sheena said in a slight troubled expression.

"We both have the same way so what’s wrong about that?” Ralph replied with his usual radiant smile.

“Well…” Sheena muttered with a forced smile.

“Is it because of...Orel?” Ralph suddenly asked with a sudden serious tone without discarding his smile.

Huh? Because of me?

“Wha...what do you mean?" Sheena reacted with a sudden blushed face.

“Nothing. Let’s go,” Ralph followed with his smile still there.

“But…” Sheena whispered, still undecided if she’ll agree or not.

I need to do something!

My cross once again flashed a color red light and formed these words:

[Show yourself and invite Ralph to go home with the three of you.]

[Show yourself and get Sheena.]

[Go home alone for today.]

Well, the answer is quite obvious. The first and last is so idiotic for an answer. middle choice it is, Cross of Salvation!

I showed myself and said, “Sheena, let’s go home” with a serious expression.

“Or?” Sheena reacted with a surprised expression. “D-did you hear our conversation?”

I looked at Ralph and he gave me his usual smile. What an irritating façade.

“Let’s go,” I said to Sheena.

“But…” Sheena said with a reluctant face and gave Ralph a glimpse.

“Orel, can I ask a favor?” Ralph asked with his usual smile.

"What?" I replied without hiding my irritation.

“Can I go with the two of you? I also live in your subdivision after all.”

“Of course not,” I downright refused.

“Or?” Sheena said, clearly surprised because of my sudden reply.

“But why?” he asked with a smile.

“I just want to walk together with Sheena and Sheena only,” I answered, looking directly to his eyes.

“Hmm,” Ralph reacted with an amused face.

"That expression, I don't like it," I commented with seriousness.

"Sorry but can you blame me. You're being far too greedy. You're just her best friend...not her boyfriend," Ralph retorted, clearly also serious despite smiling.

"Well, it is better than a total stranger like you," I replied instantly.

"Then, how about we let Sheena decide?" Ralph suggested and looked at Sheena.

"M-me?" Sheena repeated, clearly surprised that she suddenly got included in our conversation.

"It's fine to me. Sheena, what's your decision?" I asked with my usual serious face.

"You too? Then..." Sheena whispered. Then, she tried to think as hard as she can to the point that smoke started to come out from her ears.

"Well, it looks like Sheena can't decide right away," Ralph said with a smile.

"That smile..." I whispered with an irritated face.

"Then, how about we decide using a game," Ralph proposed with confidence.

"Game?" Sheena and I repeated.

"Since the volleyball field is unoccupied right now, how about we decide using that? We'll be playing like beach volley ball and the first to score 21 wins, how about that?"

"I never back down from a challenge. I accept it," I answered as cool as I can.

Man, if I’m only a girl, I will surely fall for myself. Clear Narcissism aside, that’s obviously a joke.

"Or? Are you sure you want to fight him?" Sheena asked with a worried face.

Hey, are you worried that I’ll be beaten by this guy to a pulp?

"Don't worry. I'll win this," I replied with a serious face.

Just like that, we are now at the grounds preparing for the match. For some reason, students suddenly gathered to watch our match like we are some pros.

"Good luck, Ralph!" some girls shouted to support Ralph.

"Why is there a match at this time?" some guy in the crowd asked to a guy next to him.

"Well, those guys are fighting for a single girl. She is no other than the 11th grader, Sheena."

"That Sheena? Then, I can tell that these two are serious. She is really hot after all."

"Do you know who that other guy is? I already know Ralph but who is that other guy?"

"Wait...I kind of know him. I think his name is Auti...something. What is it again?"

It’s Orel, you background characters! At least know the name of the protagonist of this story!

"This will be my partner, Gerald," Ralph suddenly said after appearing with a boy.

"Huh? Isn't this a one-on-one match?" I asked to him in a straight face..

"I said earlier that this will be a beach volleyball match right? And anyway, you can't play volleyball with just two players, right?" Ralph answered with a slight confused look.

I thought that beach volleyball is a one-on-one version of volleyball. How would I know something like that without details given by you? With common sense...I think. Jeez, I even answered my own question!

"Well, all you need to do is find a friend a friend," Ralph followed with a smile.

Friend? What the heck is that? Some foreign word?

"I don't have any," I replied seriously.

For some reason, he didn't even ask anything like "really?" or the like. I think that he can tell that I'm not joking.

"Does anyone here want to volunteer to become his partner?" he announced to the crowd watching us.

*silence*

What an expected reaction.

"How about me?" Sheena suddenly asked after appearing.

"But...well…it can't be helped. There are already lots of students here so postponing the match is not an option," Ralph replied.

"Thanks," Sheena replied with a smile.

Did he just forget why he started all of this? You’re not here to entertain the crowd, you know.

"That is why...I will even become an antagonist just to get your attention," he followed and made a cool smile.

What an irritating guy. I hate him alright.

The match then started and our teams are surprisingly evenly matched. Before I know it, the score is now 19-20 in favor of them.

“Just one more and it’s our win,” Ralph said with a smile.

“Or, at this rate, we will really lose. Are you sure you’re playing to win?” Sheena asked.

“Jeez, Sheena, of course I am! Can you see how freaking tired I am? I’ve never been this serious in a game before. How about we just focus on winning this match?” I retorted and looked at Ralph.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Sheena jokingly answered with also a slightly tired expression.

I have to do something or we can’t win this.

We are now the one who’ll serve. Sheena then went to the rear court boundary and served the ball. After that, Ralph’s partner, Gerald set it. Ralph then suddenly jumped and prepared to spike it.

“I won’t let you!” I said and prepared for a block.

But when I looked at him, he gave me a smile.

What the…it is a fake!

He then tackled the ball towards my right side.

“We won!” Gerald shouted as the ball head towards the ground.

Suddenly, I heard the footsteps of someone running. It’s Sheena! She somehow set the ball. After that, the ball is now in mid-air like the time has stopped.

“Or!” she shouted.

I immediately ran towards her position. I then jumped and punched the ball towards the enemy’s field. Miraculously, it grounded.

“2…20-20! A deuce! The battle is not over yet!” the announcer said with a very excited expression. Wait...since when did we gain an announcer here?

Suddenly, Sheena hugged me with a very happy expression.

“You’re amazing, Or!” she said while laughing.

“Hey, stop it! We still have to score two points to win,” I reacted, making a forced serious face to hide my embarrassment.

So she is really serious about winning this. I have to get more serious.

After that, a rally followed and we somehow scored again. Just one more to go and we will win. We can do this!

Gerald will now serve the ball. He went behind the rear court boundary and served the ball. I then returned the ball and it went towards Ralph.

“We will be the winner!” Gerald shouted and ran towards Ralph.

Ralph then set the ball. When the ball went up in the air, Gerald jumped and spiked the ball. 

“Or!” Sheena called, leaving the ball to me.

Fortunately, I somehow dig the ball. It then flew up in the air and over-passed the net a little and when I looked above the net, Ralph is now ready to spike it.

Don’ tell me…a double spike!

He then spiked it and the ball went towards our field where no one is guarding.

Crap! 

Sheena jumped towards the ball with all of her might.

“Sheena!” I shouted, praying that she can catch it.

She then successfully dug the ball and now, it is up in the air.

“Or!” Sheena shouted once again.

“We will win this!” I shouted and ran towards the ball. Then, I jumped and punched the ball with all of my strength.

“Arggghhh!” I shouted and suddenly, the pearl on my cross emitted a very bright orange light. What the heck is this? I can feel...the power!

With an amazing speed and power, the ball is now heading towards them.

“Don’t receive it! It will surely go out!” Ralph shouted to Gerald.

The ball then grounded to their field and created a huge explosion of sand.

 "Did it land inside?” Sheena reacted with a surprised face. Because of the smokescreen made by the ball, we still don’t know if it is out.

The lineman then went to the ball mark on the ground and looked at it. Wait...there is a lineman now too?

It’s in!” the lineman shouted. 

“We…won…” I whispered with widened eye, still can’t believe that we won already.

“We have a winner! The winners of the ‘Volleyball Match’ are Auti and Sheena!” the announcer announced with enthusiasm.

Sheena then ran towards me and prepared to hug me so I immediately placed my hand to her forehead to stop her.

She laughed and said, “We won! We won!” while still struggling to hug me.

“Yeah, we won so stop that!” I retorted with squinted eyes.

When I looked at the cross, it is still emitting a faint orange light. So this can boost my strength to the limit. I just wonder when this light will disappear.

“It looks like you are the winner,” Ralph said with a smile.

“...”

“You’re amazing, Ralph,” Sheena replied.

“Really?” Ralph asked.

“I’m not lying. You're good. You can even become a regular at our school’s volleyball club.”

“Maybe I should join the volleyball club too. You praised me on this sport after all,” Ralph followed with a smile.

"Let’s go, Sheena,” I said and walked away.

“Or? Wait for me! Ralph, see you later,” Sheena said and went to my right side.

I still have to ask something so I shouldn’t let my guard down. Even though she volunteered to become my partner, that doesn't mean that she doesn't like Ralph. Her reasoning can be like "Or is my friend so I have to help him" or something like that.

When we reached the area near the park, I decided to start the conversation while we are still walking.

“Sheena, do you remember our conversation when we are eating lunch earlier?” I asked.

Sheena’s shoulder twitched because of my sudden question and asked, “That again?”

“Is it...Ralph?”

Because of my question, Sheena gave me a teasing smile and said, “Why? Are you perhaps jealous?”

“Huh? Why would I be jealous?” I replied with a flustered expression.

“Then, why is your face red?”

“It is because of the sunset. See? Its light is on my face.”

She then chuckled and said, “Then, why are you asking me about that?”

“I...I said that you are like a little sister to me, right?”

Her teasing expression from earlier shifted into a moody one and said, “Sister…”

Is she angry again?

“Yes, you are definitely right. I like Ralph. Do you have a problem with that?” she answered with furrowed eyebrows.

“What the...of course there is. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why do I need to tell you about this matter? You just see me as a little sister, right? You are not my boyfriend!" she shouted with a pissed face.

“Wha--. Then, go with that Ralph of yours and never talk to me ever again!” I angrily retorted.

“Don’t worry because starting tomorrow, I will go home together with Ralph,” Sheena said and ran away from me.

“Darn!” I shouted and kicked an empty can that I found in the road.

I lost my composure there. Why did I say those things? How can I even fix this?

Suddenly, the orange light on my cross disappeared and my muscles ached like hell.

“What the heck is this?”

Because of the extreme pain, I collapsed on the ground like a doll.

So this is a side effect.

“Is it…over?” I whispered to myself.

“Idiot…” Sheena whispered after she disappeared from my sight.