I've come to hate dates. I mean if you do a certain thing several times in a row, wouldn't you despise that thing? Well, I better start getting used to it as it seems Aiya doesn't seem to want to stop going on them. I think we've gone on 6 dates and that is just from Monday to Saturday, the only day I had rest was Sunday and that was for religious reasons. Heugh. She even calls me every night by 11 pm. Oh it's already 3 am, I best get some sleep as tomorrow is Monday.

After I woke up, I felt like not going to school as Aiya ended the call yesterday by 3 am but unfortunately, I must go to school whether I like it or not.

As I arrived at the school gate, I saw Aiya waiting for me. I must say, nothing beats having a girl waiting for me—especially my girlfriend.

"Hey." I waved at Aiya, smiling eagerly.

"Heya, Eiya." Aiya grinning and waving back. "So, how was your night?"

"Could have been better?"

"Oh, why?"

"Well calling me every night by 11 doesn't really give me the required 8 hours of sleep."

At this very moment I feel like just lying on the floor and sleeping.

"Who doesn't want to be called by their girlfriend at night?"

"Me." I deadpanned.

"You cannot mean that."

"I do."

"You're the worst." She pouted.

I always imagined pouting to look ugly, I thought it was just the artist of the work of fiction that made it look good. I mean who would think pushing one's lips or one's bottom lip forward and feigning annoyance would look cute. I suppose I should apologize to her.

"I was joking—half joking at least." I mistakenly blurted that last part.

"I heard you." She looked away from me abruptly as to say, 'I hate you.' If you really hated me, you wouldn't walk side by side with me.

She must have been really angry as she didn't talk till, we reached the hallway to class.

"Suzuki." A red-haired boy, whose name is Miyamura came in front of us as we were entering class.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Please tell me this is a lie, but are you dating Nakamura?" Miyamura asked desperately, trying to not accept the truth.

"Yup it is. Is there an issue?" She asked bending her head slightly sideways, feigning confusion.

"What does he have that I don't have?!"

He's creating a scene. Well, I can't leave now and might as well watch what Miyamura is about to do.

"For one, he doesn't create scenes." Aiya replied, appearing visibly annoyed.

"Uh—"

"What's going here." A cobalt blue-haired boy asked. To be honest, the boy didn't look like a student. Miyamura looked like a delinquent, but he was something else—he had a lot of piercings and was barely wearing the school uniform, only wearing the school trouser.

He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and was full of chains and bracelets. To be honest, he should be violating the dress code, one would think someone like him shouldn't be in a prestigious school like this. Though I'm also violating that same dress code, I think this school might be way too lenient.

"What do you want Akatsuki?" Aiya glared.

"According to my sources, you're dating Nakamura over here. Trying to capitalize on the ten asset, right?"

What is that? It's kind of annoying that I know nothing about this. When I even asked Aiya about how certain people know about me she said it's because of my 'spectacular introduction' on the first day.

"What's that to you? Moreover, what are doing here?" Aiya glared.

"This is also the way to my class too. I suppose I should be taking my leave. See you around Nakamura." Akatsuki waved at me as he left.

Who is that guy? So, there are people like him in this school, huh? He looks like an agent of violence, his presence sends shivers down my spine. I'm sure if I cross him, despite cameras and prohibition of violence I'm sure he'll find a loophole to beat me up. Why are such strange characters interested in me—first it was Takamine that platinum-haired girl then it's Akatsuki this cobalt blue-haired boy.

Heugh

I must have sighed out loud as Aiya looked at me for a second then turned away quickly then just entered into class, I followed suite.

After about 5 minutes, Jackson-sensei came to class.

"Good morning students, I have come to inform you that you will be having the midterm test by the week after next week." She deadpanned. "As for the information about the test, it will be told to you this Friday. With that out the way, I will be taking my leave." She said leaving the class.

She always says very little about anything as if she hates being here, what's funny is that she is the teacher that is coming next to teach us.

After she left, Ito came to the class podium to speak, he gave a deliberate cough to draw everyone's attention.

"Ahem. From Jackson-sensei's words we won't get the details till Friday, until then I would like to propose we form study groups like we did last term. Is everyone on board? If there is anyone that can't attend, could you raise your hand?"

At that instant, Aiya raised her and my hand up, signaling that we won't be able to join the study group. Why did she do that? I might not be failing academically but I'm certainly not the best, moreover I've barely talked to anyone in this class so I was looking forward to this.

"Aiya, could I ask why you and Nakamura can't attend?" Ito said with worry in his voice. This guy really cares about his classmates well he is the class president.

"Cuz I believe we can handle studying by ourselves." Aiya grinned.

"I see, is there anyone who can't attend?"

And to my surprise no one raised their hands, then again, we are students of Class E so it's possible that most of us are weak in a certain subject or so.

After that we had Maths class, so our Maths teacher—Jackson-sensei came to class, she gave a surprise test.

The test didn't look that hard though there were some questions I'm sure 99% of high school students wouldn't be able to answer, I as well failed those questions.

She marked it in class and gave us back our scripts, I got 27 out of 50, the pass grade was 30. I wish she told us that before we wrote the test so I could at least pass.

During break I stayed in class because I needed a nap but the cause of my lack of sleep came to disturb me.

"Eiya."

"..."

"Why are you pretending to sleep?"

Pretending is a stretch, I'm more or less almost about to sleep.

"Eiya if you don't wake up I'll have to use force."

Force? What does she mean by that? She must be joking right?

She started breathing into my ear. Oh, so this is ASMR—ASMR stands for "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response." It typically refers to the "tingly feeling" that travels from the head downward that some experience in response to certain sounds, feelings, or descriptions.

These can include soft whispering, crinkling paper, or a gentle touch.

I was genuinely surprised that it felt good, one could say I felt too good. I reacted to her ASMR and of course now my cover was blown.

"Are you still gonna pretend?"

"Fine, I'm awake."

"Why'd you even pretend in the first place?"

"Because I was actually trying to sleep."

"I see, but what about break. I mean aren't you hungry?"

I'm actually kind of hungry but I can more or less get past it, it really isn't that big of a deal.

"Well, I'm sleepier than I am hungry. Moreover, I think if I go to the cafeteria, I might fall asleep on the way there."

That isn't a joke I'm that tired. Though it is kind of my fault that i forgot to pack lunch today.

"I see... then it's good that your amazing girlfriend packed lunch."

"Are you sure? Is the food enough for both of us?"

"Yeah it is, now say 'ahh'."

"Ahh."

I felt as if I have regressed back to when I was a baby, though I do not have any memories from that time. My oldest memory was when I was 3, the night Ayato left.

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"S-S-So is it delicious?"

"Yeah, it's really nice."

"Oh really what to you like."

"I like the sauce it really spicy."

"Oh you like spicy food?"

"Well kinda."

Not really but the sauce does taste really nice.

After sharing lunch together, the day went uneventfully and me and Aiya went for another date.

"Aiya, where are we going to?"

"Oh we're going to an arcade."

"Are you good at those games?"

"Well kind of, don't get me wrong I'm not like unbeatable but I'm not bad it." Aiya said looking directly at me.

She appears to be gauging my response, in actuality I have never gone to an arcade talk less played an arcade game but might as well say I have.

"Well brace yourself because I will you at every game."

"Oh, is that right? I'm definitely going to win you."

"We're gonna have to see right."

Why was she gauging my response? Is she trying to appeal to me? It isn't that weird considering I'm her boyfriend and all but aren't you supposed to be truthful in a romantic relationship.

I find it ironic that in every single romantic relationship I've seen, both of the parties are both untruthful. I mean that also applies to me.

I mean I'm assessing my girlfriend well because she is very suspicious, but am I not supposed to trust her. The thing is I don't have anything that I could make me not trust her.

Though my lack of trust stemmed from him and his 'special education' I am also at fault.

Lying is ethically bad but isn't that just human behavior. At the age of 3, most humans are able to choose not to be sincere whether it be for self-preservation or any other reason, a human can lie without even being taught.

At age 10, most humans have told more than a million lies. For a fact, humans are born liars.

"Eiya we're here."

"So, ready to lose." I grinned.

"You wish." She grinned back.

As we entered, I felt the cold breeze coming from the A.C., it was refreshing. The place looked state of the art and housed a lot of gaming equipment—ranging from Desktops, Gaming Consoles, et cetera.

As we looked around for what game to play, I saw Kisaragi alongside a girl with short blue hair, maybe they're classmates.

The thing about Kisaragi is that he never answers texts or calls. It's kind of infuriating though after giving 3 texts and 2 calls, I got tired of trying to communicate with him. I was actually going to just ignore him but he and the girl he was with came over to meet me.

"Nakamura, what's up?"

"Oh the usual."

"Eiya, who is he? Wait isn't that...Yui?!"

"You know her?" I asked in shock.

"Oh, I'm Tsubasa Yui. I'm Aiya's childhood and Renjiro's girlfriend."

For an instance, Kisaragi looked surprised at Tsubasa but changed back to a normal expression, so it seems the statement about them dating also came as a shock to him too.

We all sat down at a table so we could all talk.

"Yui how've you been."

"I've been fine especially with Renjiro around." Tsubasa said hugging Kisaragi's arm, Kisaragi's body reflexively jerked.

They don't actually seem to be dating, so the next question is why fake it. Why would you fake date someone? I feel it connects back to me somehow.

After 30 minutes or so of catching up, our girlfriends—and I use that term very loosely, noticed our existence.

After that Tsubasa and Kisaragi left. After that I don't know if Aiya lost the mood or not, because the look on her face said, 'I'm tired.'

"Eiya."

"Can we just go do this tomorrow?"

"Uh sure."

I left but I had a feeling I shouldn't have; I don't understand why she's suddenly tired well I left and went back to the dorms and went to watch TV—the school gave us a preinstalled TV but it only shows campus news.

.

.

.

What the hell is this? Why did 'she' have to come here today? I thought she got expelled.

Aiya thought in her room.

The room was pink-themed—everything from her bed sheets to even something as minimal as her toothbrush was pink.

Yui, you bitch, meeting me after what you did last term. I need to calm down she didn't do anything ye—

Aiya was abruptly interrupted from her time of solitude by a knock on the door. When she went to open it, she saw Kagura.

"Aiya, we need to talk."

"Akane?"

"I assume that I can come in?"

"Yeah sure."

Kagura entered the living room and sat on the carpet.

"So, coffee or tea."

"Do you have cocoa I'd prefer that?"

"Uh, sure."

She didn't think she would choose another option, maybe she's smarter than she lets on.

Aiya thought this quietly as she made the hot cocoa for Kagura. After she finished, she put it on a tray and brought it to Kagura.

"Let's cut to the chase, why are you here?" Aiya deadpanned.

Kagura took a sip of her beverage; it seemed she enjoyed cocoa very much. After she finished her sip, she spoke.

"I'm here to tell you to lay off Nakamura." Kagura glared at Aiya.

"And if I don't?" Aiya deadpanned.

"Then I have no choice but to stop you."

"You're acting like that wasn't your plan already."

Kagura continued to sip the hot cocoa till she finished, she drank it like it was an ice-cold drink, she really likes hot cocoa.

"I will be taking my leave." Kagura said as she stood up to leave.

"Why did you come here in the first place?"

"Think of this as a declaration of war." Kagura said as she left the room.

I won't let any one get expelled again.

Kagura said as she was in her room.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Who knew TV was so boring? I might as well get some sleep.

After I turned off the TV I went to sleep. When was the last time I watched TV, I think it was when I traveled with him for that contract in Dubai.

Well, that was just to save face, to make me appear as just a 'normal kid.' However, it was counterproductive in the end as the perfect human shouldn't watch TV.

I really should stop thinking about him.

Aiya didn't call on this night, guess she was tired.

After that day, Aiya stuck to me like glue—following me everywhere I guess she became what you'd call a clingy girlfriend.

On Friday I hid in the library during break, I then saw Fujimoto.

"Hey."

She didn't answer me, though it might be because I haven't visited her since that time.

"Are you really gonna ignore me?"

"..."

"I'm sorry, my girlfriend has been kinda clingy these past few days." I said that seating beside her.

"..."

She didn't talk to me, it seems she was just focused on the book she was reading, it was The Life And Games Of Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal. He was the 8th World Chess Champion in history. He was known as the 'Magician From Riga'.

He became the youngest World Chess Champion at the time at just 23 years old.

I had read that book over there about 17 times, he liked Mikhail's philosophy on chess, as Mikhail believed chess was about creativity.

In fact, to Mikhail unorthodox strategies are better than pragmatic laws, he often took risks to create exciting, sharp games that captivated audiences.

Mikhail understood the psychological aspect of chess and sought to put his opponents in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations. He believed in exploiting their fears and making them second-guess their decisions.

In his words, 'You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide for 1.'

"Fujimoto, do you like chess?"

"..."

"Let's play a match."

Her face lit up at those words. I don't really like playing chess, but I don't really want to just stay here in this awkward environment.

"Winner makes the loser do what he or she wants."

"Are you sure? I've only lost a game of chess once anfd that was when I was 6 years old."

"Then prepare to lose again."

"Overconfidence is a big flaw."

She had a chess board in her bag, it's almost like she expected me to challenge her, she probably did.

After setting it up, she put a white and black piece behind her back.

After shuffling it between her hands, she brought to of her hands out.

"Which hand?"

"Left."

I had chosen the black, that means I was to start second. Let's see what she'll do.

Fujimoto opened with 1. e4, a classic attacking move, advancing a pawn to control the center.

I responded with 1...e5, mirroring the move.

Fujimoto brought out her knight with 2. Nf3, attacking the pawn on e5.

I defended with 2...Nc6, developing a knight and reinforcing the pawn.

Fujimoto played the King's Gambit: 3. f4, sacrificing the f-pawn to open lines for her attack.

I accepted the pawn with 3...exf4.

It seems Fujimoto is good at chess; in fact, I think she might be a prodigy.

I silently considered if I should continue with plan because if she noticed I would have to play seriously, or I'll lose. It hasn't come to that, so I had to calm down.

Fujimoto pushed 4. d4, challenging the center and activating her pieces.

I played 4...d6, reinforcing my pawn.

Fujimoto developed her bishop with 5. Bc4. I could see her eyeing the vulnerable f7 square near my king.

I played 5...h6, a seemly cautious move.

Fujimoto sensed an opportunity, sacrificed her knight for 6. Nxe5, cracking open the center and threatening my position.

I took the knight with 6...dxe5, I deadpanned despite the chaos brewing.

Fujimoto brought her queen to 7. Qhs, threatening an immediate mate on f7.

I defended with 7...g6, blocking the threat but leaving my king dangerously exposed.

Fujimoto sacrificed her bishop with 8. Bxf7+, forcing my king out of safety.

I captured the bishop with 8...Kxf7, my king was now completely exposed.

Fujimoto now visibly grinning, played 9. Qxe5+, attacking my king and threatening my rook.

I blocked with 9...Be7, I still maintained my deadpan.

I guess it was time that I started winning.

Fujimoto moved her queen aggressively with 10. Qf4+, trying to push my king further.

I stepped aside with 10...Kg7.

Fujimoto played 11. Nc3, trying to bring her knight into the attack.

I played 11...Bf6, offering my bishop as a sacrifice to deflect her queen from a key attacking position.

Fujimoto took my bait with 12. Qxf6, believing she had gained momentum for her attack.

I struck back with 12...Rc8, bringing my rook into play on the open file and targeting Fujimoto's unprotected back rank.

Fujimoto played 14. bxc3, captured my pawn to stabilize position.

I recaptured with 14...Rxc3, gaining control of the board and creating dangerous threats along the c-file.

Fujimoto scrambled with 15. Qxe5, trying to counterattack by threatening my rook and pawns.

I sidestepped with 15...Kg8, keeping my king safe and ready to support my pawns.

In the final moves, my rook and pawns overwhelm Fujimoto. By move 30, I promoted a pawn to queen and delivered checkmate.

In short, I won.

"So will you hear my request."

"Before that could I ask you a question?"

"Yeah sure."

"Are you by chance a chess genius?"

"Uh no, I just won by luck?"

"Oh I see." Fujimoto said with a skeptical look on her face.

"Well anyway back to my request—"

"I hope you won't ask anything depraved."

"I won't I just wanted to request for you to never ignore me." I grinned.

"Why are you smiling like that, weirdo—"

It seemed like break has ended; I'll have to leave.

"Will you visit me this time?"

"Yeah I will. Well see you later."

"Yeah, see you later, Nakamura. I hope you keep to your promise this time."

I went to class, in class Aiya nagged me for not being with her at lunch I tuned it out, then I received a message—the message came from account name called Kagura-chan. Who mentions there are own name in honorific?

I'll be coming to your room after school.

So this is Kagura's real number.

I assume this is your real number.

Yes.

Why are you coming to my room?

After that she didn't answer my messages again, seems I'll have to wait but how does she have my number.

After school I lied to Aiya that I was feeling tired.

The walk to the dorm was peaceful, I admired the trees as I walked. I also enjoyed the breeze, it was kinda cold I guess cause September was coming to an end.

After 10 minutes I reached the dorms, I then used the elevator to go to my room.

I then put on my AC since a visitor was coming, then I made tea. Since the room was relatively clean, I just laid on my bed and looked at my balance—100,000RP.

How is it so high? Maybe the school added more, but the month hasn't even ended.

I then heard a knock; I assumed it was Kagura and went to open up for her.

She was still in her uniform well it isn't much of a shock as school closed 18 minutes ago.

I didn't have a carpet, so she sat on my bed, I went to get the tea—I put it on a tray.

"So, what did you wanna talk about?"

"Your girlfriend."

"..."

I kinda expected this, to be frank I didn't expect anything else.

"I specifically told you to not date her, wasn't I clear?"

"You were, but you neither gave me a reason nor did you follow up?"

"That's..."

"If you really wanted to stop me you could have told me why or at least say it again, you've been avoiding me right? I sent you a message on you other account and you didn't even open it."

"I can't tell you anything, at least not until Monday."

"Why?"

"I'm leaving." Kagura stood up to leave.

She was about to leave if I let her leave, I might as well be throwing away my only chance of getting information. Time to be proactive.

I held unto her hand.

"Let me go, Nakamura."

"Just tell me why?"

"...If you don't leave me, I'll scream."

I let go and she left. I don't really know if rooms are soundproof so let's test it at least not in that situation.

I laid on my bed thinking about everything until I got a text from Aiya.

Let's go on a date tomorrow.

Time to put my foot down, I need to have some alone time.

I won't be able to go out tomorrow.

She sent me a picture of her face pleading, I guess my weakness is cute girls.

I reluctantly agreed to go on a date on Saturday.