Soul for a Girlfriend?

Our homeroom started soon, and Tachibana Sensei was calling out our names for the attendance. It was already the third week of October and I glanced outside the window to notice the colour of leaves changing as I realised that it was already autumn.

My eyes shifted back inside the class as I stared at the empty whiteboard. It has already been about two months since I started the process of capturing Naoto. I was a bit nervous because by far Naoto was the longest any target took till that point.

Thinking about Naoto, I realised that it was already two weeks since I started dating her. Quite a feat, considering how I never had a relationship in the first place. Though it seemed like she wasn't as vulnerable as Reina and Saki.

It was lunchtime, and I decided to visit the Kendo club since I haven't done that in a long time. I gradually stopped visiting the kendo club after the sports festival. Also, Naoto actually texted me that she wanted to see me, so I was going there like any 'good boyfriend' would do.

As I was walking out of the class, I turned around from the door and bumped into some as they yelped. My eyes shifted towards the person as I could see their flaying blonde hair and azure eyes on me.

"Sorry…" I apologised, but Kizhashi said nothing except nodding her head and walking past me into the classroom. I recalled our agreement that we made about not talking with each other at school.

Though it was a fact that she helped me quite a lot in getting close to Naoto. If it wasn't for the information she brought in, it would've taken me an even longer time to get Naoto to open up with me.

Not paying much attention to it, I continued towards the club. What I was thinking at that moment was how awkward it'll be to face Yuna and others after the date we went on. They'll surely tease the heck out of me.

But that wasn't even my least concern. All that was going inside my head was, how long will it take for her to detach that negativity from herself? What if she was never able to do it? Things like this always made me realise how helpless I was against this goddamn contract.

If this keeps stretching any further, I would've to pull the strings myself and I had the perfect means to do that. I wouldn't step back once things actually start to go south.

Recalling the date, she seemed to genuinely enjoy it and I was pretty sure that she liked me, but the thing was that she wasn't able to come to terms with herself. That was her only problem.

Sooner or later she would've to realise, otherwise I would've to do something that would make her learn the hard way but I was a bit reluctant to use that because I didn't want her to hate considering how difficult it was to get close to her.

I reached the kendo club and as I strolled inside, many new faces could be seen. As I glanced at them, a few eyes stared back at me, but paying no attention to them, I kept walking, searching for Naoto. 

Knowing her, she would probably be sparring in the training hall. Without second thoughts, I walked towards the hall, as I could hear the noise of people chattering and yelling. It was for the first time that I was seeing the club so lively.

I entered the hall and noticed two people sparring in the centre of the room while others were spectating them. I awkwardly strolled inside and my eyes were scanning the whole room to search for Naoto, but it appeared like she wasn't there.

I stood there awkwardly, as it was weird to ask someone about Naoto's whereabouts. My eyes still wandered around, as I finally noticed the figure of Vivian sitting alone with a grumpy expression on his face.

He was in his kendo attire, as he was fiddling with the kendo sword in his hand while staring at the floor blankly. It appeared as if he was downcast for some reason.

Well his face was alway grumpy, so it wasn't something new. As he was the only familiar face in the room, I slowly walked towards him. He looked up as his eyes noticed me and he gave me a questioning nod. 

Without saying much, I smiled sheepishly and asked, "Have you seen Naoto?"

"Huh?" He narrowed his eyes at me and stared for a while, before nodding his head and pointing towards the doorway with his eyes, "Umm… she probably went outside just now."

Looking at his expression and not his usual obnoxious tone, I asked, "Aah… and why are you sitting here like a grumpy old man?"

He sighed and moved his hand from his sword while shaking in denial as he said in an embarrassed tone, "Ah… bruh don't ask."

"Heh?" A frown formed on my face as I was confused, when I heard a very familiar voice from behind me, "He lost to Naoto."

It was none other than Ryuhan, with his usual smile and he rested his arm on my shoulders as I took a small pause to look at Vivian's pissed expression and commented, "As if that…"

"Ora!" Vivian yelped as I and Ryuhan laughed and I decided to ask him about Naoto, "Nevermind… Ryuhan Senpai… do you know where Naoto is?"

"Oh, you're already on a first name basis?" Ryuhan raised his eyebrows at me and there was a silly smile on his face as I replied calmly, "Yeah… I don't think it's a big deal…"

He nodded seriously, like he understood everything, and in a deep voice, he said sarcastically, "Of course it isn't for two people who will marry each other."

"Uh...I…" Even though it was sarcasm, it was embarrassing for me so I couldn't find a good comeback, as looking at my troubled expression, Ryuhan chuckled, "I was kidding… It's fun teasing you."

I sighed in relief as Vivian and Ryuhan both were chuckling, while he said, "I think I saw her going to the backyard."

"Ahh… thanks."