Night of the Decisive Battle (1)
After belting out our hearts at karaoke until we were hoarse, we stepped outside to find evening already settling in.
"Ah. That was fun."
I had to admit it. Honestly, I'd pegged Umi as just a pretty face with a bad attitude, but hanging out with her had been way more enjoyable than expected.
"W-Was it fun?" Umi suddenly asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah. Totally. Wasn't it fun for you too?"
I said that, but she seemed to have enjoyed it just as much. Was I imagining things? Feeling a bit guilty, I glanced at her. She did sing a lot of super otaku songs, though. Gotta reflect on that.
"I... had fun too. Surprisingly. I didn't know you could party like that, Shota."
Umi's cheeks flushed as she spoke.
"...Let's hang out again sometime."
She looked me straight in the eye, like a fragile little animal afraid of getting hurt. My heart couldn't help but skip a beat. And with the evening sunset casting that perfect glow, she looked even more stunning—like something straight off a light novel cover.
Her looks are straight-up cheating... A total cheat code. No guy could resist melting for her.
"Yeah, let's do it again. Call Shopping Man next time we go shopping."
I tried to play it cool and hide my embarrassment with some banter.
"Shopping Man... You spout nonsense every chance you get."
Umi giggled. What if I died at dawn today? I'd have no regrets. At least I'd seen a beauty like this before kicking the bucket.
No, screw that. I don't wanna die.
I immediately shot down my own dumb thought. No matter what, I wanted to survive and enjoy way more days like this. That was my true feeling.
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Anyway, it was time to part ways, but Umi was hesitating, fidgeting. That's when I remembered the model answer I needed to give.
"You've got your stuff, and it's getting dark—kinda dangerous. I'll walk you home."
I said it casually.
"Ah... Okay."
Umi nodded enthusiastically. And so, Umi and I strolled down the sunset-lit alley. This is youth.
Her destination was a place I could find with my eyes closed: the Kiryu Dojo. The spot where I'd indebted myself for spec-ups. Plus, they'd waived my first month's dues and newbie fee. Gonzaemon was basically the savior of my wallet.
At the dojo entrance, Gonzaemon was tending the flower beds when he spotted me and bellowed.
"Skipping school right after classes start?! Shota! You've got some guts!!"
Gonzaemon lunged for a headlock. Clap! But then Asuna, his wife, smacked his back.
"Dear... read the room."
She whispered, and Gonzaemon glanced at Umi—my bundled set.
"Ahaha! So that's how it is."
Gonzaemon winked at me. He's totally misunderstanding...
"D-Dad! It's not like that!!"
Umi's face turned beet red as she yelled.
"Yeah! Totally not!!"
I hurriedly denied it too. Gonzaemon was a daughter-con. If he thought I was a wolf eyeing his girl, he might hate my guts.
Then Umi glared at me, looking pissed. Huh? What'd I do?
"Ufufu. Can't help it today. You'll come tomorrow, right?"
Asuna smoothed over the awkward vibe, radiating mega-mom energy. Goddess mom.
"Yes. Back to normal dojo schedule starting tomorrow."
I nodded.
"Good. My husband was super bummed when you didn't show. He praises you nonstop—his prized disciple and all."
Asuna smiled.
"Dear!! What're you saying...!"
Gonzaemon flushed and shouted.
"Anyway, keep being friends with our Umi, okay?"
Asuna winked.
"Ah. Sure..."
We were classmates and party members in the game anyway. Had to stay tight. With that, I saw Umi off.
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Back home, the Kiryu family had dinner. As Umi headed to her room post-meal, Asuna pulled her aside. Girl talk incoming.
"Umi, you hung out with Shota, huh?"
Asuna grinned.
"Hmph. Just a playmate."
Umi tried to act tough.
"Umi, your smile's up to your ears. Must've been a blast."
Asuna said.
"N-Not really?!"
Umi denied it.
"Tell me all about it."
Asuna grabbed her hand, riding the mood. Umi spilled the beans, chattering away. Asuna chuckled listening.
"My daughter... you really like Shota-kun, don't you?"
"No way?!"
Umi flushed and denied it.
"You always say hanging with guys is boring. But look at you, yapping happily. Mom's touched."
Asuna went full tease-mode.
"I said no!!!"
"Here, take this. Don't tell Dad?"
Asuna handed Umi something.
"Th-This is...!"
Umi's face went even redder. Male contraceptive. Yep, condoms. The ultra-thin kind—Asuna had killer taste.
"If anything happens, be thorough with protection, okay?"
Asuna went full mom-worry.
"Don't need it!!!"
Umi shrieked and bolted to her room.
"So young. So young."
Asuna chuckled watching her go.
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Meanwhile, back to my POV. I ate dinner with Mom.
"Shota, you're late."
Mom smiled.
"Ah... Hung out with a friend."
I told the truth.
"Shota... after school with a friend... *sob!*"
Mom's tear ducts burst. My mom's emotions are next-level.
"School life's... fun, huh."
She wiped her tears.
"It's only been a day, but yeah, it's fun now."
I said.
"Thank goodness... really."
Mom started crying again. Can't stop her.
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Time flew to midnight. Click! Like always, I grabbed my steel pipe and hopped out the window.
The first week of March event always happens. It's the story's kickoff. As a pro webnovel author in my past life, I was dead certain. Canon events don't miss.
One difference: I wasn't stalking Umi. Hell, we had a blast today. My heart's swelling. Is this the same shut-in Arikiri Shota? Legend Shota...
Heading to where original Shota got offed after stalking and rejection, monsters would spawn anyway. I stood in that dark alley.
Should I just hole up at home? Crossed my mind. But pointless. If Shota was fated to die that week, it'd happen anywhere.
Worst case... monsters invade home. Mom'd be in danger.
So, to dodge disaster, I stuck to canon. No running, no hiding. Steel pipe in hand, I headed to the scene.
Dark alley, usual delinquent and biker hangout. Some punks eyed me for trouble, but backed off. No one messes with a guy under the streetlight gripping a pipe with killer eyes.
Even I'd steer clear.
"Hey... that guy!"
"Forget it! Dude's eyes are psycho."
"Looks ready to kill."
The punks scattered. They owe me their lives. Monsters incoming soon.
Midnight hit. The exact moment post-rejection Shota dies heading home.
"Grrraaawr...!"
Monster presence. Just one. A slime. But not normal—humanoid shape. Level 5 Slime Warrior. Trash mob, but deadly to me now.
No wonder Shota bit it. Level 5 mob can shred a careless civilian.
"Gurgle!"
The Slime Warrior seemed to say something. I scanned around—no calling backups.
"Got it. Your hot-blooded spirit comes through loud and clear."
No allies. One-on-one duel vibes. True warrior's battlefield.
"Gulk!"
It flexed its jiggly muscles. Fine, I won't back down. Whoosh! I stripped off my shirt too. Recent gains—time to show off.
"Gerrrk!! Gerk!!"
The Slime Warrior roared happily. Mutual muscle respect.
"Man... in another time, another place, we'd be buds. Shame."
"Grraaawr!!!"
"But we're enemies. Let's end it."
I gripped my pipe, stance ready.
"Gurrrgle..."
Its arm morphed into a blade. We crossed swords.
Whoosh! We charged simultaneously.
"Kkiiiieeeeeek!!!!!!!"
I screamed, swinging the pipe like a sword. Claaaang!!!!! Blades clashed. The fight for survival began.