Chapter 33

Izumi continued in the game and got into another fight with a demon that was attacking fans in the stands. The demon cheerleaders.

This time, the baseball bat dealt damage, and she gained a super attack, which showed an outline of a tiger as her character did a massive swing and hit all three demons.

"They better not be people you know," Takumi mumbled.

"They're demons," Kuruma replied.

"That's not a real answer..."

Her character levelled up a bunch of times, and her stats increased.

Oh, he got this part of it working! Cool! "Why'd I gain so many levels?" Her eyes widened.

"Because it's a demo, but I also want you to get to the end. In the end version, you'll have to grind to get strong enough," Kuruma explained.

Makes sense, I guess... but did we really need to get all the way to the end now?

With her level rising a hundred times faster than it should, she quickly blasted through several monsters and a few bosses, clearing out the first floor of the school. With the last boss on that floor, she obtained another tarot card.

"10 of Cups?" I wonder what this card means... I definitely didn't have anything to do with this part. Her character's stats increased. "Gained heal skill." Not that I need it right now. Too OP.

Takumi glanced at Kuruma, who was tapping his foot and bobbing his head as he nervously watched on, and smirked.

Yanagi couldn't help but smile and playfully bumped Shiori, who glared at him.

She plowed through the next two floors, though she didn't find any more power-ups, and made it to the roof.

"You! How did you defeat my precious minions?!" the demon that captured Izumi yelled.

"Where's Izumi? Give her back!"

The demon tossed her to the side, unconscious.

"Izumi!"

Slam! The demon hit the ground with its vine, stopping him. "She's mine to devour, but first, I'll have you as an appetizer."

"Not happening, sleezoid."

Definitely not my writing. Izumi held back a smile.

With her souped-up character, she demolished the final boss. It glowed and thrashed, its vines destroying the roof.

"Ugh..." She started to wake, sitting up.

A quick-time event popped up as a vine headed for Izumi.

Her character lunged forward as they held up the bat to block the vine attack.

She button-mashed, blocking, until another quick-time event played, and her character used a final attack to finish off the boss.

The boss screamed out as it vanished, turning into light alongside the demons that dropped in with it, leaving behind The Devil Card.

Wait, what?! What does that mean?

Another scene played out of Kuruma hugging Izumi, tears in his eyes. "I'm so glad you're okay. You have no idea how terrified I was of losing you. I've never even told you how I felt."

"How you felt?"

"I'm in love with you, Izumi."

Izumi's eyes widened, heart racing as she stared at the words, rereading them again and again.

Oh my gosh... Did he just? Is this...? Or is this just part of the game?

"I think that was a great demo. Lots to work on, but more than I expected done." Takumi cleared his throat and put his hands on Shiori's and Yanagi's shoulders. "Let's go." He led them out of the room, leaving Kuruma and Izumi alone.

Kuruma swallowed hard, mentally thanking his brother, and knelt down beside her. His hands shook as he took her hand in his.

"Let me start by apologizing again."

"Y-you don't—"

"Please." He swallowed hard and took a deep breath, staring into her eyes. "I am sorry for how I acted, and for how I've been trying, and probably failing, to keep you at arm's length. I thought Yanagi was romantically interested in you, so I tried to be a good friend and step back."

"Why does everyone think there's something going on between us?" she mumbled.

"Because of how he treats you. I swear, everything he's done is... boyfriend-coded or something. And I don't know how you feel about him—"

"We're just friends."

He let out a deep breath and chuckled. "Good to hear, for me, at least. But what I'm trying to say is... I like you. And not just as friends. I mean..." He cleared his throat. "I-I'm in love with you."

Her heart skipped a beat, and before she had time to think, she leaned in close and kissed him on the lips.

Kuruma's eyes widened.

"Eep!" Izumi's face burned as she blocked her face with her free hand. I can't believe I just did that!

After a few seconds, Kuruma cleared his throat again. "Did you just..."

Izumi nodded.

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

Unable to find her words, Izumi nodded again.

"Holy crap." Kuruma stood as he tugged on her hand, pulling her into his arms for a tight hug. "Thank you."

Izumi hugged him back, tearing up.

I can't believe this.

How is this real?

Her grip on him tightened, and he picked her up in a bear hug, spinning her around.

"I can't believe you confessed in a game." Izumi giggled.

"I can't believe you kissed me first." He pulled her in for a second one.

"Oh!"

"Besides, I thought it'd suit you, considering your massive collection. That, and I didn't know if I could say it out loud..."

"I do have a lot of games, don't I?" She froze. "Wait, since when did you know?"

"Uh, I accidentally opened the door to your bedroom when I went to use your bathroom a long while back."

"That long?! And you didn't say anything?"

"I didn't want to admit to going into your room! Besides, if you wanted to talk games, I thought you would've. We are in the game dev club."

"I...I..." All three of them know? And not one of them shunned me over it. The tension in her shoulders released. "I guess you have a point."

"So... I can call you my girlfriend now, right?" Kuruma rubbed the back of his head.

"Of course. I don't just kiss anyone." Still can't believe I did that! And it was my first!

"What are the chances our friends are waiting outside?"

"Pretty high..." I wonder if they both knew. But wouldn't Shiori have said something? She definitely helped with the game somehow...

Kuruma stood by the door and held his hand out to her. "Let's face the music together."

Izumi smiled widely and took his hand.

Out in the hall, Yanagi and Shiori were arguing.

"How'd it..." Yanagi's eyes trailed down to their hands, and he grinned. "Does this mean what I think?"

Kuruma nodded, both his and Izumi's faces burning.

"Congrats!" Yanagi high-fived Kuruma. "Your first girlfriend."

Shiori smirked. "Guess it worked out in the end."

"You know, I'd love to have one too, but she keeps insisting it wouldn't work out." Yanagi nudged Shiori.

"Aren't you two supposed to head to baseball practice?" Shiori asked, ignoring Yanagi.

"Oh, crap. You're right." Kuruma squeezed Izumi's hand, reluctant to let go.

"They could always come to watch." Yanagi winked at Shiori, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"No, not with what happened last time." Shiori pushed his arm off, and he pouted.

"Fine, but one day, Shiori, I'll win you over again!" Yanagi kissed her cheek and took off running, grabbing Kuruma's arm along the way.

Izumi waved to him and held onto her hand, missing his warmth. "I can't believe that all happened!" Izumi squealed and hugged Shiori as she jumped around.

Shiori awkwardly patted her back. "Yup, your own high school romance, just like you wanted."

"Who would've thought he liked me back?"

"Well, not all that surprising to me... Hey, what are you going to tell your mom? She seemed to be hoping Yanagi would be your boyfriend."

"She likes Kuruma, too! Besides, she's happy as long as I'm happy."

"Good to hear. Let's go. I want to borrow another volume."

"Okay." Izumi grinned as they walked together. "So, are you going to give Yanagi a chance? You seem good together."

"Tch. He comes with too much trouble, as you know."

"From what I've heard, you've both changed since middle school, so it might work out now. You can definitely defend yourself, and Yanagi is observant and won't let them do anything to you."

Shiori rolled her eyes.

That wasn't a no.