2. The devil next door

"So... From the beginning... You are my neighbor of the apartment building and found me collapsed in front of my door, so you dragged me into your room and nursed me..."

"Right"

"But why are you now bothering me with this?!?"

Feeling a bit better, I was now sitting on the bed and the girl in front of me was seated on the chair near the desk.

I was trying to ignore that I was sleeping inside a girl's bed, but the girl in front of me wasn't helping at all.

"That's how you repay who helped you, by chiding her while snuggling inside her sheets?"

"You put me in this situation!"

I tried to stand up but I lost immediately strenght and was about to fall, but the girl reached for me and didn't let me fall.

"That's your punishment, so be a good child and feel the weight of your sin"

There was something wrong in the smile of the person in front of me.

Even if it was a charming expression, I felt that something was behind it.

"And since you don't like to owe anyone, this is how you'll repay me. Let me become your girlfriend."

"I see..."

It was because I was sick that I registered late that statement.

"HUH!?"

It didn't make any sense.

"Since you are living alone, you are doing two part-time jobs to pay your rent. The valedictorian status at school exempt you from their fees. But to keep that status, you'll have to study in the little free time remaining. I'm even surprised you lasted for half a year!"

"How do you know...!"

"I bet you don't even remember me, right...?"

A lonely expression didn't let me lie.

"..."

"Do I have to start by introducing myself, Fujimiya Kotarou?"

"...Please do"

Hearing a sigh, the girl in front of me stood up and made a small bow.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Erie Shibata and I go to your same school. By the way, I'm also in the first year, but, unfortunately, I'm not in your same class."

"... You are the Princess...?"

"So you do know me, Fujita!"

An excited expression appeared on her face.

"What do you know of me? Tell me!"

Bolting to my side, she was grabbing my hands and staring directly to my eyes.

Feeling the intense stare, I could only divert my gaze.

"The beauty and the moodmaker of the school, approached by many boys and also rejecting the same number. An existence that seems far from ordinary people"

Grinning, I could feel her happiness.

"I thought you wouldn't even know this since you are disinstered in school matters!"

"There a noisy classmate that wouldn't gossiping..."

But ignoring my statement, she approached me until she was whispering in my ear.

"So, do you want to keep a Princess captive?"

Alluring me with her words, I started blushing.

Shibata stepped back and revealed a truly mischevious smile.

I have the feeling I'm dancing on her palm...

And that's why my mood worsened.

"No"

Feeling the change of my mood, Shibata was surprised.

"Why not? It isn't the dream of every man to have a girlfriend, moreover if she's beautiful as a princess?"

"Life isn't that kind"

That's right.

Since I had to work to pay my rent, I know it better than anyone.

That's why, I couldn't trust her words.

"Why would you want the Yeti as your boyfriend?"

Yes, Yeti was my nickname.

Uninterested in any school matters, I just showed up my face for lessons and left right when the last bell sounded.

Truly a mythical being.

Nobody is even willing to approach me during break time, nor I had any time to waste for it.

But instead of being afraid, Shibata was feeling embarassed.

"Huh? So suddenly? You're so bold..."

"?"

Touching her hair and swirling her finger on it, she gathered her courage.

"You put walls around you, but you care about the people around you. Despite not part of your job, you remember the customers' favorite series when you work in the bookstore, even the sporadic ones, and you always make stop the childen cry when you work at the family restaurant. Even though you feel tired, you won't stop until you have accomplished your goal. That's why, I want to support you, so you won't break like today."

What she was saying?

It seemed like...

"So, I like you. Please, go out with me!"

It was a confession.

But I couldn't accept it.

"No"