3. The devil attacks

"No"

That's was my response to her confession.

Shibata flinched, but kept her calm.

"Why, Fujita?"

The reason was simple.

"I don't have time"

But, instead of being in the verge of crying, she was relieved.

"So it's not because I'm not charming enough for you..."

"..."

I kept quiet because I knew that if I let slip anything, she would grab on it.

"I have school in the morning, part-time job at the book store in the afternoon, part-time job as waiter in the evening and need to study at night. There's no point in having a girlfriend if there's no time"

"Then quit your waiter job"

"Huh?"

I was starting to get angry.

A random person was telling me what to do without even asking my permission.

"Listen...!"

"I'll take care of your dinner"

"!"

Shibata was meeting my gaze with a serious expression.

"I know your financial situation and it's the same reason why you want to keep your valedictorian status. With school tax exemption and free lunch meal, you are trying your best to saving up money, and working in the family restaurant allows you to get the leftovers. But it's not healthy!"

Shibata grabbed my hands again.

"And I want to cook for you!"

Small hands were wrapped against mine.

Did these small hands really carry me in this room...?

Still, I couldn't accept.

"Sorry, I don't like to owe anyone. Also, I need that money"

I gently brushed away those delicate hands.

Shibata was crying... not.

An ominous laughter was coming from her.

I have a bad feeling...

"I didn't want to resort to this... But you forced my hand!"

She pulled something from her desk and passed it to me.

"It's... my rent contract?!?"

Why does she have it!?

"I forgot to tell you, but I'm the daughter's owner of this apartment building"

When I heard that statement, my blood froze.

"As signed by your guardian and you, you are forced to listen to the daughter's request once per day"

"YOU are the daughter's owner?!?"

Shibata had a devilish smile.

"After a year and half, a huge number of request you cannot refused has accumulated"

"What are the coincidences of this...!?"

"Did you really think it was a coincidence?"

"What...!"

"You are smart, you should know what I mean"

It was that moment that all the pieces fitted their place.

"The apartment flyer was given to me by you...!?"

"Pin-pon! Correct, valedictorian! A special offer just for you!"

Shibata was so happy that she was standing up and circling around her room.

"But you already had your suspicious when you had seen the offer "student's apartment 3LDK only 5000 yen/month", right? And you accepted it anyway"

I couldn't say anything.

"And it was obvious that the highschool you would choose would be the one that gives the most benefits as valedictorian"

I was truly dancing on her palm.

"What I didn't expect is that you would hold on for so long that made me mad"

"Why did you wait so long?"

Shibata pointed her finger to me.

"Would you really listen to me if not in a situation like this!?"

"..."

She got a point.

Until now, I didn't even bothered to remember my classmates' names, least visit my own neighbor.

"That's why, I decided to wait until there was a chance. And I had enough of holding back."

A triumphant look was on her smug face.

"Now you owe me and I stated my request!"

Shibata was waiting my answer.

"..."

My brain was already working slowly and she was overloading me with all this useless ordeal.

The whole room was so silent that let me hear her whisper.

"... I won't let you regret it..."

An expected weak voice was weighting on my reason.

"...I accept"

To my surprise, Shibata said nothing.

Watching her face, I noticed that tears were falling.

"Huh?"

She turned to not let me see her face.

"Just as planned! I'm a genius!"

But her action of moving her hands to dry her tears was unfitting of her words.

Only when she felt comfortable, she met my gaze again.

No trace of tears were left, only a relieved smile.

"A maiden in love wins again!"

Blabbering something incomprehensive, I truly wondered what was the aim of this girl.

Setting up this whole plan was truly a pain, even if it was because of love.

While thinking of this, Shibata whispered to my ear.

"So, take care of me, my boyfriend!"

Overloading my brain, I felt fainting.

I withdraw all what I just said.

She was truly a tempting devil, and I just accepted a contract with her.