Chapter 2 - "Holy Knights"

I went back to my room, brushed my teeth fastly, and went to bed.

"Ughh... I am so tired" after that I fell asleep.

..........

In my dream appeared a giant shadow it was following me, I was running with all my power.

Then I tripped and fell to the ground, and I looked back it was...

"THE F*CKING PIZZA THAT WAS LEFTOVER FROM LAST WEEK!"

I should have thrown it in the trash...

After that everything went black in my dream and then all of a sudden a light appeared so I started heading towards it.

A girl was standing on the bridge looking at the lake full of swans.

I started walking towards her, and when I got close, I tried to approach her, but then suddenly my alarm rang!!..and I woke up.

I will probably never know who was this girl from my dream, the only thing I remember is that she wore a white dress and had a black bag.

"Wait... God, please let me see the girl! Ahh, I can't even have what I want in my dreams..."

After I woke up I looked at my phone to see what time it is now.

"It's fifty past eleven! Damn it, I will be for the date, I mean meeting, haha."

I changed my pants, changed into the first hoodie I saw, grabbed my keys, and started to run towards the elevator.

This time there was nobody in it.

When I arrived on the first floor I saw Nakano-san!

"Hey, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at the cafe?"

"Me?! I should be asking you this question. I thought you were going to oversleep today so I came to wait for you here so you don't have to worry about being late."

"Wow, you read me through! You are amazing!" said laughingly.

Then Nakano-san smiled at me and said:

"No, it's not a big deal, you told me yesterday that you were tired so I thought you might sleep a bit longer," Aki said as she started laughing.

I just noticed that she is wearing a white dress and a black bag, like the girl in my dreams, hmm.. that's interesting.

"Are you tired, why aren't you saying anything?" said Nakano-san.

"I am just really surprised by seeing you here, haha."

"Same, should we get something to drink? Let's walk together to the cafe!"

"Don't you have classes today?"

"No, I am free today."

"Well, I also got none."

Should I ask her to hang out together today, I will probably be just a burden to her...

"Really?! Didn't you have classes today ?" Aki asked Haru

"Yes, but I had only one class, it wasn't important either way," Haru said it as he chuckled, Aki didn't say anything, only smiled and then they arrived at the cafe.

"Furuya-kun, what would you like to drink?" said Nakano-san while heading toward the counter.

"I will go, it's fine, stay here Nakano-san!"

"Really? Thank you Furuya-kun! I would like a pumpkin spice latte."

He is such a gentleman, it's rare to meet men with good etiquette nowadays.

"Leave it to me, I'll get one too, haven't got one in a long time."

And then I went to queue to order us drinks.

"Good day, I would like two large pumpkin spice lattes, please."

"Coming right up!" responded the worker and they started making it immediately.

I just stared at the coffee running down from the machine and it reminded me of how my Mom used to make coffee every day.

She passed away because of breast cancer when I was fifteen years old. She fought for the duration of one year but in the end, cancer won. I wish she was here with me, I would have invited her to introduce her to Nakano-san and drink delicious coffee as we used to in the past...

But that's now all in the past, now what I have to do is to work hard on my goals and become someone who my mother would be proud of if she was still here with us.

"Here are your pumpkin spice lattes!"

"Thanks." I grabbed them and went back to the table.

"Nakano-san, here you are!" she nodded and said nothing.

I just remembered I left my phone at home.

I didn't want to bring my phone with me since it might be rude to Nakano-san for me to be staring at it all the time.

Forget that! I even forgot for what reason we were supposed to meet... I am such an idiot.

All of a sudden Nakano-san broke the silence.

"Hey, I brought the novel I wrote with me!! You said you would like to take a look at my first novel, so I brought it with me."

"Oh, right! Was it called "The Fountain"?

That's what we were here for, I forgot about it.

"What is the story about?" I asked.

"Hehe, you will have to check it for yourself!" replied Nakano-san while grinning with joy.

"Sure! I will do it as soon as I get back to the dorm."

I still have so much homework left to do, though...

Eh, whatever, it's Nakano-san's first novel after all. I have to give her my honest opinions as fast as possible!

"By the way, do you have any plans for today, perhaps going out with your friend?" asked Nakano-san

Why is she asking about my plans all of a sudden?!

"No! I got no plans, what about you, Nakano-san?"

"Me too! I am completely free, wanna go somewhere together if you don't mind?"

WHAT??!! Did Nakano-san just ask me to hang out with her?! This must be a dream. Right! This is all a dream, I am just going to pinch myself to wake up from this unrealistic dream!

"Ow, that hurt!!" I screamed as soon as I pinched myself.

"Are you okay Furuya-kun?! Why did you scream all of a sudden?!" asked Nakano-san worryingly.

Ah.....This wasn't a dream... and on top of that Nakano-san saw me pinching myself, I am so embarrassed, I want to die...

Anyways I got to act normally and ask her where she wants to go.

"It's fine, I just thought that I saw a flying around my face, haha," I replied while looking at the ground out of embarrassment.

"Anyways! I am free, where would you like to go, Nakano-san?"

"Oh, great! There is a cosplay event happening in Akihabara today!"

"Awesome! Let's go check it out after we finish our lattes."

"Yes, I love cosplaying, and seeing someone else who is interested in the world of cosplay makes me so happy! I am so glad I met you today Furuya-kun!"

Nakano-san said excitingly while smiling at me with her beautiful smile.

Five minutes later we finished our drinks and headed toward the bus stop.

"So since when are you into cosplay?" I asked.

"Since three years ago, my first cosplay was of a vampire princess, haha. I was so nervous back then since it was my first time cosplaying, but my friends said it looked great on me so I continued to wear it!"

"You are so amazing Nakano-san. Was that cosplay perhaps the one you were wearing yesterday?!"

"Yup, I wanted to remember how I looked in it so I put it on yesterday, and also took some pictures for my cosplay album."

"Eh! Then is it a problem that we were in your photo yesterday??"

Nakano-san didn't say anything and then the bus arrived so we got on it.

Did I do something wrong?! And now because of something I did she is pissed at me so that's why she must've gone silent on me...

We found sits at the back of the bus and sat down.

And then Nakano-san said in a loud voice.

"No, no, no, no, no!! I'm sorry I didn't ignore you on purpose, I was just thinking about something.. Sorry, Furuya-kun!!"

"Oh, no, there is no need to apologize Nakano-san! You must've been tired too, it's fine, I am not mad!"

"Really..? That's a relief, in fact, you two made the picture look even better! As the saying goes: The more the better." Aki said it while she was giggling.

"For real? I am happy that we didn't ruin your shot! By the way, are we going to Akihabara just to watch the cosplay event?"

"Well..actually I got another idea on my mind, what about..we..cosplay together and participate in the event?" said Nakano-san with her face turned red as a tomato.

"There are also lots of rewards for the participants!" Nakano-san exclaimed.

"For real?! Cosplaying together?! Woah, that's a great idea, do you have any characters in mind?"

"Yes, what about we cosplay as two knights, a female, and a male? They are a pair of knights who are always by each other sides and fight everything evil that comes in their way!"

"Sounds cool!"

"Next station is Akihabara Station, the doors are on the left side." announced the bus announcer.

"Let's go, Furuya-kun, we arrived!" said Nakano-san.

We left the bus and went to the anime store that we went to yesterday.

"Come with me," she said and grabbed my hand. She took me to the end of the store. There stood up two magnificent costumes. The one on the right was all white with a sword and the other one on the left was all black with two swords coming along with it.

"Grab the black one and get dressed up, I want to see you in this!" Nakano-san said with a grin on her face.

"Eh..okay, I am going to change into it."

I can't complain, after all, I came here for Nakano-san.

I went to the dressing room and put on the costume.

Now time to grab the two swords.

Wait a minute...why are the swords so heavy!!

Aren't they supposed to be plastic or wooden swords, are they real authentic swords?!

They must be so expensive...

Anyways, I have to show how the outfit to Nakano-san, time to show her my pathetic self in this outfit.

As soon as I got out, I saw that Nakano-san was waiting in front of me already all dressed up.

She looks absolutely stunning in that outfit!! I can't believe I am in the presence of a goddess.

"Wow, you look so fascinating!" I said as I was not even able to look her in the eyes since she was looking so beautiful in that knight outfit.

"Thank you, you too Furuya-kun!" Nakano-san said happily.

"By the way, what are those swords, are they real?!"

After all, they are as heavy as a brick, my arms are going to fall off.

"Yes, they are, why are you asking?"

"What! Aren't they like super expensive?"

"Don't worry, the manager here is a friend of mine, she promised to rent us these costumes out for free, just for today!"

"You have some good connections, Nakano-san, haha."

"Oh no, it's time to go to the event." said loudly Nakano-san.

"Yeah, let's win the grand prize!" I screamed out loudly in excitement.

"I agree, we can do it!" replied Nakano-san.

We started walking towards the event, looking good in the costumes.

"Furuya-kun!" exclaimed Nakano-san.

"What? Is there a problem?!"

"No, just, I had a question for you for my novel, since I want to get a boy's opinion."

"Sure, you can ask me anything!"

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Nakano-san asked me while looking away.

Eh??!! Why is Nakano-san asking me if I have a girlfriend all of a sudden, is she perhaps curious?

No! It can't be, she must just need help with writing her novel, I am sure it doesn't have any other meaning, unfortunately...

"No, I've never had one."

"Oh, really?! That's surprising since you are such a good guy, Furuya-kun. You must be popular with the girls."

"No, no, no way! I am not popular at all..haha." I replied while laughing nervously.

"Anyways, that's for the better, since you may only get hurt in a relationship..."

Why is Nakano-san saying that, has she been in a rough relationship recently?

"So, have you been hurt in a relationship before, Nakano-san?"

"Yes, a very long time ago but I prefer to not talk about it."

She must've been hurt deeply...poor Nakano-san, I better not ask her about it anymore today.

"It's okay Nakano-san, let's get rid of these sad thoughts and cheer up we're going to Cosplay Con after all, right!"

"Yay, you are right, Furuya-kun, I am so excited about the competition!"

Then we arrived in front of the building.

"Is that the building, it looks fabulous!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, it's decorated in preparation for today's event, it's so amazing everything I look at it.

What are we waiting for, let's go in, Furuya-kun!"

As we walked in through the doors, there were hundreds of cosplayers in front of us.

All of them are wearing gorgeous handmade costumes. It is like we entered another realm.

"Wow, I don't know what to say, this is my dream, being around people who love cosplaying as much as I do, I am so happy!" exclaimed Nakano-san.

"Same for me! Let's go sign up, Nakano-san. By the way, what is the grand reward for the winners?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, it is a brand new PlayBox 6, do you by any chance enjoy playing games, Furuya-kun?"

"Oh my god, of course, I do, is that for real?! It's not even in the stores out yet!!"

"Yes, that's why this award is so special. Let's win it together!" Nakano-san said as she smiled.

"I am also sure we will win it, after all, you are here, Nakano-san. You look amazing in this knight outfit!"

Ah...what am I saying? She indeed looks good, but she probably thinks it's gross to hear me complimenting her...

"Hehe, thank you, Furuya-kun, you also look amazing today."

We went to the booth and signed up, and the number we got is number three-hundred.

So we have to wait a bit until it's our turn.

"Since we have to wait a bit, if you are hungry would you like to eat anything, Nakano-san?"

"Yes, very much, let's go get some burgers!'

"Burgers? Sure, sounds great, I love burgers." I said while giggling.

We got into the escalator and then got off on the second floor, it's the fast food floor.

"Nakano-san, you can sit down at that table, I will go order for us. Shrimp burger and large fries for you, right?"

"Yes, perfect! You know me so well, Furuya-kun, and we met yesterday, haha."

Nakano-san sat down and I headed to order our burgers, in line there were two men in elf costumes.

The one on the right was wearing a blonde wig and a red dress and the one on the left other wore a blonde wig and a green dress.

"So brother do you want big bloody sucky fries with extra blood on them or as we call it KETCHUP!?" said the elf in the green dress to the other elf.

"Yes, brother, we should feast before achieving the victory, but I am sure the victory is already in our hands, in my we have already WON!" said the elf in a red dress.

I guess there are some interesting individuals in here..., eh, whatever, at least they are expressing themselves.

I took the food and went back to Nakano-san.

"Furuya-kun, did you see these two male elves in line?"

"Yes, I prefer I didn't, though..." I said with a half-grinning smile.

"Let's dig in, Nakano-san, it's your favorite shrimp burger after all!"

"You are right, thanks for the food, Furuya-kun!"

"Don't worry, you brought me here to this amazing event, I should at least treat you to something delicious."

"When I think of it, I don't have any way of form to contact you!

"Do you want to exchange e-mails, Furuya-kun?"

"Oh, of course! Here is my phone, you can type it in."

"Done, here you are, Furuya-kun!"

What happened right now?! I just got Nakano-san's email, I can now contact her whenever I want to!

This is truly the best day of my life.

Wow, she put a lot of hot sauce on her burger.

"Is it okay?! You put a lot of hot sauce on the burger, do you by any chance like spicy food, Nakano-san?"

"Yes, very much indeed, I have always loved spicy food, ever since I was a little child, I would eat spicy food almost every day!" Nakano-san replied while laughing out loud.

"Do you also like spicy food, Furuya-kun?!"

"Well, I eat spicy food sometimes."

"Great! Then, would you like to try the "Super HOT Challenge", if you eat the burger in under five minutes, you get a 10,000 Yen coupon for the Anime Store here!"

"For real?! Then I guess it doesn't hurt to try, if I complete it we can buy some merch!"

I said with my hands shaking from being nervous.

"That would be great, Fujito-kun, I will go tell them to bring it," said Nakano-san while hurriedly going to the counter.

"Thanks, Nakano-san."

I said that with a smile, pretending to be happy but on the inside, I am in fact scared shitless. I can't even eat the spicy ramen from the convenience store, how am I supposed to eat this super spicy burger...but I can't give up right now.

I have to eat it for Nakano-san, after saying all that I can't just give up.

Nakano-san was coming with the burger in her hands and the whole burger was covered in spicy sauce, it looked like a volcano of hot sauce erupted all over it.

I can't even imagine how spicy it might be, goodbye sweet, cruel world, I am going ahead Nakano-san, see you on the other side...

"Hey, Furuya-kun, are you okay, you are looking really pale?! Should I tell them that we are giving up, I am worried about you." said worryingly Nakano-san.

With the little soul still left in me I said:

"No, I can do it, give me the burger!"

I definitely can't do it, someone please save me...!!

I ate the whole burger and regretted it with my whole existence...

"Congratulations! You just won a 10,000 Yen coupon, you can use it in all of the anime stores in our shopping center." said the worker to me.

I can't hear anything, I guess I won, but at what cost...this might be the end of me but at least I made Nakano-san happy.

"Furuya-kun, are you okay?! Do you want me to give you some water or milk?"

"Yes, please, can I have some milk."

Save me, my tongue is on ashes, but she would feel bad if I tell her that so I will just keep it to myself, and also I don't think that I have the strength in me to talk anymore...

Nakano-san went to get milk immediately and came back with three big milk bottles.

I want to ask her why she bought three whole bottles of milk, but I just need to drink some milk before my insides die.

I drank one of the bottles and finally felt relieved inside.

"Do you feel a little bit better now, Furuya-kun?"

"Yes, thanks to you, Nakano-san, you saved my life, haha. But I feel bad that you bought three bottles of milk for me, I will pay you back!"

"No, you don't have to do it, I was worried about you, that you may get sick because of me.

I am sorry, about making you do the challenge for me."

Nakano-san was tearing up while apologizing to me.

"It's fine, Nakano-san, thanks to you I am fine now, so you don't have to worry about me!"

We sat at the nearby bench for a bit till my stomach got better and then we started heading to the third floor to check out the anime stores.

"Let's check out what anime merchandise they have here!" exclaimed Nakano-san.

"Yes! Let's go!"

I am so excited to check out what new releases they have, on top of that I won a coupon with which I could get something as a gift for Nakano-san.

We went into the first store on the right and started to look around.

There were posters, keychains, painted cups, and so many other things.

After we explored the store, we went to the anime figure aisle. In the huge display in front of us, there were standing two figures of the knights we were cosplaying today.

"Look, we found the "Holy Knights"!"

"What about we buy them with the coupon we got to remember this day every time we look at these figures!" I said while holding my wallet.

"Let's do that, Furuya-kun! The figures are in a set and cost eleven thousand yen, so we will need to pay a thousand yen on top."

"I will add it up, think of it as a present from me to you for bringing me here, the white knight is for you."

"Thank you so much, I will forever remember this day, thanks to you, Furuya-kun!"

What is this feeling? My heart feels like it will explode hearing these words from a pretty girl like Nakano-san.

I took the figures and went to the cash register to pay for them.

"Furuya-kun! We should head now to the first floor, so we don't miss our turn," said Nakano-san.

"Yes, let's hurry up!"

We started running down the escalator, while running down the escalator the announcer was yelling "number 281" so our turn was getting close.

I was so nervous so I just sat on a bench trying to calm my nerves.

Then Nakano-san tried to comfort me by saying:

"Don't worry, you don't have to say anything, just stand there. You look fabulous.

We are going to do great!"

Hearing these words calmed me a lot, I feel truly lucky being here with Nakano-san.

Nakano-san is such a caring person, I need someone like her in my life.

I smiled and said:

"Thank you Nakano-san, you helped me a lot today, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't know what to do."

"No problem, I just don't want you to underestimate yourself, you are great as you are." Nakano-san blushed after saying that.

"Team number three-hundred, come to the stage!" exclaimed the announcer.

"Coming to the stage, are the one and only "Holy Knights" from a fantasy realm outside of ours, give them some ovations!"

"They got the audience very hyped up for us," exclaimed Nakano-san.

"Yeah, let's not disappoint them."

I said that but I am still shaking like crazy...

We went on the stage and started striking poses, one after another.

The public went crazy, the photographers were taking pictures of us and started clapping after we got off the stage.

Then the event announcer announced the news.

"Now, we are going to announce the top three teams!

Third place goes to the "Deadly Ninjas with Bloody Eyes".

Second place goes to the "Crimson Elves".

"Look these two are the elves from that burger place," Nakano-san said loudly in excitement.

It's the ketchup bros... I didn't know that they were participating in the competition.

"And the winners of this year's annual cosplay event are the "HOLY KNIGHTS"!

Wait?! WHAT?!

"Did I just hear our names?" I said in a panic.

"YES! WE WON, FURUYA-KUN!" Nakano-san screamed.

I couldn't believe it, we won! I will forever remember this day.

We went to get our award, the PlayBox 6, and for a bonus award they gave us a game called: "Holy Knights: The Game".

We headed towards the cosplay store to return the knight costumes.

We changed into our normal clothes and headed home.

"I had a lot of fun today, thank you, Furuya-kun!"

"I should be thanking you, I would have been in my room all day, doing nothing, but instead I am here with you Nakano-san, having the time of my life"

Nakano-san felt shy after hearing these words.

"Nakano-san, would you like to have the PlayBox 6 for yourself, after all, it was your idea to participate in the competition."

"No, it's fine, Furuya-kun! I don't even have a monitor to play on, only my laptop."

"That's fine, I have two monitors in my room!"

"Wait, why do you have two monitors, have you brought your computer from home?"

"Yes, I prefer it more than a laptop for studies."

I mean playing games all night, but I don't want to look like a geek in front of Nakano-san, even though that's what I did all through today, I am indeed a loser, haha...

"Nice, I will give it to you, Furuya-kun, but you promise me that we will play together sometime!" Nakano-san said with a grin on her face.

What??!! Nakano-san wants to play together with me? In my room? The two of us, all alone??!!

I am once again saying my goodbyes to this sweet but very very very cruel world...

"Of course, we can do it this weekend, if it's fine with you?"

"For sure, I got no patience to try out the game, I loved the anime series when I watched it!

"Great, then what about 6 p.m. this Sunday?"

"I am fine with that, then I will have to get us some snacks," exclaimed Nakano-san.

"I will come with you! I have to buy some stuff anyways."

"Thank you, I am glad that I am not alone outside at this time, there are so many perverts out there."

"You are welcome! Don't worry I will be your knight today." I said as I started laughing loud.

Nakano-san just smiled and said:

"Take care of me, holy knight."

"Sure, my princess."

Ahh...why did I call her a princess!! I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, please someone save me from this embarrassment...

"You are funny, Furuya-kun, haha."

"What are you going to get, Nakano-san?"

"Umm, I want to get some candies, do you want to try hot ones."

"Please, have mercy on me, I can't take any more spicy things today..."

"Okay, I will spare you for today, but be prepared for Sunday!"

Oh, no... anyways why are there so many candy flavors here?!

"I will get the grape-flavored jelly, what about you, Nakano-san?"

"For me, just one strawberry lollipop, I like very sweet things, haha."

We bought them and headed towards the dormitory.

"Furuya-kun, do you need help with that, should I open the door for you?"

"Yes, I didn't think of it. Thanks for offering your help, Nakano-san."

We entered the main gate and then went into the elevator.

I am so tired, I need to get some sleep today.

"Furuya-kun."

"Yes, what is it, Nakano-san?"

"Life is really strange, right?

We met here yesterday, right here in this same elevator, and now we're like such close friends holding the new not yet released PlayBox 6." Nakano-san said while giggling.

Now that I think about it, it sure is crazy, a geek loser like meeting such a beautiful girl by chance in the elevator, I don't even think that such a thing has ever happened in my dreams till now.

Still, I am so glad I met her, today was lots of fun.

"Indeed it is, I am happy that I met you, Nakano-san, let's get along well!" I told Nakano-san while grinning through my teeth like a child who got ice cream.

"I would love that, let's make more fun memories together, Furuya-kun." Nakano-san said while smiling.

"Oh, we arrived, that is our stop, the fifth floor, my room is at the end of the corridor, by the way."

As if she doesn't know, what an idiot I am... haha.

We walked towards my room and then I remembered something.

Oh no, oh no, no, no! This can't be real, why didn't I clean it up in the morning?!

The F-ing pizza is still on the floor!!

I can't let her see my room like that, I have to part with Nakano-san here and now.

"Nakano-san! Actually, I forgot that my room is all messed up."

"Oh, it's fine. I don't mind! You don't have to worry, haha."

"No, no, its's really fine. I can handle it from here on!"

"Oh, okay. then see you on Sunday, Furuya-kun!"

"Nakano-san!"

"Yes?"

WHAT AM I DOING?!

"Do you want to hang out again tomorrow, with me and my friend?

Also, it would be nice if you can call Suzumiya-san to come along too, I think Shou is getting along with her!"

"Haha, I see, sure, I will check if it's fine with her too. Then I guess, see you tomorrow, Furuya-kun!" Nakano-san stuck out her tongue and walked away.

"Have a good night!" said Nakano-san while running.

"Yea! Good night, Nakano-san, see you tomorrow!"

She got into the elevator and went home.

Ah...my heart is beating so fast. This is dangerous, I think, I think...that

I might've...fallen in love.

END OF CHAPTER 2