The Bet

***

Sure enough, the supposedly horror video with two pranks in it was loved by people. We crossed the 1000 subscriber count by just two videos. Pretty good if I say so. This is not an easy thing to achieve. Although I can say that our channel reached more people due to the promotion from our parents, it still isn't easy to get them to subscribe. Now we have to focus on getting the watch time of 4,000 hours which is the total amount of time for which the videos have been played.

"No one told me about this watch time limit! Here I thought we would start earning now." She didn't get normal in the morning like her father told me. I had to treat her to a Parfait even though she also pranked me. But I still have to be cautious. She is probably not going to forget without taking revenge.

"Why is the limit so huge anyways?!"

"How would I know? Contact their headquarters."

"Huh? We can?!"

"Of course not! Idiot! Not for such stupid reasons."

"Wait a min, so  we can after all."

"Yeah, we can E-mail them but they won't likely notice. We can also tag them on social media but we need a large amount of people supporting us for them to even take notice. So yeah, we can't."

"That's too bad."

"Well, we have a bigger problem than watch time right now."

"Huh? What is that?"

"Don't tell me you forgot." I took the handout from the bag and showed her. "This! The midterms are coming up."

"Oh yeah! I don't need to worry about them. I am a genius."

"Oh yeah? Don't come crying to me if you fail."

"What? You should think about yourself. I am going to take the higher rank than you too."

"Sorry, but there is no higher rank than 1st."

"Awfully confident, aren't we?"

"Just stating the truth."

"Hmm... then why don't we make a bet."

"A bet?"

"Yeah, a bet. If you don't get first place and rank below me then you will have to give money for everything we do on Christmas."

"C-Christmas?! So, we are going to spend Christmas together?" Won't that be a date?

"Huh? You don't want to? Don't tell me you are afraid because of the bet now."

"Not in this life! Also, I assume this rule applies to you too right?" And I don't think she is thinking of it that way at all.

"H-huh? Y-yeah, o-of course!" She wasn't planning to get out of this unharmed in any case right?

"Alright get ready for emptying your pockets on Christmas."

"We'll see about that." We reached our homes.

"So, when are we studying?" She asked.

"We are still going to be studying together even after making that bet?"

"Of course! Let's meet in the library at 4 PM." And she went inside. Sometimes she doesn't make any sense.

I sighed and went inside my house.

***

After school, the teacher had called me to the staffroom to discuss some stuff about my study. Of course, he was worried I would fail since I skipped so many classes. There was still a month remaining. I assured him he doesn't have to worry about me. Kayo was waiting in class because going home together was a routine for us now so I straight went back to class to not keep her waiting.

Now that I think about it, did she really had no idea when she helped me? If I had not met her would I still be sitting in the infirmary? Does she really not mind that she doesn't have any other friends because of me? As these random thoughts possessed my brain, I walked to the classroom but just as I was about to enter I heard some voices. I saw from the glass panel of the door and saw two girls standing in front of Kayo.

"Why are you hanging out with that scum? Do you really want his money that much, huh?"

This was the first time I had left her alone in school and this happened. I was trying to ignore this fact but that is probably how Kayo seemed to others. The world of the internet is also not forgiving at all. If there are lovers then there are haters too. Although a small amount, haters also comment on videos.

And since they already know me, the object of their hate becomes Kayo. They also pass similar comments on her. And I just kept ignoring this. Quite a selfish act, isn't it? Kayo also probably saw those comments. People are saying such bad stuff about her but she is still with me, Why?

"Huh? Why would I hang out with him for money? I don't have any money problems."

"Trying to become a good girl now huh?"

"I first talked to him because he seemed lonely." So that was it huh? It was all out of pity. What did I even expect?

"But... now I love hanging out with him. We make videos, study and play together. It is so much fun."

"Huh?! Don't give me that crap, you bitch!!" As she was about to push Kayo I stepped in and grabbed her hand.

"Don't you dare even touch her!!" I won't let anyone harm her. How can I after hearing that?

"What? Are you the bodyguard of that gold digger bitc—?" I slapped her.

"I won't hear a word about her from trash like you."

"Let's go." I grabbed my bag and Kayo's hand and went out of the classroom.

"H-hey, you didn't have to slap her."

"Listen, if you are trying to be modest then this is not modesty. They don't have any right to say bad things like that to you and you have all the right to fight back when someone badmouths you or tries to hurt you. Even if you don't care what someone else says about you, I do. Because you are my friend and I won't let anyone ever hurt you like that." Her eyes got teary.

"H-huh? S-sorry I didn't mean to scare you or something. I-I just wanted to help you."

"I am not scared, I am just happy that you got angry for my sake. Thanks!" She said while wiping her tears away.

"Then don't cry, I thought you might hate me now," I said, embarrassed.

"I would never hate you." She said with a bright and cute smile. I will fall in love with her at this rate.

Sure enough, I got in trouble with teachers for slapping that girl and more rumors started flying but I don't even care about all that. If I can protect Kayo, that is enough for me.

***

This was the first time someone ever called me their friend honestly. The first time someone got angry on my behalf. I have been experiencing so many first times since I met him. Hearing him say all that made me cry from happiness. I am so glad I talked to him that day.