The Right to Love

***

On that day, after leaving school with Sakura, three guys that I had once beaten cornered me. Realizing they stood no chance against me, they called for reinforcements – a girl.

Aware that I wouldn't fight a girl, she confronted me. She unleashed a punch that rocked my face with all her might.

While I was lying defeated on the ground, Sakura ran to my side, sobbing and begging for help.

Ignoring her, the girl said: “Move. I haven’t finished yet.”

Sakura shielded me with her body. I couldn’t move. The girl got pissed off and warned her that if she didn’t move, she’d beat her instead.

That’s how Sakura got punched to her face.

The guys and the girl left.

Sakura wept, striking my chest. I asked her why she’d go to such lengths for me. She responded that fighting for love was always necessary.

It was at that moment, gazing at her bloodied face, that I swore to protect her.

Since that day, the sight of blood would trigger me. But I was resolved to shield her and never let her suffer again.

And yet...

***

Pain wasn't just about physical suffering. I understood that. What I failed to grasp was how deeply might Sakura be hurting inside.

Standing before her, I had no way to counter any of her arguments.

Was this how she had always felt?

It pained me but perhaps I wasn’t the one who could make her happy.

“I’m very sorry, Sakura.” I finally uttered some words.

“I know, Ren. You’re a kind boy. But sometimes, love and kindness aren’t enough. I apologize for what I said in the heat of the moment, about how you failed to protect me. It came out wrong. What I meant was... you never considered my need to protect someone. You always put me first, not realizing how powerless it made me feel."

I was deeply perplexed. What was she talking about now? Could this need to protect be why she possessed the ability to cast protective shields? Was that why I… needed to understand the whispers of her heart?

“I think I understand now, Sakura… I shouldn’t have been so stubborn and selfish all the time. I decided for both of us how we should live in our relationship. Sometimes… it’s okay to get hurt. As long as we care for each other.”

“Why do you get it so late? I don’t think we can patch this relationship together anymore…” Tears welled up in Sakura’s eyes, falling like raindrops.

I pulled her closer, hugging her tightly.

“It’s okay… A break-up is a necessary part of many relationships. I can’t be so arrogant to say that our relationship should be different… I’ll support you if you decide to choose a different path from mine.”

This really was an exam. This was not reality. But I still cried thousand tears while I was embracing her.

I understood the significance. These were my genuine fears, buried deep in my soul. I was terrified of not being enough for Sakura, that she would leave me because I wouldn't let her breathe freely.

There was no assignment this time, because this exam was tailored to each individual. Love School was showing me what would happen if I made the wrong choices and failed to learn from the lessons and exams.

“That’s the answer… right... Bohyňa?”

I stared into Sakura’s scarlet eyes, when her lips curled into a smirk and those eyes turned white, almost transparent.

“That’s correct!” Sakura spoke in Bohyňa’s voice. “How did you know that?”

"I didn't... I just recalled everything I learned about love, emotions, dates, all kinds of relationships, weddings, and even married life. I spoke my mind without filters."

“Aawww, look at this boy scared of the tiniest amount of blood. He grew so much~.”

“Don’t tease me…!”

“Why did you make that story about Sakura’s blood sound so much more dramatic than it really was? It was just a little misunderstanding, you don’t have to be so overprotective and hype yourself up with fake stories like that!”

“Oh, but…! … Whatever. I won’t. Can you please stop talking in your voice with Sakura’s lips? I do like yours, but I just prefer her voice better.”

“Hehehe. Congratulations on your graduation, Ren Hatoyama!”

[Grand Achievement: Graduation complete!]

***

And just like that, we snapped back to reality.

Awakening in the same classroom this all started at, the twenty-one students that graduated with us almost cried tears of joy.

“Congratulations, dudes and dudettes!” Svet-sensei greeted us.

“Y’all will receive a Relationship License, a card that you’ll have to present to any police officer, should you be checked up, just your driving license or ID.”

“What an incredible journey!” Sakura threw her hands in the air. “Thank you, Sensei!” The other students joined in the act of gratitude.

I hugged the real Sakura tightly and whispered in her ear, “Now I can love you unconditionally even more~!”

“Me too, darling! And goodness, that ‘Kiss’ guy was you all along! But oof, that final exam made me cry like a little girl. I couldn’t distinguish it from reality!”

She had also endured this traumatic experience. Now, with her memory restored, she knew the true identity of Kiss.

“Well, squad. There’s no need for emotional farewells, so just get the hell out of here before we make you fail!” Svet-sensei was as playful as ever.

As we tried to leave the classroom, the teacher stopped Sakura and me, taking his bag off.

“Woah, you look funny without that bag!” Sakura’s innocent honesty must have stung him.

“Is that how you react to somebody’s real face?!” He lamented.

“So what did you need, sensei?”

"I'll get straight to the point. There was supposed to be a more elaborate graduation ceremony at Love School, but our AI alerted us to an impending crisis. She urged us to evacuate the students from Romancia as quickly as possible. And as you can see... the player known as Plamen is missing."

“Don’t tell me…”

“Yeah. He barricaded himself at Love School. And… he actually had AI send us that message, wanting to save all the remaining humans. Because the AI… is now in custody, completely controlled by Plamen, who made himself the first King of Romancia.”

“What…? The AI… Bohyňa... captured by Plamen? Impossible! She’s supposed to be the ‘omnipotent being’!”

"We don't have all the details. He exploited her abilities to block the entrance for new students. Which means..."

“That while the ‘Relationship Qualification Act’ is in effect, nobody else can obtain a legal license for love...” Sakura has correctly concluded.

“So that’s what the government guy was talking about that time… the new game would be finished in three years. That would mean a complete ban of dating for that period.”

“They asked us to take care of this. There’s a way to try and stop Plamen. I know I can’t possibly ask this of you since you already graduated and are free to go, but…” Svet-sensei bowed deeply. “Please, stop Plamen, save Romancia and secure the future for next generations!”

“Sensei…” Sakura’s sorrowful eyes looked at him, then turned to me.

"I hated that place. I wished every day for it to end because I just wanted to live my life with Sakura," I started, and Svet-sensei raised his head, concerned. "But... I eventually grew fond of it. As bothersome as the exams were, the time we spent there... it was fun."

“Dude, so you…?”

“Yes! I’m done running away! I can’t be stubborn and selfish anymore. Love is for everybody! I can’t possibly stand here doing nothing while teenagers around this country have no way of reclaiming their right to love! If Sakura agrees, I’ll go back to Romancia and kick Plamen’s ass!”

“Well, you’ll need my Caring Shield!”

“Let’s go save Bohyňa together. As a legal couple!” I gently took Sakura’s hand.

“But how are we going to travel there if the entrance is blocked?” Sakura imposed a question.

“I think we have the answer!” A familiar energetic female voice chimed in.

“It’s a drag… but you’ll need help,” A male added with a yawn.

“Burka, Nebo!” Sakura yelled in excitement!

“Yo, Laska, Kiss!” Burka greeted us.

“Why are you here?” I asked, puzzled.

“Svet-sensei explained what happened with the Quest. The reward gets always split equally among the party, right?”

They both uncovered a piece of their clothes, revealing flower-like patterns etched on their chests.

“Love Pass?!” I shouted.

Sakura and I both touched our burning chests.

“The five of us are the only ones who can travel to Romancia now. So what do you say, squad?!” Svet-sensei hyped us up as we all agreed in unison.

"Love Pass!"

I didn’t wish to be a hero whose job was to defeat a villain. That wasn’t my story…

[Resume the Game?]

…until now.

It’s time to Level Up at Love School once more!

‘Level Up at Love School’, part 1: END