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Chapter 150: Sakurai Touya and Hinagiku Saya (1)
Chapter 150: Sakurai Touya and Hinagiku Saya (1)
Chapter 150: Sakurai Touya and Hinagiku Saya (1)
Saya-chan and me, were childhood friends. Our houses were right next to each other, and wed been playmates for as far back as I can remember. And at some point, Id even fallen in love with her.
Id confessed my feelings in my junior year in kindergarten, and promised her that wed get married in my senior year. Too precocious? Not at all. I was completely serious. Back then, and still now.
In the end, be it in elementary school, or middle school, I ended up confessing to her over and over again. And every time I did, she readily replied,
I, love you too!
Ahh, I must be the luckiest guy in the world.
Since Ive had the absolute privilege of being together all my life with the girl I love, my one and only.
Saya-chan and me, we were so in sync with our feelings for each other But despite that, despite how real life isnt some cheap romance novel, we had our problems.
I first started noticing these problems in my 3rd year of elementary.
Boys and girls begin segregating a little starting at kindergarten, but come elementary, this goes into overdrive. Boys start playing amongst boys, and girls chatter amongst girls.
And between all that separation, whatd happen when one boy keeps sticking to a girl (Saya-chan) anywhere and everywhere?
Touya~, I saw you with Hinagiku~
Me, I saw those two, HOLDING HANDS!
Holy moly! Are you two DATING~
When they teased me like this, I The pathetic brat of a kid that I was, I, of all things, felt embarassed. I broke under the inquisitive gazes of everyone in class, and under the pressure from the boys who jeered at me.
So, you think it couldnt get worse?
S-Saya-chan I Im not going home with you anymore!
I told her. Man, if I had a time machine, I swear Id go back to me at that very moment and sucker punch that brat. I still regret it, it was the worst mistake Id made in my life.
I distanced myself from Saya-chan just to satisfy that sort of meaningless embarrassment. Id made her sad.
It was only after 3 days that Id come to know that Saya-chan cried because of me.
Sorry, Saya-chan. Im so sorry I, I love you!! Saya-chan, I love you forever
I cried and begged with my life for her forgiveness. I cried as if trying to squeeze anything fluid out of my body. I later heard that I was crying so hard, Saya-chans parents were in a bit of panic about me.
Anyway, she forgave me. Saya-chan is so kind. I was only forgiven because of her profuse and bountiful kindness.
Thereafter, I swore to myself that Id firmly oppose anyone who dared get in our way.
Hell to the rumors, hell to the haters, and hell to the pools of jealousy. My love for Saya-chan will prevail. Once I set my mind on it, I never backed down.
Ahh, the hell Touya, youre still hanging with Hinagiku? You really wanna date someone that butt ugly~?
Ill fucking kill you.
No mercy. No mercy to any enemies of my love. No mercy to anyone who insults my Saya-chan.
Luckily, Id hit puberty fast. I was also better than average at sports. No way Id lose in some elementary school brawl. I had a lot more at stake.
Love, that was my greatest source of strength.
And yet, Saya-chan, my kindhearted, infinitely caring Saya-chan even went so far as to worry for me.
Touya-kun, please, dont get into fights because of me. I, I know Im ugly, so
Oh no youre not! Youre the cutest girl in the world, Saya-chan! To me, theres only you, I cant even look at any other girl!
But Touya-kun, youre so handsome Someone like me, I dont even suit you.
Im the one who isnt good enough for you!
Saya-chan was the best, the cutest, the kindest, simply the best. I was working hard every day so I could become at least worthy of standing beside such an outstanding girl, so I could be worthy as her boyfriend. I worked out and studied hard. I even learned stuff about fashion, something I previously had no interest in, so I could look good to her.
All that hard work shouldve done something.
Thank you. But me and you being an item, actually, some girls get jealous you know So, dont worry so much. Im dont care if people say stuff about me.
But, you Dammit, I just want to be with you, why cant they understand that.
Mm, Ill be with you too. So dont worry, Ill be fine no matter what they do.
I was getting diabetes with how sweet she was.
I wouldve personally enjoyed giving hell to anyone who tired to mess with our love, but getting into too much trouble was a sure way to make Saya-chan sad. Cant do that.
The thing about a relationship, I realized, maybe in junior high, that it wasnt just about the two of us, but also involved the people around. Its a sensitive age. Everyone gets really worked up about dating and all that despite still being kids.
Guess I should count myself lucky, my heart was already set in stone. Saya-chan told me how shed seen this stuff happening with upperclassmen, so Id already made sure to learn how to best avoid stepping into the so-called confession pitfalls.
Once junior high starts, love literally explodes, especially for girls. And these chicks I maybe talked to once started coming on to me.
I was confessed to, many times. So many of these, Bitch, do I even know you? type girls.
I was a normal kid, just a bit taller than the other boys, somewhat OK at sports, and scored a little above average in grades. I didnt think my face was particularly handsome, and if they did find me good looking, it was probably because of my hair that I styled up to look better. As for my clothes, I just had to wear things that suited my figure and it looked decent.
I actually got disgusted how these girls would flock to a guy just because he was a slight cut above the rest. These brainless thots, they never even tried to find true love But I couldnt just lay out all my thoughts when these bitches came confessing, I had to turn them down gently.
Women, oh creatures of envy they are. If I told them that I liked Saya-chan so fuck off, there was a 100% chance that theyd bite back at Saya-chan. Bitch please, not only do you not see how much of an ugly creature you are, but you go so far as to get jealous of the cutest girl ever; stupid, just plain ugly and stupid. But thats women for you. Meaning, Saya-chan wasnt a girl, she was a goddess.
It was a matter of getting used to. Once the confessions went into the double digits, I was getting pretty good at turning them down. Well, at least they didnt fly into a rage or start wailing anymore.
Like that, Id somehow made it past junior high.
Once I got in high school, everything seemed to calm down, like theyd gone past the phase of blind love and all that mess. Kids had started forming more solid couples, boldly as if proclaiming, Look at us, were dating!
You could say I was finally about to catch a break
Wow, that Souma-kun, he looks like an idol.
Souma Yuuto, it was towards him that I first felt the meaning of the word jealousy.
Ever since that incident in 3rd grade, Id put in my utmost effort to become a man worthy of Saya-chan. I could even boast that I was near the top among the attractive boys in class.
But Souma Yuuto was something else. His looks he was born with, and then, there was that aura on him. He was so damn handsome, it was like he came right out of a TV show, like a fictional character described as incredibly beautiful.
I was damn jealous. And damn worried too.
W-wait, Saya-chan, dont tell me you
But I still think youre the best, Touya-kun. Thats why youre my boyfriend.
SAYA-CHAAAN! You mean it? You really, really mean that right?
You do dont you. Alright, I dont need to be jealous of Souma Yuuto anymore.
That guy was someone I myself didnt think I could hope to match But Saya-chan said I was the best, thats all that mattered.
I didnt have to be the best in the world. I just needed to be the best for Saya-chan, thats all I cared about.
Hey Saya-chan Anyone else, seem like that?
Please forgive my gutless self for asking you this.
Anyone else, ah, like Tendou-kun? Hes pretty popular with the girls too.
Tendou Ryuuichi. Right, hes got the stuff too. He was better than me at least. I was someone whod somehow slipped into the handsome group after lots of hard work, after all. He was the only other guy whod be on par with Souma Yuuto.
But, hes kinda scary
Yup, he is, he is, youre not someone to get involved with those delinquent types.
Dont you worry, if anything happens, Ill protect you, be it from Tendou, or the 4 kings of Black high.
Anyone else?
I was getting annoying, I know.
Hmmm, other than those two, I think youd be the most popular. Youre, um, actually a hot topic among the girls.
Harumph, who cares what other girls consider their hot topic. Souma Yuuto and Tendou Ryuuichi can collect all those groupies for all I care. And then, I could flirt with my sweet Saya-chan without reserve.
Ah, there is one more I guess, um, well Its Momokawa-kun.
EHH!?
Momokawa, isnt he that short dude who pretty much looks like a girl? D-do-dont tell me, Saya-chan, youre not into that, are you
Momokawa-kun, you see, hes got a really cute and girly face and Honestly, he looks a lot better than me I didnt think, Id even lose to a boy in looks
Saya-chan suddenly had this dark aura about her.
What, the hell, Momokawaa You dare used that cute face of yours to mess with my Saya-chans delicate pride as a girl. I should make plans to snipe him one moonless night.
So, yeah, Touya-kun What about you, any interesting girls?
None at all.
There were actually a lot of attractive girls in our class. Starting with Souma Yuutos little sister, Souma Sakura, there were a number of them whom I wouldnt be surprised if they appeared on magazines and TV.
But I was only speaking objectively, about their looks, nothing else.
Saya-chan, youre my one and only.
Fufuh, you too, my one and only, Touya-kun.
We connected lips, as if natural.
Wed already had our first kiss way back in kindergarten. In elementary, we did it sometimes, no actually, quite a few times.
But the first kiss we shared while mutually acknowledging our love was probably some time in junior high.
Ever since then, Id kissed Saya-chan fully aware of my desire for her. Every single time, my heart pounded as if it wanted to break out.
I love her, I love her, I lovehersomuch Ahhh, I love you.
I was born only to meet you. Im alive only to be with you.
Ill be with you. Forever, forever.
So
Haah Haah SAYA-CHANN!
The first thing I did after waking up in this abhorrent dungeon was search frantically for Saya-chan.
With the little calm I had remaining, I decided that Id need all the strength I could get, and quickly dealt with receiving my Job.
I got the Job: Archer.
Of course I did. Id been doing archery club since elementary. It wasnt anything serious, Saya-chan started doing it, so I simply followed.
But since I was doing the same thing as her, I had to make sure I did it well. I took club very seriously. Id like to think I got good too. Not national level, but pretty good.
But what use is an Archer without a bow.
My equipment from club? That was all obviously in the club store room. Souma Sakura was the weird one for bringing her bow and quiver to class.
If I knew this would happen, I wouldve taken them from her, by force if need be.
No, well, the classroom was crumbling away and all I could do was hug Saya-chan tight so we wouldnt be separated Shit, she was there, right there in my arms, I lost consciousness in the darkness after the classroom was no more. Mustve let her go then.
Please, just let her land close by
Kyaaaaaaa!!
SAYA-CHAN!!
A scream. I recognized it, why wouldnt I? I could tell it was her, absolutely.
I ran as fast as my feet would carry. I ran to my girlfriend, my most precious, my one and only, my Hinagiku Saya.
Touya-kun and I, were childhood friends. Our houses were right next to each other, and wed been playmates for as far back as I can remember. And at some point, Id even fallen in love with him.
He confessed to me in junior kindergarten.
Saya-chan, I love you!
I, love you too!
I confirmed in a grin. I was so happy.
I was a girl who had learned the joy of mutual love at a very tender age. Quite a luxury, if I do say so myself.
Maybe thats why I was ugly, ugly to the point where I felt shame to even dare to love a boy.
Ahh, the hell Touya, youre still hanging with Hinagiku? You really wanna date someone that butt ugly~?
This was in elementary school, a boy spoke this out loud in class, loud enough for all to hear.
It was mean. But it was the truth.
That boy wasnt trying to bully me or anything. He was actually trying to get friendly with Touya, he didnt mean anything bad.
Anyone else would think so too.
Since Touya-kun, he was already really cool.
In elementary school, boys who were fast were the popular ones. And Touya-kun was the fastest. He was always the anchor in our sports day relay races. He was everyones hero who always got 1st prize for the class. I remember this one time in 6th grade, the runner before him tripped and fell, putting his team dead last, but Touya-kun was so fast, he passed all the others like the wind Ahh, Touya-kun was so cool back there.
Ah! Wait wait, nows not the time to reminisce about him, well, anyway, Touya-kun was really popular.
He had this daring look in his eyes, and with a perfect straight nose and defined face, along with his fast growth, he was quickly gaining all the attractive features of a young man. He was tall and slender, but still had quite a bit of muscle and knew how to use it. He wasnt just fast, he was great at any sport.
Not to mention the school tournaments, he was the hero there too. If Touya-kun was there, wed win for sure.
He was so cool and handsome, if a boy like that won the game, and then, still covered in sweat, made that bright, refreshing smile that boys made, well, any girl would instantly fall for him.
But that smile of his was always directed at me.
That made me happy. I felt so happy But, that wasnt all I felt. Someone like me, someone so ugly like me was monopolizing someone as wonderful as Touya-kun.
I had these narrow eyes, and a round, eggish face. My nose was low, and my hair was always frizzy like seaweed I guess I could say I had good, well-formed teeth, but thats it.
As for my body, dont get me started. My chest was so small, I sometimes doubted if a bra was necessary, and my legs were short too. At least I wasnt fat, that was good, right?
That was me. That dull pebble from the roadside of a girl. And Touya-kun, the boy who shined like a diamond was directing all his affection towards me, and only me. And the result?
Jealousy, jealousy, fierce storms of jealousy. Vilification and slander hailed down from all directions.
Touya-kun, you know those friends I had with me in junior high? Those cute girls, they werent my friends at all. If they were with me, they could be with you. So they just had to pretend to be my friend.
Hey bitch, break up with Touya already.
Dont you feel sorry Touya-kun has to date an ugly bitch like you?
Wheres your phone? Call him right now, tell him you want to break up!
Im sorry. Im sorry. Im sorry.
I felt a lot more pathetic about my weak self than any hate I could have for those girls.
Touya-kun is my boyfriend. I couldnt even tell them that so they would back off.
Because, in some corner of my mind, I was thinking. I was, always thinking.
I kept thinking, Touya-kun, isnt there someone better than me youd rather love?
I was neither cute, nor beautiful. I furthermore was not blessed with any talent that could counterbalance my lack of beauty, and nor did I have the brains to be categorized as intelligent. No beauty, no talent, and worst of all, weak. My heart was weak, I was inferior.
If only, if only my heart had just a little more strength. And if only, I had a pinch more courage and confidence Surely I wouldve boldly accepted all his love. I wouldve been happy.
But I wasnt. I didnt have that tiny bit of the strength I so desired.
They would say many awful things, but I couldnt talk back. I could only, silently take it. No, this taking it wasnt so noble an act. I was simply at their mercy, letting them do as they pleased.
I didnt say anything, I didnt do anything, I just cried quietly, weak, pathetic me.
Eventually, theyd had enough of that. They started confessing to him. They probably thought itd be easy. I was the worst kind of girl, ugly in both heart and body, itd be so very easy to steal a man away from someone like me.
True, I was weak. But Touya-kun was strong.
In essence, no matter how cute the girl, he was quick to turn down every one of them.
And every time he did I was Ahh, Im so glad. Im so glad Im still his girlfriend. I was even ugly in relief.
Here I was, doing nothing, nothing but counting on Touya-kuns strength, relying on him I was exactly as they said, the worst kind of girl.
So, yeah, Touya-kun What about you, any interesting girls?
None at all. Saya-chan, youre my one and only.
Fufuh, you too, my one and only, Touya-kun.
Once wed entered Shiramine, most of that storm of malicious jealousy was gone.
Mustve been because of Souma-kun and Tendou-kun, they were a lot more popular than Touya-kun. Most of the girls had their eyes on those two. Though, there were some who thought they were out of their league so tried to aim for Touya-kun who could be easily placed third in terms of looks.
But even that was much more peaceful than our issues in junior high.
Friends, Id made real friends. Especially Nagae Yukiko-san, shes the best.
She was a plain and quiet girl compared to many of the pretty ones in class. But Nagae-san, even though she was still much prettier than me, she actually wished for me and Touya-kun to have a good relationship together. She was the first person my age to ever say that to me.
Even when they had no interest in Touya-kun, girls were bound to get jealous if someone as ugly as me were dating a super handsome guy like him.
But mysteriously, Nagae-san wasnt like that at all.
No, actually, it wasnt too much of a mystery. She simply had her heart set for another. Thing is though, that other turned out to be Higuchi-kun, and man is he scary No, its fine Nagae-san, I havent told anyone about this, dont worry!
At any rate, it was thanks to Nagae-sans friendship with me, that Id learned something very important. I still remember those words, words that shook me to the core.
Hinagiku-san, what are you doing? You need to properly reciprocate Sakurai-kuns feelings!
Id finally been made to realized that I was only thinking about myself. That one line gouged at my heart deeper than any and all spite I was showered with in junior high.
But once I realized it, I accepted it, acknowledged it, and finally, little by little, I began to better myself.
Touya-kun had grown far past me, both in heart and body. Hed turned into a charming young man While I, ugly as I am, finally started thinking that I could put in the effort to at least try to get on his level.
It was no time to keep despairing on my shortcomings.
Touya-kun had cherished me ever since we were children.
And I had to reciprocate those feelings, give back to his love.
This was not about whether I was worthy. If he wanted it, even right now, I was ready and willing to give my everything to him.
So it wasnt scary, nor was it embarrassing. No honestly, I was a little scared, and really, really embarrassed Id always heard that your first time hurts, but hey, um, why are you the one crying, Touya-kun? But, Im so happy, youre so gentle, Touya-kun.
My name is Hinagiku Saya. Sakurai Touyas girlfriend.
I love him with all my heart, and would do anything for him Can do anything for him.
So please Please God, if youre listening, please give me courage!
Saya-chan, dont worry Im here, Ill, protect you
Summoned to another world.
Scared and confused, Id been attacked my monsters in this scary dungeon.
These black, like cockroaches given human form, monsters had surrounded us. They were vile, ugly things, and had weapons like rusted knives or axes.
When I screamed out in terror after seeing these things, Touya-kun came.
But really It should be scary for him too.
B-but, Touya-kun you
Its OK, Im fine.
There were too many of them.
These black monsters were short, had thin limbs, and didnt look too strong. But there were more than ten of them, and every one had a weapon.
On the other hand, Touya-kun was unarmed. He had on the same clothes he was wearing when we were ejected from the crumbling classroom.
There was no way he could win like this.
BuGeGe!
GuBa! GaBuRaa!
The monsters had put us down as weak, helpless prey and laughed as they surrounded us even closer. It was as if they were joyfully considering how theyd torture and kill us, they werent attacking just yet.
But their rusted brown weapons could attack any time, finish us off in an instant.
Well die. We were going to die.
I was so scared But Touya-kun dying, that was even more scary.
I could care less about myself. I could die, whatever. Because all this time, Touya-kun, hes loved me so, soo much!
If I had the power to let him survive, I
P-pl-please, work Poison!
I yelled, clasping my hands in prayer, I believed in the power Id been granted.
Buh, Geh OBAAAHHH!?
And then, one of those monster close to Touya-kun, the one with the knife, vomited blood as it collapsed.
Poison! Poison! Poison!
I just kept at yelling. It seemed to be a magic for poison. I just kept blasting with that one power.
UGEEEHHH!!
The monsters suffered and collapsed one after the other. Again, and again. My magic, it worked!
BuGuGu, BuRuGAAAAHH!!
But I was so focused on yelling out my magic, I was only looking in front of me. The monsters numbered in the double digits and had formed a circle around us, meaning, many were behind me too.
My spell, Poison only worked on one target for one shot. I could only beat them one by one, in order, and only if I could see them.
Meaning, I couldnt deal with the monsters behind me.
By the time I reacted to its fierce screech and hurriedly turned around, the axe-swinging monster was practically under my nose.
Dont you dare lay a hand on my Saya-chan, fucking roach!
In contrast to his chilling roar, an arrow swiftly and silently pierced itself inside the monsters head.
GUH, gehh
The monster wavered, with the axe still over its head, and plonked backwards to the ground.
Haha! Thisll be easy now that I have a bow.
Touya-kun had picked up a bow from one of the monsters Id defeated with Poison. He was laughing as he boldly held that flimsy little bow.
Wow, Touya-kun, youre always so cool As I was getting smitten yet again, the fight was already over.
Phew, glad those arrows lasted. Yeah, this Job thing really is something, I got 100% accuracy.
Touya-kun Youre safe, Im so glad
Im really sorry, Saya-chan, I couldnt protect you right away. Actually, you ended up saving me
Now released from the fear and unease, we embraced each other and I started bawling.
We really shouldnt have made ourselves so defenseless, but Touya-kun didnt mind at all. As hed always done, he hugged me back gently.
Then, after Id finally calmed down, I asked him,
Hey, so, youre an Archer, now?
Yeah, I am
In a way, this was inevitable. Wed been always doing archery club together, but I never improved, basically, I sucked at it. On the other hand, Touya-kun had talent. He was, after all, the only one in Shiramine who could even compare in skill to Souma-san.
So I guess you got a different Job?
Ah! Um I, well you see, my Job is, um
Saya-chan, its fine if you dont want to say, I understand.
No no, its alright, I dont mind telling you at all.
Come on, youre such a worry-wart Touya-kun.
Well, its true I got a bit hesitant saying it out loud. Its, kind of a weird one.
Im a Shaman.