Chapter 37: Deals
I needed answers to my questions—it's all I needed. I wanted to know why nature decided to treat me like this. I was single in my past life and sought no romance. Now... now I've decided to pursue it. Now that I've developed a liking for 3D girls, why am I being treated like this?
"Sir Ryuma, you look gloomy today. What happened?"
That voice, that cute voice... yes, it's Hana.
"Hana, I need comfort. I need to be comforted."
"Ehh? Comforted how?"
"Hey! You know you're sounding kind of weird?"
Saiya walked up to us with two glass cups of hot chocolate and handed one over to me.
"Am I the one who told your best friend to put me in this situation?"
"And am I the one who told you not to learn how to talk to girls?"
Wait a minute, I hadn't thought of that before. How to talk to girls... and stuff like that.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and began searching the net.
"Hey, are you for real? You're actually looking that up?"
I ignored Saiya and continued my search. If luck was on my side, they might break up. They have to.
Minutes later, Haruchi, Kitetsu, and his petite sister arrived, completing the guest list.
"Yo! What's up, dude?"
"Oh, Haruchi, Kitetsu, and… tsk!"
Hinetsu and I locked eyes. Over the last month, I realized she was more of a bitch than Saiya. She's the queen of all bitches, if you ask me.
"Senior Saiya!" she squealed, jumping between me and Saiya, clutching her hand. She was a die-hard fan of Saiya. Maybe that's one reason I hate her, but honestly, I just hate her.
"Senior Saiya, I hope this weirdo didn't do anything weird to you?"
"What the hell, pipsqueak? Who do you take me for!?"
"Who did you just call pipsqueak?"
She rolled up her sleeves and clenched her fists, and I did the same. We were about to go at it when Kitetsu stepped in and lifted her by the arms.
"Kitetsu! Drop me this instant!"
"I'm sorry, Senior Sister, but I can't."
"What!?"
"Hahaha, that's what you deserve, little being," I taunted.
"I'm gonna pound your head when I get loose!"
I also found out Hinetsu is actually twenty-three. Everything about her is just weird—her height, her head. She calls Saiya 'senior' even though she's way older. Or is she referring to status? I just don't understand the Ko family—they're all weird. Kitetsu is bearable, though.
After the ruckus settled, I sipped on my tasteless chocolate, fixing my angry glare at Sarada and her 'boyfriend.'
"Tsk... fuck romance."
"You might end up using your eyes to kill them," Saiya muttered.
"What do you care, Saiya?"
"Well, she's my friend, so I care."
Oh, fuck. I hadn't thought about that. Saiya and Sarada are friends. Shit.
"So, tell me, what is your friend into—Sarada? What does she like?"
"And you think I'll give you that information for free?"
"Oh, come on. Okay, what do you want, money?"
"Money? Please, I have enough."
"Then what do you want..."
Bitch. I didn't dare say it out loud.
"I want to train with you."
"We train almost every day, Saiya. What's so special—"
"Not you, you." She pointed at my chest.
I knew where she was heading.
"Nope, I can't do that. Do you know where we are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot. Can you remind me?"
This bitch.
I really wanted to know more about Sarada, but the stakes were high. And where the fuck are we going to train without getting caught or monitored?
"Oi, where do you plan on training? You know we have sensors and cameras everywhere."
"Relax, Ryuma, I know a place... I own a place."
The fuck is she talking about?
"No sensors, no cameras, no ranger guards—"
"None of those exist there."
The deal was too sweet—too sweet to turn down.
"Alright, you've got yourself a deal."
We shook hands to seal it.
"Will you get your filthy hands off Senior Saiya?"
Huh?
Hinetsu's tiny hand landed on my cheek. It was tiny, but fuck, it was painful.
"You wanna go, right? Pipsqueak?"
"Who the hell are you calling pipsqueak?"
"Mr. Ryuma and Ms. Saiya, no violence."
Hana's cute voice broke through me, and I couldn't go on. But that wasn't the case for Hinetsu—she still had fight in her.
"Calm down, Senior Sister."
"Never! He touched Senior Saiya!"
Her ranting continued for several minutes until she finally cooled off.
"So, when are you guys going to train? I wanted to try my Quincy at the combat room."
"That reminds me, you haven't gotten used to your Quincy yet," I said.
"Hmm..." Hinetsu nodded.
"D-Don't wear yourself down. It takes time to get used to it."
"And we don't have time! We need to get stronger... I need to get stronger to kill him. I can never forget what happened that day." Hinetsu's eyes sharpened, and her voice deepened slightly.
"Senior Sister..." Kitetsu placed his hand on hers.
"So, when are you guys going?" she asked.
"Oh, we're not going to the combat ground," Saiya answered.
"Oh, no problem then."
"Yeah, sure."
***
The party lasted another two hours before we finally dismissed. As per our deal, Saiya told me everything about Sarada—what she loved. To my surprise, I didn't know she was into fit guys like myself. There's hope—I can see it. I'll make Sarada mine.
We were about to leave when Hana rushed over to Saiya, bombarding her with questions about being a ranger. It got interesting. It wasn't bad seeing someone admire your occupation, especially when the person she admires is her senior brother. She must've heard a lot about him.
"Senior Nagato, you hearing that?" Haruchi shouted from outside. "Your kid sister wants to be like you."
Nagato stepped out, eyes locking onto Hana. He bent down on one knee and looked at her.
"Big brother, I want to be a—"
"No!" Nagato cut her off before she could finish.
"W-What did you say, big brother?"
"You are not going to be a ranger. Don't even think about it."
"What are you saying, big brother? You don't get to choose who I decide to be!" Hana shouted and ran inside the house. All of us were shocked—utterly shocked.
"Umm, Nagato—"
Saiya wanted to intervene, but I placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her mid-way.
This is a family matter. Best to leave it for them to sort out. That's what I believe.