Third Person POV:
On a pretty standard day in a typical month, Asuka was out shopping on a busy downtown street. The city's lively shopping district.
An area with many stores that is commonly visited by couples. But Asuka had arrived here by oneself. It was easy to understand why he came.
''I have to buy something for Raiha-chan's birthday...''
Raiha's birthday was approaching. Asuka definitely needs to buy her something, after all, Raiha is the only living being who saved Fuutarou and her father from absolute starvation. Neither of them knows how to cook.
''Dress or anime figure...''
That was today's task. Buying a suitable gift shouldn't be that difficult, right? The only thing that will give him difficulty is the insomnia he has because of the tournaments. He's having trouble even standing up and walk now.
''I love you~''
''No, I love you more~''
''...Don't make love moves in the public area, please. Ethics. There are also people here who will never have a lover in their life. Like readers.''
Asuka finally found a store that sells anime figures and clothes. Since Raiha's favorite anime is Sailor Moon, perhaps getting a Sailor Moon figure is the most logical choice.
It'll make it difficult for Asuka to buy clothes as the shops here are considered luxurious.
''Excuse me, do you have any Sailor Moon figures left?''
''There should be a few on the back shelves, sir.''
Asuka amazed at how big this store filled with anime figures was. He knew that there are men in this world who spend all their money on unreal 2D women, who print photos of imaginary characters on pillows or worse.
Even now, he sees pillows with different kinds of anime characters printed on them on the shop shelves. Although it's impossible to describe this feeling, this feeling is the closest thing... weird.
''A snake girl dakimakura...holy shit. What has society become...''
So Asuka headed to the back of the store, to the area where there are more 3D printed figures.
There was even a classmate of his who made a collection of them, no matter how frivolous he found it. He knows well that every person's taste is different since he also liked to play games, somehow, he could even be called an addict.
''Maybe I should buy a Malenia figure, haha fuck off. Never.''
Since it was an unnecessarily large store, Asuka had to try a little to find what he was looking for.
''Let's see...Megumin, No. Guts, maybe later. Bocchi, No. Rem...Who the fuck is Rem? Hah, finally Sailor Moon.''
Asuka reached over to the shelf and picked up a Tsukino figure. He was sure that this was what he was looking for.
''I think this must be it, let me see the price...19800 YEN?! (150 $) ''
Was he going to give almost his entire monthly salary for an unworked piece of plastic? It didn't look like it was very expensive, moreover, even the model's eye wasn't where it should be.
''What a ripoff...No fucking way. I'm gonna go buy a not-so-expensive dress. That's enough to make Raiha-chan happy. I'm not going to buy a notebook for her like her stupid brother.''
So Asuka left the store, putting the figure back in its place, it would be much more convenient to buy a scarf or something instead.
''Tough luck, maybe if I had a little more money...''
Asuka was considering the gift he will be purchasing as he walked down the main street.
''Huh...''
Couples were already filling the streets, wherever he turned his head he could see couples walking together, holding their hands.
''Heresy, you can't hold hands before marriage!'' He mumbled with a pout on his lips.
''Oh, this looks so beautiful. He'll like this for sure...''
At the entrance of the store that Asuka was about to enter, a woman was looking at the mannequin in the window. What really attracted Asuka's attention was that the girl was walking with a big man in a suit next to her. The kind you see in those movies.
''Yes, Ojou-sama. Every man will like this.'' The big man in the suit spoke in a thick tone.
''I guess she's someone important...Better not get involved.''
Asuka was about to enter the shop, ignoring the two figures, just when something interesting happened.
''Let's go, maybe we can find better ones than this. If we can't find it, we'll take this one.''
What they were talking about was a pair of new sneakers. One of the models for men. Asuka knew perfectly well that those things were incredibly expensive, but for a girl walking with a bodyguard, there probably had never been such a concept as expensive.
The mere presence of the girl was enough to show her immense importance. Asuka sense the dangerous aura emanating from her, even from a distance. With her short black braided hair and striking blood-red eyes, the girl commanded attention wherever she went. Asuka couldn't help but feel the stifling air around her. The black one-piece dress she wore only added to her imposing demeanor and complemented her figure flawlessly.
''Yes, my lady.''
''Ugh...'' Asuka groaned.
Thus, the mysterious girl and her bodyguard left the front of the store and continued on their way. Asuka was a little relieved without any reason.
*Tap*
''Hmm...? Ha!?''
Accompanied by a sound, something heavy fell to the ground. A purse with a black pattern and something like a family crest on it. Asuka went to the place where the purse was and picked up the purse from the ground.
''...Must belong to that girl...I wonder if I should put it down...They might think I'm a thief.''
Asuka sighed deeply and thought for a while before deciding what to do. He was in no hurry to buy gifts, first he had to be a good person and decide what to do with the purse.
''First...I must check if there any information about her.''
So Asuka opened the purse.
''....................!''
Asuka's heart began to beat more quickly than ever. And no, a girl wasn't the reason. It was the thing inside the bag. Money. Plenty of cash. A heck of a lot more cash than you can imagine. Just the amount of cash contained in the purse was enough to buy all the shops on this entire shopping street.
''H-holy...s-s-shit...''
Asuka's brain came to a crossroads. It was as if a devil and an angel were arm wrestling in his mind. He had not the slightest idea what to do.
Leave the money! It's not worth risking your life and honor!
Take the money! Imagine all the things we can do!
Asuka observed that both of them were speaking logically. If he got the money, he probably wouldn't have to work all his life again and live a full life.
On the other hand, if the girl came looking for her purse, he'd be arrested for theft and disgraced all around him, and his entire life would be over. He would spend his life in prison.
''I have to give this back...I can't go to jail yet!''
Angel won this raund.
Angel: 111, Devil: 115.
.
.
.
''They went this way...''
Asuka started heading in the direction those two had gone before. As there was no identification information in the purse, Asuka didn't have a chance to find out who the mysterious girl was.
Since it was a holiday, these roads were crowded as hell, people from all over gathered here Asuka even had difficulty walking.
''Gh...! Please let me pass.''
Asuka can't even recall the number of people he bumped into as he made his way through the crowded streets. Every time it happened, he would quickly turn around, apologize, and continue walking. However, he couldn't spot the girl and her bodyguard in the crowd. Perhaps they left the area.
''Maybe I should hand it over to the police...''
While all these thoughts were passing through his mind, he was paying attention to the purse he had put in his pocket.
''You can't go out on the street with that absurd amount of money! Doesn't this woman know why credit cards were invented?!''
Then in a flash, Asuka's attention was attracted by a familiar red glow.
''...?! Found you.''
This was the red ribbon of the girl he had seen a few minutes earlier. I mean, he hoped it would be so. Otherwise, he would have got into a really difficult situation.
But the he saw that big-ass bodyguard , he realize that he had seen the right person. They were talking in front of another shop. Actually only the girl was talking, the bodyguard was only approving with his head without any response .
The girl was talking calmly, she doesn't seem to have noticed that her money has disappeared yet.
"Tch, rich people,'' Asuka grumbled internally.
''What kind of things do you think he likes... Maybe I should get a book or something.'' Mysterious woman said.
''Any gift from you will make him happy, my lady.''
Asuka couldn't let them get any further away. That's why he accelerated his steps a little, he was already tired, running didn't do him any good. Eventually...
''H-hah...e-excuse me miss...''
''Oh, How may I hel—'' Her words were cut short by the sudden movement of her bodyguard.
*Crash!...*
The girl's bodyguard held Asuka as soon as he started talking, locking his arms in a military-level position with a such speed.
''Argh...!''
Asuka was in excruciating pain. The guard had clamped down on both of his arms with all his force, rendering him immobile. If the pressure increased even slightly, his arms would surely snap. Adding to the distress, a crowd of people had gathered around them on the street, causing Asuka to feel even more embarrassed. An even bigger shame.
''Who are you? An assassin!''
''Ooka, let him go. What did I say about attacking people without learning their motives!''
''Ouch ouch ouch! For heaven's sake, let me go...That hurts.'' Asuka clenched teeth as he held by two gigantic arms.
''B-but my lady...Fine...'' The big guy let go of Asuka's arms. If he was a little harder, Asuka probably wouldn't be able to use her arms for a while.
''Hah...Itta!''
''Forgive my guard's rudeness. Now... How can I help?'' The red eyes of the girl were the scariest eyes Asuka had ever seen in her life. She gave the impression that the girl could kill him on the spot at any time. Asuka was trembling with fear, but he was trying to hide it.
''A-ah...Y-yes...that one...''
Asuka took out the black purse that he was sure belonged to the girl from his pocket. The guard still seemed to be on the alert.
''It was yours, wasn't it? I-I was just trying to give it back.'' Although the pain in his arms had subsided a little, he was still hurting. Moreover, he was having trouble breathing since he was running. How much worse could it be?
The girl's emotionless expression softened a bit when she saw the purse that belonged to her.
''This one...'' The girl immediately started to feel her pockets. Her purse was indeed gone, and she hadn't noticed it until now.
''I just found it on the ground, so I followed since I thought it might belong to you? Am I right?''
''Humm...'' She nodded her head. ''This purse indeed mine, thank you stranger... I haven't learned your name yet.''
''Asuka.''
''Asuka-kun, it is. I thank you on behalf of my entire family.'' She bowed her head in front of him.
''It's okay, I-I have to go now...'' Truth be told, Asuka just wanted to get away from the girl's bodyguard. Because the man seemed to be standing by to beat the shit out of him.
Asuka was about to turn around and start walking when the girl spoke again.
''Asuka-kun. I can't let go of what my bodyguard did and the favor you did for me. If you have some time, let's have a drink.''
''M-my lady!'' Bodyguard acted immediately.
''Ooka, Go to the car. I want to speak alone with this young man, this is an order.''
''B-but!!! O-okay...'' Ooka gave Asuka a nasty look before leaving them. Asuka just watched the man leave with dull eyes. If he wasn't in the open area he probably middle finger him.
He was relieved atlast, There was no longer any risk of harm. The last thing he wanted was for his arms and legs to be smashed.
''I guess a drink wouldn't hurt. There is a coffee shop close by.''
''Of course.'' The girl spoke without losing any of her calm. Even at first glance, Asuka knew that this girl was someone important. It's like she's the daughter of a mafia boss, or worse, the mafia boss herself.
[ 10 Minutes Later ]
Several minutes later, Asuka and the girl had ordered their coffee and were sat . Asuka still felt nervous, but she was slightly more calmer than before. The girl sipped her coffee in silence.
''Is it okay for a girl like you to walk around here unguarded?'' Asuka decided to break the silence.
''I can protect myself. I don't actually come here often, just came to buy a present.''
''Present?''
''Yes, A friend of mine from school has a birthday coming up... Normally, someone else chooses the gifts I give... but this time it's special. That's why I wanted to choose my own...'' For a moment, an expression formed on the girl's face. Girl's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
Behind that cold and hard figure was a warm face.
Even if It was short Asuka was able to understand what that expression was. While sipping her coffee, Asuka began to speak.
''The boy you like?''
''W-w-w-what?! Absolutely...not...!'' The girl's cheeks turned completely red this time. She looked at Asuka with an embarrassed expression.
''If you say so—''
''He's just someone I admire so much... He is always working for us, sacrificing his own sleep and life. He is very successful in his classes and loved by everyone...''
''He sounds like a perfect guy.''
''In fact, He looks quite similar to you...''
''Excuse me?''
''In appearance, I mean. You and he both have the same hair and eyes... The only difference is your hair length. He mostly prefers short hair.'' Girl's cheeks blushed once again.
''...I see...'' Asuka was absolutely sure now. This girl was trying to buy a present for the man she loves.
''But I couldn't make a decision about the gift... What if he doesn't like the gift I received? What if I take something he already has? That would be embarrassing...''
''Maybe—''
''Asuka-kun, You're a man, you can help me, right?'' Asuka was taken aback by the girl's sudden request, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse because she was staring at him with those damn-cursed puppy eyes.
There is also the risk of being killed if he refuses.
''This is not a topic that you should think about that big.'' Asuka answered.
"W-what exactly do you mean?"
''From what you've told me, the boy you're talking about must be a pretty perfect person. You're afraid that if you get a bad gift, you'll disappoint him, aren't you?''
''...'' She nodded silently.
''I don't think that's something you should be afraid of. It'll make him happy if you remember his birthday and surprise him. So if it were me, I would be very happy to receive a gift from a person I care about, regardless of what the gift is.''
''A few of my friends said that too... Do you really think so?'' The girl silently sipped her coffee, looking Asuka with her crimson eyes.
''Yes, the important thing here is the reason, not the gift.''
''If that's what you say, I think I'll buy him something from my heart!'' She seem fired up with energy. She's definitely buying a gift for the boy she likes. Asuka thought the same thing again.
''That kid you were talking about, what kind of things does he like?''
''To be honest, I'm not sure Asuka-kun. We've known each other for a long time, but I'm not familiar with his personal life. It seems that all of our other friends have purchased him a present. There is only me left...''
''It's never too late if his birthday hasn't already passed. The sneakers you saw there might make a special present. They are currently super popular right now.''
''That's what I assumed. And I believe that taking them is the most logical option.''
''Of course but... I think we should go back now. I don't want the bodyguard to beat me up at all.''
''There's no need to be afraid. That man is one of our family's top bodyguards, he just takes his job very seriously. He is actually a nice guy.''
''Nice guy? The guy almost dislocated my arm.'' Asuka threw his empty coffee cup to a trash can and sighed.
''Hehe, I wouldn't let him go that far. Anyway, Asuka-kun. Thank you for the advice, Is there anything I can help with? Anything.'' The girl smiled to Asuka eventually.
"There is something you can do about it, hehe...''
[ After a while...]
''19800 Yen, madam. Thank for your purchase.''
Then two shady shadow walked out from the store. One of them had a Sailor Moon figure in his hand.
''Hehe, thank you.'' Asuka said while holding the anime girl figure and smile.
''I've just paid for what you've done, it's all fine. I have to go now, Asuka-kun. Today was indeed entertaining..''
''I suppose it was... I had fun as well.''
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!!!!*
They heard a honk coming from the car parked in front of the store. It's the same black car that belonged to the girl. He saw the bodyguard inside the car, was waiting for the girl to finish her business and leave the store.
''This is my car, maybe we'll meet again one day Asuka-kun.''
The girl flashed a smile at Asuka before getting into her car. Asuka returned the smile as he held onto the plastic bag. He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever cross paths with her again, especially since he didn't even know her name.
''Asuka-kun?''
''Yes?''
''What you chose was pretty sweet. I never thought you were the type to be interested in this kind of stuff.''
For a brief moment, Asuka filled with terror. After all, he had never revealed to her the reason behind his purchase of the figure. He had always been careful to keep this side of himself hidden, not wanting others to perceive him as someone who collected such things.
''Actually, I b—''
The girl's expression as she looked at Asuka etched into his memory. The expression of someone who had achieved complete victory. Asuka remained silent, unable to forget the way she had looked at him.
''How cute~"
---
Author Note:
Today is Valentine's Day! So save your energies! Who knows, maybe the person in your fate is waiting for you at outside right now!
For a special day, a special crossover chapter Enjoy!