Chapter 20
"I've learned that my sister was sent to this continent. And I've also learned that the Saikyo Empire Resistance Force is recruiting skilled footballers to strengthen their forces. Instead of endlessly searching for my sister, I decided to enroll in a school and showcase my football skills. Once the force sees me and approaches me, I should be able to find my sister."
Wow, that's amazing. You answered so smoothly, as if it were true.
Or could it be true? Damn it, I don't know what's what anymore.
I only know that because I have to hide the demon issue, even if what Asuka said is true, it can't be the whole story.
"Wow, I see. Asuka, you're really strong," Mom clapped her hands.
It seems I've cleared Mom's hurdle, but my sister seems harder than I thought.
"Then why did you agree to marry my brother?" Levina asked.
Yeah, I want to know the answer to that question too.
I proposed without knowing anything, but that doesn't mean she had to say yes.
"Uh... well... about that..."
Asuka looked flustered, stammering.
Seeing that, Levina seized the opportunity to press the issue.
"Why do you look so flustered? Or is the answer something unusual?"
Asuka took a deep breath and replied,
"I agreed because... my heart told me to."
"Huh...?"
Levina was speechless, but Mom was all smiles and didn't let this opportunity slip away.
"How do you feel after Asuka agreed?"
"Rain falling on the window..."
"Not yet! Give me fourteen again first!! Why are you rushing the rain!!"
I was the one who delivered the punchline, and our marriage investigation ended with my, Mom's, and Asuka's crazy laughter, just like that.
Mom probably doesn't have any more questions, but my sister, it's clear she still doesn't trust her. I saw her secretly glaring at Asuka the whole time.
But it shouldn't be a big problem. They'll get along eventually, I guess.
Then we started cooking and had dinner.
It seems that Asuka being ordered to play football all day might be true.
Her cooking skills are almost zero. It turns out that clumsy new chef Levina looks skilled in comparison.
[Relationship with Agnes increased to LV3. Ultimate skill 'Rush Up' leveled up to LV3.]
[Relationship with Asuka increased to LV3. Ultimate skill 'Dark Flame Strike' leveled up to LV3.]
After dinner and some small talk, it was time for me to take Asuka back to her accommodation. Mom seemed to object a bit. She wanted Asuka to stay overnight so they could talk and get to know each other better.
But you know, I get shy too. We met less than an hour ago and agreed to marry, and then we kissed. If we were to sleep together tonight...At least wait until I'm older. Or let me prepare myself mentally or get in shape.
Since it's the first time, I want it to be impressive.
Let's stop talking about lewd things here.
Life is more than just what's below the navel. If you're too obsessed, you'll end up corrupting a minor.
Even if, deep down, I'm not a child.
As I walked alongside Asuka, I saw brightly lit shops and tall buildings lining the streets. I felt a lot more at ease. The area she lives in seems safe enough for a cyberpunk dystopian era like this.
We started walking away from the main road, into an alley that you knew just by looking at it that you shouldn't go near. A right turn and then a left turn led us to a Japanese snack bar. Seeing it, I felt it suited Asuka's nationality and appearance, but the feeling of safety I had earlier completely disappeared.
When we entered the shop, we saw two or three customers drinking. The mama-san behind the counter saw us and immediately clapped her hands, calling out.
"Aha, our bride is here! Oh, and she brought the groom too."
"I'm back, Sato-san," Asuka replied. "I'll quickly change and come down."
"No, no, no," the mama-san shook her head. "Even though the 'housewife' trend is popular these days, if it's a seventeen-year-old housewife like you, I'd end up in jail. You don't have to work. Go up and enjoy yourself with your husband."
Hey, hey, playing jokes like this with a high schooler? Isn't that a bit much, mama-san?
I opened my mouth to object and ask for some respect, but then I remembered that
My mom does the same thing...
Maybe this lewdness is the standard way of speaking in this era.
Asuka smiled faintly. "Thank you. Let's go, Assarun-san."
We walked up the stairs to the second floor. There was only one room up here, and it was Asuka's room.
The room wasn't very big, but it wasn't cramped either; at least it had an en-suite bathroom. There was hardly any furniture or belongings in the room. The thing that made the room feel most alive was probably a single football rolling on the floor.
It looks so lonely.
"When I left the kingdom, I didn't bring any possessions with me."
So you have to live in a place like this, and you have to work as a waitress downstairs too?
"Do you want to come back to my place?"
"Don't worry," Asuka smiled. "It's not as bad as you think, Assarun-san. Besides, who could do anything to me?"
That's right. Even without using her demon form, without using NEX, she has enough power to send people flying into the sky.
Even so.
"We're getting married anyway, so living together is something we should do. Even though our house is old and a bit small right now because our family is large, we're planning to move or expand soon," I said to reassure her.
"I understand. Thank you," Asuka replied with a smile, then picked up the football from the floor. "Before we go back, could you help me with something?"
Behind the snack bar, there was a small football field. Asuka said she wanted me to help her practice. It was 8:30 PM, so we had about two hours before the gamblers would take over the field.
"As I said before, I want to get better so that the resistance forces can see my skills and I'll have a chance to meet my sister,"
Asuka explained.
"Normally, I've always trained as a forward. But now, if I play that position, the dark NEX energy will surge, and I won't be able to control it, revealing my demon form. So, I have to change positions to a defender. And in terms of defense, I'm still a beginner. Assarun-san, please be my practice partner."
"Sending Clarice flying like that, you're not a beginner anymore, are you?" I chuckled dryly.
Come to think of it, Asuka probably still thinks I'm a top-tier SST forward, so she probably thinks I can help her practice. But the truth is, that's not the case.
What should I do?
"I'm really still new. I just started practicing not long ago. Stopping Clarice was probably more due to his carelessness plus luck."
"Then let's go!" I said, playing a trick. I dribbled the ball quickly to the right before she could react.
I got past her. With a clear path ahead, I immediately took a shot.
Done. Even if it's shameless, at least this goal will still make me look somewhat skilled in her eyes.
"I won't give up easily!""""The sound rang out just as my foot touched the ball, making me freeze for a moment. But it was after I had already kicked the ball, so this shot was taken with full force, undisturbed.
However, Asuka's body suddenly appeared, blocking the shot between the ball and the goal. My shot was stopped with incredible speed.
"That was close," Asuka exhaled. "Being a defender requires constant concentration, because we never know when the opponent will attack or what technique they will use. Isn't that what you, Assarun, wanted to convey through this surprise play?"
"Yes... that's right."