Acceptance

It's nearly morning. I spent all night learning some more things about programming. This was the first time I witnessed where the light orb was coming from. It comes after 1 AM and disappears in the morning.

After what happened yesterday...that mask.

"Is it possible for the item to change after crafting?"

After the red slash disappeared, Lily was acting strangely too. As if she saw something on my face. When I asked her, she said it was nothing.

After that, I logged out and spent my time in front of my laptop.

"Das. Are you awake--why are you using your laptop in the morning?!"

"I have some things to do."

"Don't become like your dad."

"...."

"Come down. Breakfast is ready."

"Okay"

"Is Elena coming this Sunday?"

"I don't know. I will ask her."

"I will be busy with my work starting next month."

"Didn, 't you say you can manage NGOs from home."

"I did, but one of the workers is getting married soon, so I will need to go there in person to hire new workers."

"Let them do everything."

"Go take a bath now Mister Das."

"Shut up."

My mom runs several NGOs in the country. There are 3 NGOs in this city. She donates a huge amount of money every month to several schools and hospitals too.

When I was in middle school, I used to go to the orphanage every day. It was near to the school, and my mom used to run that orphanage.

All the NGOs were my grandfather's. Now they are my mother's, and they will soon be mine.

"Once I turn 18, many responsibilities are waiting for me."

I will be the king...

"For some reason, I don't like being called king."

My chest feels tight when I think about it. Many things are waiting for me.

"Is that what it means to be an adult?"

I hate this world. I hate the people in it. I hate adults. I hate those who hate me.

"I hate myself too."

I should start accepting the world. I have t.o get used to it. I have to be a good adult, but...

"I will never forgive those who hurt my loved ones."

After the bath and breakfast, I went to school...I met Elena on the way; she has become a pervert.

She wanted to touch me, I somehow convinced her not to, but she will do the same thing once school ends.

"The midterm results are out, be sure to check them out, and those who scored below average will have remedial tests starting next week."

There is no need for me to check the results. I am always first. I am worried about Elena.

"Why are you fidgeting now?"

"I am nervous!"

"There is no need to be nervous now."

"But what if I..."

"Didn't you say you did well when I asked you!"

"I did, but I don't remember anymore!"

"Don't worry."

"What if I did bad?"

"You will take remedial tests."

"I don't want to!"

"Let's go check them"

We checked the score...huh?

"I am second!"

1st-700/700 Rachel Redens

2nd-699/700 Das Ryle

3rd- 699/700 Joey Busher

"Das, you are second."

"Yeah"

"Why?"

"Who cares! What about you?"

"I am a 149th."

149th from 180 students.

"Congratula.tions"

"I am not happy."

"Why?"

"You are second!"

"Well..."

I have been fooling around too much, and to be honest, I didn't study a single thing for the test.

This Rachel...I have heard that name before. She is from Class-B, huh? Well, I will be first in next--

"Hehehehe. Das Ryle, as I promised I defeated you" A girl appeared in front of me and said that as she flicked her hair.

"Who are you?"

"Wha...I am Rachel. Don't you remember me?"

"I don't."

"Don't tell me you forgot about our promise too?!"

"What promise?"

"You promised that you would go out with me keeping marriage in mind!"

"What?"

"What are you talking about---"

"Das? What is this? You promised something like that to another girl?"

"I didn't so keep your fist down."

We are causing a huge commotion.

"Wait, who is this girl acting so friendly with you?" Rachel asked.

"I am his girlfriend."

"What? Is that true?"

"Yes. I have been going out with her for more than seven months now."

"But you promised me."

"I don't remember anything like that."

"2 years ago, when you were eating lunch in the empty classroom, I challenged you, and you accepted it"

Two years ago?! That was even before I met Elena!

"I don't remember anything like that, sorry."

"You cheater! I will never forgive you."

She slapped me and ran away.

"...."

What is this feeling? It hurts...not my cheeks but...my heart hurts. It ached when I saw that scar on her neck when she slapped me.

That scar...don't tell me!

When I was being bullied in middle school, a boy always helped me, but one day he got hurt protecting me. The injury was on his neck, and it was severe. He was hospitalised and didn't come to school for months. I don't know what happened to him because I left school sometime later.

"He was a girl?"

"Das? Did you really make a promise like that?"

"I don't know"

I don't remember anything; they are painful memories.

She said two years ago, that means when high school started.

"Elena, is it okay if I talk to her next time I meet her?"

"Yeah, but tell me everything later."

After school, I searched for Rachel, but she ran away every time she saw my face.

I dropped Elena off at her house and went home. She didn't ask to touch me...she is worried too, right?

I played LWO with Elena, but she didn't say anything about Rachel. We just played and levelled up like we always do. She wasn't acting strangely. Well, she talked more with Lily, though.

After logging out, I went downstairs to eat dinner. Dad wasn't there. Mom said he would be late today.

I was eating dinner with mom, but...

"Mm-hmm mm hmm mm mmm."

Huh? This song...I have heard it before.

"Hmm mm mm hmm mmmm hmm."

Where have I heard it...Rias!

"Mom?"

"What's wrong?"

"This song..."

"Oh, you don't like it?"

"No, I have heard this song before."

"That's not possible."

"Huh?"

"The song I am singing is not a song you can find"

"What do you mean?"

"This song was made by the daughter of my friend."

"What does it have to--"

"She wanted to become a game developer, but her parents wanted her to become a singer because her voice was so sweet."

"Hmm"

"She came to me with a song and asked me to publish it."

"..."

"The song was perfect; her voice was so calming that you could listen to her all day."

Was?

"We both decided to publish the song after she graduates but..."

"But?"

"She died in an accident after her graduation."

"Wh...at?"

"I never published the song."

What is she talking about?

"How is that...possible."

"No one knows about this song. No one other than me has heard this song."

There is a girl who...

"I have listened this song--"

"You might have heard this song before from me."

"How...is that..."

"She was a good girl. She was about your age when she died"

"When did she die?"

Please...no

"8 years ago, after her graduation."

Please tell me it's not what I think!

"What was the name of the girl?"

"Rias, Rias Richter"