Chapter 19: A Sudden Interruption

*SLAM!*

Just as my lips nearly touched Mira's, I heard a door slamming shut.

This brought my attention to the backyard entrance, and when I looked at it, I noticed a female figure.

It was Amelia, who quickly realized that I spotted her.

With my gaze lingering on her, she got really conflicted, but her confusion only lasted for a mere second, before she decided to run away.

(Again?) I felt a sense of disappointment with her fleeing silhouette leaving my sight.

(Why didn't I deal with it sooner?) I could only ask this question, without getting any answer that will satisfy me.

I sighed ligtly to calm down and get as much comfort as I could.

"It bothers you too?"

In that moment, I recalled that I was still on top of Mira.

I looked down and saw her sad expression, it clearly showed that I wasn't the only one uncomfortable with Amelia's behavior.

I nodded to express my agreement, wanting to further find out what Mira though about it.

Soon, she let out all of her emotions "Amelia appers to be cold, but she is only pretending. I don't know why, but one day she changed, she pushed away everyone, including me, Mom, Valerie and of course you, who she focuses her coldnes towards the most."

With her words Mira clearly hinted at the reason why Amelia acts like this.

(I'm the reason.)

Unfortunately even with Alexander's memories, I wasn't able to determine why it happened.

After racking my brain with no effort, I sensed some movement under me. Mira wanted to escape my grasp, and I knew that with what just occurred it was only logical choice.

(It's a shame that I couldn't tease her any longer.)

Not wanting to make it more difficult than needed to, I let go of Mira and got up, with my hand stretched out for her to take.

Mira hesitated, but eventually she accepted my help.

With both of us on our legs, I didn't let go of Mira's hand, instead I chose to continue our conversation.

I looked deep into her eyes, with a serious expression.

"Mira, I promise you to resolve my problem with Amelia."

My promise clearly made Mira at least somewhat happy, because corners of her lips raised, showing a faint smile.

It wasn't long before it changed, with Mira noticing that her hand didn't leave mine.

Immediately after that she tried to wiggle her way out, but I didn't let her.

Her struggle carried on for some time, with me just smirking.

Mira soon had enough, and yelled out "Let go!"

This time I listened to her because my goal wasn't to keep her there from the very start.

[Shop Points: 500 -> 0]

(Quite a cost, but it's worth it.)

WIthout saying anything, I reached behind my back and took out a manual with the title [Ripper's Knife Dance (Dual Daggers)].

Its appearance surprised Mira, with her outhering confused words "What is that?"

"A manual to improve your fighting skills."

Not convinced, Mira asked "Why?"

"Our fight showed me a lot of your flaws, especially your inability to use knives in an actual combat."

Mira got slightly angry, but I prevented it from escalating any further.

"It's not an insult, I just care about you. I'm not strong myself, but it won't stop me from easily killing you in a real fight. I just want you to be able to protect yourself."

Hearing sincerity in my words calmed Mira down. She realized that I just wanted her to be safe.

With manual still in my hand, I slightly shocked it to bring Mira's attention back to it.

After noticing what I did, Mira snatched manual away from me and hugged it close to her chest.

It seemed like this item radiates joy that quickly overwhelmed her, making Mira forgot about anything else.

Contrary to her state, seeing Mira's bliss made me recall something.

"Mira there's one more thing."

"What?" My interruption obviously frustrated her.

Before I replied, I made sure to point at my lips "My wish wasn't fulfilled yet."

This turned Mira's cheeks red, before she run away while shouting out "Idiot!"

(I love tsunderes, they're so easy to tease.) With this thought in mind, I smiled brightly.

*******************

Mira's POV

After arriving in my room, the only thing I could recall was Alexander's stupid grin while teasing me.

"Stupid brother!"

I wanted to punch him so much, but this desire disappeared with manual in my arms.

I looked down to see the gift I received and felt a warmth spreading inside me.

(So, he really does care about me.) This thought made me smile, but when I realized what happend, my smile vanished.

I clenched my fist with determination, while saying out loud "You will soon learn what you get for making fun of me. This gift will only make you suffer."

Happy with my words, I nodded, when suddenly I remembered one thing.

(Did I imagined that?)

With our close contact, I got a good look on Alexander's eyes. And throughout the whole day I noticed that his gaze was weird.

But, in both of our meetings it was different.

"The first time it was scary, like he wanted to hurt me" This memory brought a shiver down my spine.

"The second time in was like I was prey, ready to be swallowed, but it wasn't scary. And with him on top of...mmm..meee.." I blushed recalling the position I found myself in.

That event distracted me from following my train of thoughts.

*******************

With nothing else to do in the backyard, I headed inside.

While making my way there, I started thinking about manual I bought for Mira.

(They're the reason why I builded a bookcase in the first place.)

When I got some more shop points, I skimmed through my shop with a sole intention to buy an item, which will make me stronger.

Unfortunately my points didn't let me buy anything fancy, but manuals were something I could afford.

Of course before I bought them, questions arised, 'What are they?','What they do','Is it worth it?'.

With only one way to find out, I didn't hesitate to try my luck.

And as it turned out, it was an amazing buy. It maybe wasn't able to increase my strength in a short term, but it gave me something better.

(Knowledge.)

Knowledge about swordsmanship that I lacked. I began to learn for real, and not just swing my sword randomly.

(Without this manual, I wouldn't improve nearly as much as I did.)

My previous knowledge about fighting was limited to movies, some random videos from the internet and games.

(So pretty much nothing at all.)

Those manuals fall into different categories, letting me learn pretty much every skill I can think of.

Soon after buying [Swordsmanship Manual], I bought one more [Hand to Hand Combat Manual].

This one was a lot of fun, especially after I played some melee games like Street Fighter, The King of the Fighters or Tekken, which inspired me to recreate some of the moves form those games.

After rather short while, I found out that my melee skills and stats aren't enough to do most of the cool moves.

(This thinking can seem random, but I needed something to occupy my mind.)

I took a deep breath, because I finally arrived at my destination.

Standing in from of me was door to Amelia's room, the same one that was shut right in front of me.

I whispered "Let's do this."

*Knock*Knock*Knock*

I knocked on the door and waited.

*Knock*Knock*Knock*

I repeated, but I got the same result.

(I hoped, I won't need to do that.)

*Knock* I knocked one last time, before raising my voice.

"Amelia, If you won't open the door yourself, I will be forced to break it down."

This approach worked, because Amelia finally decided to reply.

"You're bluffing."

I didn't back down, with my voice full of confidence.

"I will count to three, and if you won't open the door then, you will find out if I'm really bluffing."

My threat got unanswered, with Amelia staying quiet inside.

(She probably thinks I'm lying.)

I shook my head "If she only knew."

I stood firm on my feet, ready to charge at the door.

"1!"

"2!"

"3!"

Amelia still was unaffected by my warnings, leaving her door closed.

"I warned you! I'm coming it."

With the last chance now gone I instantly moved, while placing my shoulder forward. It was supposed to act as a battle ram, ready to destroy my obstacle.

*BAM!*