Chapter : 22 : Objective!
The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the quiet nurse's office as I sat on the infirmary bed, Aisha curled up beside me. Her head rested against my shoulder, our fingers laced together in a gentle but firm grip.
"I just don't want to let you go for a single moment, Ito," Aisha whispered, nuzzling into my side.
A smile tugged at my lips as I ran my fingers through her silky black hair. "Me neither. You're way too cute, Aisha."
Aisha's cheeks flushed a light pink, and she let out a soft giggle. "D-Don't say it so casually. It makes my heart flutter too much."
I chuckled, shifting slightly to hold her closer.
A comfortable silence fell between us. The warmth of her body pressed against mine was so comforting that I wished time would stop.
But of course, reality was cruel.
"When's your next class?" she finally asked, her voice laced with a hint of hesitation.
I sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall. "In about ten minutes."
Aisha pouted. "So that means I only have five more minutes with you?"
"Yeah."
Her grip on my hand tightened, and after a brief pause, she murmured, "Then… why don't we… k-kiss for a bit?" Her voice was small, as if embarrassed by her own suggestion.
I turned to face her, amused by how she was avoiding eye contact. Her expression was serene, but her rosy cheeks and slightly trembling lips betrayed her nervousness.
I gently cupped her cheek, guiding her to look at me.
Even after everything we had shared—our late-night whispers, our passionate moments, our confessions of love—we still blushed like two nervous teenagers. It was proof that our love hadn't dulled; instead, it burned brighter with every moment we spent together.
I leaned in, and Aisha met me halfway.
Our lips met in a soft, tender kiss.
Her lips, as sweet as strawberries, sent a shiver down my spine. Her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, gripping tightly as if afraid I would disappear.
The kiss deepened, slow but passionate. I could feel her love in every movement, every sigh, every soft moan escaping from her lips.
When I finally pulled away to breathe, her face was flushed red, her lips swollen from our kiss.
But I wasn't done yet.
Before she could recover, I pushed her onto the infirmary bed, pinning her down as I captured her lips again.
Aisha gasped into the kiss, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck to pull me closer.
I deepened the kiss, my hands roaming her body, relishing the way she trembled beneath my touch.
A soft, breathy moan escaped her lips.
"Ito…" she whispered against my lips.
Hearing my name in such a vulnerable tone sent heat rushing through my body.
I wanted more.
But before I could lose myself completely, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the infirmary.
Aisha gasped and pushed me away, her face burning with embarrassment.
"Ito!" she scolded in a hushed whisper, smacking my chest lightly. "Someone might come in!"
I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I couldn't help it. You're just too irresistible."
Aisha buried her face into my chest. "D-Dummy…"
With a satisfied smirk, I pulled away and helped her sit up.
We stood by the door, still close, our bodies practically touching.
Aisha placed a hand on my chest, looking up at me with eyes filled with longing. "I'm gonna miss you," she whispered.
I chuckled. "We'll see each other again at recess."
She pouted cutely. "You can't help it. Your girlfriend loves you too much."
I grinned. "I love that about you."
She blushed.
Before leaving, I gave her one last quick peck on the lips.
As I walked toward my class, I whispered, "Soul Stats."
A glowing panel materialized before me.
---
[Soul Reaver Damnation]
Current Soulmates:
1. Shizuki Aisha
2. Ahane Hana
3. Ahane Mei
Remaining Soulmates: 997
Current Objective: MAKE AYASE AOI CONFESS.
NOTE: YOU CANNOT CONFESS TO HER FIRST.
WARNING: FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS MISSION WILL RESULT IN HER SUICIDE.
---
My expression darkened as I read the last line.
"I don't have a choice. I have to make her confess, no matter what."
I sighed and switched to the Mood section, clicking on Aisha's name.
---
[Shizuki Aisha]
Happiness: 100%
Anger: 0%
Annoyance: 0%
Content: 80%
Love: 100%
Jealousy: 10%
Horny: 65%
Tired: 2%
Current Mood: Lost in Your Thoughts
---
I blinked at the numbers.
"Her happiness and love are still at 100%. That's good. But her contentment has dropped a bit… and her jealousy increased. And—wait—she's at 65% horny?!"
I nearly choked.
"I-It's the kiss, isn't it?"
Shaking my head, I scrolled down and checked Mei's stats.
---
[Ahane Mei]
Happiness: 25%
Anger: 0%
Annoyance: 0%
Content: 19%
Love: 100%
Jealousy: 85%
Horny: 1%
Tired: 10%
Current Mood: Talking with Ahane Hana
---
I winced. "That's… low. I need to do something about this."
I quickly checked Hana's stats next.
---
[Ahane Hana]
Happiness: 100%
Anger: 0%
Annoyance: 0%
Content: 15%
Love: 100%
Jealousy: 65%
Horny: 2%
Tired: 15%
Current Mood: Talking to Ahane Mei
---
I let out a heavy sigh as I dismissed the panel.
"I've been too focused on Aisha that I didn't even consider how Mei and Hana were feeling. I'm the worst."
As I walked down the hallway, the panel suddenly reappeared with a new message.
---
[NEW OBJECTIVE: AYASE AOI AHEAD]
Objective: Make Her Day
WARNING: FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS MISSION WILL LEAD TO HER FURTHER MENTAL BREAKDOWN.
---
I rubbed my temples.
"This damn system keeps forcing me into these things…"
But I wasn't going to let her suffer. No matter what.
As I continued down the hall, the glowing panel of my Soul Stats faded away, leaving me with my thoughts.
Then, I saw her.
A girl stood near the corner of the hallway, just a few feet away from my classroom. But she wasn't standing in the open—she was hiding behind the wall, peeking around the corner toward my classroom.
Her fingers clutched the edges of the wall tightly, her small frame half-hidden. She was clearly looking for something… or rather, someone.
Me.
A smirk tugged at my lips.
She hadn't noticed me yet.
Silently, I walked up behind her, making sure my footsteps were light.
I could hear her murmuring something under her breath.
"H-He's not here yet… should I wait…? No, no, what if someone sees me? What if he sees me…?! I'll just—"
Before she could finish her whispered monologue, I placed my hands gently on her shoulders.
"Good morning!" I greeted cheerfully.
"EH—!?"
Ayase Aoi flinched violently.
Her entire body stiffened like a cat caught in headlights.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she turned around to face me.
Her wide, exhausted eyes met mine. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.
Dark circles sat under her tired, melancholic eyes, yet despite her exhaustion, a deep blush was forming on her cheeks, quickly spreading across her entire face.
I tilted my head. "Ayase Aoi-San, right?"
Her lips trembled.
Then—
She let out a tiny, high-pitched squeak.
I raised an eyebrow.
Ayase covered her face with her hands, shaking slightly.
"I—I—h-how—wh—"
I blinked, waiting for her to form a proper sentence.
But she didn't.
She just stood there, completely frozen, her entire body trembling.
I could practically hear the gears in her head malfunctioning.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she removed her hands from her face just enough to peek at me through her fingers.
Her blush deepened.
END OF CHAPTER : 22 : OBJECTIVE!