Chapter 12 Only Fresh Lovers Are This Sweet

Chapter 12 Only Fresh Lovers Are This Sweet

"Look at that!"

"What... Oh, you mean that new Japanese kid?"

"Don't pretend you don't care. This is huge!"

"Why should I care? The new kid's good-looking enough, but that weak, timid act? That's not what the men in this town are about."

"Are you blind? Don't you see what she's wearing?"

"A pitch-black coat—the club striker's symbol. A black and red scarf—the main team's colors. A black cowboy hat—the forward's mark. Why is the new kid wearing all that... Don't tell me she's some foreign footballer they bought."

"That would be nice. But look at what the guy next to her isn't wearing."

"...Why isn't Assarun wearing a coat? ...Why isn't Assarun wearing a scarf? ...Why isn't Assarun wearing a hat?"

"Giving your coat means confessing love. Wrapping your scarf around someone means proposing. Giving your hat means asking for marriage. And when the girl wears all of it for everyone to see—that means she said yes."

"Dear God! Assarun and that new girl..."

"Even if it's at school, showing off like this to the whole town—it's clear as day. These two are husband and wife now."

Loud whispers, you two.

But thanks a lot. Now I understand perfectly why Claris looked so embarrassed, why Asuka acted so strange, and why everyone in school is staring at us with their jaws dropped.

Confession. Proposal. Marriage proposal. Public announcement. I did all of that without knowing a damn thing.

Actually, the game did mention this stuff. I just remembered... too late.

And during that kiss, I heard the system voice saying we'd formed a love covenant.

That's what appears in G.O.A.T TRICKS when players choose to marry any character. It's permanent—no way to delete it unless you wipe your save and start over.

Which I probably can't do.

And even if I could, I wouldn't.

Alright. I'll be honest with myself. I won't say I feel bad or think it was unlucky coincidence.

Truth is, I'm incredibly happy.

I mean, getting such a beautiful, adorable girlfriend. Her words and actions are gentle and sweet. Her personality is kind and tender. She's the ideal woman.

Even if she is a demon.

I don't feel bothered by it anymore.

What's wrong with me? Being this selfish? I know it's all a misunderstanding, but I'm thinking of just going with it because I like her. And after that kiss, all my fear of demons, fear of pain, fear of death—it all vanished.

My head's probably empty now. My brain must have melted down into my heart.

But if I tell her everything's a misunderstanding and Himura Asuka feels betrayed enough to transform into a demon and go on a rampage...

Sigh. Making excuses for myself doesn't make me feel any better.

Logic tells me this isn't right. I don't deserve her. It lists dozens of terrible possibilities from this action.

But my heart commands: "Screw it all. If that's how it is, then fight to the death. Bleed from your eyes if you have to. Become a man who fears nothing. Become strong enough to control everything. Become a man worthy of her."

Let it go for now. Who I really am, what my name is, what my personality was like—I still can't remember any of it. So I'll just follow my feelings for now.

Clap clap clap clap! Whistle~whooo~

Past the whispers came a group of male students applauding and cheering loudly.

"Congratulations, Big Brother Assarun! Getting married so young—you've really settled down! Those high-class folks are furious and unhappy about it. Ha! So satisfying! Thought only the big families could marry young."

Doesn't sound very congratulatory. More like stepping on someone's toes.

The one speaking boldly was Shambo. Just Shambo—that's his whole name.

This guy's an orphan raised by some bar. They sent him to school for education, but from outsiders' perspective, he's like a slave. Doesn't even have a surname.

Shambo's a small, dark-skinned young man with a high voice. Always looks young no matter his age. Talkative, cheerful personality. His design inspiration came from wild rabbits—his football style shows agile movement and extraordinary jumping power.

That's it. After the game's first chapter, this guy has no role in football anymore.

Then Shambo becomes a supporting character whose job is narrating matches, cheering when Assarun gets hit by enemy special moves, being comic relief.

Sounds useless, but Shambo's still Assarun's fated companion. Someone who stays loyal no matter what happens.

After getting beaten down by the protagonist from the start, while other subordinate characters scatter and switch sides, only Shambo never loses faith in Assarun.

Don't know why he's so devoted to Assarun. The story never explains it. But I should keep someone like this close.

Easy-come friends, hard-to-find death-brothers. Something like that.

"But seriously, Big Brother, you planning to declare war on the big families? Awesome! This must be payback for yesterday, right? Those high-class jerks are so unfair—just because you felt sick and played badly one day, they made a huge deal and demoted you. If it were their own kids, they'd make excuses for a whole year of bad form."

Whoa, you're getting carried away here. I got married by accident, dude. And my skills now aren't the godlike level you remember. Right now I'm just a newbie who can't even use NEX properly. I'm not crazy enough to pick fights with big families.

You're talking so loud, you fool. If the big families hear this and take it seriously...

"Ho. Heard something interesting."

The disciples celebrating with us parted, revealing the owner of that voice.

A young man with golden hair, white skin, tall frame. His fearless gaze showed no fear of anyone. His clothing screamed big family—wearing a necktie instead of a scarf, a buttoned vest instead of a coat. The perfect gentleman's image.

Student Council President William Burn.

Behind him stood people from various families.

"You know me well, Assarun. I don't particularly like class divisions or restricting traditions. But what I just heard crosses the line. As someone from the Burn family, I can't let the three great families be insulted."

Oh crap!

"Ho! So what? Think a godlike player like Big Brother Assarun would fear you guys?"

Damn it, Shambo!! What the hell are you saying?!

"I formally declare a duel. We big families challenge you, Assarun, to reclaim the honor and dignity we've lost."

Aaaahhh!

"Uh, actually, it's about—"

"Fine then. No need for ceremonies. Let's settle this during Professor Kwan's tactics class."

"Then it's agreed. We'll fight at the appointed time."

The high-class group walked away quickly. Shambo and my disciples cheered loudly.

No chance for me to object or explain anything.

I take it back.

Never befriend someone like this! You're not a death-brother—you're more like a friend who leads everyone to death!!