From the start, I only see Marika Kurisu as a disturbance. She even set me up using Kanba's invitation for class gatherings.

 

Yet in these past 2 days, I knew I can get along with her. We were having a smooth conversation. I don't see her interact often with our other classmates.

 

I honestly don't like interacting too much with my classmates too. It's not like I'm anti-social but I always use to think it's unnecessary.

 

But what about the case with Marika Kurisu? I don't know her that much. We haven't even talked about each other's lifestyle.

 

She's too focused on wanting to put a stop to his father's idea of getting her into an arranged marriage. I wanna know more about her.

 

Might you think I am falling for her? That's incorrect. I don't fall in love easily and there's no love between us at least for now. I don't feel such a thing yet for her. Falling for her won't solve the current issue too.

 

Her fragile condition this noon after lunch gave me a hunch of how much the arrange marriage is bothering her.

 

How heavy of a burden it is for a normal high school student like her. Her emotional condition is unstable.

 

She's talented and gifted in many ways but you can't make the mistake of differentiating her from other girls. I never see her that way.

 

I told her that I'll give her an answer this noon but it's not actually an answer yet. We need to talk about a lot of things.

 

I wanna clarify more details or how even dating me would help her. Our family knew each other but I don't think that my family holds that much influence or connection to Marika Family to allow or even accept a relationship between their daughter and son of the Asamura Family.

 

It might even affect our parents' relationship with one another. It's not a favorable result I'm hoping.

 

I wanna help her but I must think of the right step where there isn't anyone in both family that would be affected. I need to consider many things before I make a move.

 

This is hard and melting my brain but I set my resolve to help her. I can't go back now. As a man, I have my word.

 

It's the last subject for the 2nd period on the 2nd day of school. I can't focus at all thinking how I would deal with Marika Kurisu's favor.

 

She stayed at the infirmary and hasn't come back yet. I told her I'll give her my answer and she started acting like that. She ain't ready for what I have to say yet but it should be now.

 

I might have another chance in the future but I don't wanna waste time because the longer it takes the harder it would be for both of us.

 

All of my classmates are looking worried. The girl who earlier asked if we were dating, Takanashi Rui came to ask me about Marika. I told her she's not feeling good but she's doesn't have to worry.

 

I think I'm getting impatient but if she won't be fine later then I will need to wait a bit more.

 

I don't like forcing my stuff on anyone, it's also my policy to keep things low. She must have had a good rest now.

 

An hour has passed and the school bell rang. That signaled the end of class for today.

 

I hastily got up from my seat and took my bag. I turned to leave the classroom and headed to the infirmary where she is resting. Since Karakura high is too wide it took me 10 minutes of walk to reach the infirmary.

 

I opened the door and the school nurse is there checking some kind of documents.

 

"Sensei, is Marika Kurisu here?" She should be here, right?

 

"Oh her. She left already."

 

Eh? She isn't feeling well. Why would she leave the infirmary without coming back to the classroom? Maybe she went home now.

 

"She said, she wants some fresh air so she went out to rest at a bench near the fountain on school grounds. She asked me to tell you when you come here Asamura-kun. Don't look so worried geez! She's fine now." Sensei explained.

 

"Thank you sensei and sorry for the trouble." I expressed my gratitude.

 

"It's okay. You should take it easy too you know."

 

I only showed a smile and left. What does she mean by that? I don't really get the adults and how they think.

 

I walked through the first floor to the school grounds and found her sitting under a tree.

 

The setting sunlight flashing through her silver hair making it even more beautiful. She's enchanting. I slowly approach her from the front and talk to her.

 

"How are you feeling Marika?"

 

"Asamura-kun, I'm feeling fine now. I'm sorry for making you worried."

 

I sighed.

 

"Yeah, you honestly did."

 

I then sat on the other side of the bench. I'm glad she's okay now. That means we can talk about it.

 

The wind is blowing but weak and giving me a soothing feeling. I feel like it says to proceed with talking about the issue with her.

 

"So class ended? I'm sorry I didn't have the motivation to go back to class."

 

"It's Okay. Nothing much happened. So do you think we can talk now?" I asked before I begin. If she's not ready to talk about it then it's fine.

 

"Yeah, I think we can. You said you will give me an answer. Could tell me specifically?"

 

"It's not technically an answer I'll give you. I wanna help you but I need to clarify things. How would dating me could put a stop to your father's idea of arranged marriage. Also, the relationship between our families might be affected depends on your father's perspective about the two of us dating. It might end up terrible. That won't be an acceptable outcome for both of us."

 

"That's-!"

 

Looks like she's isn't aware of this much huh. Well, I don't blame her. Her situation is already flawed from the start and it has been eating her alive. She continued.

 

"You really think through this Asamura-kun. Honestly, I thought you would say no to me. I'm thankful you're still here." She then showed an innocent smile.

 

That smile is unfair. It is too bright and lovable. I can't be swayed I need to keep focus. I averted my eyes from her and took a breath.

 

"What's wrong Asamura-kun?"

 

"I-its nothing. Let's continue."

 

She gave a nod.

 

"You told me that you're mom is against your arrange marriage right? We can talk to her and sort things out. Your mom can help us. There are many aspects that we need to consider. To make this work we need your father to accept our relationship. We need to be recognized, otherwise, nothing will change. Your father will continue looking for a partner for you and this might end up bad for the relationship between our family. I wanna avoid that all cost."

 

I explained my concerns. We need to be transparent and look further into this. We need to make sure this would work and that's exactly why we need guidance from her mother.

 

She then looked down. With her eyes lowered as if she's giving up.

 

"You don't need to worry about me. I'll be here to help, I can't just leave you after what you'd asked of me. We will be together through this."

 

She then started crying. It looks like some of her pent-up stress is coming out. I feel bad for pointing out all this and making her cry but I need to.

 

She's crying while looking down, she doesn't wanna show me a crying face because it would be too embarrassing.

 

"Thank you Asamura-kun! You're the first person who's willing to go through this just to help me... Thank you!"

 

I didn't say anything after that and just let her cry. She must be suffering alone from the pressure his father brought to her all this time.

 

All she needs is a companion to be with her, someone who's willing to help her and listen to all her problems and that would be me. I can't leave her alone now.

 

She stopped crying after a while. I took out a handkerchief in my bag and handed it to her. She used it to sweep her tears from her eyes and face. After a few minutes, she spoke.

 

"I will ask my mother when I get home when she's going to be available. She's too busy with her work with the company helping my father. I don't wanna be a bother as well so we might need to wait. If that's fine with you Asamura-kun." She said while still looking down.

 

"It's fine. We don't need to hurry it up. Just tell me when and I'll go."

 

We can take this at our own pace.

 

For the time being, I could use that time to think of ways to do or think of possible things to happen.

 

I met her father before but I don't know yet his personality. There's a lot of things I don't know and it's pissing me off.

 

I need to cool down too and keep my composure in check. Overthinking doesn't help in any situations even now. I need to change the topic to ease the atmosphere a bit.

 

"There's a vending machine over there. What kind of drink you want Marika?"

 

My sudden question took her by surprise and she turns gaze at me.

 

"I- I want a tea." She said stuttering.

 

I got up and walked towards the vending machine. Bought the tea for her and a carbonated drink for myself. I went back to the bench and handed her the tea.

 

We stayed on the bench for an hour then a female teacher approached us and told us the school is closing. We forgot we're still in school ugh! We apologized and quickly moved to leave the school.

 

We didn't solve anything but at least we took one step forward on this issue. Something heavy was lifted on our shoulders because we now have a direction. It's kind of an achievement for us.