F/N - First Name

L/N - Last Name

--

(Otobuki High School)

(Back of Gymnasium - After School)

[F/N's POV]

My name is F/N L/N, 17 years old and a Second Year High School student from Otobuki High. I also have a lot of hobbーoookay let's just skip the boring introductions for now! Anyways because of a penalty from my dumb friends yesterday, I am here in the back of gymnasium of our school nervously preparing my whole existence to 'ask out' the most popular girl in whole Otobuki; The one and only Karen Tendou.

Honestly, i don't really want to do this whole 'confession' thing. Trust me, this whole farce was not my idea at all.

Yes, while it's true that i like Karen Tendou for a very long time, asking her out suddenly is seriously way out of the question. Why? It's simple. Karen Tendou and I are complete strangers. Obviously, you can't just accept a confession from someone you didn't even know at all!

The thing is I'm really fine keeping this feelings to myself all the way to my grave, because a bitter rejection from that girl might be too much for me to handle even for someone like me. So yep. I am literally digging my own grave right now.

Dammit, why am I even doing this thing in the first place?

--

(Flashback - Yesterday)

(Class 2-F Room - Lunch Break)

[F/N's POV]

The sound of the ringing bell echoes throughout the whole school, cue for all students to take their lunch breaks. Some students have their own lunchboxes prepared, while the others just decided to head down to our school's cafeteria to buy their own food.

As for me, I remained seated here on my seat for the reason that I already got myself my favorite food for my lunch; A medium sized "Cheez-Burg" that i bought earlier this morning.

Ahh.. Just the mere smell of this thing was enough to make me full.

And then suddenly, "A wild Kenma appeared"

Kenma: Sup F/N, your cousin told me something interesting about you last night

While helping myself with the 'glorious food given by the gods', Kenma, my bestfriend suddenly popped out of nowhere.

He pulled a nearby chair and seated right in front of my desk, but that grin on his face right now is definitely a sign that this guy is definitely not up to no good again.

F/N: What is it now, Ken..

I greeted back, uninterestedly.

Kenma: I said your cousin told me something INTERESTING about you last night

Oh boy, I didn't liked the way he said that 'interesting' word.

F/N: What is it?

I cautiously asked while Kenma is still not wiping that annoying grin on his face.

Kenma: He said you have a crush on Tendou, is that true?

I knew it. I know this guy was up to no good again, atleast to me. And that Shinji, that bastard cousin of mine seriously sold me big time this time.

F/N: That dumbskull.. Even though i told him not to tell anyone, next time i see him i swear..

Kenma: So it is true? Hahaha!

My red-headed bestfriend annoyingly laughed on the information he just confirmed.

F/N: It's not funny dumbass

Yeah really, it's not funny. Beause now that Shinji and Kenma knows this, i can't seriously imagine the next thing that this two would do.

Kenma: Now now now this is surprising, you even said before that you're immune to a high school girl's charm, who would've thought that the reason is just Tendou hahaha

I only rolled my eyes on his annoying response.

F/N: Shut up, Tendou is an exception. And besides i don't really want to anyone to find out about this, especially you and Shinji

Kenma: Hey that's meeeean you know..

F/N: Yeah. Because knowing you two, you guys are definitely gonnaー

Kenma: ーYou know i think you should ask Tendou out, i would even help you..

Kenma interrupted me before i could even finish my words.

I already know that this scenario will definitely happen, so I only sighed in response.

Kenma: Why? zero confidence are we? hahaha

F/N: Are you serious? That girl didn't even know me and you want me to ask her out? That's basically what they called 'digging your own grave'! NO!

Kenma: You know what F/N, if you keep that attitude of yours, you're seriously gonna die virgin..

I almost choked out on what he suddenly said.

F/N: ..Leave me alone idiot

Kenma: We wont know if you're gonna get rejected unless you try dumbass! And besides, it's not like you're ugly or something, you're actually cute if you ask me so i think you really have a chance to her.. So why are you chickening out?

F/N: What the hell are you saying? You're creeping me out seriously

Kenma: Why?!! You do realize that im complimenting you right? You should be thanking me instead!

F/N: Anyways, i won't do it, end of the story. Im fine keeping this to myself.

Kenma: You're no fun F/N..

And then our classroom's sliding door makes a rattling sound, revealing my cousin, Shinji. He headed straight to my seat and announces his presence.

Shinji: Damn straight, you're gonna die virgin if you keep that attitude of yours F/N.

Kenma: Hey eavesdropping is not good, and i already said that

F/N: Shinji! I told you to not tell any-

Shinji: -Okay calm down, what's the harm anyways?

Shinji interupted me with his usual calm, but somewhat 'unearthly' demeanor.

Kenma: He's right you know? that's actually not nice of you F/N! Were pals right? Me and Shinji can even help you with that!

Shinji remained standing after that, but it somehow feels like that just like Kenma, this guy is up to no good on ME again.

F/N: Actually about that Ken.. I already have an idea.

Kenma: Let me in..

I definitely saw Kenma's face lit up upon hearing Shinji's words.

F/N: Thats it! THATS-IT! Thats why I don't want the both of you to know all this! You guys are definitely gonna pester me like hell about this thing!!

Shinji: Calm down.. I haven't even said anything yet

F/N: Ahhhhrr enough with this just drop this thing already and leave me the alone both of you

I sighed and lowered my head onto my desk to my annoyance. But ignoring my plead as usual, Kenma just continues.

Kenma: Lay the plan commader

F/N: Plan huh. Yeah, a plan to destroy my already ruined day that is.

I muttered silently to myself.

Shinji: Hey F/N, the game that i lent to you yesterday, if i remember the name is s-soul real- react-whats it?

F/N: It's 'Soul Reactor 4 Golden'

Shinji: Bingo, thats it. So, did you played it?

F/N: Well yeah, that's actually the reason for these black bags this time. After you left yesterday, i think i continued to play up until 2 AM if i remembered..

Kenma: Hey F/N was that the 'Golden' thing you were so crazy about since last Monday?

F/N: Heh. Yeah it's a limited edition of 'Soul Reactor 4' with new additional side stories and other new features limited only to the 'Golden' version, there was only a total of 100 copies of that version in whole Japan..

I turned up and grinned then rapidly explained the masterpiece that i played yesterday.

Kenma: Ah there he goes again..

For some reason, Shinji, this lucky idiot who doesn't even play that kind if genres somehow managed to get a full copy of that rare version last week. I asked him yesterday to let me borrow it for a few days to atleast experience how good that game it is. And of course, my expectations didn't btrayed me.

Shinji: About that, F/N you can keep that game if you want..

..Wait did i heared that right?

F/N: What!? Really!?

I jolted up upon realizing what Shinji had said.

Shinji: Yeah you can keep it, i don't play those kind of games anyways. I just got lucky to get that copy.. And i know you're a fan of that series so, why not?

I'm seriously speechless right now. He just said that he's gonna give that rare Golden version for free!!

Shinji: But of course there is a price to pay, im not gonna to give it for free.

F/N: Ah. Don't worry i can pay you!! I actually-

Shinji: No no,did you really think that id wan't any money? ...My cousin?

The way he added that last part was a 'bit' suspicious.. Well, this is Shinji were talking about, being suspicious is a normal thing to him.

Shinji: Actually, i just want you to spend some time with me after school to the arcade, and maybe play some rounds in 'Tekken' with me. How's that sound?

F/N: ..Only that? Are you serious?

Shinji smiled a bit and turned to face Kenma for a moment.

Shinji: Yep.

So Suspicious.. Really suspicious..

F/N: If it's later after school today, yes i can come with you. I don't have any shifts today and im not part of any club, so i think yeah, I can come with you.

Shinji: Then that's good! Ken, wanna come with us?

Kenma: ..Y-yeah of course! Basketball club doesn't have any important activities today so yeah I'm free after school!

F/N: But Shinji, are you sure that's only what you want? I can really pay you for the game if you want?

Shinji: Yes.. yes.. You don't have to pay me.

Maybe I'm just imagining things, maybe this cousin of mine just really wanted to hit the arcade together with us. Even Shinji can be nice sometimes i guess.

Shinji: Now gentlemen, let's decide now on what's going to be the penalty for the loser..

Okay. I'll take all that back.

F/N: W-wait a minute.. Penalty? Are we gonna to compete?

Shinji: Yes, it's been a while since we last compete right? And a game is just plain boring without the thrill of competition, so let's spice some things up and make some bets.

Kenma: Hahahaha!! I get it now..

F/N: Huh!? Got what?

The annoying creature in front of my desk suddenly laughs hysterically upon realizing something.

Kenma: Haha no, i-it's nothing.. Lay the conditions commander!!

Shinji: Now then F/N, if i lose to you to overall scores later, how about alongside with that Golden thing game, i'm also gonna give you my precious 'Dragon Fighters' series collector's set?

I gathered and absorbed all his words first for a moment before suddenly standing up on my seat.

F/N: Wha- SERIOUSLY!!?? You mean that collector's set you got from America before!!??

Shinji: Yes, if you somehow managed to beat me later, I will give you that precious collection of mine, you have my word on that.

F/N: REALLY!!?? Thenー

Shinji: ーBut if you lose..

Oh, I nearly forgot about that due to my excitement. I know that this guy was not going to willingly give away that pricey rare collector's set without any merit on him. So i gulped, and prepared myself to his next conditions.

Shinji: If you lose to our match later, you will have to confess to 'Karen Tendou' tomorrow.

F/N: ..HUH??!!

Kenma: Pffft.. HAHAHAHAHA!!

F/N: Wait! What! Why?! Are you serious?! W-why do i have to do that Shinji that's not fair at all! It's not like iー

Shinji: ーWell it's okay if you don't wanna.. I'm not really forcing you to but you will have to give back the Soul Reactor 4 to me tomorrow..

F/N: Arggggghhhh.. WAIT! WAIT! JUST LET ME THINK FOR A SEC!!

Damn it. What a crafty, little bastard, baiting me with my weakest point..

If i refuse, i would have to give back his SoulReactor4 'Golden' version. Just when i finally got my hands on that rare version.. But if i accept his conditions and even somehow managed to beat him, i can also take home his 'Dragon Fighters' collection set too!

Shinji loves fighting games more than any genres so when he got to America before, he immediately bought all 9 copies of that retro collection that was only available to that country alone back then. Im so jelous on him back then cause I've also been dying to get that rare set for myself too for exactly four years now! So now would probably be the one and only chance to get that retro game collector's set to myself!

But then again if i lose, i will have to confess to Tendou! That 'Karen Tendou'!! That's basically asking to get stabbed straight in the heart! Darn it Shinji.

Shinji: Your decision? 'My cousin'..?

F/N: You planned all of this aren't you?

Shinji: Well, i would be lying if I said no..

F/N: Aargh.. y-you better not be lying Shinji..

Shinji: Of course, did i ever lied to you?

F/N: Then BRING IT ON! After school! To the arcade! I'll definitely pummel you to your specialty this time and get that collector's set to myself!

Kenma: When it come's to this thing, you're inpressive as usual Shinji

Shinji: Haha didn't i told you? I said i have a plan. And also, one more thing Ken..

Kenma: What?

Shinji: ..Prepare for some confession drama tomorrow.

--

(Present Time)

(Back of Gymnasium - After School)

[F/N's POV]

Shinji, that crafty cousin of mine baited me with my weakness. And that guy definitely knows that i would take it even though i know it's a bait, collecting rare games are my one and only hobby after all.

We played and battled for almost 2 hours yesterday. And with a total of 31 Rounds, Shinji beats me with a record of 8-23.

Ever since we were kids, Shinji really loves fighting games, and ive never once won a challenge to him when it comes to this kind of games, and that didn't changed even now.

So yeah. Our yesterday's battle too, was a complete defeat for me.

Aaand that's it. That's the reason why I'm here.

Another few minutes had passed and the moment of truth has finally come..

I saw Karen Tendou walking towards me with a smile painted on her face.. A smile that would definitely make you mistook her for an angel at first glance. And because of my nervousness, my whole existence almost litterally stopped when she started speaking..

Karen: Are you F/N L/N-kun?

F/N: ..Yes, that's me.