Hello, everyone!

I'm back with the latest chapter of MioNomi! Even if I'm a little late... Anyway, I'll try to make it brief.

I want to thank you very much for all your reviews for the last chapter. They were very important to me. Here are the replies:

NotAnAuthor504: Hm... so you thought that confession was the end of the story? Well, that's understandable, as I originally planned to make only 10 chapters or so... and you see how it worked out... I'm glad you found the route so far exciting. You posting mistakes is fine. Me not having time to correct them is what worries me now. But we'll see.

Sasori69 [both reviews]: Don't worry about the talking to yourself thing. It happens :P. Anyway, I know very little about School Days... but I think I know enough to guess what you're implying here. Well... practice makes perfect, right? I don't know if Keima was that OOC in this scene (unless you meant the girls) – he brought a group of misbehaving kids (uh... teenagers?) to order.

ZelgadisGW: About this BG think... I've no idea what you mean. Hold on a sec *stands up, goes to the next room and tries to peel his brother from BG and stuff*. I'm glad you like Mio's reactions. I can already see it... "No, Mio... I... am your boyfriend" :P. I guess we'll have to work on your "ship list" then, huh? Well, as for Kusunoki... we'll see. :)

DarkBladerZX: Here's the chapter for you then. I can't guarantee it contains all you wanted, though. Also, I'm glad you liked the previous chapter.

A: KanonNomi will certainly be a challenge and will certainly have a vastly different pacing, but we'll see when we get there.

DPSS: Well, for the most part you're right. However, this "lost" development is done precisely, so the girls can let go of Keima (in romantic sense) early on and undergo "real" development on their own (we won't be seeing much of it though). And Keima is kinda "player character", who helps heroines undergo development, while not really developing himself.

Sir sleeps-a-lot: Hello! Thank you very much for the review. I kinda missed you. Yes, TV tropes are golden and I have to fight the temptation to openly name my tropes. And speaking of trope names... I see what you did here in this review :). As for 'would it be the same if I read it once a week'... I'm wondering it myself. It certainly would be interesting. I guess it depends on your memory. When I have several mangas and fics and they get updated every fortnight... then it can get hard to follow. Anyway, full answer to your review would be too long, so I'll send the rest via PM. :)

Shawn Raven: Hi. Thank you very much for the review. And this 10 out of 10. I was kinda happy with this chapter (after much work, mind you), but still... 10 out of 10? I'm honored... And yes, Keima can be dense when the plot demands it :P. Yes, vulnerable Mio was important point in this series. A lot of effort went into the kiss scene as well... I just planned it from a long time ago, but the details proved... difficult. This is why I'm so happy you liked it. As for Keima's reaction to Mio's state... is it love? That's a difficult one... Where love begins and what types of love are there? We can certainly see determination and self-sacrifice in Keima. And he wants to see Mio happy and help her be happy. Yet, he doesn't swoon over her or anything. Is it love? That even I don't know. Yes, now they need to tell the good (?) news to the world. Will they be able to? And as for that sound... I'll leave it up to your imagination :D. Thank you again and I hope this chapter will prove worth the wait as well.

All right... There's more to talk about, but I think we'll talk after you're done with the chapter. ;)

Enjoy!

(* * *)

The teacher started the class by delivering a speech as if she was sending her students off into a war that would decide the fate of mankind. As boring and long as it seemed, it took no more than two minutes and after that each student was introduced to his or her sworn enemy – a test sheet consisting of 30 questions. Mio eyed her own paper, sighed and then got to work.

First she scanned the questions and answered the ones she was completely sure, spending around ten seconds per question on average.

Then she re-read the questions she didn't solve the first time and decided on answers for some of them even if she was a little unsure if they were correct.

For the next ten minutes she tried to genuinely analyze the remaining questions and figure the answers based on her actual knowledge. And then she chose random answers for everything she didn't know.

And then she appeared to be busy with her question sheet for another ten minutes before she decided she had pretended enough already and put the sheet on the edge of her desk and checked her watch.

It took her half an hour to finish this stupid test and it wasn't as if biology was important or anything. And there was still a lot of time before the class was over, so she placed her elbows on the desk before resting her forehead on her forearms.

And sighed again.

It was a few days after she and Keima... had a talk. The one that involved speaking and whipping.

And kissing.

Mio felt her cheeks heat up and she sunk deeper into her arms to hide her flaming face. Then she realized her ears were probably red as well. She calmed down and raised her head, looking around her to see if anyone have noticed.

Luckily, most of the students still had their attention on their tests. Being in class A meant they received somewhat more experienced teachers and better teaching equipment, so they generally had better results. However, it also meant teachers were nagging more often and tried to teach more than required. Not that it was surprising – if her father was alive Mio would've considered that something that was needed. Annoying and difficult. But needed.

Of course, it wasn't as if class A had only children of famous people, ojōsamas and the like, although being assigned to this class required more money, even considering it was a private school. No, they were also commoners here. Quite a lot actually. And most of them still struggled with their test questions. The only ones who were finished besides Mio were the three students at the top of the class.

And Tsukiyo. The blond doll-like girl had placed her test on the edge of the desk and seemed fairly relaxed. Mio could understand. Thanks to Keima, Tsukiyo now could go through exams with easy, which helped reduce the stress the girl associated with her school life before.

Mio smiled a little at that and then turned to the other side only to see Yui still engrossed with her exam. No surprise there either – the better the drummer does on her exams, the less nagging her mother will be.

Mio turned back and wiggled a bit. Making the chairs and desks as uncomfortable as possible to prevent student sleeping in class was the top priority for their designers, Mio was sure of that. And she could use a short nap... the exams were a chore to get through. Every year. Without fail.

Then again... this year wasn't that bad, she thought, once again bringing her back to the memories of that kiss. It certainly wasn't perfect. She was confused and pretty much crying at the time... but still... she really liked that kiss. Maybe it was because deep inside she was sappy and romantic person (obviously why Keima went for the 'Cinderella scenario' during her original conquest) and maybe she was simply emotionally starved and craving attention.

Never mind the reason. It was the effect that was important and the effect was... breath-taking. All the waiting she had to endure, all the events she had to go through for that one moment... they didn't matter, she thought as she reminisced it, her fingers unconsciously touching her lips... before she plopped back on her desk...

...because it was already several days since that kiss and nothing have happened since then.

Not a single damn thing!

And it was all the fault of those stupid tests!

For once, Mari insisted that Keima take care of his sister (as if he hasn't been doing that already), who had a real chance to fail this year, so he was busy helping her with pretty much every subject. Of course, Eri promised to repay her brother someday, but for now Keima had to grit his teeth and try and improve his sister's academic performance.

As if that wasn't enough, Mio's own mother suddenly got worried over her daughter's future as well. Especially since Mio was finally over her father's death, so it was high time she gave her school duties proper focus. Mio told her mother that she had been tutored by Keima before, but the older woman thought she was just using this tutoring to flirt with the boy.

Thus, both Keima and Mio were now in the middle of considerably busy exam period, so they didn't really have time to spend time with each other. And because of their mothers no less!

Finally, the class ended and Mio didn't wait for the teacher to collect the tests, automatically standing up to head to the Demeter bread stand for some sandwich-shaped energy source, her mind back on her supposed relationship with Keima.

Well, from one point of view it was official. She confessed. Lamely, but she did. And he accepted. Obviously not because he loved her, but he did. So officially they were dating and at the moment it was enough for her – she'll have a lot of time to make him fall for her for real.

...but at the same time they kinda weren't dating as no-one else knew of their relationship. Mio haven't told anyone. Her mother. Urara. Tsukiyo. Yui. Sumire. No-one knew. And she was pretty sure Keima haven't told anyone either.

And that was the first problem. They will have to tell someone eventually... as thrilling as it was, Mio didn't want to make it another secret... she had enough of those. So how should they tell their parents? And should they do it so early? And should they tell others? Mio wasn't sure she wanted the whole school to know about them. It's not that she was embarrassed to have Keima as boyfriend... it was just she was pretty much a celebrity until some time ago and was afraid his hate for reality might return full force once people start talk about him behind his backs.

And the second problem was the fact that for the few past days nothing happened. Mio knew that the exams got in the way, but still it was frustrating. She wasn't stupid enough to think Keima would appear, sweep her off her feet (not that she particularly wanted that). But, she thought as she walked into the corridor, she really wouldn't mind getting more make-out practice...

She barely finished that thought when she felt someone grab her hand and pull.

"Wha?" she managed, almost losing her balance, her frustration flaring, her other hand, reaching her bag for her trusty whip. "Get your hands-" she stopped when she noticed who was it.

It was Keima.

"Good day, my lady" he said with a faint, but unmistakable smile on his lips.

"M-my lady?" she repeated caught completely off guard. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to know how are you doing" he replied and then showed her something. "And I bought you lunch."

Mio liked to think she was never much of a materialist. She was just rich, so she lived a different life than commoners. Actually, her wealthy position has made her pretty immune to any form of bribery. When she had become poor she would not accept charity out of her pride. Now perhaps she would, but she still wasn't going to ask for it nor she would be seduced by such petty things... but something about "Mio Aoyama", "Keima Katsuragi" and "omelet-soba bread" in his hands just screamed "dream team" in her hand.

"T-thank you" she replied meekly, face turning pink. Then she heard whispers and somehow she noticed a group of curious commoners gathered around them. And all of them were boys, which was weird. Was there even that many boys in her grade? She reached out with her hand to grab the sandwich, but Keima pulled his hand back.

"What about my reward?" he teased, getting closer.

Mio's brain short-circuited.

"W-wh-what?" she stammered.

"Well... it could be also a reward for you... if you did well on your test."

"Y-you mean here?" she asked in slight panic. "In public?"

"You don't want it?" he leaned closer. He wasn't that tall and he wasn't bulky, but it still felt as if he was hovering over her. He grabbed her arm, immobilizing her. Her mind was completely blank. She wasn't even aware of the rude whistling of the boys in the background. She closed her eyes, parted her suddenly dry lips. Then she felt Keima grab her other arm and...

...shake her lightly.

"Mio!" a voice said. But it didn't sound like Keima... or any boy for that matter.

"What?" Mio replied, rubbing her eyes. Huh, why would she need to do that?

"The test is over."

Mio blinked. And then opened her eyes wide, gaping.

She was sitting on her seat. In the classroom. Her test was already gone and people were leaving the room. And the one talking to her was Tsukiyo. Mio looked at her blankly. And then groaned in sheer frustration, hiding her head in her hands.

"Are you all right?" the other blonde asked.

"Just give me a moment" Mio replied and stayed silent for a longer while. She just fell asleep in the middle of class and dreamed about Keima kissing her in public! No! It was just a dream! She wasn't that indecent! She was just a little... frustrated.

After she calmed down some, she spoke again. "I was sleeping" it wasn't a question.

"Yes" Tsukiyo said.

"I didn't sleep so well last night. Studying and stuff" Mio explained. It was a lame excuse, but it had to suffice.

"Well... look at the bright side" Tsukiyo said. "It had to be a good dream."

"Why do you think that?" Mio asked, not sure she wanted to know the answer.

"You were... mumbling in your sleep" the other girl said. Mio was certain it was the first time she saw Tsukiyo smirk like that. "I take it you're making some kind of progress with Keima then, huh?"

Mio felt her face heat up for real this time.

"Please tell me I wasn't whispering Katsuragi's name in my sleep" she said.

"Okay, you weren't whispering Katsuragi's name in your sleep" Tsukiyo said. And when Mio sighed in relief she added. "You were moaning Keima's name in your sleep."

"Kill me now..." Mio replied after a moment.

"Don't be silly" Tsukiyo said. "It was quiet and no-one here knows Keima's name. They just call him 'Katsuragi' or 'otamegane' or they just ignore him" Mio didn't reply, so Tsukiyo rolled her eyes and then grabbed the other girl's arm and started to drag Mio to the best place to cheer her up.

Meaning the Demeter bread stand of course.

(* * *)

"I have to admit" Tsukiyo said once they were seated in a private spot. "You dreaming about Keima like that in the middle of class isn't like you at all."

Mio just took a sandwich from a small pile lying there on the bench between them. She and Tsukiyo bought four sandwiches, but Mio was certain only one was for the moon-lover. She didn't mind it though – she was certain she would get at least 70% on this low-importance test, so she earned those.

"I could say something similar about you" Mio shot back. "You've really changed from how you were a year ago."

"What do you mean?" Tsukiyo asked, looking at her with polite curiosity.

"Well, for once, you are much more cheerful and open to others" Mio said.

"It's influence from Keima and Shiori, I guess" Tsukiyo shrugged, but her face turned a shade of pink.

"It's not just them" Mio shook her head, before smiling. "The way you teased me back then... it's certainly something you picked from a prankster like Urara or Yui."

"Or you" Tsukiyo shot back with a mysterious smile and then her expression turned more neutral and serious. "But I guess what you said is true. We've all changed in one way or another. This includes Keima."

"Yeah, no kidding" Mio agreed, thinking about all the things Keima've done lately. Snow fighting. Christmas Eve. Tutoring people. Arbitrating. Agreeing to go out with her. Kissing.

No, Mio told herself as she shook her head. Stop thinking about it! You have good thing going, so just survive through the exams and things will work out.

Probably. Possibly. Hopefully.

"So, how are things between the two of you?" Tsukiyo said, this time displaying one of her old personality traits – breaching conversation subjects delicately, but firmly.

"Well, I haven't really seen Kei-Katsuragi-"

"It's just the two of us here" Tsukiyo noticed. "You don't have to pretend and use his surname."

"I haven't seen Keima much lately" Mio tried again, suddenly grateful she and Keima didn't have any embarrassing pet names for each other.

"Because of the exams?"

"Yes" Mio admitted. "But, generally speaking, it's not that bad. Like you said... there's... progress."

"I meant it as a joke..." Tsukiyo said. "So... what happened?"

Mio was quiet, thinking. Their parents didn't know yet. And she didn't know if Keima was okay with telling them, much alone telling Tsukiyo. The last thing she needed now was to strain their trust. Before she decided, Tsukiyo spoke again.

"It's all right, you don't have to tell me now" she told Mio. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Thanks, but you don't need to worry about me" Mio replied, determined to not tell anyone that she cried when she got with Keima. Actually, the fact that he out of all people had to see her crying was infuriating. As if she didn't have enough faults.

Her musings were stopped by something hitting her back.

"There you are!" it was Urara, who found them, before taking a seat next to Tsukiyo. "I was looking for you!"

The moon-lover coughed lightly and suddenly got very interested in another sandwich, while Mio cringed internally. Don't get her wrong. Urara was a really good friend and all, but the exam period had a strange effect on her. In short, Urara was prone to panic attacks before tests and she would pester others with things ranging from asking them to quiz her or rambling about her last test. It became annoying rather quickly.

Even Yui had trouble dealing with her. It was one more reason Mio wanted those exams to be over with already.

Urara didn't take the message and started a riveting conversation with Tsukiyo, while Mio opened another sandwich on her own and bit a big chunk off it, before making a decision.

She really needed to talk with Keima.

(* * *)

Mio briefly considered talking with Keima at school, but he stayed in his classroom during breaks. And he wasn't alone – his sister and classmates were always close by. Urara liked to visit there too. Even worse, Kanon Nakagawa was attending the school for the exams and she wanted to use the opportunity to hang out with Keima and she had to do it subtly, so her fans wouldn't realize.

So the school itself was out and after some more thinking Mio gave up and decided on almost simple and almost direct approach. Near the end of the school she took out her phone and sent a mail. Then she grabbed her jacket and waited.

And, as expected, Keima finally walked out of the school alone. She took a deep breath and moved from her spot and walked up to him.

"Hey" she started, trying not to think about the Keima from her dream. Keima looked up from his console.

"Oh... hey" he replied. His voice was sounding weird, as if he was uncertain what to say.

"How it's going?" she said what had to be the lamest opener ever.

"Aside from Kodama giving me death stares and girls suddenly gaining even more respect for my exam-preparing methods? Nothing much" he said before looking at her. "How about you?"

"Tolerable" she replied. "This year's exams are much less of a pain. Thanks to you, of course" she added, giving him, what she hoped was a warm smile.

Keima nodded.

"By the way, where is your sister?" Mio asked.

"Went to buy something related to Kanon. Probably another CD or poster" he said and Mio smiled knowingly. Keima didn't know Eri did that, but only because Mio texted her earlier. "Do you need something from her?"

"Not really" Mio told him. "Actually, I'm kinda happy she's not here."

"Why?" Keima asked.

"Umm... because I can do the after-school event? Walking home together, right?" she asked and, when Keima looked blankly at her, suddenly a very bad idea struck her. "The thing that happened a few days ago at your place... please tell me it wasn't a dream..."

"Oh that, no it wasn't a dream-ouch!"

"Don't whine, I hit you lightly" she hung her bag back over her shoulder.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"For being a jerk" she told him. "I knew not to expect much, but you could've at least called once, you know?"

"I'm sorry" Keima told her and, while it was obviously not enough to abate her frustration completely, it sounded strangely honest. "It's just... I didn't want to break your focus" he explained. "Even mom gave you a few days off because she believed you'll need it."

Mio snorted. "Do you really think you can break my focus so easily?"

It happened instantly. Keima grabbed her hand, spun her around and before she knew it they were in a small alley and she was with her back against the wall, while Keima was hovering over her with his eyes piercing hers and his hand on her arm. Mio immediately saw similarities between the current situation and her dream.

She swallowed, from surprise or anticipation, she didn't know.

"Considering what happened a few days ago and how you look right now" Keima told her, his breath visible and caressing her cheek. "Yes, I really think I can break your focus easily" then he let her go and started walking away.

"W-wha-hey!" she shouted and ran after him. "If you're going to do that that much then at least finish what you started!" she ordered, indecency of public displays of affection be damned.

To her surprise Keima stopped in his tracks, making her bump into him.

"Is that so?" he turned around to look at her, a smirk dancing on his lips. "If you want that then how about you make me do it?"

"What?" she asked, confused.

"I mean, you should make me want to do that, you know?" he explained with a smile.

Mio thought about it only to realize he had a point there – she certainly didn't want to force him into things. So he said she needed to use persuasion... perhaps seduction, but not force. Then again...

"Shouldn't that apply to you as well?" she asked.

"I guess that's right" he replied. "But the truth is... that I'm not really sure what I should do... what I'm supposed to do..."

Mio laughed merrily with her eyes closed and completely missed the look Keima gave her.

"God of Conquest doesn't know what to do?" she asked. "Am I hearing this right?"

"In case you've forgotten, the confession event already happened and we've ventured beyond" he told her. "I've no idea what will or should happen now."

"Oh, so that's what you meant" she said slowly. "Ironic..."

"What is?"

"The fact that I'm trusting your games here... the after-school event" she clarified seeing his puzzled look.

It was his turn to laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Nothing" he said. "It's just... that younger sisters are allowed to participate in the after-school event" he glanced at her. "So there's was no need to get rid of Eri..."

Mio felt her cheeks heat up. So he figured it out.

"But she doesn't know about... us" she noticed.

"Right" Keima agreed. Apparently he wasn't too keen to tell everyone as well.

"You want to keep it a secret?" Mio asked, determined to accept his decision.

To her surprise Keima shook his head. "There's no point" he said. "I just think we should wait for the end of the exams. I don't want to hear my mother say that..."

"...you were breaking my focus, I know" Mio finished for him. She was quiet for a moment and then she got an idea. She smiled deviously.

"Speaking of exams... they're very taxing" she started, going for a tired expression on her face and flexing her neck, as if she was exhausted from nights spent drudging over books. Keima glanced at her, but said nothing.

"I feel it would be very difficult for me to study because of all this stress... it could negatively affect my performance on my next test" she continued her voice sounding casually. "If only someone could help me relax..."

"And what would help you relax, my lady?" Keima asked casually as well, but Mio sensed he was playing his part and smiled.

"A sled ride would be nice for starters" she suggested. She knew it was a bit childish and looked away to hide her pink cheeks.

Keima shook his head and smiled. She was obviously asking for a date, even if she refused to call it as such. Granted, he wasn't looking forward to spending afternoon in this cold, but he had already decided to be a good boyfriend to the best of his – very limited in real world – ability.

"Well, I can't have you fail exams when I spent so much effort on tutoring you now, can I?" he replied and she flashed him her small triumphant smile.

(* * *)

Mio learned from her mistakes and this time around she removed her hairpins from the start so she wouldn't lose them. Should she also let her hair loose? But it would fly in all directions... Should she leave it in pigtails? A ponytail perhaps?

Then again, she was not Haruhi Suzumiya. And Keima was not Kyon. Even if one of them was kinda godlike.

"I'm back" she heard and knew Keima was back with a sled. Mio wasn't sure, but she thought she heard unusual merriness in his voice. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah..." Mio replied, putting her hairpins in her pocket and deciding to leave her pigtails just the way they were.

(* * *)

She realized the reason for Keima's mood when it turned out he had rented two sleds, one for each of them, clearly suggesting a race. This wasn't exactly what Mio had in mind, but Keima knew what he was doing when he shot her a challenging look.

Five minutes later they were already sliding down the hill and Mio was trying her best to outspeed him, but Keima was taking turns skillfully, leaving her behind, but not too far,to keep her trying. Every time she was close, he would block her way, forcing her to change direction and then he would look at her over his shoulder with a cocky smile. In the end he won.

But she demanded a rematch and started first this time, to even the game. Keima agreed, certain he would be able to overtake her. And he would've been right... if it weren't for Mio sliding close to snowdrift of particularly fresh snow and then showering him with snow and creating a smokescreen of sorts. In result, Keima drove right into another snowdrift and stopped, leaving laughing Mio to continue on her merry way.

Keima then proposed best out of three, so they climbed the hill one more time for the final slide with their pride on the line. This time around she was doing much better, their sleds going neck and neck for a while... until Keima exploited her position on a particular nasty turn and overtook her.

Or at least tried to, because Mio, in a last-ditch resort, jumped out of her sled, hitting Keima in mid-air and knocking him over, both of them going off-track and landing in the slow.

"That was a hit below the belt" Keima told her, trying to get snow out of his hair.

"The end justifies the means" she replied, smiling. "I'm a born winner! Get used to it!"

"You barely saved yourself from utter defeat" he noticed. "That makes you a sore loser."

"Look who's talking!" she returned the jab, still smiling. "I guess we could call it a draw."

"In that case could you get off me?" he asked. "Instead of shoving my face in the snow?"

"No, I like it here" she replied from her position sitting on his back, before leaning to whisper to his ear "But I could get off for one small favor... if you know what I mean."

She saw the skin on Keima's neck redden. "All right" he said as he turned around to face her. Mio grinned and then looked around, to make sure they were hidden from view, before she leaned closer and shut her eyes. A moment later she felt something touch her lips... and it didn't feel like Keima's lips.

She opened her eyes only to see that Keima had put his finger to her mouth instead.

"Hey!" she shouted in anger. "That was-"

"A hit below the belt?" he finished for her and smiled craftily. "Now, let's go before we catch a cold. Your mother will kill me if you spend the rest of the week sick in a bed."

(* * *)

Of course Mio wouldn't let it end like that – Keima managed to walk five steps before a snowball hit him in the back of the had. After another fierce snowball fight they spent the next hour in a small café enjoying the hot cup of coffee.

On one hand, Mio was angry that she didn't get a kiss, but she tried not to show it, especially since that small smile still danced on Keima lips from time to time. On the other hand, being close to him like that felt nice. There was this mysterious force that drew her towards him. She was unable to glimpse its true nature, but she knew that she preferred staying with him like that, even though he didn't really reciprocate her feelings. Not yet. It didn't deter her from trying though. Quite the opposite – she knew there was so much more she could get, so much more worth fighting for...

And she suspected that this was his general idea – to spur her on, so she would either succeed or give up with no regrets.

Anyway, she already felt charged and prepared to face the rest of her exams, so she decided to let Keima be for a few more days. After that, she thought, she'll hunt him down, corner him and get what she wanted.

(* * *)

A few days have passed and the exams finally ended. The student body breathed a collective sigh of relief, with the exception of the ones like Urara, who were still anxious, worrying about their results. With all due respect Mio felt for her friend, she couldn't understand her – they were simple annoying end-of-the-year tests, not university entrance exams!

Anyway, the test period was over and Mio didn't want to waste any more time. So on Saturday she made sure no-one was following her and walked outside the school, where Keima was already waiting.

"Hey" he greeted her. "Is everything fine?"

"Yeah" she replied. "I had trouble shaking off Urara, but I managed."

"So, are we ready to go?" he asked.

Mio nodded and they started walking. They were quiet for a while, but Keima noticed she kept glancing on his console.

"Does it bother you?" he asked, ready to put it away.

"Not really" Mio replied. "I was just thinking... you can play six games at once with just two hands, right?"

"You know I can" he replied. "What of it?"

"Well, if two hands mean six games, then you should be able to play three games with just one hand."

"It doesn't work like that" he explained. "Playing with one hand is just..."

"Not even one game? Some gaming god you are..." she teased.

Keima didn't reply, so she thought that her plan was dashed to the ground before she could get to the second step...

...when she suddenly felt his hand embrace hers.

"W-what are you doing?" she stuttered out, her cheeks pink from more than just cold.

"An after-school event" he replied calmly.

"I-idiot! I didn't say that because I wanted you to hold my hand, you know!?" she said, flustered, but she didn't jerk her hand away.

Keima was taller then average, but he was rather slim and certainly not bulky, yet his hand felt so much bigger than hers. And warm. Most of his hand was smooth, reminiscing of a hand of a girl, but his fingers were calloused, a testament to his love of dating sims.

She briefly remembered the time when she had punched him back then at the party and realized how comical it must've looked – a small girl punching the crap out of a boy. Despite that, she doubted she was stronger than him... and even if she was, he was still a boy... no, a man... there was this strange sense of calmness and security she felt when he was walking next to her. A little bit of it was similar to how father and family felt, but the rest of the feeling was really alien.

So this was how it fels to hold hands? This is what having a boyfriend fels like.

They stayed quiet for the rest of the walk, but Mio didn't mind. Actually, it was so nice that she didn't even notice when they arrived at their destination.

The humble household of the Aoyama family.

"All right" Mio said, as if it was someone else's house she was about to enter. "Let's do it already."

(* * *)

"Mom?" Mio asked as soon as she ushered Keima inside. "Are you here?"

No answer.

"Great" Keima remarked sarcastically. "She's gone now out of all times."

"It's Saturday, so she doesn't go to work... normally" Mio said, checking the time on the wall clock. "But I think she'll be home shortly. Maybe she just went shopping."

Keima nodded his head, while looking around. "This place seems much better than the last time I was here" he noticed.

"You think so?" Mio asked casually, but inside she was smiling proudly. She had woken up early today to clean a bit, knowing he'll be coming today. However, she felt Keima meant something else than just the apartment being clean. Truth be told, she was a little anxious for him to be here – especially when it was just the two of them – but she had to face it.

"So, we just wait for your mother?"

"Generally, yes" Mio told him. "But before that... I want to do something."

Keima chuckled. "Aren't you worried your mother might nab us?" he asked.

"Huh? What's wrong with that?" she asked, when the meaning of Keima's words caught with her. "That's not what I meant, pervert!" she slugged him below his ribs – refusing to recognize how right he was – and then grabbed his arm. "Now, get over here."

Keima didn't resist, nursing his aching side and thinking. He knew she'll react like that, so why did he say that? Did she have a natural ability to coerce such comments from him? Or maybe he unconsciously did that to help her with stress management? He didn't know.

He was expecting Mio to drag him to her room or to the couch, but they stopped near the center of the small room and Mio was suddenly looking nervous. And not the 'I'm about to make out with a boy' type of nervous. Any such thoughts were completely forgotten, however, when Mio spoke.

"Hello, Papa. I'm home."

Keima blinked. Only now he noticed that they were staying in front of the altar dedicated to Mio's late father. The proud face of Yuuri Aoyama was looking back at Keima from his portrait. Keima also noticed burnt incense. Mio must've left it here in the morning. However, if Keima thought Mio only wanted to say 'hi' then he was in for a surprise. She grabbed Keima and brought him closer, as if to let her father see him.

"Umm... this is Keima Katsuragi. The boy I've told you about" she continued, her cheeks turning pink. She did that a lot lately, Keima thought, before returning to the matter at hand.

So Mio wanted to 'introduce' him to her father. He briefly wondered how much had Mio 'told' him in the first place. For now he decided to play along.

"Good afternoon" he said, bowing a little and already out of lines. He didn't have experience talking to the girls' deceased fathers. Even in games. Certainly things like 'how are you feeling' were out of the question. It also wouldn't be wise to mention he had practically met Mio's father in the past. "I have heard a lot about you from your lovely daughter."

"Lovely? What?" Mio mumbled out, trying to step on his foot and failing only because of her flustered state. "Don't say what you don't mean!"

"She could learn how to take compliments though" Keima continued, steadying the girl with his arms. "Still, she have grown splendidly. You can be proud of her."

Jackpot, he thought as he saw Mio practically emit steam from her red face.

"A-anyway" she said after a moment. "The thing is... this boy is my boyfriend" she grabbed Keima's hand as if to prove her point. "He can be a jerk sometimes, but he's a brilliant young man. And he's very... dedicated" she paused for a moment and the continued in a patient tone. "Yes, I remember what you said about boys."

Keima's thoughts about this were mixed. The point of Mio's conquest was for her to accept her father's dead and for the most part she did, yet she was still talking to her father's portrait as if he was alive and she needed his permission to date Keima.

Mio nudged him in the side secretly and he realized he had been quiet for a moment.

"Right... so, as you're daughter said... I'd kinda like to date her..."

"It's already done, idiot" Mio interjected.

"...and I'll take good care of her."

"You better" she said again with her arms crossed over her chest, but she wasn't looking angry. "All right, I think that's fine. See you later, Papa!"

"You do realize your father's soul was sent to New Hell for purification?" he asked once Mio closed the altar and walked to the kitchen part. "For all we know he might've already reincarnated."

"I know" she replied, while filling the teapot and placing it on the stove.

Keima dropped the topic.

"And what was that about me 'growing splendidly'? You know well enough that I haven't grown a single millimeter since we've met!" Mio said, eyeing him harshly. "And I'm looking the same as I did in elementary school... I grew taller, but that's it... every part of me got a little larger, but I'm still looking like a kid with this bo-" she stopped in mid-word, obviously realizing she said too much.

Keima sighed. This only proved what he already suspected.

He decided on sarcasm. "Right... you haven't grow at all. You're still that haughty, stubborn girl that refused to accept help and move on with her life. You're totally not strong-willed, determined and hard-working girl. Not at all" he saw that she was listening intently, so he got to the point. "Look, I've seen enough game stories to recognize a brilliant development when I see one."

"But-" she tried, but stopped when he got closer, putting his arms on her shoulders.

"And the only person who is concerned with your height is you."

Mio bit her lip, visibly trying to accept what he was telling her, but Keima knew it might not be enough. As much as she was in love with him, he wasn't her entire world or the sole authority in this matter.

He looked at her again only to see she her gold eyes look right back at him. To his surprise he saw something in those eyes... as if he had managed to convince her. Come to think of it... he has never seen her eyes from this distance... those two golden orbs were kind of... mesmerizing... and somehow they seemed to get bigger and bigger, as if they were getting closer...

And then he could hear the clang of someone putting a key into a keyhole and trying to unlock a door.

Mio's eyes immediately widened and she backed away in panic and Keima let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Only now he has realized how close they were to each other. He broke out in cold sweat when he understood the situation. They almost kissed each other.

He almost kissed her.

"Mio? Are you home?" this voice could belong only to Mikoto Aoyama, who entered the house, a bag of groceries in her hand... and then abruptly stopped. By now Mio and Keima were safe distance from each other, but Mio's mother still stood there with her mouth slightly agape.

"Umm... hi mom..."

(* * *)

Keima didn't know much about Mikoto Aoyama, but considering she used to be a wife of a director of a major company, he was certain she had considerable social skills. Including the ability to read between the lines and conceal her reactions.

And he was right.

He was certain the older woman was completely ecstatic to the news of her daughter's relationship with him, even if her outside reaction was... reserved.

"Is that true, Mio, my dear?" she asked, sounding politely surprised.

"Of course it is, why would I lie about it?" Mio said back and shot her mother a look as if saying 'isn't that what you wanted?'.

"That's not what I meant. You know I want the very best for you" she then turned to Keima with her smile and polite stare, but Keima sensed some uncertainty in her gaze. Not that he was surprised – Mio's mother knew little... very little about him, so a fair amount of distrust was expected.

"So who confessed first?"

"Umm... I did" Mio said. Keima could feel her squeeze his hand unconsciously. He squeezed back. The gesture must've given Mio more courage, because she continued. "And it's not like we're crazy in love with each other... we just decided to give it a try."

Keima maintained his poker face, fearing some backlash, but Mio's mother was apparently thankful for any progress with her daughter's love life, because she only smiled in understanding.

Considering Mio's background, it was fairly probable that her parents marriage came to being because of business rather than love...

"I see" Mio's mother said, putting her cup on the table and looked at Keima in thought. "Well... I was hoping Mio could persuade you to join us for dinner for some time."

It wasn't an open invitation, but Keima nodded slightly nonetheless. He knew about heroines' mothers enough to not oppose.

(* * *)

What followed was talking, talking and more talking. Mio was still not very good with being so close to Keima. Especially in front of her mother. Especially in front of her mother who was asking all those... questions.

One type of questions were the ones pertaining to Keima, his family, his past, future plans and world view. Those were rather dangerous topics, but Keima was well-prepared and... well... brilliant. He skillfully addressed or avoided practically all sensitive topics. And he was barely lying (even though Mio had told him beforehand that a few small lies won't hurt). She could tell he was doing a wonderful job, especially now that she had Keima and others' memories.

By the end of it, Keima had somehow told Mikoto Aoyama a lot of things, including something about his gaming habits and his outlook on the 'real', while avoiding being labeled as 'disgusting, hopeless, out-of-the-league-for-my-daughter otamegane'.

Actually, Mio was under impression that with each passing minute and each spoken sentence, her mother was more and more charmed by Keima. If she was neutral towards the boy at the beginning (or at least appeared that way) then by now she was openly praising Mio's taste in men. The blond girl herself just prayed for it to end already. Because if it doesn't then her mother will start calling Keima 'son'... and Mio's heart won't be able to take that.

Especially when the second types of questions were asked – the questions about their relationship.

That was too much for Mio, so she excused herself and went to the bathroom to take a small break. Only when she was back she had realized her grave mistake.

Her mother was now showing Keima what could only be Aoyama family's photo album.

Oh, crap...

"And here is Mio at her elementary school graduation ceremony" Mio's mother said, pointing to a particular photo.

"No, don't!" Mio tossed herself at the table, trying to protect the album with her body. She then shot her mother a glare and the other woman stood up.

"I think I'll get that dinner ready" and with that she left in the direction of the kitchen area. Mio looked back at the album, intending to take it back to her room. But the album has disappeared.

"You were a surprisingly cheerful child" she heard Keima speak next to her and she turned and, sure enough, the album was in his hands.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she hissed quiet, but murderous enough.

"Gathering information" Keima replied calmly, before turning another page. "With others you show more composed and bossy attitude" he continued. "I've seen you do that with Yui and Urara... But all in all, you were pretty happy and energetic kid. And loud of course."

"Give me that back this instant" Mio ordered, lunging in his direction, arms reaching for the album, but Keima held it up, so all she managed was landing in his arms, her face inches from his. One second of surprise and then she was back on her seat, face aflame, album momentarily forgotten.

Keima only chuckled in victory.

"I'll have your mother show me your photo album" Mio threatened.

"Sure" Keima replied. "I've no embarrassing photos anyway."

(* * *)

Mikoto Aoyama really outdid herself with the dinner, considering the little amount of time and rather simple ingredients she used. Keima thanked for the food, especially since he knew that one additional person meant increased expenses for Mio and her mother. As for Mio herself, she stabbed her pork chops with her fork. She knew Keima wasn't really a gourmet and she didn't consider herself a housewife material...

...yet in this very moment she regretted her more than lacking cooking skills. Heck... Keima was probably ten times the cook she was.

"What's wrong, Mio?" her mother asked.

"N-nothing" the girl replied, avoiding Keima's gaze.

(* * *)

"Be sure to visit us again soon, Katsuragi-san" those were Mio's mother last words, after which Mio and Keima found themselves outside.

"That went better than I have expected" Keima commented.

"Did it?" Mio asked, leaning against the railing and crossing her arms over her chest. "Anyway, if you tell anyone about those photos..."

"Then what?" he challenged. "Don't underestimate the power of god!"

"Don't underestimate the power of the real" she wagged her finger at him and then shivered. "Anyway, it's cold, so-"

"You did good today" he told her, clearly choosing her most unguarded moment.

"S-shut up!" she shouted back. "B-besides, anyone can spout that! Words aren't enough."

*smooch*

(* * *)

"Is everything all right, Mio?" Mikoto asked when her daughter walked back inside, cheeks red and gaze unfocused. The former was understandable due to temperature. The latter wasn't.

"Yeaah..." Mio said back, a shocked and dreamy expression on her face. "Everything's fine."

(* * *)

So... Mio's mother knows...

And Mio's father knows too... kinda...

Truth be told, this chapter was supposed to have Mari learning the news as well, but the chapter was long already, so I cut it like that. And this actually means we're behind schedule (and not that we weren't in the first place).

Besides that... the exams are finally over and the third year of high school draws near... or does it?

And it seems Mio's experiencing slight... "withdrawal" symptoms and starts to daydream in the middle of the class. I hope you like her antics, reactions and the dynamics of her relationship with Keima. And Keima himself tries to be considerate, despite how difficult it may be...

We also get sledding race and a few... moments. I wonder if we're going too fast...

The problem from now is that I have quite several loose ideas. I'd like to squeeze them into just 5 chapters, but I'm afraid that's impossible... We'll see...

So, we're going both too fast and too slow. :)

Anyway, as usual I kindly ask you to favorite, follow and review this story.

I hope to post the next chapter before 15th of September, but it's not guaranteed to happen. Semptember and beyond will be... troublesome. Anyway, look forward to future chapters!

See you next time!