Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 4! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!

Normal POV

At that answer, silence surrounded the two as Aichi continued looking at the ground and gripped his uniform jacket.

" I-I see... Then that's okay..." Aichi said as he lifted up his head to force a smile

" ... Aic-"

Aichi hurriedly entered the shop again as the others moved out of the way while Aichi grabbed his bag and left without anymore words said. Miwa approached Kai right after that when he entered the shop while the others were left dumbfounded.

" Why did you lie?" Miwa ask

" What do you mean?" Kai ask

" You're lying to Aichi and your own feelings!" Miwa exclaimed

" I don't understand what you're saying." Kai said

" Kai. You and Aichi are our friends. We only want what's best for the both of you. Are you really going to deny your own heart?" Misaki said

" ... Shut up."

Kai grabbed his own bag and left the shop. Meanwhile, Aichi entered the house and immediately went up to his room after removing his shoes.

" Aichi?"

" What happened?" Filo ask

Raphtalia's ears perked at the sound of sniffling as she frowned and turned to the living room to see Naofumi.

" Naofumi-sama..."

" ... So it really happened... That idiot..." Naofumi said

" What should we do?" Raphtalia ask

" Leave him alone. He needs time to sort out his feelings." Naofumi said

" But we can't leave him like this..." Raphtalia said

Naofumi stayed silent before sighing and told them about a plan. Night soon fell as Aichi had been lying on his bed after going out of his room to take a shower before locking himself in his room again. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts as he got up and opened it to see Naofumi.

" ... I'm sorry. I don't have the appetite to eat." Aichi said

However, before he could shut the door close, Naofumi barged into his room and shut the door before pushing Aichi onto the bed. Flustered, Aichi tried to get up but was quickly pinned down and he soon picked up the scent of alcohol.

" N-Naofumi-san...? Are you drunk...?" Aichi ask

" ... I already told you that guy wasn't suited for you..." Naofumi slurred

" Huh...?"

" If he doesn't want you, then let me replace him..." Naofumi slurred

" Y-You're drunk... I should bring you back to your room..." Aichi said

" Aichi... You already know that I had three wives, including Raphtalia, in the past... I don't mind adding another tonight..." Naofumi slurred

" H-Huh...?"

" Be mine, Aichi... The Shield Hero's fourth spouse..." Naofumi slurred

" ... I... I can't... I-" Aichi said but was cut off

Naofumi had soon planted a kiss on his lips before breaking contact and losing consciousness. Aichi stayed silent as he pulled Naofumi up and supported him back to his room before settling him down on his bed beside Raphtalia and headed back to his room. He sat down on his bed again and touched his lips. Meanwhile, in Naofumi and Raphtalia's room, Naofumi peeked an eye open and got up.

" Raphtalia."

" Did it work?" Raphtalia ask

" I don't know. But whether this tactic will make Toshiki Kai falter will depend on how much Aichi believes this." Naofumi said

" It's a good thing he doesn't know about your resistance to alcohol." Raphtalia said

" Yeah. We should sleep now." Naofumi said

" Okay."

Both drifted off to sleep after that as morning soon came a few hours later. Naofumi prepared breakfast while Aichi came down the stairs while yawning.

" Morning. Sit down. I'll set breakfast up." Naofumi said

" Good morning..." Aichi greeted

Naofumi set Aichi's breakfast in front of him and wanted to head back to the kitchen, but his sleeve was soon tugged on as he turned back to Aichi.

" What is it?" Naofumi ask

" ... You might not have remembered... But you entered my room last night..." Aichi started

" ... Oh god. I must've drank too much. I didn't do anything to you, did I?" Naofumi ask

" No... But you did ask me one question..." Aichi said

" What did I ask?" Naofumi ask

" Whether I wanted to be your fourth spouse." Aichi replied

" ... Damn it... I guess I blabbered it out. So... what is your answer?" Naofumi ask

" ... You saved me and protected me. If I were to refuse such a kind person, it would've been my loss. So... I will. When I'm mature enough and finish up whatever I want to fufill, I'll marry and stay with you until my life ends." Aichi said

" Are you sure?" Naofumi ask

" Of course." Aichi replied

" ... What about Toshiki Kai?" Naofumi ask

Aichi held in a flinch as he soon forced a smile.

" Don't worry. He's someone of the past." Aichi said

Naofumi grinned and patted Aichi's head before heading back to the kitchen to make Raphtalia and Filo's breakfast before they would wake up. Aichi soon finished his breakfast and changed into his uniform before grabbing his bag and wore his shoes.

" Do you want me to come pick you up after club activities?" Naofumi ask

" ... Sure."

" I'll see you then." Naofumi said

He then waved Aichi off as he left the house and walked over to school. Naofumi turned behind and saw Raphtalia and nodded.

" So it worked." Raphtalia said

" Now we just have to make Toshiki Kai jealous enough to confess. This next step is going to be tough though... Aichi might want to avoid him as much as possible too." Naofumi said

" Let's hope this method will help them." Raphtalia said

" Yeah. Let's have our own breakfast." Naofumi said

" Right."

Meanwhile, Aichi made it to school as he opened the door and greeted before heading over to his seat. He then fiddled with the bracelet on his wrist, making sure it was still hidden inside his shirt.

" Mornin'!"

" Good morning!"

" Good morning."

Aichi turned from the window to see his three friends at the door and smiled before turning back to the window while continuing his action. Naoki and the others looked at each other and set their bags at their seats before going over to Aichi.

" Are you okay?" Naoki ask

" Yeah."

" Are you going to the club today?" Kourin ask

" Of course."

" We'll be heading to the shop afterwards. That way, we'll have less interruptions from the Student Council." Shingo said

" ... I have an appointment after club activities, so go on ahead without me." Aichi said

" Okay..."

As nothing else was said between them, the three went back to their seats before the bell rang. A few hours later, club activities began as Aichi and the others were in their clubroom as usual. However, Aichi had sat down to look through his deck and refused to fight anyone. At the same time, in Hitsue High, Miwa dragged Kai out of school after he'd put on his outdoor shoes.

" Hey! Where are you taking me?!" Kai exclaimed

" To Miyaji High." Miwa replied

" Huh? What for?!" Kai exclaimed

" To apologise to Aichi and to stop lying to yourself. He probably won't show up at the shop today, so we'll go directly to him." Miwa said

" I said the truth already! There's no changing my mind!" Kai said

" But that's not what your heart thinks, isn't it? ... Kai. We've been best friends for ages, and I know that you've changed and will continue to, because Aichi is always there for you. So, apologise to him and tell him the real reason you rejected him." Miwa said

Kai stayed silent after that. At Miyaji High, the five decided to leave the school as Aichi waved his four friends off while leaning agains the wall by the gates. At that time, Miwa and Kai were rounding the corner and spotted him.

" He's alone. This is your chance. Hurry and go." Miwa said

" ... I already said I don't want to." Kai said

" This might be your only chance, Kai. You broke his heart, so you need to make things right." Miwa said

Kai continued to look away to think as his eyes wandered back to Aichi before catching sight of Naofumi. Aichi got off from the wall after that as Naofumi approached him and talked to him.

" Who's that?" Miwa wondered

The two were then caught by surprise when Naofumi leaned in and kissed Aichi. Kai inwardly gritted his teeth as he slowly clenched his fist.

" No way... He moved on?" Miwa muttered as Kai went past him, " Kai!"

As soon as he arrived near the two, he pushed Naofumi aside and held Aichi by his shoulders.

" K-Kai-kun? Why are you here?" Aichi ask

" ... I love you." Kai confessed

" ... Huh?"

" I love you, Aichi. I'm sorry I lied to you yesterday." Kai said

Aichi pursed his lips as he pulled away from Kai's grip and stepped back.

" ... You don't have to keep lying. I already accepted your rejection. You don't have to feel guilty about it." Aichi said

" No, this is the truth! I was lying to you and myself yesterday!" Kai exclaimed

" ... You're a bad liar, Kai-kun. You don't need to comfort me anymore. I already have a fiancé." Aichi said as he bent down to help Naofumi up

" What does that mean?!" Kai exclaimed

" ... It is as you've heard. Whether you want to take it or not is up to you. You didn't really love me, after all." Aichi said

" ... Aichi, let's head home." Naofumi said

" Okay."

" Wait, Aichi!" Kai exclaimed

" Oh, and tell everyone in the shop that I won't be showing up for a few days. Sorry about that, but let's fight next time." Aichi said as Kai quickly grabbed his wrist

" I'm not letting you go! I know I made a mistake, but it doesn't have to be this way!" Kai exclaimed

" ... I have already accepted the reality you gave me, so let me go." Aichi said

Aichi pulled Kai's hand off his wrist and held Naofumi's hand as the two left. Kai gritted his teeth and punched the wall.

" Kai..."

Meanwhile, Aichi and Naofumi walked back home together in silence as they continued to hold their hands.

" I'm sorry about just now." Aichi said

" It's fine. But he doesn't look like he'll give up." Naofumi said

" He's just forcing himself to like me. There was never anything between us." Aichi said

" Are you sure this is okay with you?" Naofumi ask

" Yeah."

They soon arrived back home as Naofumi unlocked the door and entered. While Aichi was taking off his shoes, Naofumi headed up to his room before coming back down a few moments later.

" Aichi."

" What is it?" Aichi ask

" Here." Naofumi said as he placed an accessory around Aichi's neck, " You can't wear this right now, but after you graduate, I'll make sure to officially put it on you. For now, keep it like this."

Aichi looked at the necklace around his neck as he noticed a ring looped on it and nodded with a small smile.

" Well then, with all that aside... I have something to tell you, so go have a shower first and I'll go to your room afterwards." Naofumi said

" Okay."

At the same time, Miwa was walking behind Kai as they arrived at the park. Kai then remembered how he'd met Aichi and their subsequent meetings after seeing each other again.

" Miwa."

" Wh-What is it?" Miwa ask

" ... I will win Aichi back. I don't care what I have to do." Kai said

" That's good and all, but how're you going to do that?" Miwa ask

" I just have to make myself look sincere..." Kai muttered

" I'm glad that you know the concept of sincerity, at least. But that's not gonna be enough... You seem to know the guy Aichi's with right now. So, mind telling me what he's like?" Miwa ask

" According to Aichi, he's an accessory maker. And... he's like me in a way, according to him." Kai said

" Hm... That got me thinking. Is he only with him, because he sees you in him? I mean, he did say that he was like you in a way. So maybe getting together with him was because he really couldn't get over you?" Miwa ask

" Then why did he reject me?" Kai ask

" Because you decided to not accept him first. He must've felt seriously betrayed and heartbroken. So everything is virtually your fault." Miwa said

" I get that. Now at least help me think of something to get him back, like a best friend would." Kai said

" Using me for advice now? Jeez, what a friend you are. Well, I don't know whether it'll work but I guess... you can try to one up the guy in romance wise. They just started off so he shouldn't have gotten much stuff for Aichi. Maybe some flowers or something would be nice, but I don't really know what Aichi might like either." Miwa said

Kai thought about it and left for his home, leaving Miwa behind.

Meanwhile, Aichi had showered and wore his casual clothes as there was a knock on the door. Naofumi entered the room as he closed the door and sat down beside Aichi.

" It's unusual for you to have your Shield out." Aichi said

" There's something you need to know. I've spoken to various Spirits of different legendary weapons and they're all hoping to have you as their owner, but only one can be chosen." Naofumi said

" Huh?! Me, a hero?! I can't do that!" Aichi exclaimed

" But the weapons are deeming you worthy, and they can't make the choice. So I'm entrusting you to choose one that you'll want to use." Naofumi said

" ... O-Okay..."

" Alright, guys. Come on out." Naofumi said

Lights shot out of his Shield's core and showed a projection of different weapons. Aichi stood up and looked at them in awe as he went past the sharp weapons before moving onto the less aggressive weapons.

" Mirror? Book? Harpoon, and... Fans?" Aichi wondered

" Don't think they are minor weapons. Those things are strong when used. They might even be deadlier than the aggressive like weapons." Naofumi said

" I see..."

Aichi looked at the weapons again as he finally reached out to pick the Mirror. The other weapons then returned to the Shield's core as the Mirror shrunk to a small size and attached itself as a keychain onto his bracelet.

" Did I choose the right one?" Aichi ask

" You went with what you felt was right." Naofumi said

Aichi nodded as he sat down beside Naofumi again and leaned on his shoulder.

" Is this... okay?" Aichi ask

" Yeah."

Aichi sighed in relief as he then thought back to Kai's confession again before quickly pushing those thoughts aside.

" I already accepted to be a fiancee to Naofumi-san... I can't do this to him after what he'd done for me..." Aichi thought

Naofumi glanced over to Aichi as the day went by as normal and he finally laid down beside Raphtalia after making sure Aichi was asleep.

" It didn't work?" Raphtalia ask

" Not that. In fact, it worked so quickly that I was surprised. But that guy... The way he confessed made him sound like he's forcing himself to like Aichi, I wouldn't be surprised if this is why Aichi rejected him." Naofumi said

" I wonder if everything will go smoothly..." Raphtalia said

" Well, if it doesn't, then I'll just have to accept him as my fourth spouse." Naofumi said

" He's too young! Naofumi-sama, you and I are over a few hundred years old already!" Raphtalia said

" I know, I know. Well, whatever happens, we'll know once a few days go by." Naofumi said

" Okay..."

Both slept after that as next morning quickly came and Aichi was wearing his shoes at the entrance.

" See you later then." Naofumi said

" Yeah..."

Aichi took his bag and left the house as he made his way to school. As soon as he arrived, he immediately noticed students around the lockers were whispering to each other and was sort of eyeing his locker. Aichi shook it off as nothing as he approached his locker and opened it to change his shoes. Once he had placed his outdoor shoes inside, he then noticed a single rose inside and looked around.

" W-Who put this...? Is that why they were staring...?" Aichi thought

Aichi hesitantly pulled out the rose as he inspected it but accidentally pricked himself on the thorn. He checked his finger as he noticed a tiny drop of blood dripping out and sighed. He bandaged his finger and kept the rose in his bag before going to class. He sat down as soon as he entered class as Naoki and Shingo nervously approached him.

" M-Mornin', Aichi..." Naoki greeted

" Good morning..." Shingo greeted

" Good morning to the both of you." Aichi greeted

" S-So... Did anything eventful happen today?" Naoki ask

" ... Well, I did receive a flower in my locker just now. But the thorn was still there and my finger was pricked. Other than that, it's inside my bag right now. I'm planning to keep it at home." Aichi said

" Huh? Really?" Shingo ask

" Yeah. Do you know who it might be?" Aichi ask

" W-Who knows...?" Naoki replied

" ... You two really don't know who it might be?" Aichi ask

" Y-Yeah..."

" I see..."

The bell then rang as the two dashed back to their seats and lessons started. A few hours later, the bell rang again to indicate that school had ended as Aichi took his bag and left. As soon as he was about to arrive at the gates, another rose was immediately in front of him as he looked to the side to see Kai.

" K-Kai-kun?!"

" Aichi."

" ... Wh... What are you doing in front of my school?" Aichi ask

" Waiting for you." Kai replied

" With that flower?" Aichi ask

" Yeah."

Aichi looked around to see that some students were staring at them as he looked down and hastily walked away from Kai.

" Wait!"

" Don't follow me!" Aichi exclaimed

" Come on, Aichi! Can't you forgive me already?!" Kai ask

" What do I need to forgive you for?!" Aichi ask

" For rejecting your feelings when I shouldn't have!" Kai exclaimed

" I already forgave you, so leave me alone!" Aichi exclaimed

" I wasn't honest with myself! I'm sorry I hurt you!" Kai exclaimed

Aichi then quickly broke into a run as Kai hurriedly ran after him. However, not watching where he was running to, Aichi's legs took him to an alley and was at a dead end as Kai came up behind him and panted.

" A-Aichi... Just wait..." Kai panted

" I have nothing to talk to you about..." Aichi panted

" You do... And I do too." Kai said after catching his breath and walking over to Aichi, " ... I really love you, Aichi."

Before Aichi could catch his own breath to respond, Kai had leaned in and kissed him on his lips as his eyes widened. Kai then wrapped his arms around him to pull him closer as Aichi flinched a little. A few moments later, Kai broke the kiss as Aichi shoved him away.

" Aichi..."

" ... Please... stop it..." Aichi muttered

Aichi then ran past him as soon as Kai saw tears falling from his eyes and was too late to keep up with him from the shock.

" Aichi..."

Meanwhile, Naofumi was about to leave the house to head over to Miyaji High when Aichi came running towards the gate and opened it.

" Hey, Aichi. Sorry, I had some things I had to settle at home and was..." Naofumi said but was cut off when Aichi ran into his arms and cried, " ... late. Come on, let's head inside for now."

Naofumi brought Aichi into the house as he calmed him down after helping him back to his room. Aichi then slowly explained to him what had happened before falling asleep from exhaustion as Naofumi sighed and tucked him into his bed. There was a knock on the door after that as Raphtalia entered.

" How is he?" Raphtalia ask

" He fell asleep right after crying it out. I never expected it to become like this." Naofumi said

" He definitely still has deep feelings for Toshiki Kai, but maybe his promise with you is interfering with it." Raphtalia said

" ... Had I known, I wouldn't have jumped the bar that quickly..." Naofumi sighed

" It is your fault right now, so you need to find a way to solve it. Even if you have to break his heart again..." Raphtalia said

" ... Yeah."

And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!