Chapter 63: Basketball TeamAuthor: Geraint
Sitting together on the couch, Ichika introduced Momo to everyone. He explained why she was forced into an engagement with him, and that she would be living with him for her safety.
"I see... so you're being targeted by those kidnappers," said the invisible Toru, now understanding Momo's situation.
"Yeah. We were ambushed on the way here," Momo added, nodding with a sigh.
"And since you were with Ichika, I assume they all got beaten and thrown in jail, right? We're talking about the Ichika here... the pink-haired demon," La Brava grinned, teasing him.
"Shut it, Hecker! Anyway, here—I brought home some meat from that Japanese restaurant. Share it with everyone."
"Yay!" La Brava's face lit up with joy at the sight of the meat box.
"Why is no one listening to me?! I am a goddess!" the little girl protested, arms flailing.
"Little Bel, they just messed with your head. I'll fix it later," Ichika said, patting her on the head with a soft smile.
"I'm not lying!"
She kept pushing forward until Ichika finally let her hug him. She clung to him, rubbing her cheek against his body like a little sister with a serious brother complex. No one paid it any mind—after all, she was just a robot in their eyes.
"Roboco, from now on, Momo will be living with us. Can you prepare her room?"
Don't worry, Father. I already prepared one in advance. You should go take a bath now. You need to rest early—your basketball team leaves for Akita Prefecture tomorrow.
Ichika groaned tiredly at the reminder.
"Oh yeah... Thanks for reminding me. I'll leave the rest of the introductions to you. Everyone, please take care of Momo."
Ichika stood up and left the room—with the apron-clad little girl still clinging to his waist. It looked incredibly inappropriate, given that she was wearing nothing but an apron.
"Ichika! Ichika! It's me! Don't you recognize me?! I'm the goddess of beauty, love, and fertility! I'm the goddess Venus!"
No one was paying her any attention.
"I'm going to debug your head!"
"Waaaah! Even though I'm a goddess! A goddess! How can you treat me like this?!"
The little girl's wailing echoed through the hallway as Ichika shut the door behind him with a thud.
Momo let out a sigh of relief. Then she turned back to the group and gave a warm smile.
"I thought it would just be the two of us living together. I'm really glad there are others here. I was getting nervous."
"Hello, Yaoyorozu-san! I'm Hagakure Toru. Just call me Toru. Ichika's my childhood friend. My house burned down, so I ended up living here too."
"Toru, just call me Momo," she replied with a smile.
The two girls instantly clicked.
"You know, Toru... technically, Momo is Ichika's fiancée. That makes her your rival," La Brava teased.
"Ack!" Toru froze in shock.
"Don't worry, Toru. Ichika and I are just friends. We're planning to cancel the engagement eventually."
"I see! Hehehe..." Toru looked visibly relieved.
La Brava smiled and introduced herself next.
"My name is Aiba Manami. I work here as an assistant inventor and programmer. If you need help with anything, feel free to ask. I also live here since we usually work overnight."
"Hecker?"
"Please don't call me that!!" La Brava snapped.
Things got awkward between her and Momo for a second.
"Sorry..."
"Don't worry, my anger's aimed at that guy upstairs. Just call me Manami or La Brava."
"Okay, Manami..."
La Brava suddenly hugged Roboco tightly.
"And this is our mascot robot, Roboco! She's my bestie!"
Hello, Momo-chan. My name is Roboco. I handle most of the chores when Father's away. Since you came from a rich household, I'll be attending to you as your maid from now on.
Momo was surprised. Roboco acted more human than machine.
Afterward, they threw a small welcome party just for her.
The next morning, Ichika was already in his tracksuit, packing his large bag.
"Okay, I'm done!"
He rushed out of his room, where Roboco was waiting with a plate of toast and sunny-side-up eggs.
"Thanks, Roboco!"
He scarfed down his breakfast quickly and ran to the elevator.
"Be careful, Father!" Roboco waved goodbye.
At school, the basketball team was already boarding the bus.
"Captain!"
The team captain—a short-haired, brown-eyed third-year—yelled at Ichika.
"You're late!"
Despite being younger, Ichika was about the same height as the older captain. He scratched the back of his head, grinning.
"Sorry, I overslept. A lot happened yesterday."
"Get on already! We were waiting for you! You haven't changed since elementary."
"Haha, yeah. It's been a while."
The captain ticked off his name and pointed to the bus.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Captain!"
As Ichika boarded, he saw several of his old elementary school teammates who had followed him into middle school.
"Haha! Late again, Ichika?"
"Must be a girl, right?! Hahaha!"
"Wait till we tell Toru!"
Ichika growled in annoyance.
"Shut up! You guys know how busy I am!"
"Busy with girls!"
"Hahahaha!"
They laughed, but in the back of the bus, a group of second and third-years weren't amused. They looked like a bunch of street delinquents.
"Three-time MVP in elementary? Pfft. Those kids barely knew how to dribble," one sneered—a tall, gum-chewing blond.
Beside him was another blond, bigger and tanner, arms crossed in judgment.
"That first-year's supposed to be the new ace? He looks like he'd snap in a strong breeze."
The captain leaned over to whisper to Ichika.
"Ignore them. They're just jealous. They've got talent, but they ruin team chemistry. That's why we haven't won anything the last two years."
"I see... Why not just expel them?"
"Easier said than done. They're more talented than me. The coach won't risk it."
Ichika sighed as they took a seat in the back.
"Well, good luck to the team then."
"Easygoing as ever..."
"I haven't even decided to join, y'know. The principal basically begged me after finding out about me."
"Come on, Ichika!" The captain looked shocked.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.