A/N: To support me, pls donate and subscribe
Paypal: bit.ly/kaioshinpaypal
Patreon: patreon.com/KAIOSHIN
______________________________________________
[Next Day – Sainan High School – Morning]
RIIIIIIIIIING!
The school bell echoed like it was mocking my morning misery. I took a deep breath, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror—messy hair, sunken eyes, the look of someone who's given up trying to make sense of their life.
"Come on, Rito..." I muttered to myself. "Today can't possibly be worse than yesterday."
Of course it could.
Stepping into the classroom, there was Lala—radiant as the summer sun—seated directly behind my desk, waving cheerfully as if my arrival was a historic event.
"Good morning, fiancé!" she called out without the slightest hesitation, drawing murderous looks from my classmates.
"Shhh, Lala... quieter," I begged, sinking into my chair, but it was already too late.
The murmurs began immediately:
"Lucky bastard..."
"How did he land an alien princess?"
"I'm gonna crush him at recess..."
Great start.
Then—to make matters worse (because things can always get worse)—the teacher began the lesson. Math. Equations that would make any normal human break out in a cold sweat. But not Lala. She raised her hand, answering every question with the ease of someone commenting on the weather.
"The answer is 256, teacher!"
"Correct... again, Lala-san."
"Too easy, right?"
The whole class stared open-mouthed. The alien princess wasn't just beautiful, funny, and charming... she was a genius.
And me? Well, I was just the lucky fool who—for some inexplicable cosmic reason—was engaged to her.
When it was finally time for Physical Education, I thought, "Phew, finally something normal."
HA!
The teacher announced a baseball game, and of course, Lala stepped up to bat first. She held the bat with the confidence of a movie heroine.
WHOOSH!
The ball was thrown. Lala swung with force.
CRAAAACK!
The ball vanished into the sky like a rocket heading for space. Everyone stared, disbelieving. Even the birds stopped to watch that surreal scene.
"Home run!" shouted the stunned teacher.
"Yay!" cheered Lala, bouncing happily around the bases.
"Unbelievable..." I mumbled to myself, already anticipating more trouble.
The day continued just like that. Lala made friends as easily as handing out candy, laughing and chatting with everyone in that contagious, energetic way of hers. Meanwhile, I received hateful glares from practically every guy in the school.
Finally, when the day was almost over and I was dragging myself down the hallway, Lala ran up to me, eyes sparkling like stars.
"Rito!" she said, gently holding my hands. "Today was amazing, wasn't it?"
"Yeah... amazing, Lala. Amazingly complicated for me," I grumbled, trying not to smile.
She suddenly got serious, looking directly into my eyes.
"You know, Rito... you're special. You were the first one who helped me without asking anything, the first who truly believed in me. And you're so kind... I really do like you."
My heart did a triple somersault in my chest. Did she realize how much those words affected me?
"Lala..." I tried to say something, but words escaped me.
She smiled, hugging my arm tightly.
"Can we go shopping today? I want to see more of this amazing world!"
I sighed, defeated but strangely happy.
"Sure... let's go."
[Sainan Shopping Mall – Night]
The shopping mall lights shone like artificial stars, bright and exaggerated, as if competing to draw more attention than the entire galaxy. I walked with my hands stuffed in my pockets, trying to pretend my life still had some sense of normalcy, but the chatter around me was too loud—like the prelude to the chaos that always, inevitably, came along with Lala.
"Wow, Rito! Everything here is amazing!" Lala exclaimed, gripping my arm with literally otherworldly strength.
"Easy, Lala, you'll rip my arm off," I grumbled, but couldn't help smiling. It was impossible to stay annoyed at her, especially with those sparkling eyes staring at me like I was the only habitable planet in the Milky Way.
Asia and Haruna walked just behind us, whispering quietly and occasionally throwing discreet glances our way. Mikan, always far too mature for her age, observed it all with the expression of someone who's seen this movie a hundred times and knew exactly how it would end—with me in trouble.
"Let's go into that store!" Lala pointed, practically dragging me inside.
DING! The bell chimed as we entered. The saleswoman flashed a professional smile, then quickly raised her eyebrows noticing Lala's neon-pink hair glowing even brighter under the fluorescent lights.
As the girls scattered around the store, I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. My heart still raced, sensing something huge lurking just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to drop on me. Ever since accepting the title of "future galactic emperor" (I still can't believe this madness), every moment felt like a constant countdown to the next disaster.
"Rito, look!" Lala appeared before me, holding a dress that probably cost more than my kidneys.
"It's nice... and expensive," I replied, scratching my neck, but she didn't seem to hear me.
"You know, right?" she began softly, suddenly very serious. "Since I arrived here, you were the first person to help me without asking questions. The first who truly believed me, even when I said completely crazy things about being a princess from another planet."
My cheeks warmed up, and the world around us fell strangely silent, as if we stood inside our own private bubble.
"Ah... it wasn't really a big deal," I murmured awkwardly.
"It was," she insisted, smiling in a way that would make even the sun pale in comparison. "You're genuinely kind, Rito. I've never met anyone like you."
I swallowed hard, my heart performing acrobatics inside my chest. Lala was like a brilliant comet streaking through my ordinary life, leaving a trail impossible to ignore. She was kind, sweet, an absolute genius (as proven by the chaos she created at school, answering every question right and hitting home runs one after another, leaving half the class infatuated and the other half furious at me out of pure jealousy).
"Thanks, Lala," I finally managed, my voice slightly shaky.
She hugged me suddenly, squeezing so tight I nearly lost my breath.
"Ah! Sorry, I forgot humans are fragile!"
"It's okay," I laughed, somewhat suffocated.
We left the store laden with shopping bags, the girls laughing and chatting enthusiastically. Their happiness was contagious, despite all the complications that seemed magnetically attached to Lala.
Then, it happened.
BOOM!
The ground shook, lights flickered, and screams echoed through the mall. Once again, there we were, right in the eye of the storm.
"RITO YUUKI!" roared a powerful voice filled with authority and anger. A gigantic alien, black armor gleaming menacingly under the chaotic lights, pointed directly at me. "I CHALLENGE YOU FOR THE RIGHT TO MARRY LALA SATALIN DEVILUKE!"
I sighed deeply. Here we go again.
Mikan covered her face in despair:
"I can't believe this is happening at the mall..."
"Rito-kun, be careful!" warned Asia, eyes wide with concern.
Haruna looked like she was about to faint, gripping Asia's hand tightly.
But Lala merely smiled, seemingly having the time of her life:
"Oh, don't worry! Rito is amazing!"
And oddly enough, I knew it was true. Because deep down, I wasn't just a regular guy running from trouble anymore. Now I was something greater. Something far beyond a nervous, indecisive student.
I was the Presence. Omnipotent, omniscient, immortal. The universe spun around my fingers like a cosmic top, and all these challenges—they meant nothing.
"Come here," I murmured, calmly approaching the challenger, lights flickering dramatically.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, he lunged, swinging his sword with force enough to split planets in half. But the blade abruptly stopped inches from my face, as if held by an invisible force. The alien stared in shock, trying fruitlessly to strike me.
"What... what the hell are you?!" he stammered, eyes wide.
I smiled effortlessly, my voice echoing with supernatural calm:
"Just someone trying to enjoy a peaceful day with the girls I care about. Mind cooperating?"
CRASH! The sword fell, too heavy for its now terrified owner. The stunned silence afterward was almost comical.
Lala clapped enthusiastically, running to hug my arm tightly:
"See? Told you you're amazing!"
The alien fell to his knees, mumbling shaky apologies as a confused and amazed crowd gathered around, unable to comprehend the absurd spectacle they'd just witnessed.
"Great, now I'm not only the most hated guy around, but I'm also some intergalactic tourist attraction," I murmured sarcastically.
Haruna, Asia, and Mikan approached slowly, eyes wide, speechless.
"Well... I guess our outing's over," Mikan sighed, raising an eyebrow at me.
Lala looked at me with that huge smile, as if saying: "See? Together, we can handle anything."
And for a brief instant, I allowed myself to believe that maybe she was right.
Maybe, just maybe, I really could balance the weight of the galaxy on my shoulders and still keep walking.
Or at least survive the next alien attack before dinner.