Kei Karuizawa unconsciously held her breath. This was the first time in her life she had ever confessed to a boy. The moment the embarrassing words left her mouth, the tips of her ears were already burning red. Although she paraded around with the appearance of a gyaru, in reality, she had never even held a boy's hand. This clumsy confession was her first attempt, a gamble with all her courage.
Of course, it wasn't out of any romantic feelings. She knew better than anyone that she was just seeking a powerful shelter. As long as she had Kiyomizu's protection, the bullying, the hurt, would never find her again. She had to survive in this high school.
(Will he agree?)
Kei nervously bit her lower lip. She knew she wasn't bad-looking, but... while her chest wasn't flat, compared to the overly developed girls in their class—whether it was Haruka Hasebe's impressive curves, Airi Sakura's ample figure, or even that aloof Suzune Horikita—she couldn't compete. This sense of inferiority was now pricking her heart like tiny needles.
"Honestly, regardless of your intentions, being confessed to by you does make me a little happy," Kiyomizu said frankly after a moment of thought. As a healthy male, being confessed to by a beautiful girl as outstanding as Kei Karuizawa, it would be a lie to say he wasn't pleased. But on second thought, this "on the premise of protection" confession was just too strange.
"By the way, do you actually like me?" Kiyomizu threw up his hands in resignation. "It seems to me you're just after my body." The moment he said it, even he was surprised—he never thought such a line would come out of his own mouth. But the facts were right in front of him! This cunning woman was clearly after his well-built muscles!
"I..." Karuizawa was at a loss for words, her cheeks flushing a deep red. She couldn't refute it. His well-defined abs and the biceps faintly visible under his uniform were indeed a major reason she had chosen him.
"I'm not blaming you," Kiyomizu shrugged, speaking frankly. "Everyone is a little bit of a looks-supremacist. I'm the same."
"...Really?" Karuizawa's eyes suddenly lit up. This boy was surprisingly honest, completely different from the calculating image she had in her mind. His straightforwardness strangely made her feel at ease.
"But we need to be clear about one thing," Kiyomizu said, his expression suddenly serious. "If we're officially dating, as your boyfriend, I would naturally want to kiss, touch, and even..." He paused. "...it's normal for things to progress to the final step. Are you sure you can accept that?"
He wasn't looking for a girlfriend just for show. If there could be no physical intimacy, he might as well just have an anime waifu.
"That..." Karuizawa was speechless, her cheeks burning. She realized she hadn't considered this at all. But on second thought, wasn't it normal for couples to do those things? "For now... I don't want to do that yet..." Karuizawa said, looking down, her voice barely a whisper.
"So," Kiyomizu narrowed his eyes, "do you need a protector more, or a boyfriend?"
"A protector," she blurted out almost without thinking.
"Then why are you so insistent on a dating relationship?" Kiyomizu frowned in confusion.
"Because..." Karuizawa twisted her fingers, "only then will other people be wary. It's natural for a boyfriend to protect his girlfriend, isn't it?"
"...Are your grades not very good?" Kiyomizu suddenly sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration.
"Wh-what do you mean by that!" Karuizawa bristled like a cat. "My grades are at least average! Besides..." Her voice suddenly weakened, "this way... I can also avoid harassment from other guys..."
Kiyomizu looked at the girl before him thoughtfully. "How about becoming a manager for a sports club? Then no one would dare bully you."
"You think I haven't tried that?" Karuizawa wrinkled her nose in disgust. "The seniors in those sports clubs... the way they look at you is like they want to eat you alive..."
"Then become the manager of the boxing club. I'll talk to the captain and have everyone give you special attention," Kiyomizu said with certainty. "I can look out for you when I'm there. I'll also have your back in class—after all, you'll be our club's 'mascot' now. That way, others will have to consider the boxing club's reputation and also be wary of me. No one should dare to bother you."
"That..." Karuizawa's eyes gradually lit up. She bit her lip and thought for a moment, realizing that this plan was indeed feasible. She wouldn't have to force herself into a relationship but would still get substantial protection. "Then... thank you, Kiyomizu-kun!" Karuizawa bowed deeply.
"No need for thanks," Kiyomizu waved his hand dismissively. "Just pay me in points."
"Eh?!" Karuizawa looked up sharply, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"What?" Kiyomizu looked confused. "You didn't think I would be your bodyguard for free, did you?" His tone was matter-of-fact. "This is a fair transaction. Besides—if you don't give anything, you'll feel uneasy, right? What if I just stand by and do nothing one day? You'd be in real trouble then."
Karuizawa opened her mouth but found herself speechless. This man's way of thinking always managed to pinpoint her deepest insecurities. Indeed, for someone as insecure as Karuizawa, being able to trade points for protection was a huge relief.
"Is... 80,000 points a month okay?" she asked cautiously after a moment's hesitation. After a quick calculation, she realized this was 80% of her monthly income.
"Deal," Kiyomizu nodded readily, then held up a finger to emphasize. "But let me be clear—I will only step in if you are being bullied without reason. If you're the one starting trouble or trying to use my name to throw your weight around, I'm not responsible for cleaning up the mess."
To be honest, 80,000 was neither too much nor too little. If Karuizawa got into trouble with upperclassmen, the price he might have to pay could be far greater. But judging from the girl's anxious demeanor, this was likely the most she could offer.
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