PHASE 3 - DON’T CRY, MY FRIENDZONE KING. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

I managed to sneak Rikkun at the back door of the restaurant with the help of Benedict, Heushac, and Mr. Kent. Now, it’s all up to me to carry him home in a piggy-back style.

“!!!” Electricity flowed unto my veins as I dashed away from that ill-tainted eating place.

The air pressure of our run made it possible for Rikkun to wake up.

“Weeeeeeee!!!!” Rikkun spread his arms like an airplane. Is it just I or drunk Rikkun is really cute right now?

After five minutes, we finally made it to the front of the Efilion Residence. I used all my energy just to run fast, and now, I don’t have the energy left to cast a single attack spell.

“Are we still flying? Hic!” Rikkun said.

“N-No. We’re home, Rikkun. Make sure you drink lots of water.” I said as I put him down.

“I don’t feel so good…. Blargh!!!”

There’s a lot of puke at the door. I-I’m sorry about that! I’ll clean it later!

Rikkun no longer has the strength to stand up because of the dizziness, drowsiness, and drunkenness. So I carried him by his shoulder and helped him to his room. I also helped him remove his blood-and-barbecue-sauce stained white tux. Since he’s struggling on removing the buttons, I assisted him in removing his long sleeves.

“...Y-You know… I’m really glad that you’re here…” Rikkun talked gibberish.

“U-Um. Rikkun… About that earlier-”

“A little help please?” The drunk heartthrob pointed his belt. “It’s too tight! I can’t remove my pants!”

He didn’t even wait for my answer. He immediately fell down on his bed, half-asleep. All his strength has left him.

“E-Eeeeeeeh!?” I blushed. Am I really supposed to remove his pants!?

<>

That… That is so terrifying, but I managed to change Rikkun into his pajamas. Now he’s laying tiredly on his bed, ready to end the night with sleep. I covered his lower half with thick blankets.

“Hey… Hic! …. D-Did you take a peek... at my goods?” Rikkun had a teasing glare.

“I-I didn’t!” I cried.

I did change his clothes, but I didn’t remove his underwear, believe me! I wouldn’t be much of a pure and innocent Kozukata Shrine Maiden if I have some perverted thoughts.

Um… Well... I had a touch of his rock hard abs, powerful biceps and bouncy yet muscular butt, but that’s all! The thought of ravishing him while he’s drunk crossed my mind… just a little bit… What does ‘ravishing’ mean anyway? I’m just using deep words from my English dictionary.

He appeared to be sound asleep now. I caressed his golden hair as I whispered: “Good night, Rikkun. Let’s have a talk tomorrow.”

As I was about to leave his room, the drunk man woke up again and called my name. “Tiara…”

“Yes?”

“Can you… Can you sing a lullaby for me? I’m quite scared of the monsters under my bed…”

Rikkun is acting like a kid right now, but it doesn’t mean that he’s immature. He’s just drunk. And frustrated. And all of it is my fault. So I have to compensate for the sins that I have done to him.

I sat beside him and resumed petting my dear Rikkun. I made soothing hums of the nursery rhymes. Little by little, Rikkun’s green eyes became heavier and he fell asleep in just a couple of minutes.

I pressed my face forward to hear his soft breathing. He’s so majestic and adorable, like a bear hibernating inside a cave. My eyes locked on his reddish-pink kissable lips and played it with my fingers.

“...I love you too, Rikkun… But I don’t have the courage to tell you… I can’t seem to do it in front of your eyes… because I’m bad with words, but…”

My lips collided to his forehead, which is the greatest sign of my respect. I can’t have myself kissing his lips when he’s asleep. I think I don’t deserve it since I rejected him.

“Actions speak louder than words. Your efforts are never in vain. I will properly confess back to you. I promise.”

<>

The next morning came, and nothing unusual happened.

All I thought is that the atmosphere between me and the man I accidentally rejected will be awkward, but we seem to get along like the good old days. Nobody in the house dared to bring up the happening yesterday as if nothing... Yes, really nothing. It’s like it didn’t happen in the first place.

Rikkun even greeted me. “Good morning, my ‘friend’! Let’s go to school together!”

Is he doing this on purpose!? I’m too stupid to distinguish real from sarcasm!

Anyway, we went to school together with this silence surrounding us both. Rikkun is giving this “Urp!-urp!” sound, releasing stored air from his stomach. He’s not feeling good because of the hangover.

When we entered the school gate, I noticed that there are some men wearing white official marine uniforms. To my surprise, they saluted to the two of us as we made our entrance. Then the trumpets came yelling, and one of the men lowered his hat and bowed.

“A moment of silence for our fallen brother in the friend zone.”

Then the trumpet sang a welcoming symphony to the Friendzone King. The students around started to clap as if he is a hero who came from a bloody war.

“Kuh!” Rikkun made an annoyed disgusted face.

He walked faster to evade the commotion. I still tailed him like an obedient dog until we reached our classroom but…

<>

Just at the classroom door...

“GOOD MORNING, REJECTED KING!!!”

Our whole class cheered. There’s even balloons, party horns, and even banner for this. Confetti showered on our faces.

“Grrr….” Rikkun hid his facial expression by bowing, but I know he’s eternally pissed.

“How does it feel now that you're rejected, huh?” Lushie shouted.

“Karma's a bitch! And so is you, Alaric the Arrogant!” Miu said.

“We’ve been waiting for this the whole time, you bastard!” Lin Fei Wang proclaimed.

I just noticed that the ones who are leading this celebration are the girls who got painfully rejected by the Arrogant King. I know Rikkun really gave them a hard time, but I think this shaming is quite crossing the line.

“Out of the way!” Rikkun shouted as he pushed everyone out of his trail. Then he peacefully settled on his seat. He grabbed his earphones and listened to max-volume rock music in order to ignore the celebration of our noisy classmates.

All of my classmates flocked to me and held an interview… as if I am the knight who has slain the Lich King. “You’re really great, Tiara!” , “Good work on conquering that handsome garbage!” , “Tiara Hikari is the hero we need and deserve!” They all said.

“Ahahaha…” I scratched my head and blushed. It’s not really my intention to reject Rikkun, but being praised by this much people feels good~

<>

The bell rang, signaling the opening of the morning classes.

When the classroom door opened, we were astounded to realize that Macho Steel… I mean Mister Kent is not here to teach us.

Instead, a tall blonde lady with the definition of gorgeousness and beauty made an entrance.

She has long golden hair that reaches to her waist, and her flawless white skin is revealed due to her wearing such a short formal skirt. She also has a big rack that magnetizes every boy’s eyes. And her purple eyes twinkled as she gazes upon us all.

“Mister Kent won’t be teaching you today because of his hangover, so I’m here to substitute.” The lady’s voice was charmingly dominant.

At this moment, I knew everything was wrong. I know that face. I looked at Rikkun, and he has the very same expression as mine.

It can’t be!!!

“You can call me Professor Noctis. Nice to meet you all~”