Chapter 25: Chapter 23 – Hidden Battle

The ice rink was a place that showed the true difference of abilities between people. In other words, inequality was as obvious as the sky was blue.

"Eek!"

A cute yelp rang throughout the air. The owner of this voice was currently being helped up by a good samaritan.

"Hey Akari, I think my impression of you is changing," Takei chuckled.

"Mou... I didn't want you to see this embarrassing side of me..." Akari downheartedly said.

"I'm glad we came then," Takei smiled.

It turned out the goddess has some things that even she is bad at.

As Takei helped Akari stand up, there was a girl glaring at them from a distance.

"If you stare at them any longer, people will think you're a stalker."

"Butt out, idiot brother!"

Yes, this was the Hosegawa siblings bickering as usual. They're close enough to fight a lot, but neither of them will admit to it.

"You could just go over there, y'know?" Eiji said, with a deadpan expression.

"Look at that atmosphere! Do you think that's possible to intervene in?!" Rikka exclaimed.

Indeed, she was right. That sugary and oppressive atmosphere on the other side of the ice rink was near impossible for mere mortals to enter.

Eiji rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Let's just go."

He grabbed Rikka by the arm and forcibly dragged her to Akari and Takei's location.

Takei was the first to notice them coming. "Oh hey, I've been wondering where you guys went."

"We got into an argument over something small," Eiji lied.

Akari seemed concerned at his remark. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, we managed to compromise. Right, Rikka?" Eiji nudged.

"I guess so..." Rikka muttered.

Seeing her first love with another woman was worsening Rikka's mood to an indescribable amount. All she wanted to do was curl up and cry at the sight of this.

Why does it hurt so much?

A raging whirlpool of emotions was entrapping her heart. Having her first love stolen was absolutely soul crushing. Rikka just desperately wanted to leave the place and go home. She didn't want to be here to witness this anymore.

Without even noticing that she was sweating furiously, Rikka began to lose her footing and started slipping.

It doesn't even matter anymore... I'm just going to give up here. I've lost...

Seconds before Rikka truly fell to despair, a kind yet concerned voice called out to her.

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"Rikka!"

She returned back to reality after hearing a voice she so desperately yearned for.

It was Takei Tanaka. He was holding her shoulders and was looking at her with concern in his eyes.

"Are you okay? You look really pale..." Takei gently said.

He started to pet her head and ruffle her hair to help her calm down.

Tears started to form in her jade colored eyes at the feeling of such warmth enveloping her.

This feels just like the day he saved me.

Slowly but surely, Rikka's heart was mending. It will take time, but eventually it will be fully healed.

Rikka then looked at Takei with a new found resolve.

"I'm doing better now, thanks for the head pats," she beamed.

"Oh, uh... you're welcome?"

Takei wasn't used to being complimented by cute girls, so he was a bit slow to reply. The questioning tone at the end of his sentence was also a result of his bashfulness.

After seeing the sight of Takei being shy for the first time ever, Rikka decided to take the offensive.

"Gufuu!"

Takei let out a grunt due to Rikka suddenly tackling him. In reality, the strength of her tackle wasn't that strong. It was mostly due to the surprise factor that caused Takei to almost fall on his back.

Looking down from above, Takei realized Rikka was giving him a massive bear hug. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him as if to say that letting go was not an option.

The thought only briefly crossed Takei's mind before he decided not to try. Rikka was on the verge of collapsing a moment ago, so this was the best scenario that could've happened. He would rather be comforting her rather than antagonizing her right now.

Instead, Takei opted to continue the head patting. He started to rub Rikka's head again which resulted in her face crinkling with happiness.

Unbeknownst to him however, Rikka was looking directly at Akari behind his back. She put on a fierce expression that screamed "I won't lose!" as a challenge to the goddess.

Akari looked at Rikka's expression with a confused gaze. At first she didn't understand the meaning behind it, but it was obvious after connecting the dots. The hands wrapped around Takei's back and her blissful expression was enough to enlighten Akari.

After reaching this conclusion, Akari returned the fierce gaze to Rikka. She mouthed out four words that only Rikka could understand.

I. Won't. Lose. Either.

---

Akari's Affection Meter: 63 -> 65%

Sheer determination brought up her affection for him. It's weird how the world works sometimes, huh?

I have a feeling you readers will love tomorrow's chapter :)

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