บท 5: First Target

Today was the day I would receive my first target, as Lilith said. I was walking to my school, while different thoughts were going on inside my mind.

I was nervous.

Will I be able to do it?

It was like when you go for a job and on the first day you think whether you'll be able to do it or not. Except, in my case, not doing wasn't an option and if I fail, I'll die.

I reached my school on time today and sat down in my usual spot. Lilith followed me to my school. Turns out no one can see Lilith except me.

Since this was my first target, she was accompanying me. It was like those tutorials before the game.

There was still time for the teacher to come. I was browsing through a manga on my mobile when Lilith pulled my hair.

"What!?"- I said in a loud voice and received stares from people around me.

I looked at Lilith, laughing.

She wasn't happy with my life being already miserable because of a damn contract. Now she was also teasing me. I was right; she is sadistic.

"That girl, Tomose Saki is your target."- Lilith pointed towards a girl who just entered the class and sat in the front row.

She was wearing our normal summer uniform. By normal I meant she wasn't wearing a full-sleeved shirt like me. I always used to wear a full-sleeved shirt, whether it was summer or winter. For girls, they had a red ribbon instead tie.

The girl put her bag down and smiled as she joined in the conversation her friends were having.

I was looking at her, and my eyes met with her hazel ones. I glanced away.

"But she looks completely normal."- I again glanced at her. She was holding her dark brown hair on top of her head with her left arm as she tied it in a bun with her right arm.

"She does from outside. She has a lot of pent up negative energy in her."

"How do I approach her?"- I asked in a low voice.

"I don't know."- she shrugged.

Sensei entered the class, and everyone stood up.

"Seems like your class is starting. See you later."- she slapped me on the back of my neck and ran outside the class before Sensei closed the door.

I swear to god, if she wasn't a devil I would've drop-kicked her off the second floor of my apartment.

We greeted sensei, and she began with the attendance.

Tomose's attendance was after me. I started thinking of different ways to approach her.

Though it looks like there isn't a time limit to finish the contract. I might just take my sweet time then.

Now, what do I know about her? She is on the same level as me if we compare academically. She is a pretty girl, so many boys already have a crush on her. She is really cheerful.

And?

…

I don't know shit about her.

Well, the best way to get intel on someone is to observe their friend's circle. An individual's friend circle can tell a lot about them.

It was lunchtime. I slid my chair back and stood. I looked at Yukimura and he turned his head towards the door and looked back at me. I took it as a gesture to head to the cafeteria with him.

I was walking towards the door, but Tomose walked in front of me.

"Hey Sakamaki-kun, you need something?"

"Why do you ask?" I asked in a confused voice.

"You were looking at me quite a lot today." She said as she tucked a strand behind her ear.

"Not really." I shrugged.

"Well knowing you, even if you need something you won't say it." She chuckled.

"Yeah, we're talking after a long time." I smiled.

"Huh? Sakamaki-kun smiling? That's a rare event."

Well, I was in her group last year. We had to do this Physics Project. Though I didn't talk with her much that time.

"Anyway, see you later." I raised my left arm and waved at her.

She smiled at me. So I managed to have a conversation with her, albeit she approached me.

I've to make her fall in love with me. This is so random. I'm not playing some crappy dating simulator.

This contract is basically a level 1 player doing level 50 quests without any buffs.

I was sitting in the cafeteria with Yukimura's gazes locked onto me.

"What?"

"You seemed to talk with Tomose-san today. Did the sunrise from the opposite direction today?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed. Yukimura had this grin on his face. I know what he is thinking.

"She talked to me. So I had to reply to her."

"So, what were you talking about?"

"Nothing much." I sipped the milk can.

I remembered Yukimura is friendly with everyone in the class, so he might be a part of her mutual friend circle.

"You are friends with her, right?"

"Well, yeah we sometimes hang out after school with our other friends."

"I see." I nodded.

"Don't tell me. You like her. I caught you staring at her too."

"Maybe." the disbelief in his eyes. The bread fell from his mouth onto his plate and he blinked at me twice.

"You good? Something happened?"

"I'm good. I think I should give this love thing a try."

He just was just nodding. Well, I was acting really out of character suddenly. So it was surely shocking for him.

After eating lunch, I went to the washroom.

I was washing my hands when I noticed Lilith in the mirror's reflection in front of me.

"So, did you make her fall for you?"

"Not yet. Still thinking of the correct way to approach her."

"Ok, tell me if anything interesting happens."

"I won't, don't worry Devil-chan."

She made a pouty face and walked out of the bathroom.

I entered the classroom and noticed Tomose was sitting alone. Her friends were nowhere to be seen. Her face was despondent. I checked my mobile and walked back to my bench.

The rest of the day went by, and nothing happened except I got the result of my mid-sem exam.

I planned with Yukimura to walk back home with Tomose's group today. He agreed pretty quickly and texted them, asking for their approval.

I knew it would be weird if I asked Tomose out of the blue to walk back home with me. So the best option was to use someone as an intermediate and then tag along with the excuse that he is my friend too.

The sound of the last bell echoed through the school as it was 3.30 pm. I got up and hung my bag on my right shoulder.

Yukimura looked at me. I walked with him and outside the class, Tomose and her friends were waiting for Yukimura. He was pretty popular among girls; I don't know why he doesn't have the guts to confess to Kosaki.

Tomose noticed me and greeted me.

"You talk with Sakamaki-kun?."- Yoshiwa asked in a confused tone. Tomose gave out a light chuckle.

"Let's go."- the girl named Kana said. She was also one of those really extroverted people. She looked like the leader of Tomose's group. Though it was bold of me to assume such a thing at first sight.

I gave a slight smile and started walking behind them.

Extroverted people tend to me higher and social hierarchy and end up taking control over their small group of friends.

They were having a fun conversation, and everyone was laughing frequently. I looked at Tomose and there was always a smile plastered on her face.

I don't know from which angle she reeks of negative energy