Locked and wounded. (A Hololive fanfic)

Chapter 11: Initiating combat.

(Arato's POV.)

Oh boy... It's coming tomorrow, the day I've dreaded since last week. The last day before the shitshow that is tomorrow, and I'm not mentally prepared for it in the slightest. It was one of those rare times I'm actually completely alone since Sora was out getting groceries, my overprotective side is on high alert but for the most part I managed to keep myself calm since Maxx is with her, though of course the nerves are still there because anything can happen. I shuddered as I tried to clear those thoughts from my head while I was working to finish this diagnosis of a patient. My biggest worry right now of course is that damn duel tomorrow, I don't know what to expect. And I'm genuinely scared of what might happen tomorrow, all I know is that I have to do my utmost or else Sora's gonna go back to her old life and my life is gonna be ruined. Just thinking about it makes me shudder, whatever happens to us in the future... It's decided by the events that'll come up tomorrow. I leaned against the backrest of my chair, groaning in both exhaustion from today's work and frustration at tomorrow before I slapped both of my cheeks and took a deep breath to clear my thoughts. No reason to haggle about that stuff now, you made a promise doctor, you have to make sure the patient you made a promise to gets to see you fulfil it. Speaking of patients... Sora's taking a while longer than expected, what's going on out there...? I hope I'm not acting like an overprotective chump again from this.

(Meanwhile... Sora's POV.)

Okay... I got the groceries, all that's left to do is to go back home. My nerves are flaring at an all time high for what's gonna happen tomorrow, everything from Arato losing and getting hurt to us losing everything that made us happy. "Oi, you alright?" A voice then called out to me, and I turned my head to see the dog-boy that Arato-kun ordered to accompany me. "Worried about something?" He asked, and I just sighed before speaking up. "You know what's coming up tomorrow, Maxx." I said, and... He looked so taken aback. "Tomorrow??? What's happening tomorrow???" He responded with genuine confusion and curiosity, and I was dumbfounded for a second but didn't let it show. "Well... His duel with Vincent is up tomorrow-"
"OH! Okay, now I remember." He interjected, and I just fell silent for a moment before continuing. "I'm just scared of what's gonna happen... What if Arato-kun gets hurt and losses? I don't wanna go back to that mansion with Vincent... And I don't wanna see Arato getting hurt out there." Maxx just hummed and nodded in response, looking at me confidently. "Oh he'll be fineeee! All the doc has to do is to beat Vincent's ass like it's just a normal Monday and he'll win! It shouldn't be too hard, probably." He said, and I responded by glaring at him. He clearly didn't know how serious the situation was... "Okay, he might be fucked. I dunno..." I didn't say anything in response to that, instead choosing to go silent again as we walked through the streets. It was really quiet for a while until I heard a familiar voice call out to us, one that sent a wave of fear washing over my entire being. "Sora?" They called out, and once I turned around to see who it was my eyes widened the moment I saw Vincent along with his father. And I instinctively backed away, Maxx being quick to follow. "Hey... I just came here to speak with you, it's nothing like last time... I promise." He says, taking a step closer, and I responded by taking a step back and taking a deep breath to keep myself calm. I really didn't feel like listening but... I gave in and let him speak, keeping as much distance from him as possible and being weary of his dad. Meanwhile Maxx hid behind me shivering and whimpering quietly, I guess that means I'm dealing with this alone...

Seeing how uncomfortable I was, Mr. Jensen Von Gandher spoke up first, trying to act all nice and friendly despite my more than sour history with him. "Nothing to be worried about here, Miss Tokino Sora. We're just here to strike you a deal that my clever boy here wishes to offer you, and it's one that you definitely won't be able to pass up." Those words sent a shiver down my spinal column, my instincts were telling me to just cut it right now and leave but I just couldn't get myself to do it so I let him speak. "And what would that be?" I said, managing to keep myself composed despite my brain having a literal civil war going on inside my head. I can already tell I'm gonna regret asking about it... Jensen took a moment to clear his throat before speaking up again. "I'll get straight to the point then, my son is asking you to agree to go back home with him as his significant other in exchange for cancelling out the duel tomorrow in the doctor's favor." He said, and my eyes darted over to Vincent with the most demanding look I've ever seen on his face, it sent a pang of dread inside me but I didn't let it show. Arato told me about this before, and I already knew what my answer was gonna be. I took a step forward and put on my most determined face before I responded. "No. The duel continues." And everyone's eyes widened at that, particularly Vincent and his dad, somehow they didn't expect me to turn that down so quickly. "W-What...?" Vincent stuttered out, it was like his attempts at school to get me to go back to his mansion all over again. "I'm not accepting that deal. Duel it is." I repeated, and his eyes widened again. He was so dumbfounded at that moment, not uttering a single word as he took in my words.