We are here for you

" Help! "

*Your P.O.V.*

Two days after the opening ceremony of the Winter Tournament, our clan, Seirin is facing Senshinkan clan, with a current score of 54-70.

The winter battle tournament is actually a battle of attacking and defending, or in other words, a mock battle. Clan members have to score points using their weapons, in their opponent's target board. The clan that scores most wins. But of course, in tournaments like this, there are also rules. No player should injure their opponents, or try to harm them in any way. If they were to do that for 5 times, they would no longer be allowed to participate in the battle.

" Shoot, senpai! " I shouted as Hyuga-senpai was about to release an arrow from his bow.

" I know! " He replied, and the arrow swiftly directs itself to the target.

" Tch! I failed to block it! " I could hear an enemy curse.

" Nice! Hyuga! " Izuki-senpai gave the latter a high five.

" One-minute break! " The timer announced.

As our members came back, Riko-senpai was holding the sheets of paper I gave her earlier, motioning them to gather around her.

" We are currently having the winning streak. There's eight minutes left, but that should be enough for us to win this match. Be aware at all times, don't create a gap for them to enter, understood? " She looked at each of them.

" Yes! " They all answered in unison.

" Let's win this! " Hyuga-senpai shouted as he, Kagami-kun, Izuki-senpai, Kiyoshi-senpai and Kuroko-kun went back to the arena.

I could see Kuroko-kun wave to me, while I just blushed and stayed silent.

*Riko P.O.V.*
' Well, well, what do we have here? A pair of lovebirds, eh? My, their reaction's so cute, I just feel like teasing them ' I smirk as I watched Kuroko-kun and (F/n)-chan.

" Hey lovebirds! Quit flirting will ya'?! Find some room for yourselves! " Koganei-kun shouted, his face full of mischief.

" We're not a couple! " (F/n)-chan denied.

" You forgot the 'yet', (F/n)-san. " Kuroko-kun replied.

" Whatever! " Her face was red like a tomato.

" '(F/n)-san?' Since when did Kuroko started calling you that, (F/n)-chan? " Koganei-kun smirked.

" H-How should I know? Don't ask me! " She stuttered a bit.

" Is this what people say as 'young love'? " Tsuchida-kun butted in.

" Tsuchida-kun, you're still young yourself. " I sighed.

" Could everyone stop talking about me and focus on the game? " (F/n)-chan eyed all of us.

" Y-yeah! The others are doing their best, we ahould give them some cheer! " Furihata-kun chimed in, supporting the girl who was watching the game.

She seemed so.. mature and beautiful.. And a soft glow radiates from her. I could guess that it was an effect of people loving her.

' Many people say that a woman becomes more beautiful after a heart break, maybe she had experienced a heart break before.. ' I was entranced by her appearance.

"Nice one! " (F/n)-chan yelled, snapping me out of my daydream.

" Go Seirin! " I cheered for our clan members.

Soon, all of us started cheering for out clan. Some of the audience even cheered along with us.
The rest eight minutes were over, and the winner was announced.

" Seirin clan wins! The battle is over! " The words reached my ears as my feet ran towards the heavily breathing boys.

" Great job guys! You did well! " I gave them all a high-five.

" Thanks, instructor. " Hyuga-kun thanked me.

" Thanks for your effort, " (F/n)-chan handed every one of them a bamboo tube filled with cold water.

*Kuroko P.O.V.*
" Here, " She handed me a bamboo tube.

" Thank you, (F/n)-chan. " I thanked her as I took the water bottle from her.

" Your welcome. And you did great earlier, I could see that after training. " She praised me with a reddened face.

" A-Ah.. Thank you, " I thank her, something warm spread on my heart.

" Y-Yeah.. " She averted her gaze to the side.

" .. Stupid lovebirds... Can't ya read the atmosphere? Get a room! " Hyuga-senpai shouted.

" I apologize. Let us go then, (F/n)-san, " I pulled her hand.

" H-Hey! Let me go! " She protested, but my grip on her hand remained firm.

After walking into a deserted part of the arena, I release her hand.

" Please stay still, " I said.

" Why? " She asked, and I immediately tied a bracelet to her wrist.

" Kuroko-kun, what's this? " She asked, taking a good look at the bracelet.

" This bracelet will identify a yokai's 'fear'[1]. As you know, all yokai has their own 'fear', and this bracelet will notify me if you're in danger when you encounter a 'fear' that is unidentified by me. During this tournament, I won't be able to be by your side the whole time, so this bracelet will replace me to protect you. " I explained.

" But how will you know that I'm in danger? " The girl stared at me in the eye.

" That is pretty simple. I'm wearing the same bracelet as yours. So when you are in danger, it will automatically radiate a faint glow, and I'll go and rescue you. " I blankly answered.

" ...Usually, I would reject things like these. Even during my childhood, I often rejected lucky items from Shin-chan. The reason would be that I can defend myself well. The only time I accept things like this is when I'm in danger. But this time, I guess I can accept it, for safety reasons. Thanks a lot, Kuroko-kun. " She gave me a heartwarming smile.

" Your welcome. " I muttered.

" By the way, I forgot something in our waiting room, can you go ahead to the others? I promise that I will return soon. " (F/n) quickly jogged to the opposite direction of the arena.

" Understood. See you later. " I walked in the other direction.

At that moment, I didn't notice a pair of eyes were staring at us.

*??? P.O.V.*
Hm.. It seems that the ghost boy finally got himself a cute little girlfriend, eh? Interesting... Maybe I should toy with them for a bit...

The girl was walking into Seirin's waiting room, and came out with a box full of food. A smile danced into my lips as I crept up behind the girl and covered her mouth with a cloth.

" HMPPHH! " Her voice was muffled, and she dropped the food box she was holding.

" Now, now. We don't want your friends to be worried, do you? So stay quiet and be a good girl, " I cooed, watching the girl's body go limp.

" Guys, help me will ya'? " A quiet whisper escaped her lips.

" What? What did you say? Come and help you? Sorry princess, but that ain't gonna happen, cause' I'm going to take you for a trip, " I sneered as I carried her body away, to where none of her friends can't find her.

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[1] 'Fear' is another term for 'demonic aura'. Every yokai owns a type of 'fear', and usually the yokai with stronger 'fear' will overpower the ones with weaker 'fear'.
(if you had ever read Nurarihyon no mago, then you will understand what I am talking about).