Astral Online: Cursed by the Demon Lord to Become the Strongest Beautiful Girl, I Rapidly Grow and Dominate with Cheat Skills Despite Being the Weakest Profession - Chapter 214
Chapter 214: Our First Date?
When we stepped out of the movie theater, it was already around 4 PM.
It was time to head home. Shiori, the current head of the household, was likely starting to prepare dinner by now.
We took a nearby public bus, traveling from the central district to the eastern district. Kurono and I got off at a bus stop near our home.
The street was quiet, completely devoid of people, a stark contrast to the bustling noise of the central district we’d just left behind.
The aroma of delicious dinners wafted from the nearby houses as we walked along a street bathed in the colors of the sunset, hand in hand, heading home.
Naturally, our conversation revolved around the movie we’d just seen, moments that surprised us, the thrilling fight with the villain. We eagerly took turns sharing our thoughts about it.
Our walking pace was slower than usual, perhaps because both of us, caught up in the sweetness of adolescence, wanted to prolong our time together just a little longer.
“The protagonist’s action scenes were amazing, weren’t they? I thought to myself, ‘That’s so like sister Shino!’”
“Yeah, no kidding. The heroine was played by Glen, right? Only a pro gamer could keep up with Master’s insane moves like that.”
“Totally! And when they fought back-to-back, you could really feel the trust between them. It was so cool to watch.”
“Well, you and I are kind of like that in ?Astral Online?, aren’t we? Remember that time we fought that Helheim berserker with the giant axe, wasn’t his name Philly? If it hadn’t been for your palm strike, I’d have been overwhelmed and lost for sure.”
“I just follow your lead, Sora. You always take the front line and draw their attention, so I just support you from behind…”
“No way. It’s because of your solid support that I can make those bold moves. Especially since you switched to the katana, you’ve been dealing more damage than me. It’s incredible.”
“………”
When I shared my honest thoughts, Kurono’s face turned bright red, and she fell silent.
I wondered for a moment if I had overdone the praise, but everything I said was the absolute truth.
First of all, Kurono really *has* gotten stronger.
It’s not just because her weapon’s stats have significantly improved.
Fighting side by side over the past few months has given me a clear understanding.
Kurono’s sword skills with the katana have already reached a level comparable to mine.
If I let my guard down, she might even surpass me or maybe she already has.
As her senior disciple, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of crisis at the precariousness of my position. Tightening my grip on the hand of the girl walking beside me, I said:
“And it’s not just about strength. It’s because you’re my partner, Kurono, that I’ve been able to overcome all the battles we’ve faced.”
“…You’re such a dummy. Complimenting me like that won’t get you anything, you know?”
Overwhelmed by my words, Kurono made a face that seemed both troubled and flustered.
Illuminated by the glow of the setting sun, her face as she turned to look at me was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was a scene straight out of a movie, so stunning that I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks, staring at her in a daze.
“Are you okay, Sora? You seem a bit out of it.”
“Sorry. I might not be okay, actually.”
“It’s been a while since we hung out. When we get home, I’ll help Shiori with dinner, so you should take a bath and relax in the living room.”
She said this with a smile, let go of my hand, and quickened her pace slightly toward home.
As the distance between us grew, a strong wind swept through, sending her silver hair flowing beautifully in the air.
“Ah!?”
Her skirt fluttered for a moment, and Kurono hurriedly pressed it down with both hands.
I quickly averted my gaze, pretending not to notice, when I suddenly realized we were standing at the entrance of a familiar park.
“Something about the park?”
“Ah, no… sorry. Do you mind if we stop by for a bit?”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
With her permission, I stepped into the simple park with Kurono. It had only a slide and a swing set as play equipment.
Normally, there would still be elementary school kids playing here, but today, the place was deserted except for us.
I stopped in front of my favorite wooden bench and sat down, gesturing for her to join me.
Why am I sitting here when we’re supposed to be heading home quickly?
Even I couldn’t explain my sudden actions, and I was internally puzzled.
But Kurono, without questioning or hesitating, followed my lead.
This bench, situated in a park often used as a meeting spot with friends, creaked slightly with age when we sat.
Now, I was sitting here with someone who had become incredibly important to me.
The moment felt slightly indulgent, almost guilty, yet undeniably precious.
Even so, the fire in my chest urged me forward, whispering that this was the right moment to speak.
“Sorry for bringing this up so suddenly, but… about the confession from the other day.”
“…!”
The moment those words left my mouth, Kurono, sitting beside me, gave a small, startled shiver.
Though I’d initiated this, I found myself overwhelmed with nervousness, my heartbeat hammering louder than ever.
The world around us faded into silence.
The only thing my eyes could see was the silver-haired girl sitting beside me.
It felt like the entire world had shrunk down to just the two of us.
In my mind, I recalled her from a few days ago, standing on the stage of a songstress, summoning her courage to confess to me.
I should have responded to her then.
Instead, I had selfishly chosen to delay, leaving her vulnerable after putting everything on the line.
That’s why I had spent the time since seriously reflecting and considering my feelings.
And so, after arriving at a single answer,
There was no longer any room for escape.
The emotions that first sprouted in that moment.
The quiet feelings that had grown over time.
I thought and thought, endlessly.
Thought and thought and thought and thought and thought and thought and thought—until I couldn’t think any longer.
I hadn’t used my brain this much since the time I lost my disciple after failing the ?Satan Raid? and considered quitting the game altogether.
Honestly, I felt like I was about to overheat from all the overthinking.
But still, I couldn’t avoid confronting it.
Because this wasn’t the first time someone had confessed to me.
I revisited every moment I’d turned down girls like Ilya and Inori.
I looked back at their expressions, the deep disappointment etched onto their faces.
Though it pained me to remember, I reflected on it all.
And from the vast reservoir of memories and feelings, one pure, unshakable truth surfaced.
Holding tightly to that answer, I took a step forward.
Bit by bit, I closed the distance between us.
Not just the physical space but the gap between our hearts.
Until we were so close our fingers brushed, our shoulders touched.
Our faces were mere inches apart.
Both Kurono and I were flushed red, as crimson as the setting sun.
There was no turning back.
Having embraced her feelings, I placed a hand over my chest, where my heart pounded furiously.
Unable to contain the enormous emotions swelling within me, I let my face twist slightly with the weight of it all.
And then, I spoke the words.
“Kurono, I love you. Please go out with me.”
Tears spilled from her eyes.
The silver-haired girl’s face crumpled with emotion as she cried tears of joy.
Leaning in closer, her face moved toward mine.
There was no option to pull away.
Bathed in the light of the setting sun,
I accepted every bit of her overwhelming love.
And on this day, for the very first time in my life—
I experienced the sweetness of a kiss.