Chapter 217: Elizabeth

Elizabeth is one of those girls who's still waiting for me that is on their chat group. Though I sometimes call them whenever I have time, this girl finally couldn't restrain herself and called me instead at this moment. 

Well, it's already more than 2 weeks and I still haven't gone to meet them. I decided it to be this week but I still didn't know when. Now that she called me, this reminded me that I'm forgetting about it again.

Ugh. I really have to make it up for them.

Let's see. There are no more concerning tasks that I have to do so... Thursday then. I'll pass by the club to at least do my part there before going straight to their school.

Elizabeth is one of the girls I stole in a unique situation. When I first saw her, she's treating her boyfriend as her Prince Charming, which the guy really liked. He's also like her after all, someone with an eighth-grader syndrome. The two of them belonged to the same club where Haruko sent me to do an inspection.

I was still a part of the Student Council back then so I did my job to avoid suspicion from the other members, especially from Haruko's boyfriend back then. Also, that was one of the ways I used to scout for new targets without Yae's help.

Due to that, I chanced upon Elizabeth and her boyfriend flirting inside the clubroom while using cringy lines such as Destiny or Red Strings of Fate. The Flawless Prince who can slay thousands of dragons without a scratch and sealing them on his right hand was the character the guy thought up for himself. It looked cringy and even if I saw them, that didn't bother them and they continued their character even when talking to me during my inspection.

Elizabeth. Ah. That's not her real name. Hazuki Risa, She took her first name Risa and turned it to Elizabeth to fit the character she made for herself, the Queen of the Lost Kingdom, Arkadia. Wielder of the Staff of Judgement and the Crown of Doom. She was confined to her own castle due to the calamity she brought upon her people. Even so, she really has foreign blood in her from her grandmother. She lived overseas until the age of 8 that's why she still has the accent.

In the setting they set, that Prince of whichever released her from confinement and since then started living with him. However, the two became bound with a curse. They can be in love with each other but they can never do more than just holding each other's hand or the curse would kill them both

Crazy even for a chuunibyou, right? Who would accept that kind of setting? That's like asking for someone else to cuck him.

Anyway, that's where I come in. Given my nature back then, they're clearly a couple and she became my target after witnessing that... somewhat interesting spectacle.

When I approached her and subtly told her my intention, her eyes brightened and she created an identity for me that would fit their fantasy. The Dark Prince who's invulnerable with the curse of being with her. Of course, at first, she thought I was joking with that intention to steal her from the guy but whenever we're alone, I'm slowly corrupting her until she falls completely. Though it's somehow the same when Shio wanted to reenact what's in the book she was reading for her fantasy, Elizabeth would often fall out of her character when dealing with me. Only after when we're out of that steamy situation will she go back into her made-up character.

"Aren't you happy to hear my voice?"

Elizabeth's tone suddenly turned sad. The voice I used was probably cold.

"Of course, I am. It's been a while since I heard it. What's wrong?"

I tried to be a bit cheerful but I guess it's still in the same tone, eh?

"… Is. Is it wrong to long for your voice, my Dark Prince?"

"It's not wrong. But I told you to drop that way of calling me, Elizabeth. We're already in High School."

It's not that I hate it. I even played along with her setting for a bit when the guy was with us but yeah, it was just an act.

Should I just let her keep calling me like the way she used to? I let Yae, Aoi and Ria call me the way they wanted. I guess it's fine, it's for this girl's satisfaction.

"… But I like it. You're my Dark Prince who corrupted me to this extent that I've already forgotten about that guy who took me out of my confinement. When will you see me? It's cold in this castle, Ruki."

"Alright. You can keep calling me that but slow down on your fantasy, Elizabeth. I'll see you this Thursday. Wait for me, alright?"

"Really? You're not fooling now, are you?"

"No. You know me. I rarely lie. Remember that day?"

Upon hearing my question, Elizabeth gasped and turned silent for a while.

"Uh. Why do you have to bring up that day?"

"To remind you that I will never lie to you. To any of you."

That day. Well, it's just a day where she thought I'm also lying to her about seeing her in the midst of a storm. At that time, I still hadn't completely stolen her. She got stranded away from her home that day. She first called her Prince boyfriend who said that he would come to take her home but the guy never showed up after an hour or so of waiting. When that happened, she called me next and it seemed like we said the same thing that she immediately blurted out that I should just be honest if I couldn't come.

It was really almost impossible due to how strong the winds were at that time as well as the rising flood. However, I still rushed out as soon as I got the address where she was stranded to be there with her. In the end, I failed to bring her home, due to the road which led there located in a lower area where the flood was higher.

I brought her home instead and she spent the night with me, in my room.

"... I believe you now. I'll be waiting, my Dark Prince."

Her voice turned softer and sweeter. Whatever face she was making now, she's probably remembering what happened to us that day.

"Un. I've kept you waiting for long. I'll make it worthwhile."

-

-

When I reached home, Akane was waiting for me at the door. Since I knew that I would arrive late, I asked them to not wait for me and eat their dinner on time. However, the silly girl still waited for me.

I couldn't really scold her since the table was already set so after squeezing her cheeks until it turned red, we ate our dinner together with her unnaturally puffed up cheeks. To make it up to her I asked her what she wanted me to do for her.

Well, it's Akane, she excitedly answered about feeding her and pampering her throughout the night. No matter what happened, Akane will always be like this with me.

Aside from wanting to be spoiled by me, her want to spoil me is higher. There was that time during our childhood when I got scolded by Mom and Miwa-nee, Akane stayed by my side and never left me until I smiled again. She's always there for me and I'm glad I remembered all those once again.

Afterwards, I checked the already asleep Miwa-nee and Minoru before going to the bed with Akane. I also checked on Shio who will be spending the night alone in that apartment and the other girls who wanted to hear me before they sleep. There was Nao who was also waiting for the day I promised last week and the other girls apart from Elizabeth who got the news from her.

It sounded tedious to check on each of my girls but for me, it's just normal. I'm the one picked this lifestyle after all.

After settling myself on our bed, doing our daily routine of telling each other's experience and granting Akane's wish from earlier, we fell asleep comfortably in each other's arms.

-

-

Tuesday.

Due to the Mentor Program, our PE was moved to Wednesday. It will now be held with two more Classes apart from Class 4 where Rae is.

When that was announced, Rae instantly messaged me about our agreement. I told her that if it will be hard for tomorrow, we could do it today after club activities which she instantly agreed. She then asked me what happened between Kana and me after we sent her to the bus, alone. When I told her what really happened, Rae became speechless for a moment before ending our conversation with 'I'm looking forward to fulfilling our agreement once again.'

"The SC President kept asking me about you yesterday, Ruki."

Satsuki started when she arrived at the class. I already cleared that up yesterday with Shizu-senpai, she'll probably be a good mentor for Satsuki today.

"I know. She told me during my work. She will stop annoying you now."

"She better be or our roles will be reversed. I will be her mentor about how to deal with a pervert like you."

Satsuki proudly said with a teasing smile on her face.

"How can you do that when you also couldn't deal with me?"

I smirked. My words instantly froze Satsuki's teasing smile. She then grumbled on her desk.

"Ugh. Let me hit you later, idiot."

"If that will make you feel better then okay."

Aya who was watching on my side giggled at her seat upon seeing that exchange between me and Satsuki. Due to that, Satsuki also sent a glare towards her, however, Aya has already cast off her inherent fear of Satsuki which she had before. Instead of being scared, Aya helped me tease that tsundere which made our morning a bit more enjoyable.