Chapter 50: The Promise

"Really?"

Riko's face showed a very surprised expression.

"Really, really, really. If you make me repeat it for the third time, I might change my mind," Kira said playfully.

"I..."

Riko felt a bit dizzy, as if what was happening now was very unreal, like a dream.

She hadn't known Kira for a long time. Upon closer consideration, her confession today was impulsive and lacked thorough consideration. It was just that after the events of the day, she had this thought in her mind that if she didn't take a more proactive approach, Kira might be taken away by someone else, so she wanted to give it a try.

Riko tentatively reached out her hand and held Kira's hand.

Feeling the warmth of Kira's palm, Riko realized that she wasn't dreaming.

"Well, shall we continue walking?" Kira asked.

"Sure!"

Riko didn't hesitate and immediately nodded. A smile appeared on her face once again. No matter what they did, being with Kira made her genuinely happy.

Hand in hand, they strolled and chatted along the way. Riko enthusiastically shared some anecdotes related to sports, completely different from her usual serious and focused demeanor.

Unconsciously, they arrived at a park and found a bench to sit on.

"Um, um, did I just say a bunch of boring things?"

At this moment, Riko seemed to have lost her ability to think. She was speaking without much thought, and it took her several minutes to realize what she had just said.

"No, not at all. It was quite interesting," Kira replied with a smile to Riko.

Riko looked at Kira's face and seemed to become somewhat blank. Quickly realizing that she had been staring at him for too long, her face instantly turned red. She hurriedly shifted her gaze to somewhere else, but upon careful consideration, she and Kira were indeed in a genuine romantic relationship.

I don't care who's watching!

With this thought in mind, Riko once again focused her gaze on Kira's face.

"Kira, does the Blue lock project really jeopardize the careers of other players?" she asked curiously.

Riko had no idea how much pressure Kira was under in his current environment.

After all, it was a plan that risked their own professional careers.

If possible, she also wanted to share some of the pressure with Kira.

"I'm not sure. Ego Jinpachi doesn't seem like someone who jokes around. If he's the one in charge, it's likely true. He's a person who doesn't hesitate to do whatever it takes," Kira shook his head and said.

"But I don't think things will necessarily develop that way because Ego Jinpachi isn't the sole decision-maker. Other high-ranking officials in the football association may not completely agree with this matter. Although that's what I'm saying, everyone in the Blue lock will definitely give their all to compete for the final spot. And I want to prove that Ego Jinpachi's ideology is wrong, so I have to keep winning."

"Alright then! Pinky promise! Do you remember our last agreement? You must win until the end in the Blue lock!" Riko extended her hand, her fair little pinky slightly hooked.

"I'll add a wager too. I promise to lead the Seirin Basketball Club to the league playoffs. You have to come and watch by then!"

"Yes, it's a deal!" Kira hooked his pinky as well, nodded with a smile.

Just then, Kira's phone vibrated slightly, and he quickly received a text message.

Uncle Aida: If my precious Riko doesn't come home within an hour, I'll slaughter you tomorrow. #SkullSkull

Even through the screen, Kira could feel the terrifying murderous intent from Aida.

However, soon another text message from Aida came through.

Uncle Aida: However, if you make my precious Riko unhappy, I won't just slaughter you. I'll use your head as a badminton racket. #DIE

Kira looked at the message sent by Aida, a smile appearing on his face. He quickly replied with a text message:

"Understood, Uncle. I'll bring Riko back soon!"

About two hours later, Riko chatted and took a walk with Kira before he accompanied her back home.

"Dad, I'm back!"

Riko pushed open the door, her face adorned with a bright smile. She walked in with light and almost bouncy steps.

"You're back. Why do you look so happy?"

"Oh, it's nothing. But, Dad, why are you wearing shoes? You seem like you're about to go out. And why are you holding a knife?"

"Haha, it's nothing."

"Okay."

Riko didn't inquire further and promptly rushed into her room, eagerly closing the door and starting a phone conversation with Kira.

"Heh, at least this guy managed to keep his head intact," Aida chuckled and shook his head.

....

The next morning, Kira woke up early as he had to prepare to return to the Blue lock.

As he pushed open the door, he found Riko standing right outside, looking like she was about to knock.

"Riko, good morning. Why are you here? Don't you have classes today?" Kira asked curiously, knowing that Riko was an exemplary student at school.

"I took half a day off. I already reviewed this morning's classes last week after all, you're going back there today. We're here to send you off!" Riko said with a smile, pointing behind her. There was a car parked by the roadside, and the driver was Kagetora Aida .

"I also prepared some things that you'll definitely need there. And, and, I made a bento for you! You haven't had breakfast, right? I also brought some homemade snacks for you to eat on the way!"

"Wow, thank you so much. But I don't think Mr. Ego will allow us to bring these things inside."

The Blue lock had strict regulations, and apart from essential items, everything else was prohibited.

"My dad said it's fine. He has taken care of it, so you can just take them with you."

"Uncle Aida took care of it?"

Kira felt somewhat puzzled and turned his head to look through the car window, where Kagetora Aida had a fierce expression that seemed like he wanted to kill him.