The First Date! (Part 3)

"Hmm?", Rio turned around to see a boy about her own age standing behind her as he looked at her with shining eyes.

'So beautiful!', he thought.

This was definitely the most prettiest girl he had ever met!

Initially, he just came into the candy shop to just get an umaibō but when he saw Rio, he decided that he had to get to know her.[1]

Then, it became even better when she talked about the Street Ball Rumble.

Because he was going to watch in it as well!

Looking at the boy's shining eyes, Rio was a bit lost.

Who was he and why was he suddenly talking to her?

"I'm sorry, you are?", Rio tilted her head in confusion.

However, that one question set the boy's heart on fire.

'So polite!', he thought.

She even said 'sorry'! If this wasn't the perfect girl, he didn't know what was.

Then, putting all those thought to the back of his mind, he held his hand out.

"Shirou Akira, nice to meet you", Shirou introduced.

Rio was a bit hesitant at first but soon reached out and shook his hand out of good will.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Rio Sumire"

Meanwhile, Shirou felt his heart pounding when Rio shook his hand.

'So soft!', Shirou thought ecstatically as he felt Rio's hand.

Also, her name was Rio? What a cute name!

At that moment, countless thoughts swam through Shirou's mind as he started imagining their future together as husband and wife.

If Rio were to hear his thoughts right now, she would surely call the police and run away without a second thought.

This fella was just too scary! He was even more perverted than Belial!

Suddenly, Shirou remembered about what they were talking about.

"Rio-chan, did you say that you were going to the Street Ball Rumble just now?"

Rio nodded lightly as she looked at Shirou warily.

This guy was eavesdropping on her this entire time. What if he heard something embarrassing?!

Thinking about this, Rio couldn't help but blush lightly.

When Shirou saw Rio slightly red face as she blushed, he thought he might have a nosebleed and die from blood loss.

That expression was just too cute!

Meanwhile, Rio finally answered in a low voice.

"Yes, I'm going there with a friend"

Shirou immediately stiffened when he heard the word 'friend'.

What if it was another guy competing with him for Rio-chan?

'No, no ,calm down Shirou. It could be another female friend that came with her to watch the rumble or maybe even her parent', Shirou tried reassuring himself.

So, sucking in his uneasiness, he hesitantly asked Rio, "Rio-chan, is your friend or mother going with you? After all, it's easy to get lost in Ebisu at night and it's not good for such a pretty girl to walk all by herself. Maybe I can guide you there?"

Hearing Shirou's request, Rio slightly furrowed her brows.

As expected, this fellow doesn't have any good intentions with her. He would probably take the chance to ambush her while she was alone to do bad things to her.

Thankfully, she was not so naive or alone for that matter.

So, as she brought the candy that she initially chose, she hurriedly paid for it at the counter before turning back to Shirou.

"I'm sorry but I'm not alone. I'm going with my friends to watch it together. Also I already have a boy–friend and he is a really good player." she said while having red faced.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Three consecutive arrows pierced through Shirou's heart as he heard Rio's words.

First being that someone was already with her. Still, it was not so bad as it could be her female friend from school.

However, the second part made him feel despair and frustration. It was actually a 'he' and also a 'boyfriend' who was going with Rio-chan to the Street Ball Rumble.

This made his perfect vision of a future together shatter into a million pieces.

Third and finally, she actually complimented the guy!

Shirou was also good at basketball but hearing the perfect girl in front of him compliment another guy in the sport that he excelled in was just striking at his sore spot with a lightning bolt.

This made him so frustrated that he wanted to pull his own hair out and make him embrace the way of baldness.

'No! I must definitely find a way to break them up! Rio-chan is too good for some random schoolkid!', Shirou thought furiously.

Then, putting a forced smile on his face, he carefully asked Rio.

"Rio-chan, your friend might not know Ebisu that well. Why don't I tag along to show you the way? Of course, it will be safer if more people travel together"

Rio felt her lips spasm as she heard Shirou's words.

This guy was still not giving up on her! This fella surely has some bad thoughts about her!

Rio wanted to say that her friend Aria had already been to the Street Ball Rumble before but she soon held her words in.

What if this fella made another excuse? Never mind, it was easier to make Belial get rid of this fella for her.

Rio didn't say anything as she nodded at Shirou.

When Shirou saw her approval, he was ecstatic. He felt like he had a chance now!

While this was happening, Aria also finished her choice and paid it to the counter, seeing that there was a boy near Rio she frown.

But seeing that since this kid is not doing some perverted stuff to her and just asking her some basic question, she sigh in relief.

With that, she followed Rio out of the store to greet her new 'friend'.

Outside, Belial was still endlessly arguing with the Altair but soon stopped after noticing Aria and Rio walk out from the store.

However, they weren't alone. There seemed to be a skinny boy following them.

Belial initially didn't pay much attention to the boy and just took it that Rio and Aria made a new friend. After all, he looked to be about the same age as them.

However, he soon tensed up when he got a proper look at the boy.

Tan skin, white hair and green eyes. Wait, why does he seem familiar?

It was then that Belial suddenly remembered.

He looked almost similar to a character of one of Japan's most famous animes in his previous world.

However, they shouldn't exist in this world! This was a world of basketball not animes!

This boy looked exactly like one of the chef from one of Japan's most famous creation.

The Aroma Master of the Golden Generation in Food Wars.

Akira Hayama!

[1]Umaibō is a famous small, puffed, cylindrical corn snack which is quite a common snack found in convenience stores in Japan.