How to deal with women?

"Uff, That hurt!" Holding his head, Wataru cried out. 

Hearing the shout of Yurika made it worse but reminded him of the current situation.

He nearly lost his balance trying to get up and while doing so he looked ahead at what happened to that thing he just hit.

White dotted lights could be seen dissipating at a slow rate ahead, with the sinister aura nowhere in sight.

"Hey Miko! Is it still here?" Trying to make sure that thing was not hiding, Wataru called out to the one who could see those beings.

".....Eh eh huh." Miko, who opened her eyes just now, looked confused.

"The thing that just attacked you, is it still here?" Wataru repeated.

"U-Uh oh" Miko seemed to understand as she looked around, the spirit girl was not there anymore and there were motes of light dissipating in front of Wataru.

"I-its not there anymore." 

"Good." Wataru relaxed a bit, then looking at the still spooked but relieved Miko and the utterly confused Yurika and commented, "We should get out of here for now, there may be more of those kinds here."

*******

"Will you tell me now what happened back there? What were you two talking about? What attacked Miko?" 

A worried Hana barraged Sajou with questions upon questions, they had gotten out of the store and were now making their way to Miko's house.

"Um-m it was a cockroach, I was just helping Yotsuya-san deal with it." Turning to Miko, Wataru asked, "Right?"

"Y-Yeah, Sajou-kun was just helping me deal with a cockroach, you don't have to worry Hana."

Giving the two a bemused gaze, Hana couldn't help become angry. Here she was worrying about these two and they were not even gonna look her in the eye while telling such blatant lies. 

Their reaction in that situation was not something a cockroach would justify. Miko was not even scared of cockroaches.

"Hmph! Guess I was the fool, worrying about you two and what do I get? Lies!"

Seeing her like that, Wataru couldn't help himself from chuckling, she sure was cute.

"Now you are laughing at me? I am not talking to you anymore Sajou-san!" A displeased Yurika pulled Miko to start walking ahead.

"Hana wai-" 

"I am not talking with you either!" 

That made Wataru laugh even more.

*******

After getting the two girls to their home, a tired Wataru made his way back.

'That skill really saved me' While walking Wataru couldn't help but think how close he was to witnessing a disaster today.

'I will have to speed up my process to power. Completing the shrine visit task tomorrow at the latest would be optimal.' Wataru was thinking of skipping class tomorrow, it would be best if he was able to get some much needed rewards related to spirit fighting.

'From what Yotsuya-san told me, those motes of light I saw at the end were the monster's death animation. Thankfully I got the new skill or I dare not think what would have happened.' Wataru was quite impressed with this new skill, it helped him save a friend and also made him achieve his first blood in this world. 

Letting out a sigh, Wataru made up his mind to alot a set amount of time everyday to learn how to fight, he needed to get that tien's fighting skills reward as soon as possible.

As he reached his house, he caught sight of a familiar bright orange hair. 

It was Natsukawa, she stood at the front of the door, looking quite a bit conflicted.

"Natsukawa?" Called out Wataru, making her let out a cute yelp and jump in surprise , "What are you doing here?"

"U-Uh Wataru you are here!"

"Yeah." Nodding, a puzzled Wataru asked, "Did you need something from me?"

".....I wanted to talk to you." Natsukawa spoke out, a bit meek.

"...."

"...."

"Well what is it?"

"Can we talk inside? Please."

Giving the surprisingly submissive Natsukawa a bewildered gaze, Wataru went ahead to open the door and invited the girl in.

"Please." Gesturing with his hand, Wataru led her to the kitchen. 

"What would you like?" After telling her to sit at the dinner table, Wataru went to the kitchen to get something to drink.

"..Nothing" Natsukawa seemed unusually sad sitting at the table, so Wataru got her some water anyway.

Sitting across from her, Wataru looked at the meek girl in front of him and couldn't help but think she looked quite cute.

"So, what did you wanna talk about Natsukawa?"

"Did something happen to you? You have been acting weirdly since yesterday."

Raising his brows, Wataru asked, "Weird? That shouldn't be something new to you Natsukawa."

"...Like now, you never used to talk like this." 

"Well, how would you like to hear me talk then?" Putting on an amused smile Wataru imitated his past behaviour, "Ohhh Natsukawa I am so touched that you came to talk to me! How did you know my address? Don't tell me you were secretly stalking me while putting on that strict face! You shouldn't have wasted your time, I would gladly bring you home anytime you want!"

Seeing his acting, Natsukawa blushed furiously and spoke in a flustered manner, "As if! Who would stalk the likes of you, gross, gross!"

"...Well see how weird that was? Do you want me to go back to doing that with you again?"

Still blushing, Natsukawa accepted, "I guess it is better now." Pausing for a short while she continued, "Why have you been ignoring me?"

Shooting a surprised gaze at her for being so straightforward, Wataru answered, "I want to stay away from you Natsuka."

That answer made her eyes widen and clench her fists tightly, she had not expected that.

"I had enough of chasing you around so foolishly Natsukawa. You know when that ball hit me, it was as if I opened my eyes for the first time in years. It was then that I understood that I was wasting both your and my time, you don't love me Natsukawa. It was a hard thing for me to swallow but I have come to realise how fruitless my efforts have been."

Pausing a bit Wataru took a deep breath then continued, "You also don't like my guts, do you Natsukawa? The way I was constantly harassing you for so long must have burdened you quite a lot huh." Looking her right in the eyes he concluded, "I am really sorry for everything but rest assured I won't disturb you anymore."

Natsukawa just sat there for a moment before suddenly getting up, "I-I will be going then!"

She almost shouted and then ran towards the exit.