I Don't Have To

"Hey, do I have a chance?"

Those words changed my life.

Hearing those words from her made me smile, knowing that all my theories were right.

She does like me.

For a shut-in who only plays video games in his entire life, I actually made the girl I like fall in love with me.

...

That is, if this is a story with me as the generic main character who has no redeeming qualities yet still manages to get the girl.

But no, this isn't.

...

Although, I am an average student in high school, so that's something similar to those stories.

But I also have the average fitness, and the average attractiveness from other people.

...

What actually happened, is that this girl, Aira Akari, asked me if she has a chance on winning the swimming tournament today.

...

"Of course! You've been training for weeks! You also have the advantage in experience, you've been doing this for years!" I responded, just spitting out some random inspirational words just to be able to reassure her.

"Haha! Alright then. Thanks, Josh! I'll do my best!" She pats my shoulder as she walks toward her coach.

...

Sigh. Just a little more, I'll finally be able to ask her out.

Just a little bit more of this friendly approach, she'll then start to like me.

...

"Alright! I'll cheer for you!" I shouted.

"Thank you!" She shouted back.

I sat at the audience seats, tapping my shoe furiously.

...

I don't want to watch this.

I have no interest in this.

And the tournament isn't even starting for an hour over it's designated time!

I also have to cheer for her. That's embarrassing and lame.

But if that's all it takes for her to be my girlfriend, then I'll endure it!

...

I'm Josh Soronio, a high schooler who believes, that I will be able to find a girl with enough kind actions, and enough courage!

I really aim to look for a girlfriend.

Students my age mostly start to think of finding a love parter at this point of their lives.

And that applies to me too.

...

Aira's match began.

I clenched my fist and shouted,

"YOU CAN DO THIS AIRAA!!"

She smiled and waved at me.

I then sat down and covered my face with my bag.

...

I don't want to do this. But I have to.

...

She won, first place, and came running towards me.

Yes. This is it.

"I WON!" She jumped and hugged me.

"Good job, Aira!" I smiled.

...

I have to fake these reactions for a while.

I didn't even bother to watch the tournament.

Things like sports bore me.

...

"So, wanna grab something to eat as celebration?" She asked me as we left.

...

Oh yes.

Huge progress.

...

I agreed.

A tall building, showing off different types of marketable products, looked over us with its shining lights.

A mall. We went to a mall.

Can I afford stuff here?

...

Pfft!

HA! Who am I kidding? I prepared for this to happen!

Of course I have money.

...

We went to a little bit of pricy restaurant, but it fits, since this is a celebration.

We ate together, and attracted a little bit of attention.

...

"Aww! They look cute together!"

"Are they a couple?"

These were some whispers from the other people eating.

They were all looking at us.

...

Yes. This is good.

...

"Hey.. Don't mind them. We're just here to celebrate, not date." Aira giggled.

"Yeah, but I think it does seem like that." I insisted.

Aira looked around, and saw the people looking at us.

She looked at me, then looked down.

Her face turned red.

"You know what? I think we do look like dating. But whatever. It's fine, you'd be a good partner after all." She smiled and continued sipping on her drink.

...

YES! THIS IS GOOD.

HAHAHA! "You'd be a good partner after all." Is what makes me really happy.

It feels like I have a greater chance now!

...

I tried stopping my smile.

I chuckled a little, and said,

"Well, thanks. That gives me a little more confidence."

"You don't think you'll ever get a girlfriend? Just ask her out, and you'd have a great chance of succeeding!" Aira replied.

...

HA! I HAVE ENOUGH CONFIDENCE TO SWOON YOU OVER, AIRA!

Of course I think I will have a girlfriend. I couldn't think negatively about it if I know I have a chance.

Although I know I'm just an average guy, I have enough confidence that I will have a chance to have Aira as my girlfriend if I've done enough nice things.

And it seems things are going well.

...

"Well, I might try someday. But I still don't believe it's that easy." I tried hiding my smile.

Aira chuckled a little, and we continued eating.

...

Oh right, why do the people think we look good together?

This is because we're sitting on opposite sides of the table, and are looking at each other while she drinks.

I have planned this far ahead.

...

We went around the mall, and bought her some stuff.

I wonder, why is it that her parents aren't here to celebrate with her?

Ah, she doesn't go out her house often, so I guess they just celebrate stuff at home.

...

"Hey, this does seem like a date now. Hehe." (Aira)

"Hmm.. Yeah, let's treat it as one then." (Josh)

"Alright!"

Aira giggled and grabbed my arm.

She put her arms around mine as we walked out of the mall.

She laughed and said,

"Hey, thanks for taking me out here. Thanks for this celebration, date, or whatever you call it."

"I wonder though, why aren't you celebrating this with your parents? And why with me?" I asked.

Aira looked away.

"My parents never supported me with focusing on sports. They just push me to study, gain a high award once we graduate."

I was shoked by this. I didn't expect to be told of someone's problem so openly.

I stayed silent.

Aira lifted her head.

"But nevermind that! I still got to have fun and celebrate today! And you know, because of this, I'm a little more motivated on pursuing sports. Soo..."

She looked at me and said,

"Josh, thanks for being a good friend."

She then went inside the taxi for her to go home.

I waved goodbye as I went back inside the mall.

...

Well that feels nice.

...

Wait.

A good FRIEND?!

DAMMIT! I thought I had a chance!

After all those efforts, this is how I'm paid back?!

Well, I guess that's it for pursuing Aira.

Time to look for another one.

...

I went home, and laid down on my bed.

...

Ah yes, you ask where my parents are?

I also have the generic high school slice of life setting of me having my parents on a different city, and me living on an apartment.

...

I took my laptop out, and opened my social media account.

What's this site?

Bacefook.

Yes. Bacefook.

...

I just want to share this defeat of mine with someone. Heh.

...

And it seems that there's no one who I actually talk to daily.

...

Wow. I have no close friends.

Pfft, I'd be looking for a girlfriend though, so I guess it doesn't matter.

...

Shaina Japena.

"I guess I'll be talking to you tomorrow."