Stephanie (No Game No Life Part 8)

"What?" The whole group faced Sora who was staring at Esdeath.

"Big brother… You said that I was the only one you needed" Shiro said hitting her brother on the chest, pouting.

"Shiro…" Sora paused for a moment, looking at Shiro.

"I was just acting cool! I'm sorry! It's not like I can go after sister, anyways! I'm already at that age, y'know! I have needs!"

Sora kneeled down in front of his sister's feet as though he was begging for mercy.

"No. I won't marry you." Esdeath interrupted bluntly.

"Noooo!" Sora collapsed onto the ground, putting his hand over his heart.

"Oh. My brother fainted" Shiro said, looking at his brother who had foam running out of his mouth.

"Can you help me carry him to our room?" Shiro asked calmly and softly.

"Yeah. I'll help, but first answer me this: Are you planning to compete for the title of the King of Imanity?" Ryu asked. Maybe he could prevent them from participating.

"Yup. 100%. We're going to win it" Shiro said in her standard adorable soft voice.

"I see. Is there any way I can stop you from preventing?" Ryu said. He knew that they would be the greatest opponents his team would have to face.

"Oh? Are you also competing?" Shiro said, tilting her head.

"Yeah," Esdeath said confidently. "And we're going to win"

Ryu stared at Esdeath who had her competitive nature brought out.

"No. We don't plan to lose. Ever" Shiro said as though Esdeath's nature brought out her competitiveness.

Ryu sighed. He then separated the two of them who were glaring at each other before helping carry Sora to his room and stopping.

"Thank you. Well then. I'll see you tomorrow" Shiro said, bowing down and shutting the door.

Ryu later discussed with them that they had to win the tournament tomorrow to win and become the King of Imanity.

Then, he brought his group members to the castle with Stephanie as the guide.

"I have no idea why I bet against living in my house with you guys," Stephanie said. "But even if I did, then it's not a big deal. Did you say that you were planning to become the King of Imanity?"

"Yeah," Ryu said. "Why?"

"Then do you think you can save Elkia from the brink of Extinction?" Stephanie asked, placing her hand on her chest. In the anime, Stephanie deeply cared about Imanity.

No wonder she was acting like this. She wanted someone in who she can place her hopes.

"Why not Chlammy? Didn't she win every time against you?"

"That's because..!" Stephanie wanted to say something, but she couldn't refute it. She only felt something was off, but didn't know what.

"I don't know why but I..I don't trust her. Something was weird." Stephanie said, blushing and looking down at her feet. She was twirling her fingers.

"Hahaha. You have a half-decent reading on people. You're correct. She's a lackey of the elven kingdom" Ryu said chuckling.

"What!?" Stephanie said looking all shocked.

"I have no reason to lie. My goal is to save Elkia, and to do that I have to become the King of Imanity. That's why I must defeat her." Ryu said, clenching his fist with determination.

Of course, it was all just an act to get closer to Stephanie, but it seemed to be working pretty well. Ryu was a tad two-faced.

Although he appeared to be righteous, he typically had his own agenda.

"So don't worry, I'll take care of everything," Ryu said, patting Stephanie's head.

*Yawn*

Ryu stretched his arms yawning.

"I'll be going off to my room to sleep. Good night" Ryu said before leaving Stephanie's Living Room.

"A-Alright!" Stephanie said frantically.

She didn't know why but her heart was beating faster than ever before.

Those words struck a cord in her heart.

What were these emotions?

They felt different.

She then recalled a memory of a similar feeling she discussed with her grandfather.

"Is this love?" She muttered, imagining Ryu's handsome face.

She shook her head, blushing before going to bed.

However, she couldn't fall asleep all night, especially with the noise in the next bedroom.

None of the Villains were really too surprised about sleeping in the castle.

It was probably because they could easily destroy it if they really wanted to.

They soon all settled into their own individual rooms before sleeping.

Except one…