Rise Highschool AU 11

Rise Highschool AU 11

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Commissioned by Ihaxlikenoob

Wordcount: 2500

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I’m not special. 

There’s no reason why I should be given preferential treatment. I don’t have Miyakuro’s quick wit and intelligence, let alone his ability to make lucrative businesses. Sitri’s inheritance and ability to make that inheritance grow in high school wasn’t something I had. Most of the other guys attending Kuoh Academy were wealthier, better looking, and more capable then me. That’s before I even try to compare myself to Li, who’s not only the nicest guy and the best friend anyone can have, but talented at almost everything he put his mind to.

If you look at them, you think it’s possible that they can make more than one girl happy. They have the chance at making the impossible happen, and can achieve the impossible of having true, loving relationships with women that they loved.  

Meanwhile, I’m just an idiot with barely and prospects, trying to get a girlfriend while he already had one, because he’s a jealous, inconsiderate jerk. 

If there’s any reason for Rias to say yes to my confession, I can’t think one—

“Yes! I’ll be with you, Ise-kun!”

Wha—

Without hesitation, despite my mood, and everything I’d considered, Rias leapt forward after my words. She caught me off balance, so we both fell to the carpeted floor of her room. When I tried to catch myself, I found it impossible, because her arms wrapped around me and her entire weight settled upon my body. We both went crashing down… but after I blinked the shock away, all I could see was a goofy grin on Rias’s face.

Against that grin, even with all my confusion and incomprehension, I could only say a single word.

“Why?” Even though the results were already decided, even though the decision was made, and the consequences favorable, I couldn’t help but ask. Though every instinct I had told me to be silent, to let things go unsaid, there wasn’t an ounce of sensibility inside me that would let me get away with that. I needed to know, because I couldn’t let Rias get herself hurt, even if she thought what she was doing now would make her happy. “Why would you say yes—

“Because there’s no other boy in the world as nice as you.” The answer I received didn’t make any sense. Li was nicer than me. Miyakuro just tried to hide how he’s nice. Asia’s the most inceredibly nice person, maybe even more than Li. “Well, then, there’s no boy who makes me feel as special as you do.”

“That’s crazy, too! Everyone in school likes you, too! There’s lots of people who want to be with you, treat you nicely, and want to make you feel special!” 

“But they also want to change who I am, or be with me because they want me because of my family.” Rias smiled, while she rested her head against my chest. “It’s true. Kuoh’s a place filled with people who just want to use others or change them. You’re different. You like me, because I’m me.”

“I’ve told you to change loads of times.” Somehow, as she kept holding me and answering my questions, I was feeling the will to keep going seep away. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. At best, I thought she’d tell Eli about what I did and Eli would still talk to me after what happened. And, I was prepared for the worst, when no one in Kuoh would speak to me again. But this wasn’t something I ever thought was possible and that was somehow making me weak and incapable of convincing Rias that she was wrong. “Just... just last week, I told you that you needed to go jog or exercise…”

“You want me to take care of myself, not stop my hobbies, because they don’t “fit” for me.”

Wait.

Excuse me.

WHAT!?

“Wait a second. What the hell? Who told her to do that? Where’s the jerk right now and why isn’t he on my shit list?” Alright, getting up is a lot easier than I expected, even with Ria’s clinging to me and refusing to let go. She’s easy enough to carry, so with her weight off my chest and in my arms, I can function like a proper, human being whose best friend told him she’s been harassed at the school they both go to. “Rias, why the hell didn’t you tell me that people were bullying you! I could’ve done something, you know!?”

On one hand, I’m sure that I should be worried about the results of my confession, but there are things known as priorities. 

I might not be able to handle anything happening right now, but I can handle a jerk who’s telling Rias that she can’t enjoy her life!

So, because I was finally managing to get a handle on things, life decided to throw a curveball at me with Rias pressing her lips against mine.

I don’t know what a kiss is supposed to feel like, but Rias’s lips were soft and warm… yet somehow able to wipe out every semblance of thought that I had. It wasn’t a matter of me not being able to analyze what was happening. It was forgetting my name, my past, and my everything, while she held my cheeks with both hands and captured my lips with her own. While she kissed me, I was sure that even if the world ended, I wouldn’t have been able to notice.

And, when the kiss ended, every concern and worry I had crashed into be all at once… with only Rias in my arms and her smile managing to stop me from falling forward, because of all my confusion and inability to understand what was going on.

“Ise… you don’t get it. Everyone who likes you… likes you because of who you are. It’s because you care for us, love us, and protect us from anything and everyone, no matter the challenge, and always do your best.” That… that was wrong. Everything I’ve done is just stuff other people could do. Some might even be able to do it better.  “If you can’t believe that, then at least believe that you’re special to me, okay?”

The right thing to do would refuse, to tell her that she’s wrong, but I knew from the moment the idea crossed my mind that she’d be hurt, if I told her those words. And, it wasn’t just a simple, passing suspicion. 

I knew that if I told her that she’s wrong that I’d break her heart.

Because I’d be telling her that her feelings for me weren’t something that I’d ever acknowledge.

So, the words died on my lips.

Because, even if I could lie and hurt myself, I couldn’t do the same to her

…

Aria sat by my side on the balcony, pressing a can of warm tea into my hands, as the clear night sky shone down upon both of us. 

“Come on. Go ahead. Ask me how about superiority complexes and how they work. I’ve got time.” Aria tried acting cool and withdrawn, but I could tell that she wasn’t. Her usual tone of voice was warmer than her tone now. She was controlling herself as much as she possibly could. “Let me put some of my experience to use, even if I haven’t figured it out completely, too.”

I still couldn’t find my voice after Rias’s actions, so I just managed to nod in quiet agreement to her words.

“Huh. I think you have it worse than me, because you’re always around Li and Miyakuro.” When they first met, I recalled that Li and Aria spent a lot of time together. They planned parties together, conversed about their groups, and interacted regularly. Now they barely spent time around each other. I thought it was because they were busy. “Yeah, I’m sure you already know by now, but I’ve been avoiding everyone for a while. I needed to keep myself in mind… and that’s hard to do when you’re around a lot of amazing people.”

Aria sighed and shook her head, her scarlet, straight tresses flowing gracefully around her. 

“But I’m me and you’re you. I could do that, because I’m fine with being alone, and restarting my relations with others, after I’ve gained more confidence.’ Aria tried to be strong, but her confession admission made her voice soften, so I could hear breath trembling. Admitting all of this was difficult for her, but she was doing it for her friend since childhood. “I don’t know how much it helps, but I can tell you that things will get better. You’re good at understanding others, so you’ll be able to understand yourself. Just… don’t lie to yourself about what you are and what you want, then you’ll be able to get better.”

We sat together in silence a moment after that, before Aria laughed and shook her head.

“Here I am trying to give advice, even though it hasn’t worked that well for me.” Aria let her mask slip away, letting me see all of her worries, fretting, and indecision. Before I met everyone else, Aria had been the star of everything. She’d been the person I’d looked up to in every field. Yet, that all changed the moment we entered Kuoh High. In fact, I’m sure that I haven’t seen the real Aria since our first year together there. Only the mask that she put on, as she desperately tried to uphold the position she’s always had, even at the cost of never connecting with anybody. “Look, Ise, I know that you can do better than me. You’re strong, smart, and kind, even if you don’t want to acknowledge it… and you have a gift that lets you connect with people that you take for granted, but everyone else can clearly see.”

“Aria… you’re good person. There’s nothing wrong with you wanting to be special.” Even though I couldn’t agree with everything she said, I could tell her that she’s wrong. And, in doing so, I knew that I should listen to my own words. Aria and I both struggle with the same problem, or at least similar problems, and so we can help each other, and in doing so, we can also help ourselves. Those were the words Aria wanted to say, but couldn’t because she simply couldn’t find them. “Being jealous of other people isn’t wrong, as long as we do our best to become better. As long as we want to change ourselves for the better for other people, I don’t think we’re doing to anything wrong.”

“I like that, Ise.” Aria gave a small smile. For the first time in a long time, it wasn’t meant to put me at ease or exude the feeling of being fine. Instead the smile was earnest and genuine. The way it struggled to appear, the way it almost faded the moment it came forth, told me that I was seeing something real. Even though it hurt to see her struggling with her feelings so much, I was glad that my words managed to reach her. “Even if we never manage to get our feelings fixed, we can still try to live with them and use them to better ourselves. That’s right. You’re right. I… we both need to remember that.”

With those words, Aria gave me a nod and turned her gaze towards the town. The night was still young, but the whole town glimmered like a sea of stars beneath the moonlit sky.

We sat together in silence, thinking about the worlds we shared, and challenges we both faced.

Even though we hardly solved anything, practically just starting on the right path to make ourselves better, it was nice that we had one another to lean upon. 

…

I woke up the next morning with Rias and Eli both at facing one another, whilst clad in our school uniform, and with ferocious gazes in their eyes.

“So, this is where the true battle starts, huh? I knew that the Japanese couldn’t be trusted.” Eli muttered at Rias, holding a bento-box wrapped in blue in one hand. My Kouhai radiated a fearsome energy that she never did before, while she met Rias’s stare and crossed arms. “But, even if you kissed him, I’ve been on a date with him, Rias-senpai. Time beats everything, so I’m in the lead no matter what?”

“Oh, you’re approaching me with that faulty logic? Well, then, come as close as you’d like, because I’ll prove your logic worthless!”

“That meme didn’t even make sense.”

“W-well, I’m not good being snarky and witty, so memes are all I have. Give me a little slack!”

In all honesty, I’d have thought I was dreaming, if not for my parents peeking in through bedroom door.

“Dad. Mom. Please close the door and burn those “yes” pillows.” My words sent my parents scurrying away, their malicious plans thwarted, but readily attracted the attention of both Eli and Rias to my now-awakened status. “Ah. Good morning—mmrph!”

“I made you breakfast, because she called lunch! We’ll be late if you don’t have it in bed, so here!” Eli was quick to sit by my bedside, open her pack of food, and begin hand-feeding me unerring efficiency. There was a fire in her eyes, like an athlete who finally has the chance to show off at something that they’ve been practicing at their entire lives, and it scared me more than a little. “Well? How is it? There’s no miso-soup or anything, but it’s real, honest European food that’s good for keeping you powered up for the whole day!”

“Gah! Are those freshly baked rolls… with homemade marmalade and whipped butter on the side!?” Rias recoiled at the sight of the food I was being hand-fed. She stared for a moment, lost in thought, before meekly holding out her hand. “H-hey, I’d like to try that too, you know? I heard that it tastes really good—

At those words, a glint appeared in Eli’s eyes that made me worry about her response, until said response actually came forth.

“Aha, if you were that enticed by the smell and looks alone, you’ve already lost, Rias-senpai! Why? Because this is going to be the absolute best breakfast you’ll ever have!” Eli swiftly prepared a roll for Rias. In less than a second after, my childhood friend was eating the roll with a complicated expression. She didn’t seem to know whether to praise it, or despite. Naturally, my kouhai took that as a victory immediately. “Well? What do you think?”

“I think… that’s it’s too unbalanced for breakfast every day! Tomorrow, I’m making breakfast for him and you’re making lunch!” Ria’s counterattack was swift and decisive, but she didn’t deny that Eli’s work was tasty. Then, she turned her eyes upon me. “Ise, you better prepare yourself for a meal just as good as this one tomorrow, and for a great lunch that Eli will have to compete with later!”

I barely managed to nod, while chewing on my breakfast, when Rias aimed a finger at Eli’s direction.

“Mark my words, Eli! I’ll clear all of Ise’s culinary flags just as well as you!”

“Bring it! Oh, and that was a pretty good one-liner there.”

“I know, right!?”

Huh, at this rate, it seems like me severe lack of self-confidence and inferiority complex might be blitzed out of existence by Rias and Eli before I have to deal with it—nope. It’s right there making this entire affair less awesome.

Dammit. 

My dreams are coming true, but I can’t enjoy them one bit!