Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

The tone of his voice made her look at him immediately, surprised, her big, bright eyes yearning for the next words.

"I was thinking..."

Behind his confident expression, he also felt a certain anxiety. But, as always, he knew how to mask it perfectly.

"It's been a year since we met... and we've gotten a lot closer in these last few days, don't you think?"

Alya's eyes widened, her heart racing like an uncontrolled drum. Her mind began to spin in chaotic thoughts.

"W-what is he going to say...?"

Ryan parked the car slowly, making sure he could look directly into her eyes. The atmosphere inside the car became denser, charged with an almost palpable tension.

"What do you really think about me?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, his tone deeper and more introspective.

"You speak in Russian at times... and I don't understand what you're saying. Sometimes, it seems like you're commenting on important things..."

Alya blinked a few times, biting her lip as she tried to organize her thoughts. Ryan, in turn, was immersed in his own dilemmas.

"It's not the time to bring Alya into my world... She's innocent. She has a normal life, far from the supernatural..."

He closed his eyes for a brief second, letting out a restrained sigh as he continued in his thoughts.

"Who knows when... I'll feel more powerful than that strange Goddess I encountered in Hinamizawa... That way, I'll know I can keep Alya out of danger. Even in this crazy world."

"I-I... i-it..." Alya tried to speak, but seemed frozen.

Ryan started the car again, his tone regaining its usual provocative confidence.

"You know... I think I'll learn Russian to understand what you're saying."

Alya's ears turned red instantly. With an almost automatic gesture, she pulled her backpack to cover part of her face, as if it could hide her overwhelming embarrassment.

"D-do that... Then you'll be able to understand when I say I love you."

She murmured in Russian.

Ryan felt an unexpected warmth in his chest. His fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel, an almost imperceptible gesture, but full of emotion.

His mind was divided into two opposite sides.

A dark and mocking voice whispered inside him:

"See? She's literally admitting she loves you! "GO ALL THE WAY DEEP IN HER, RYAN!"

But then, a second voice, more serene and rational, emerged:

"No, Ryan Gosting... You need to contain yourself. Don't make the same mistakes of the past..."

For a moment, his mind spun between the two extremes.

"Damn... I don't know whether to listen to the top or the bottom head!"

Before he could say anything, he realized that they had already arrived at Alya's destination. Time had passed faster than he imagined.

He stopped the car in front of the apartment, returning to his carefree expression as he spoke:

"Well... By car, this way is much shorter..."

Alya took a deep breath, regaining her beautiful smile before turning to Ryan.

"Thank you for bringing me home!"

She opened the car door, but hesitated for a moment when she noticed an elderly lady standing at the entrance of the building. It was Hana, the neighbor from the apartment next door. Her gaze was gentle, and her voice, though weak with age, carried a comforting warmth.

"Ah! Alisa-chan... You arrived earlier today."

Alya smiled sweetly. "Hello, Mrs. Hana! How are you?"

The old lady glanced at the car, finding Ryan sitting in the driver's seat. He waved with a polite and warm smile. The old woman's eyes widened slightly, and her expression gained a nostalgic touch.

"Oh, my... Alisa-chan, you have a very handsome boyfriend!" She let out a soft laugh. "He reminds me of my husband when he was young... Ah, how handsome he was..."

Alya froze instantly, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open, while a subtle tremor ran through her legs. Her face took on an intense reddish hue, unable to formulate a coherent response.

Mrs. Hana approached the car, placing her hands on the door with a playful but sincere look.

"Be gentle with her, young man. Alisa is a beautiful girl and seems strong and independent, but, deep down, she is still just a sweet woman who is discovering the world."

Ryan closed his eyes for a moment and tilted his head slightly, responding with a courteous tone, but full of natural charm.

"Of course, Obasan. I know Alya is the most delicate flower anyone could find. I would never forgive myself if I stained a single petal of this flower."

Alya's heart leaped, beating at a frenetic pace. She turned abruptly, murmuring in a trembling and embarrassed voice:

"K-Kuze-kuuun!"

Before she could recover, a new voice emerged.

"Ara? Alya-chan? Masachika-kun?"

It was Masha, who had just come out of the gate. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Ryan, but she soon regained her composure, approaching with her usual elegant posture.

Mrs. Hana smiled at the arrival of Alya's sister.

"Your sister is very lucky, Maria-chan. This boy has the eyes of a knight, I can see that clearly."

Masha looked at Ryan in the car, blushing slightly before regaining her sweet and controlled tone.

"What a surprise to see you driving, Masachika-kun... And still being a gentleman and bringing Alya-chan home."

She approached her sister, enveloping her in a warm and protective embrace.

Alya, on the other hand, froze completely.

"M-Masachika-kun!? Since when does she call him that!?" she thought to herself, confused and suspicious.

Ryan, maintaining his carefree tone, replied: "She wanted to talk to me about the student council elections, so I managed to come to her."

As if it were a sudden reminder, Alya exclaimed: "Ah! I almost forgot!"

She quickly took a document from her bag and handed it to Ryan.

"I've already gone to the director's office to give our names... You just need to sign this paper and everything will be fine."

Ryan took the papers, looking at them with a wry smile. In his mind, an ironic thought formed:

"Soon, soon... I'll be signing our wedding papers... Soon, soon..."

He opened the glove compartment and took out a pen, signing the document as he spoke: "So, I won't go tomorrow either. Is it okay if you deliver it for me?"

Alya put her hand to her chin, pondering. "Another day without you at school?" Her gaze took on a melancholy tone before she sighed. "I think I can deliver it for you, but... When are you going back to classes normally?"

Ryan smiled reassuringly. "Soon. I just need to resolve some last things, and I can spend the days with you in class and during breaks."

Alya looked away, blushing slightly. "B-Be quick about it... You don't want a report card full of absences, do you?" She spun on her heels and took Mrs. Hana by the arm. "Come on, Hana-san! I'll escort you to the elevator!"

As she walked away with the elderly woman, Masha stood beside the car, watching Alya disappear into the building.

She smiled gently before covering her mouth with her hand. "Alya is very excited about you two running together for student council president..."

Ryan looked at her, his expression becoming a little more playful. "It's something very important to her, isn't it?"

Masha nodded delicately, putting her hands together in front of her body. After a brief silence, she tilted her head, hesitant.

"You don't want to come in... Masachika-kun?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow, surprised by the invitation. "Look, I was tempted to accept, but unfortunately I need to go somewhere else..."

Masha gave a wry smile, a curious glint in her eyes. "Ah... I understand..." She looked away for a second before looking back at him. "You know, I wanted to ask you for a little help. As you know, I'm the student council secretary, and they asked me to catalog the new clubs this year. Would you mind—"

"I accept." Ryan replied before she even finished the sentence.

Masha's eyes twinkled slightly, and an almost imperceptible blush appeared on her cheeks. However, she soon smiled gently, with a subtle touch of mischief.

"You accepted quickly..."

Ryan chuckled lightly. "You think I would refuse?"

Masha put her hands behind her back, shrugging her shoulders charmingly. "Then, as soon as you can, let's do it."

She was undeniably adorable.

Ryan nodded, watching as she took a few steps back before waving goodbye.

He started the car, rolling up the windows as he muttered to himself, exasperated:

"Okay, the world needs to give me credit for being able to contain myself in the face of so much cuteness from these waifus..."

He sighed, turning on the air conditioning, and adjusted his hands on the steering wheel.

"Now... It's time for the date with Riko-chan..."

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