I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

"T-Then..." I hesitated, "...what are we now?"

I'm regretting asking her this question now.

My heart was pounding like crazy.

For a few seconds, she didn't say a word.

And then… she giggled.

"Pfttt… heeheee…hehe.."

I peeked at her.

She had her chin resting on her palm, elbow on the table, and a playful tilt to her head. Her eyes… those crimson eyes were curved into crescents. Her cheeks were flushed a deep pink, and her smile…

God.

That smile could kill anyone.

…the way she looked at me, like I was the only one in the world who mattered to her.

Then she peeked up at me through her lashes.

"M-Maybe..." she whispered, her eyes were darting around before they shyly returned to mine, "...something more than best friends?"

My heart skipped a beat.

We both were aware of our feelings, and right now I don't want to hide anything from her.

Her fingers reached across the table again, hesitating for a second before I placed my own on her, brushing them lightly.

"I mean… only if you want that too." She said.

I couldn't speak for a second.

She was trying her best—and I envy her for that.

My lips parted, but nothing came out.

Because her expression right now… it was too much for my heart.

Her eyes were glimmering like starlight, a nervous smile barely formed on her face, and that trembling shoulders…

Like she'd been holding that feeling in forever, and now she was finally let it slip out.

"I do," I said quietly.

Then chuckling softly, and smiling down at our hands, I rubbed it lightly.

"Ruby…"

"Hm?"

"You're way too cute right now."

"A-Aaahh—!!" She quickly hid her face behind her free hand. "Wha—Wha—Wha—! D-D-Don't say that out loud!! Idiot!"

Her voice cracked at the end, and I could see her peeking at me again between her fingers—her eyes were wide, lips trembling into the tiniest smile.

It was adorable.

I chuckled softly and leaned a little closer across the table.

"I mean it, though," I said. "You're seriously cute when you get like this."

"Z-Zane—!!"

Her hands slid down her face in disbelief, revealing her flushed cheeks, her lips pressed into a pout that was doing a terrible job of hiding her smile.

Now that's what I call a critical hit!

She looked like she was melting.

"Stop it, I'm gonna explode if you keep saying that...!"

Cute!

Her words wants me to do it even more.

Letting go of her hands, she hugged her arms close to her chest, looking away—anywhere but at me.

And yet, her feets were brushing against mine under the table.

"I'm really glad you're here," I said quietly.

She looked at me again.

"I-I'm not going anywhere," she whispered.

And then, without thinking, I stood up and walked around the table.

Ruby's eyes followed me, she was confused for a moment.

"Wha—Zane?"

I didn't say anything.

I just pulled her up from her seat, slowly, carefully, and wrapped my arms around her.

"Wha...!"

She stiffened in surprise, then slowly melted into my arms, her head resting gently against my shoulder.

I could feel her heartbeat through her chest, it was pressing onto mine, fast and fluttering, just like mine.

"You're warm," she mumbled into my shirt. "What's gotten into you, today?"

I smiled, brushing my hand through her hair. "You won't regret this, right?"

She buried her face even more.

"Mhm," She said with a muffled voice, "P-Please take good care of me."

I smiled, "...same here."

We finally did it.

We were like this for quite a time now…

Her arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, her face pressed against my chest, and I could feel the faint rise and fall of her shoulders.

I rested my chin lightly on her head, closing my eyes for a moment.

Then, I felt her shift slightly.

"…Zane?" she called in a quiet voice, muffled against my shirt.

"...Mm?"

She hesitated.

"Will you… tell me more about it someday?"

"About what you're going through. The things you've seen. And everything else."

I opened my eyes.

She was asking for the truth.

I didn't answer right away. My lips stayed shut the entire time, and my arms tightened just a little bit. Then, I whispered back, "Yeah… I will."

Her cheeks were still flushed, "Promise?"

"Promise," I said, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

She smiled.

And just like that—

She buried her face back into my chest.

"Mmm… just a little longer," she whispered, tughtning her grip around my waist.

I didn't move. I didn't want to move…

I wish, if the time could stop in this moment.

The moment went on…

I don't know how much time had passed...

We were just in this moment, melting into each other's arms.

I didn't know being held like this could be so comforting. Even if I had known...

I would've proposed to her a long time ago.

Sera's voice echoed in my mind, snapping me back.

'Congrats. Now can you please eat? I'm seriously hungry.'

Tch!.

This was the first time I genuinely wanted to exorcise this damn ghost. Seriously, can't she read the room.

With a deep sigh, I slowly pushed Ruby's body leaning against mine and said gently,

"Let's eat. Can't waste the food you made for me."

Blushing, she nodded, running a hand through her crimson hair.

We both took our seats again, the food was cold, but I didn't say a word, because despite that... it was still delicious.

Soon enough, we both finished eating.

And the entire time, while I ate, I kept catching Ruby glancing at me from time to time. Her fingers were fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.

I felt like she was trying to say something. So I finally asked, "Ruby?"

She flinched slightly.

"Do you want to say something...?"

Looking down, she lightly nodded. But she didn't speak.

"What is it?" I asked again.

It took a couple of seconds before she straightened her back, let out a deep breath, and finally spoke.

"Umm… Zane…"

"Mhm?" I responded.

"I-I know it's stupid thing to ask, b-but…"

She was blushing harder than ever, her hands clutched tightly together on her lap, she looked like she was about to explode from embarrassment.

"I mean… you know… um…"

She was breathing heavily.

I gulped.

"…A-are we…"

Her voice was barely audible, her cheeks were deep red.

"…go-go-going out now…?"

She looked up at me, her crimson eyes shimmering with hope, and nervousness.

Damn. She looked so adorable I thought my heart would give out any moment now.

I stared at her.

And with the most genuine expression I could muster, I leaned in just a little. My hand reached out and gently held hers, intertwining our fingers together.

Then, I whispered softly, not looking away for even a second, I chuckled lightly, then said.

"A millon times yes."

Her eyes widened.

She blinked rapidly—once, twice—before letting out the tiniest gasp, stomping both her feet in excitement.

"Aaaaah!"

She squealed, literally jumping from the other end of the table, and throwing her arms around me, burying her face in my chest.

"I'm happy!" she giggled, her voice muffled against my shirt.

"Zane, I'm really… really happy…"

I held her, I'm too as excited as her.