Episode 8: Basketball and the Kidnapping
After Aizakawa started to move on from Uzoka's departure, he returned to school and lived like an ordinary student.
In the school cafeteria, Aizakawa and Mialethra were sitting and eating together. All the girls who saw them immediately whispered in awe:
> "Wow, a handsome guy and a beautiful girl… they're such a perfect couple!"
But some male students grumbled:
> "Tch, how dare that guy take the princess... that damn bug."
In his heart, Aizakawa muttered:
> "Earthlings talk too much."
He looked at Mialethra and softly said:
> "Sorry... I haven't been able to take you out lately. It's because of my father…"
Mialethra gave a gentle smile:
> "It's okay… I'm sorry too."
Aizakawa returned her smile, though a weight still lingered in his chest.
Suddenly, the most handsome boy in school after Aizakawa, named Ocelot, approached them and asked bluntly:
> "Excuse me, Mialethra, is he your brother or something?"
Mialethra calmly answered:
> "He's my boyfriend."
Everyone who had a crush on Mialethra gasped in shock.
Ocelot, stunned, asked again:
> "Why are you dating him? Did he force you or something? Tell me—I'll teach him a lesson."
Hearing that, Aizakawa clenched his fist and broke his spoon in anger.
Mialethra answered sincerely:
> "No, he didn't force me. In fact, he saved me. When a monster attacked and everyone ran away, I was left alone… But he came to protect me. That's when I fell in love with him."
Everyone was touched by her words—including even the loyal followers of Evros.
Refusing to back down, Ocelot suddenly challenged Aizakawa to a basketball match.
The prize? Mialethra herself.
Aizakawa, unfazed, casually agreed—he was sure he would win.
Mialethra whispered nervously:
> "Hey, are you sure? He's the captain of the basketball club…"
Aizakawa replied coolly:
> "Don't worry. I'll win."
They gathered at the school basketball court. The crowd cheered for Ocelot, but Aizakawa also had his own supporters—including Mialethra.
The match began. Ocelot quickly scored point after point.
In truth, Aizakawa was going easy on him—just to let him enjoy a bit of glory.
Soon, the score reached 20 for Ocelot, 0 for Aizakawa.
Ocelot sneered:
> "Is that all you've got? There's no way someone like you deserves Mialethra!"
Aizakawa replied with a smirk:
> "Alright then. Playtime's over."
The tide turned.
Aizakawa stole the ball with blinding speed and effortlessly scored.
Ocelot tried to steal the ball back but couldn't even keep up.
Point after point racked up.
By the end, it was 50 (Aizakawa) to 20 (Ocelot).
Aizakawa won.
Mialethra ran up and hugged him, thrilled with his victory.
Ocelot stood frozen—defeated for the first time in his life.
---
After school, Aizakawa and Mialethra walked home together along a quiet street.
People passed by, glancing at them with envy and admiration.
But suddenly—a black van screeched to a stop in front of them.
Several masked men jumped out and grabbed them!
The kidnappers had only intended to abduct Mialethra, knowing she came from a wealthy family.
But since Aizakawa was with her and saw everything, they decided to take him too to leave no witnesses.
Unbeknownst to them, Aizakawa had already sensed the danger.
He let himself get kidnapped—he wanted to find out who was behind it all.
---
Inside the van, the two were tied up and gagged with tape.
Seeing Mialethra's frightened expression, Aizakawa used telepathy to reassure her:
> "Don't worry. I'll get you out of here. I just want to know who's pulling the strings."
---
They were brought to an abandoned factory and left in a dark room guarded by one man.
One of the kidnappers went to report to their boss.
Soon, the boss arrived—and shockingly, it was Mefilas Seijin (Ocelot transformed into Mefilas)!
Aizakawa thought to himself:
> "Ohh, him again."
Mefilas walked up to the still-bound Mialethra and coldly said:
> "Once we get the ransom from your family, we'll be rich. But if you agree to marry me… we could live happily ever after."
Calmly, Aizakawa broke free from his ropes and chuckled:
> "Hahaha… Looks like you kidnapped the wrong guy."
Mefilas was stunned.
He shouted for his men to attack.
But with just one finger, Aizakawa knocked them all unconscious.
> "I've stopped time," Aizakawa said calmly as he strolled through the frozen scene.
He went around beating up every one of Mefilas's henchmen before unfreezing time.
Panicked, Mefilas fired a laser weapon at Aizakawa—only to watch it be blocked with a single finger.
Aizakawa walked up and with one simple touch, knocked Mefilas unconscious.
---
Afterward, Aizakawa carried the still-bound Mialethra out of the factory.
She murmured:
> "Can you untie me now? It's kinda embarrassing being seen like this…"
Aizakawa smirked:
> "Later. Once we're at your house."
Mialethra pouted and pleaded:
> "Come on… untie me now!"
Aizakawa laughed softly and finally untied her right in front of her home.
> To be continued...