Nabi did not know how to feel about today. It's been two months since her brother's accident, or at least that's what she has been calling it. The first month he spent in the hospital and the next was spent at home. During that time, Ji-ho has been fully invested in two things: his workouts and renovating his room.
Nabi was happy to see him taking up a new hobby and she's surprised at how fast the results have come in. It feels like just yesterday her little brother was still chubby and adorable, but now he looks like a completely different person. She can barely recognize him.
He's even got new clothes. After that day he came running down the stairs like a madman, he demanded new clothes immediately. Nabi was shocked, but ultimately relieved. As much as she loved her brother, she would never be caught in public with him wearing those outfits. Lucky for her, Ji-ho was a shy kid who kept that part a secret from everyone, except her. Ever since he came home from the hospital, he has cleaned out his old room. He tried to throw away the clothes, but Nabi dissuaded him since they were expensive. It surprised him when she told him how much they cost to be shipped in. In the end, he agreed to donate them to charities.
Count to think of it, it's not just he looks like a different person, but he also acts like one.
Today is Ji-ho's first day of school and honestly, she is more freaked out than he is. She remembers how anxious he got whenever he had to go to school. When he was smaller, it got so bad that she had spent a lot of time trying to get him out from under the bed. When it got to his teenage years he just locked his door and then she would spent hours trying to convince him to come out.
Now he's ready and willing to go to school. He asked last week when it was, and when she said it would be April 7th, today, he looked excited. It unnerved her.
Pretty much the only thing that hasn't changed is his love of food. He eats just as much as he usually did, but now he's burning through all of it and looks like a young male model. It honestly makes her a little jealous.
Then on a digital clock on the counter, she saw the time. 07:25 am. "Ji-ho, hurry up! You're gonna be late!!"
"Coming!" Ji-ho voice came from the stairs. She watched him enter the living room, wearing his Kuoh school uniform. It fit him loosely. She bought it when he was still plus-size, but after she noticed how fast he was losing weight, she quickly ordered a set, but the problem is they won't be ready until the next month. Now he has to wear his oversized school clothes until the new ones come in, but he's not upset about it.
"Morning sis. What's cooking?" She smiled.
"Your favourite." She made his new favourite: eggs, bacon, toast and rice. By eggs, it means a lot of eggs, with coffee to wash it all down. Andrew loves scrambled egg, and has come to enjoy tamagoyaki, since coming to this new world. He brought this up to her, when he got sick of Ji-ho original favourite: plain old ramen. Don't get him wrong, it's good, but it gets old really fast.
Andrew practically drooled over the food, before he said 'thanks for the food' and dug in. As he ate, Nabi looked her brother and really took in his new look. His face has lost a lot of its original look. His cheeks lost all traces of fat, which left his face more defined. His skin was bloated or covered in acne, and now it cleared up. It even reflected the kitchen light. His face didn't have a starved look, but a normal one. Not feminine, but not too masculine. His neck held a lot of muscle, not so much that it looked like he was permanently flexing, but that it looked strong.
She hasn't gotten the chance to see him without a shirt, but she could tell that his physique was lean. It's just beneath his oversized shirt, although he did a good job tucking it in. Like earlier, she still doesn't know how to feel about this.
She took another look at the time, on the wall clock by the dining room table and gasped. It was 7:40 am. "Ji-ho, get a move on! You don't want to be late for your first day!" But when she looked back, she saw he was already finished.
His utensils were placed neatly, and he already got up without her even noticing him. "Don't worry, Nabi, I'm going." His voice sounded from the front door. She walked out in the hallway and sees him putting his shoes on. Nabi is happy to see that being the only thing that still fits him. "Well, goodbye. I'll see you later." He said as he exited the house.
She watched him swing his book bag over his shoulder before closing the door. She's sure now. He is different, but still she doesn't know how to feel about it.
All she can do is hope. Hope that he's okay at least.
(Scene Change): Andrew/Ji-ho P.O.V.
The sun nearly blinded me the moment I closed the door behind me. It took me a second to adjust. Back in my world, usually I would be up before the sun rose. It's a habit, drilled into me ever since childhood. I woke up at 5:00am, along with my parents and they would drop me off at school by 6:30am. That habit followed me to my first job and that habit still exists within me now. In fact, I was up earlier because I wanted to finish my daily quest early.
The road work helped with surveilling the land. I ran from the house to the school and back, and then picked a random direction to go from there. It felt nice. Reminds me of all those motivation videos I watched on YouTube back in my old life.
I learned where most things were: the park, the abandoned church and I even managed to travel the backstreets. Navigating the backstreets took a while to manage. We don't have streets like these back in South Africa and I think that might be true even in this world. But now, they are a breeze.
My pace was slow, as I thought about my plan of action. Kuoh Academy. Formerly an all girls' school before it converted to co-ed. A school with a lot of girls outnumbering the guys and most, if not all, guys are okay with that arrangement. According to Nabi, this is supposed to be Ji-ho's first day at Kuoh. She told me that he either dropped out or was kicked out from every other school before this one. No doubt that might show somewhere in his records.
However, school life and social dynamics aren't the only things that worry me. The most important thing to try and navigate is the Devil presence within that school. More specifically, Rias Gremory the princess of the school and Sona Sitri, the student council president. Both are descendants and heirs to profound and powerful Devil houses, with one being the little sister of the current Lucifer.
My thoughts suddenly let the worse case scenarios run wild. How can I act like I don't know them, when I do? Will I be able to keep my cool when I'm in close proximity? Will they find me suspicious or interesting at all, despite my efforts to remain anonymous?
Each question that fired in my head, fired off a possible scenario where the worse could happen. In the end, I have to choose the one where the outcome is the least difficult to handle.
But that doesn't mean that it won't be any less of a pain the ass. My eyebrow twitched and I let out a sigh. "Why couldn't this be easier?" I muttered. "Ok, how about I just leave all these 'what-ifs' in the hypothetical department of life, and just wing it when the situation pops up? If I get all high strung then it will be obvious." Those words made fell a kind of assurance in my choice that chased away all the doubts that came up in my mind.
"Besides, it's school. Navigating that part will be easy, since I already graduated, albeit by the skin of my teeth. Who's to say the second try will be harder, especially since I'm not the same kid?" That part made me lift my head up high and filled my body with excitement. There's even a skip in my step.
Soon I made a turn and I could see the school.
The main entrance looked just like it did in the anime. The impressive, main gate was open, and there are a lot of school kids either going through it or standing around and talking with each other. It was easy to walk past them, despite my height. From what I overheard from some conversations, it looks like they didn't even notice me.
All these kids worried about were plain old kid stuff. The thought nearly stopped me in my tracks. School kids. I may not look like it, but I'm actually nearing 26 years old or at least I was before that stupid taxi. But now, I'm in a teenager's body. Honestly, it feels like I'm in a plot for an early 2000's comedy movie.
They were all chatting as I walked by them. A small group of boys talked the new videogame they tried, while another group of girls talked about something else. I couldn't really tell, since my attention was stretched all over the place.
It didn't seem like any group noticed me, which didn't bother me at all. I preferred to stick to the side-lines anyway. Never liked being at the centre of attention.
Luckily, it was the same in the schoolyard too. Every group was so preoccupied with their own gossips and stories, that I could slip by them completely unnoticed.
That is, until I saw the entrance to the school building. There were more students clutched together, which made my chances of getting noticed much higher. It somehow made me nervous, but only a little.
'Alright, Andrew. This is it. Show time. Put on the game face.' Said game face was mostly a combination of too-cool-for-school and don't-come-to-close-or-else-I'll-break-your-heart. But at the back of my mind was bracing for the attention to fall on me.
"Ji-ho Kim?" That was until someone's voice cut through the crowd, making me stop in my tracks. I followed that voice until I saw it's owner. And it's someone I immediately recognised. She standing right next to the stairs that lead into the school building, against the wall. If she didn't speak up, I would have walked past her none the wiser.
She's a beauty for sure, like almost every girl in this world, wearing blue, semi-rimmed rectangular glasses. Her hair is black, but flowing and so long went down her back. She's also wearing the girls' school uniform, however the most noticeable part about her, is her heterochromatic eyes, which almost knocked the wind out of me.
If it wasn't for the uniform then I would have thought of her as a mature adult. I actually felt my face flush! 'Keep it together, man! Game face, Andrew. Game face!'
"Yeah?" I addressed her.
"I am Tsubaki Shinra, with the student council. I was sent to welcome you to the school." She bowed. Her tone was as serious as her face. Somehow, making her even more of a catch in a certain way.
"It's nice to meet you, miss Shinra." I said before bowing in same way... I hope. This made me self-conscious. But when I stood back up, she didn't immediately give me any indication that I did something wrong. Instead she looked like she was studying me. Her eyes went from my face, to my hair, and even my clothes.
'Shit!' For a second, I thought she sensed something about me that would give me away to the supernatural world, but I know that I don't have any MP. I felt sweat forming on my forehead. Thinking fast, I decided to play the awkward card. "Is there... something wrong, miss Shinra."
That snapped her out of her inquisition. "I was shown a picture of you this morning, but you look almost unrecognizable. If it weren't for the lose uniform, I would have missed you completely."
With that, my worry deflated like a balloon. "Oh yeah, uh, I guess I would be." I rubbed the back of my head, trying to sell the awkward moment, but face remained stoic.
"However, I'm glad to see I guessed right. Now then, please follow me. I'll also be taking you to the teacher's faculty room." She gracefully turned to the entrance, which beckoned me to follow behind her.
After we entered, we walked past the footlockers. There Tsubaki showed mine, and instructed to change shoes. I did as she said, but the concept still made me feel weird. Back in South Africa, you wore the same shoes in school, whole day. In fact, some guys could only afford one pair of school shoes. But I didn't dwell on it further. My school shoes were on, and I continued to follow her.
I prepped myself to be gawked at earlier, but right now, with everyone's eyes following us, it was worse than I thought. I remember vaguely that Tsubaki Shinra was also a very popular girl in the school, alongside Rias and Akeno. So, the amount of stares and glares coming my way, made some sense, but at the same time it was getting really annoying.
"Who's he?" One girl asked.
"Woah, look at that! He's so handsome." Another one, next to the first girl, asked in a whisper.
"He looks like a knight!" Then I heard another one squeal, albeit silently. But not silent enough.
"He's so cool!!"
The girl's comments on my looks, were the ones that I could ignore, but the guys... Good grief.
"Look at this guy!"
"Shit! Another dude? Why couldn't it be a girl?!"
"This dumbass probably thinks he can get a girlfriend with that pretty face."
"Not if I mess it up, he can't!"
I think it's safe to say, that for me, I'm pretty much the primary enemy among the boys for the foreseeable future. Good. If I wanted a horny mutt as a best friend, I'll consider adopting.
We turned down another hallway, that also held lockers and school kids, but the stares and glares continued. Luckily, the stares of the girls, outperformed the glares from the guys. But it was still getting annoying and it looked like we were still far away from the faculty room.
"Hey, miss Shinra. Can I ask you something?" I am hoping this would be a conversation that drowns out the idiots around me.
"Shinra." That caught me off guard.
"Sorry?"
"Please don't use that honorific. I'm only one year older than you." Shinra said that without even looking back. Did it annoy her? Wait! She's only one year older than me, but that would make her a collage student!
"Oops! Sorry about that. I couldn't tell." Now I felt embarrassed for real.
"It is fine. You are still new here, but please remember that going forward." Once again, she didn't even glance back, but her tone sounded like she was trying her best to not show that it bothered her. Even though, this left me with a flushed face, this also gave me an opportunity to ask something else.
"However, if you're only one year, my senior, does that mean this school has a collage program?"
"Yes." She answered.
"Cool! Then that means, I won't have to apply elsewhere for tertiary studies." I commented, hoping that it would make the conversation much more interesting.
"Are you planning on further studies?" She asked, and actually looked back at me through her left peripheral.
"Yeah, I got some prospects but I still haven't made a choice yet." I hoped this would make our encounters a bit more friendly in the future.
"Then you must make a choice! Kuoh Academy is among the best for prestigious education in the country, which means there is no time to be passing by at your own leisure. The College Division specifically has the best programs for tertiary studies even among high society." But in the end, it didn't, instead all I got was a lecture from her. Once more, she didn't even look back at me.
However, she suddenly stopped in the middle of the hallway, which made stop too. "Where here."
I looked to my left to see a board with the words, 'Teacher Faculty', hanging next to an ordinary looking door. "Please, wait here." She immediately disappeared into it, leaving me to feel like an idiot.
'I probably should have kept my mouth shut.' I let out a sigh before leaning on the wall, with my schoolbag falling to my side. If this were any other place. If I was in another body, maybe an older one, then I would be having a cigarette right now. 'She is probably thinking I'm lazy or something.'
'Or maybe, she doesn't even care at all? And I'm just overreacting.'
Then while my neurons were firing, I heard the conversation dying down to a whisper. I turned to see what's happening and when I could make out, through the dense crowd, what the reason was, my heartbeat quickened.
Through the dense group of girls, I could make out bits of crimson strands. 'Shit!' I panicked a little, but the large group made me calm down a little. But for some reason, I wanted to see more.
I moved my head more to the left, and that allowed me to see bits of her face. Once more, the wind was almost knocked out of me. 'Rias Gremory. She's even more beautiful than in the anime.' I found myself admitting, and funny enough, I couldn't ignore or deny that claim. My head was frozen in place, as if she turned to stone.
I was stuck in place long enough to catch glimpses of raven-black hair, and an equal, if not more, beautiful face, walking behind Rias. 'Akeno Himejima.' I nearly fainted this time. She shared the elegance with Rias, as they walked down the hall, not even bothered by the entourage around them.
"Ahem." That snapped me out of my trance, but when I turned, I did so at an awkward, sideways angle. I could see Tsubaki and a female teacher standing. The teacher was smiling at me, while Tsubaki still kept her stoic mask on, but there was something different in her gaze. I felt like I was being looked down on, like a dog caught by his master.
I immediately straightened myself to look presentable. "Uhm Hi!" That was it. That was all I could get out in the embarrassing situation. Then I moved to bowing, because my body went into autopilot.
I could hear two things. The teacher giggling and Tsubaki sighing. 'Well, I wanted an awkward situation and I got it, but now I want someone to shoot me.' I saw my derpy reflection in the floors, reflected surface. 'Wow, the floor is so clean.' I said trying to distract myself.
"Let's continue this inside." I heard the teacher say. I straightened again and followed her inside like an obedient robot. I didn't even notice that Tsubaki stayed behind or left.
(Scene change):
Once the door closed, I was met with a relatively big space, with desks stacked against each other. One desk per teacher. Each one decorated to their preferences, as well as cluttered according to their schedules. Funny enough, the whole room smells like fresh coffee, which also reminds me of my first job in the hospital.
Some of the teachers sat at different desks, while others grouped around one at their desk, but other than that, the whole room wasn't crowded.
"Now then." She said when we finally reached her desk. "We have some time before home period starts, so let's talk for a few minutes." She then sat down by her desk.
The talk was standard. She confirmed my transfer into her class, and also told me her expectations which also delved into the school rules. As the conversation continues, I notice one key features of her: she reminds me of Issei's mother in her appearance, but honestly in her Phlegmatic temperament, which makes me feel calm. With that, she's also dressed professional, like an office worker, but at same time she looks like someone who really enjoys her job.
The conversation shifted when she asked me a simple, yet hard question: "Why did you decide on Kuoh Academy?"
"I'm sorry?" That confused me, which she picked up on. However, she looked like she was getting nervous.
"Mr. Kim, I want to be honest with you. The reason why I asked you that, is because of your record." There was pity in her tone, while she pulled out one piece of paper, from a neatly placed stack. She skimmed it, before looking up at me. "You were either kicked out or..." A hollow pit formed, but I couldn't tell if this embarrassment or second-hand embarrassment.
"Flunked out." I interrupted. "I know. Those weren't my proudest moments."
She smiled, but I can tell she's masking something.
"Can I be honest with you, miss..."
"Hana."
"Miss Hana, thank you. I'm sure, you also have my medical report in that stack?" I looked at the stack, and I also saw her nod. "I'm not trying to shake off anything from my life before the accident, or at least, I'm trying not to." My body swayed a little and my left hand found safety in my one pocket, but I couldn't find the words I wanted to use.
Miss Hana seemed to notice this, but still she didn't interrupt or urge me along. After a few second, the words I wanted to say, came back. "I guess, what I'm trying to say is, I don't remember my life before waking up a month ago and, in the end, that gives me room to make a better life for myself. Now, like I said, I don't know if I made the choice to come here or not, but here I am, and I'm willing and able to give this my best, and then hopefully better my future."
This reminds me of my first job interview, although that went with me having sweaty palms.
For a moment, Miss Hana looked at me, or should I say, through me, with those drilling, brown eyes. I guess, a teacher with her experience, has probably heard it all before. Honestly, there's a part of me that also cringed a little, so I can't blame her.
However, the scanning session ended when she sighed with a look of relief. "Thank you for being honest, Ji-ho. I'm glad to hear that." She took another look at my old academic scores, and I pretty much hear her face say that I failed with subminimum results. "But you have a lot of work ahead of you, and it won't be easy. But after hearing you say that, I'm willing to cheer you on." Her smile was beautiful... and strange.
Not that it freaked me out, instead, it feels strange for another reason. Back in my old life, I was used to teachers casually looking down on me and the rest of the student body. A majority of them, would rather think that all students are lazy, entitled or spoiled. I heard of the silent minority who didn't think like this, but I wasn't in their classes.
Now that I'm experiencing this, it feels almost surreal. "Uhh... thank you. I promise I won't let you down."
That somehow made her smile brighter. "Don't be hasty now. In this school, you won't just be expected to do well academically, but we also expect that you join clubs and socialize with your peers."
I felt my smile strain a little, and my own eyebrow twitched. The thought of mingling with the student body, made me more anxious than I thought. "Do... do I have to?" The image of all those stares and glares loomed over me like a dark cloud.
"Yes!" Miss Hana became more serious, which honestly made her look just like a cute anime teacher. "Absolutely! We cannot allow your generation to lose such a fundamental and important skill in our society!" Her eyes seemed to catch ablaze.
'But... people are dumb.' Many memories of my short time working in the hospital reminded me of that. There were a lot of times where dealing with patients and even fellow staff members, was just straight up exhausting. But, in the end, that look in her eyes stopped me from voicing that opinion. 'Is that a sparkle?'
"Can I choose one?" I asked.
"Yes, certainly! In fact, this school many prominent clubs. You can go see all of them after school." Whatever air was left in my lungs, immediately vanished after that.
'Doesn't this place have like a... gazillion clubs?! And I have to see all of them in one afternoon!!' Still, while my lungs deflated, the teacher looked absolutely extated. That right there, was the reason why I could inflate them.
(Scene Change):
After that, the teacher lead me to my new homeroom. I heard their chatter from all the way down the hall, and it reminded me of my past. Right before homeroom started, there was always one small window, where everyone could go talk to their friends before the teacher called ordered everyone to their seats and called attendance. I'm willing to bet, some of those students are currently scrambling to finish their homework they conveniently "forgot". The thought made a small chuckle escape me.
I took a look inside, and saw the students. Some were clustered together in groups, ranging from large to small, however there is thing that stands out. That is there is a large group of girls huddling around one specific space and the rest are all guys looking at in their direction. That struck me as odd.
Why would they be staring at a large group of girls? And why are there a large group around...
Then I saw Rias and Akeno, smiling inside that large group of swooning girls. It hit me like a bolt of lightning!
'Dammit!! I forgot they're in third year too!!' I was a little nervous before, but now I'm borderline panicking!
Miss Hana then stopped me right in front of the door. "Please wait here. Come in, when I call you." She said before opening the door, and ordering the students to be quiet. Slowly, the chattering died down and Miss Hana spoke to them.
I only caught bits and pieces, like 'Okay, class...' and 'new transfer', then it probably delved into an explanation. I didn't listen, instead I was trying to get my game face on. Emphasis on trying. 'I thought it would a breeze to stay low, but now I'm in their class. Great!! Life and its curve balls!! Just once, can things just go my way!!' I let out a breath. 'Complaining is not gonna change anything. Let's wing it!'
I paid attention to Miss Hana's words, and it sounded like she was getting to the point. "You can come in!" That's my cue!
I grabbed the door and slid it to my left. I feel like I'm stepping into another portal to another world. The wood floors felt bouncy and squishy beneath my feet, despite the hard thumps moving across it. I guess, all the eyes around me is getting too much. So much so, that my head is starting to spin a little.
But with a deep breath, I managed.
I stopped and turned toward the whole class. There are a lot of people now staring intently at me. The girls looked. The guys did too. This is worse than I thought!
"Uhh... hi! My name is Ji-ho Kim. It's nice to meet you all!" My natural inclination to get things rolling saved my hide. However, the whole class didn't respond, instead they kept staring. It looked someone pressed pause on the episode.
When it felt like a minute, I turned awkwardly to Miss Hana, whom was just as confused as I am. But just when she was about to say something to the students, they all erupted at once. A mix of squeals and wails.
I actually jumped back. Nearly hit the blackboard.
Miss Hana tries to get the class back in order, and it took some time, because some of the students either ignored her or couldn't hear her over everyone else.
This feels even more awkward than with Tsubaki. The noise could easily be split in half by a knife. On one hand you have girls gushing over my looks, and on the other hand, you have the guys bitching over it.
But more than that. There are two sets of eyes that seem to be trained on me. I met them, and for some reason, I found their silent stares to be even louder than the surrounding commotion. They belonged to the two Big Sisters of the school. Akeno smiled at me, warmly. I felt welcomed by it. Same with Rias, but her smile held something else. I don't know what, but, like Akeno's it felt welcoming but layered.
'I hope she isn't going to investigate me.' I felt a sweat drop run down my temple. In fact, I'm drenched from head to toe.
(Scene Change):
Time flew by, school ended and I was pooped. 'That... took longer than I thought. Who knew school life in Japan could be so fricken exhausting?' The sun was setting by the time I left school grounds. I'm used to leaving school right after the final period ends, but that's not how it works in this country.
No! Right after the final bell, I had to meet with, what I hoped would be, every club in the school.
Everyone was pretty much happy to have me consider their clubs, but I don't know, some of those clubs didn't sit right with me.
My feet were dragging, kicking some pebbles and my head was glued to the pavement. In the end, despite me feeling like a factory worker, I still have to join a club. I've already made up my mind and struck the Occult Research Club from the list in my mind, however that is the only club that virtually everyone knows about.
The other's are uncharted territory. There's the photography club, the literature club, and many more that and almost everyone of them are jam-packed with girls! For most guys, that sounds like a dream come true, and believe me, I see the appeal, but in the end, working with people who don't have their heads in the game, is just one big hassle.
My thought followed the rhythm in my steps.
Before I knew it, I heard the faint sound of running water. Not like a large river. More like a stream. I realized where I was when I recognized the bridge in front of me. It's the same bridge, Issei stood on when Yuuma asked him out.
Funny enough, the time of day, actually reminds me of the episode where that happened.
I stopped walking and laid my arms on the rail. The setting allowed my thoughts to flow normally, like the stream I'm looking into. 'Which club should I pick? I need to have one, otherwise I might stand out. Then I'll be noticed.'
Suddenly something familiar flash across my face.
*DING!*
[NOTIFICATION]
[PLAYER STILL HAS REWARDS IN INVENTORY. WOULD PLAYER LIKE TO SEE THEM?]
[YES/NO]
'Oh yeah!! I forgot about this!' I took a quick look around. No one in sight and it looks like the nobody is looking out there windows or anything.
Taking it as my cue, I vaulted over the railing, dropped to a hang and swung my body off the edge, toward the soil next to the river. The movement felt nostalgic, going back to my childhood, swinging on monkey bars and trees. I landed without any strain or pain, which is something I thoroughly enjoy about my new body.
I sat down, with my back against the wall, feeling absolutely safe from any prying eyes. The system screen still floated in front of me, despite my acrobatics.
"Yes."
Then it changed:
[QUEST REWARDS]:
[1. STAMINA POTION.]
[2. ABILITY POINTS X3]
[3. RANDOM MYSTERY BOX.]
[ACCEPT THESE REWARDS?]
[YES/NO]
My eyes widened. "What? Why's there a stamina potion? And why is it number one?!"
Thus far, the system has never changed anything with the quest rewards. The last two months followed like clockwork: Full Recovery, Ability Points and Random Loot Box. So, why now? 'Is it because I didn't accept them this morning? I don't remember the system doing that! But wait, if it's possible, then I could get better loot!'
I couldn't but feel giddy at the thought of getting better stuff. Sure, it could stick with more large potions, but at this point, I would literally take anything else, because if I see another healing potion, I will lose my mind... officially.
"Yes."
The screen changed again and there, in his palm, is the new concoction. Standing upright on a flat bottom, the container looked like the stereotypical, fantasy potion: round at the bottom, and then thin going upward, near the cork. The liquid inside is a a light green shade, but it kind of reminds of the sea, when you catch the sun shining at the perfect angle. All-in-all, this looks like stamina potion.
Now there is one green potion, among many tiny, healing potions.
"Alright, now the Ability Points. Status." The inventory screen changed in a flash of static.
[STATUS]
[LEVEL 1]
[HP: 100/100]
[FATIGUE: 0]
[STR: 52]
[AGI: 20]
[PER: 17]
[VIT: 36]
[INT: 27]
[ABILITY POINTS: 23]
I looked the screen, and ran calculations. 'I already invested a lot into strength. I could put some more into agility and perception, but something feels off about doing that. How will I know if my current strength would be enough against anything?' I continued to weigh my options.
"Alright, put three in strength, and ten in agility."
[STR: 52 -> 55]
[AGI: 20 -> 30]
[ABILITY POINTS: 10]
Funny enough, this was a lot harder than I thought. It feels off to not invest in my strength stat, but looking at the others, it also feels unfair to be conservative about them. Sure, I would like to be strong enough to handle any threat that might come my way, but if these other stats are too low, then I would not be so sure in the long run.
'Agility and strength look adequate for now, so maybe I can spend some on my other stats?'
After thinking on it for another minute, I finally made up my mind. "Put five in perception and five in intelligence."
[PER: 17 -> 22]
[INT: 27 -> 32]
The ability points count dropped to a big, fat zero. "Ok, now it looks a little better. I'm sure this will be fine until tomorrow."
The status menu then disappeared. "Ok now the mystery box."
At the sound of that, the screen disappeared, and the loot box sat in my palm. But I was in no hurry to open it. I know it's just going to be a normal health potion again. Sure, the grand stamina potion was a nice change of pace, but that's not going to change the last two months. Seriously, I've lost count after sixty health potions.
I decided against disappointing myself, and then put the box in my inventory, but instead of standing up, I simply tucked my knees up to my chest and laid my chin down on my arms. All these voices took over my mind, each whispering a question I'm too afraid to ask myself.
'Why am I here?' That's the one question this whole chorus of ghosts keeps repeating in the dark.
Or am I too afraid of the answer?
I took in a deep breath. The air around this river helped to dilute the worry in my heart and I could see clearly. Behind this wolf, that is the supernatural, there is an even bigger wolf I chose to ignore.
I can make plans until I'm blue in face.
I can devise strategies to keep myself hidden.
I can even dream up tactics, and whatever, to keep myself alive in a fight, if it comes down to it.
However, that one question.
'Why am I here?'
That is something, that no answer seems to satisfy. Was there some random, omnipotent being looking for some entertainment? A cosmic trickster looking for a good laugh? Or even a interdimensional demon just out to ruin another mortal's life?
If it's yes or no, to all of them, then I'm not satisfied! Why me?! If I'm some sort of chosen one, then I'm officially the punchline to that universal joke!!
My chin was traded for my forehead, on my arms. 'I want to calm down, but I can't! All of these questions... All of the potential answers, make even more anxious. And furious!!' I took in another deep breath, but this time, it doesn't work.
'Lord, what am I supposed to do? If you sent me here, was it a part of your plan or did you let me slip through the cracks? Why? Do you even hear me or am I just talking to the bottom of this bridge right now?! Am I to far away.'
There was silence after that prayer. All those ghosts had their volume turned down, and all I could hear is the soft, running water. The echo in the tunnel enhanced that sound somewhat. Then I felt the warm light against my arm and leg. On the left side.
Gently, I lifted my head to see the sun has set further. Now it is peeking underneath the bridge. The rays didn't hurt my eyes. It even sparked the ignition of imagination. 'I wonder why it sets? I know it's because the Earth rotates and all that, but why does it have to set? Why should the Earth rotate?'
Once again, more questions and possible answers came and went, but not because the ghost chorus in my head, was throwing them around like stones, in the dark, but this time, it felt like a blank canvas being filled in.
Each answer was a different colour. Every worry, added shading to it.
At the end, a masterpiece sat in front of my mind's eye. 'I guess, despite everything, even when you don't make sense. Even when there is no answer. Lord, you are still in control.'
I stood up, letting every inch of my body be covered by the warm rays, and just basked in it. The rays even made the stream shine like glitter. It's a beautiful thing to see.
*MEOW*
My breath hitched and I whipped my whole body around. But I don't see anything behind me. 'Was I just imagining it?'
My schoolbag caught my eye, making me go retrieve it. 'I should go home, before Nabi gives me an earful... again.' After securing my bag, in my right hand, I walked out of the tunnel to the left. But, just when I walked out into the sunshine and looked up at the bridge, I found the source of that sound.
*MEOW!*
Sitting on the railing, above my head, sat a small, black cat. It looked at me with large golden eyes. Honestly, I'm glad it's just a cat, but at the same, the thought that this little kitty made my hard stop for a second, annoyed me. "Can't believe I got jump scared by a stupid cat." I muttered under my breath.
I looked up, and met its gaze with my own, before looking around the area above the canal. I realized it was clear, before looking back at the cat. "Scoot over." I squat down and launched my body upward, easily clearing five meters. I grabbed the ledge with my left hand, and swung my body to the right before letting go, easily landing on the rail next to the cat.
All that time, I felt this cat's gaze on me, like it followed me throughout that crazy movement. "Bet you don't see that everyday, huh?"
For a moment, I felt like cringing at myself for talking to the cat, like it could respond. I gave it quick scratch behind the ear, before rubbing its body, from head to tail. The cat met my pats and scratches with an enthusiastic 'Nya'.
"Up close, you're kind of cute, aren't you, but I can't stay long. My sister will tan my hide if I'm late for dinner. See you around!"
I jogged away, leaving it on the rail. I still felt it's gaze on my back, even as I left the area.
(Scene Change):
Inside the old abandoned dormitory, tucked in somewhere on the property of Kuoh Academy, both the president and vice-president of the Occult Research club held a secret meeting. At this time, the sun has almost vanished beyond the horizon, which the last of its rays, filling the old dormitory
However, the meeting itself was held in a different way.
A chess match.
Rias played the red pieces and Akeno, who stood to her side, played the white pieces. It always calms her mind. Helps her think on matter concerning her territory. Akeno always tries her best to make things interesting for her on the board, but she's not an easy person to outwit on the board.
Even, when her mind is preoccupied with other matters, she's still puts up a good fight.
"... and I assume, the Duke received my reports?" Rias stated, while moving a piece.
"Yes. As always, he praises your eye for detail." Akeno said. She then dictated where her piece should go, and Rias moved it.
"Does he have any important matters for me to handle?" Rias asked.
"No. He praised how you handled the recent surge of Stray Devils in the territory, while also mentioning his worry at the number of cases you dealt with. Though he did state a bigger concern." Rias was about to move another piece, but he hand froze for a split second.
"You mean the Fallen Angels?"
"Yes. He wrote that this should be handled with care, otherwise the consequences will be severe."
"I know. I'm already developing strategies to deal with it when the time comes." Her pawn piece tapped the board with grace. "What about our Devil Contracts?"
"The numbers haven't changed. Though it seems our little pawn is having trouble retaining them, but I can't help but find his efforts, adorable." Akeno giggled, while Rias smiled. "Oh, before I forget! The Duke also congratulated you on your new pawn."
This time Rias giggled, after moving her Queen into position. "Yeah. He sure is a lively one." Their was a certain fondness in her tone. "How's his progress?"
"Well, he still can't use the magic circle. He had to use his bike again." Rias couldn't see Akeno's smile, but she could tell by her tone. "They still love him. Even gave him good reviews."
"I'm glad to hear it, though, his predicament is strange. It cost me eight pieces to revive him, but in the end, it was for Twice Critical?" Her mind, even while holding her position well on the board, still handled her situation like an expert.
"Could it be something else?" Akeno asked before dictating her attempt at defence in the game.
"Maybe. The cost itself is enough to warrant that conclusion, but for now, continue to monitor his development, along with the others." Rias concluded this talk along with the game, at the same time, by surrounding Akeno's king piece. "Checkmate."
"Aw! I was really hoping this would get you this time." Despite her intention, Akeno couldn't help but giggle as if she wasn't expecting a different outcome.
She then watched her King get up and undressed as she got close to the shower curtain. "Your defence was better, and you did hold out longer but in the end, you became to passive and that allowed me to adjust my strategy." At this point she was in her underwear, stretching before unclipping her bra. Completely unbothered. It always made her feel free the second her clothes were off.
However she stopped just when the clip unfastened. Her eyes widen in realization. "One more thing! Who was that transfer student?"
"Tomorrow, I'll ask Sona for the information. What's got you so interested?" Akeno's sensuality was deliberate and unbothered, like her King's modesty situation.
"Nothing. Just curious." Rias' remaining underwear fell to the floor, on top of her uniform. Luckily she has her long, flowing, red hair to cover her behind.
"Aw! And here I thought you have a crush!" Akeno teased, but it had no effect on her best friend, who only responded with a smile as she stepped into the shower.
"No. Nothing of the sort." Rias then closed the curtain and opened the tap. The hot water helped a lot with thinking and in this moment, Rias Gremory had a lot on her mind. Managing her territory, the rise of Stray Devils and Fallen Angels, her new pawn as well as the rest of her peerage seem are the basics.
She never had trouble managing that. The Fallen Angels may be a new addition to pile, along with the Stray Devils, but it won't change anything. The strays and crows will feel the wrath of House Gremory!
Her skin became dry, and she chose to add more cold water.
Although, if she had to admit, which she will never do, the new student really seems to spark interest in her. Especially his eyes. For a moment, she couldn't help but sense... recognition.
If this is the first time they lock eyes, let alone meet each other, then why is there a brief moment where it looked like he recognised her. She didn't. But as soon as that moment came, it disappeared.
Or was it hidden?
She allowed a tiny smile to form in the side of her mouth. What was his name again? "Ji-ho Kim, huh? I wonder..."
Along with all the other things in her mind, she unknowingly allowed another small curiosity to join in, and like the last time with Issei Hyoudou, this might be interesting.
TO BE CONTINUED.