Travis was quick to react, rushing into the bathroom to catch Jenny as she stumbled, his arms wrapping around her to prevent her from falling.
The sudden closeness between them sent a jolt of electricity through the air, their breaths mingling as they stood locked in a moment of unexpected intimacy and tension.
A sharp intake of breath filled the room as they both processed the sudden turn of events, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions.
"Man, that was a close one," Travis remarked, wiping sweat from his forehead. Jenny's eyes widened in shock, not from the near fall, but from Travis managing to catch her in time.
However, as she processed the situation and noticed Travis's hand resting firmly on her breast, her expression shifted to pure anger.
Travis couldn't resist giving a quick squeeze before darting out of the bathroom.
"You pervert!" Jenny shouted in frustration, but Travis had already made a swift exit, his smirk widening as he hurried down the hall.
Man, that was nice, he thought, his lips twitching with amusement.
After a few minutes, Jenny stormed out of the bathroom wrapped in her towel, still fuming.
[System Notification]
Affection +3% — Jenny's current affection: 11% → 13%
『13%』
' Woah, I thought it would decrease… guess she realized that she would've cracked her skull if it weren't for me, ' he thought with a satisfied grin.
He quickly slipped into the shower himself, letting the hot water wash away the tension of the morning. When done, he got dressed and headed downstairs.
Debbie was in the living room, bent slightly as she dusted the coffee table, humming to herself. Travis approached and tapped her shoulder. She jumped in surprise, letting out a tiny squeal before turning—only to smile warmly when she saw him.
"Don't scare me like that," she said, laughing lightly as she pressed a hand to her chest.
"Couldn't resist," Travis teased, leaning against the wall. "By the way, I noticed how tall the grass has grown. I'm thinking of cutting it later on."
Debbie raised an eyebrow, tilting her head at him with mock suspicion. "What? That's new of you. What made you want to do that?"
"I mean, you're always working hard—cleaning, cooking, keeping this house running," he said casually. "I figured I should help out with something for once. Mowing the lawn seemed like a good start."
Her expression softened instantly. She set down the cloth she was holding and walked over, her eyes shining. "That's so thoughtful of you." She tiptoed, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Don't tell Jenny this, but you're my favorite."
Travis chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, that's not really surprising."
Debbie gave him a playful shove on the arm. "Oh, stop it. You're such a charmer." Her voice had a warmth to it, almost lingering in the air.
Travis grinned. "Anyway, I should get going to school before I'm late."
"You're not eating today?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at him with concern.
"I'll grab some cereal, don't worry," he replied, slipping past her toward the kitchen.
He poured himself a bowl and ate while Debbie busied herself tidying the shelves, occasionally sneaking a glance his way with an affectionate smile.
[System Notification]
Affection +5% — Debbie's current affection: 12% → 17%
『17%』
When he was finished, Travis went back upstairs to grab his bag.
' Time to go to school, ' he thought, his mood light, the warmth of Debbie's kiss still fresh on his cheek.
...
Travis made a quick stop at the mall, where he picked up a new pair of headphones and a sleek camera, both of which he had been eyeing for a while.
Afterward, he headed toward school, feeling satisfied with his purchases.
Now standing at the school's entrance, Travis paused for a moment, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. Just as he was about to step inside, Mrs. Smith emerged from the doors, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Her face carried a stern, unyielding frown, the kind that could silence an entire classroom.
His mind raced—what could have possibly made her upset? He hadn't done anything wrong. At least… he thought.
"Travis, you're late," she stated, her voice sharp and disapproving. The words cracked like a whip.
Travis quickly checked his phone, realizing he was just a single minute behind schedule. Still, lifting his head to meet her cold, piercing gaze, he felt the weight of her frustration pressing down on him like a physical force. With a quiet sigh, he braced himself for what was sure to be an unpleasant exchange.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Smith. I won't do it again," he muttered, his voice flat, almost dismissive.
The lack of emotion in his apology only deepened the lines in her frown. She marched down the stairs with precise, controlled steps, stopping on the first step so that her height loomed over him, her shadow cutting across his face.
"I don't think you're sorry at all," she snapped, her tone icy. "But don't worry—after I'm done with you, you will be."
Without waiting for a response, she seized his wrist with surprising strength and tugged him forward. Travis knew better than to resist—pushing back would only make things worse. Reluctantly, he followed her, each step echoing as they climbed to the third floor.
Once inside her office, the door clicked shut behind them with a heavy finality. She shoved him into the chair with a forceful push, the legs screeching against the polished floor.
"You see, Travis," she began, her voice calmer now but still carrying the weight of authority, "this school takes its rules very seriously. Punctuality is no exception. Even being a minute late is unacceptable. As the head of this institution, it's my job to make sure you understand that."
She leaned in, her perfume sharp yet oddly enticing, the tip of her finger tapping the desk with every word.
"So, I'll be assigning you a punishment. Come to my office after hours, and we'll discuss it further. Understood?"
Travis nodded, though the weight of her stare made it feel like an interrogation more than a simple question.
To his surprise, Mrs. Smith's lips curled into a smile—a sight he had never seen before, not even in the game. It wasn't warm or friendly. It was sharp, unsettling, like a predator's grin. A chill crept up his spine.
Today was shaping up to be one of the worst days of his life.
He looked up at her affection level and wasn't really surprised with what he saw.
『 0 』
' Man, that's gonna take a while to raise,' he thought, shaking his head.
"You may leave now," Mrs. Smith said, her voice firm and final.
Travis stood up from the chair, careful not to make eye contact again as he walked past her. The tension in the room clung to him like static.
As he stepped out of the office, he paused in the hallway, replaying the encounter in his mind.
' The hell was that? ' he thought.
He wasn't sure why it escalated so quickly or why she seemed so fixated on him, but there was no point in dwelling on it now. With a shrug, he made his way downstairs, heading for his registration class, though the echo of her smile lingered at the back of his mind.
TO BE CONTINUED