Tenzo's apartment.
Another thing the system has gracefully given him for free was a crappy apartment tucked in a corner of Tokyo's entertainment district. The building stood alone as the apartment complex has been 'mysteriously ' vacated, therefore Tenzo is the sole tenant of a 3 stories tall apartment complex.
In his apartment, if you could call it that...
The space was made of a hallway with a shoe rack where he puts his house sandals and school shoes. The hall leads to an open area with a small kitchen on his right, a lonely chair was placed beneath the counter, a row of clean dishes and the subtle groans of his refrigerator( outdated model). On his left is the bathroom door, his bathroom was big enough for a shower, toilet and a narrow sink. Back in the hallway is the open area where everything happens, a mattress pressed to his wall, facing a box-shaped TV on top of a sturdy wooden desk with comics near the remote.
"Welcome to my...sanctuary. " He gives a half-ass tour.
"This is genuinely sad." Senju frowned while placing her gym bag and bags of recently bought clothing next to the mattress.
The bag made a loud thud, signifying a new presence in the apartment.
"Senju... why is your bag full?"
"It's my stuff for the night of course. " She mutters on her way to his fridge.
"..."
"What's for dinner?"
Tenzo lets out a tired sigh, massaging his white locks, "This a thing right?"
"Yes." She hums mid-bite of a cookie.
---
The night came to a calm rhythm as Tenzo decided to cook for his new guest. He stood at his kitchen, cooking a simple dish consisting of rice, beef curry and seasoned salad.
"Dinner will be ready in 5." He calls out.
"Cool." Senju replies, her attention is on a comic book and the TV softly playing an old Japanese game show.
Tenzo turns off the stove, doing one last taste test of dinner before moving towards Senju.
'System. Open template. "
———————————————————
Name: Tenzo Eze
Balance: 2000 SP
Stats-
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 20
Endurance: 20
Reputation-
Rank: Vice-President of Brahman
Influence: 27%
Relationships-
Senju Akashi(President of Brahman)
Hinata Tachibana (...)
Naoto Tachibana (Protégé)
Enemies-
Kisaki Tetta
Shuji Hanma
Storage-
Vehicles
Weapons
Abilities-
Taekwondo prodigy badge
Dark Impulses
Territories:
Akashi gym
Endo park
Brahman headquarters
————–———————————————
'Everything looks good so far.' Tenzo breaths out.
'System. Are house upgrades available?'
'Affirmative. '
[System Update]
———————————————————
[ House modifications]
°Paulin Paulin Paulin Ensemble Dune:
Single couch- 50 000 SP
4-person set- 140 000 SP
Family set- 200 000 SP
° 32-inch Flat screen TV- 80 000 SP
° Dish Washer- 60 000 SP
° Luxury bathroom- 500 000 SP
King sized bed- 300 000 SP
Room expansions- 100 000 SP per room
———————————————————
'System... what the hell are these prices?" Tenzo blinks rapidly at the screen update of outrageous prices.
'The best products are not cheap, Host.'
'You're unruly. ' Tenzo growls.
'Cheer up Host. I have a solution for your financial issues. '
'Please enlighten me. ' He chuckles through a sigh.
———————————————————
[System Update]
[Conversions available]
° ¥1= 1 SP
———————————————————
'Host can now convert real money to system points. Good luck 👍🏾 '
"Tenzo!" Senju swats at his head to bring him out of his musing.
"Ouch!" Tenzo grumbles, soothing the area she hit.
"Why do you always space out when I'm talking?" She places her hands on her hips, giving him a stern look.
"Sorry...it's a habit, I guess. " Tenzo chuckles.
"Can you please dish up?" Senju asked.
"Sure." He walks back to the kitchen, reaching for plates. "Senju."
"Yeah?"
Tenzo looks at her with fire under his eyes.
"I know this place is a dump but one day we'll be living better. " He promises her.
"Pfft –I'll hold you to that promise. " Senju turns her head to hide her blush.
A stressed out apartment has just received a new headache.
---
Mizo high school.
Thursday | 10am
Mizo high school's students were buzzing with excitement for the upcoming fireworks festival. A time to recognise their culture and bond with family, many saw it as the start to the long weekend as most schools closed early on the day.
Tenzo sat next to Hinata in the schools cafeteria. An odd calmness passed between the two students who are used to bumping heads at the smallest disputes, even the students around them are shocked.
"I thought they hated each other?"
"Why is Tachibana sitting next to that delinquent?"
"Eze-sama and the sweet Hinata?"
The gossip moves around them, the topic of their conversations were unamused by the chatter.
Tenzo ate his bento box with the same indifference he had with his school work.
Hinata chews slowly, eyes closed and slightly leaning on him.
"What would Kisaki think?" He grins at her.
"I broke up with him." Hinata answers sharply, reaching for his cool drink without permission.
"Since when?" He tilts his head at her.
"Since yesterday–I realised Kisaki and I were not a normal couple..."
"Define normal?"
Hinata huffs out, " Ever since we started dating, he hasn't opened to me about his ambitions or just mundane things. All our conversations are either about my interests or school. It's like his trying to keep our conversations on myself out of duty. I just wanted him to his true self." Tachibana rants.
Tenzo places his chopsticks down, giving Tachibana a blank stare.
"Honestly, I couldn't care less about your relationship with him. "
"Mxm, rude." Tachibana scowls.
Tenzo smirks at her reaction. "You going to the festival?"
"Obviously, it's tradition to attend. " She trails her eyes around the cafeteria.
"Why ask?"
He groans at her ignorant play. "Do you want to go with me? " He asked her out.
Hinata froze for a second to collect her thoughts. The question brought unnecessary suspense.
"Are you asking me out as friends or as a date?" She clarifies.
"A date. I don't want to be your friend, Tachibana. This relationship has gone way past platonic standards. " He states.
"What are you on about!?" Hinata blushes out a response. "We haven't done anything intimate!" She spoke loudly.
The gossiping students around them look on with clear entertainment.
Tenzo rolls his eyes at the stubborn girl.
"You haven't answered my question. " He looks up at her with an amused tint in his eyes.
"I can't stand you,Tenzo. " Hinata growls at him, no real animosity in her tone.
"Is Senju going to be there?"
"Yes."
"..." She presses her lips together.
"I don't know what type of girl you think I am, but I don't like sharing!" She points at him.
"I'm not forcing you to share, you can always leave whenever you want."
"Greedy bastard. " She clicked her tongue.
"I'm no saint, Hinata. But I promise to treat you with respect, even if there are other girls, I'll make sure you're valued. " He lays it on her.
'Host, you're quite arrogant to proclaim all of this so abruptly. ' The system cheekily comments.
'It's best to be honest now then regret it later on when things get complicated. '
'Does Senju know about this?'
'I'll chat with her later about it, but right now it's Tachibana's moment. ' He informed his system.
Hinata bites her bottom lip, avoiding eye contact with him.
"I should really slap you for saying that..."
"You still can." He nods.
Her choral eyes meet his piercing grey irises, a moment of vulnerability, hope and fear of getting hurt.
"You promise to be honest at all times?" She whispers.
"I promise. If I break my oath, you can hate until graduation. "
Hinata rolls her eyes at his words.
"Fine, I accept. Pick me up at 5. " Hinata demands.
"It's a date." He smirks.
"Don't get cocky now, this is a trail run." She matches his smirk.
Diiing
The school bell screeches to announce the end to lunch time.
Students groan and get out of their seats to head to their classes.
Hinata glanced at him before walking over to hug him in front of everybody.
"No way!" A student gasps at her display.
Tenzo snakes his arms around her waist, pulling her closer into the embrace.
'Kisaki, I can't let you ruin this for me. There's too much at stake for me to loose. " He ponders internally.
---
Akashi gym
Thursday| 2pm
"You got some nerve Tenzo. "
Bang
Senju kicks the punching bag harshly.
"I think you two will get along. "
Bang
"So is this a harem?" She glares at him.
"I wouldn't call it that..."
"Then what is it!?"
Bang
She lands another kick to the punching bag his holding.
"Senju..."
Bang
The force made him stagger back.
"I'm not going to lie to you by saying this isn't a selfish desire. "
"Of course it is!" She kicks the punching bag closer to his arm.
"Careful..." He warns softly.
"Be honest with me." She demands.
"I like you a lot Senju. "
She takes a sharp inhale at his confession.
"But I also like Hinata."
"You–"
"That doesn't diminish my feelings for you. I promise to do my best to make you both happy."
"And if you don't?" She tilts her head, emerald eyes staring into his soul.
"You can kick my ass to kingdom come. "
"Huff–you men are annoying..." Senju pouts.
"I want you buy me a new Kimono. "
"Now?"
"Yes, now. I can't let her look better than me." Senju grins at him with a mischievous look.
"This is a non-negotiable request. " She grabs his wrist, pulling him out of the gym.
"Mahito! Make sure this maggots sweat." Senju orders.
"You got it." Mahito responds.
Tenzo lets the pink-haired girl lead him out of her gym.
"This is my reality, huh?"
"Yes. Don't forget we need bikes. Mine should be the best model. " She demands with am excited smile.
"Of course."
"Good~"
———————————————————