The soft rustle of papers and the low hum of classroom chatter filled the air as the teacher droned on about something Akira had long since stopped caring about. The whiteboard was a battlefield of complex equations, but Akira's mind drifted elsewhere – mostly to his latest reward.
+5 Charisma.
+2 Insight.
The numbers felt a little light, but he'd take it. His [Life System] was generous, if a bit unpredictable, and it had a habit of surprising him when he least expected it. He leaned back, tilting his chair on two legs, and stared out the window, letting the spring breeze brush against his face.
That's when he felt it – the subtle shift in the classroom's atmosphere, like the sudden drop in pressure before a storm. He didn't have to look to know why. Someone had entered the room.
"Kakeru Ryūen."
The name sent a ripple through the students, their hushed whispers growing louder as his older brother strode into the classroom, hands in his pockets, a wolfish grin plastered across his sharp features. Kakeru's eyes swept over the class, a predator scanning his territory, before landing on his little brother.
Akira met his gaze with a lazy smile, offering a two-fingered salute.
"Yo, Aniki. Shouldn't you be terrorizing your own class?"
Kakeru snorted, leaning against the doorframe. "Thought I'd drop by and make sure my dear little brother isn't slacking off."
A few students leaned in, eyes wide, their interest piqued. They had heard rumors about the Ryūen brothers – one a ruthless, calculating king, the other an enigma wrapped in a perpetual state of boredom.
Akira, still leaning back in his chair, locked eyes with his brother, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Worried about me? That's sweet, but unnecessary."
Kakeru's grin sharpened. "Worried? Hardly. Just making sure you're not embarrassing the family name by blending in with these sheep."
The classroom fell silent, the tension crackling like static in the air. Even Ayanokōji glanced up from his notebook, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the brothers.
[Life System Notice]
You have engaged in a verbal spar with a dominant alpha.
+3 Charisma
+1 Intimidation
+5000 Yen
Akira's grin widened. "Noted. I'll make sure to stand out, then."
Kakeru snorted again, his gaze lingering for a moment longer before he turned and strode out, the door swinging shut behind him. As the class exhaled in unison, the tension easing, Akira casually returned to his daydreaming, already tuning out the excited whispers.
Lunch came quickly, and Akira found himself on the rooftop, the wind tugging at his dark hair as he stretched his arms wide and let out a long, satisfied yawn.
"Finally, some peace and quiet," he muttered, leaning against the metal railing. He pulled up his system menu, curious about his new gains.
[Life System – Current Status]
Charisma: 20
Insight: 12
Intimidation: 5
Yen: 10,000
Not bad for a lazy morning. He closed the screen, his eyes drifting to the open sky, his thoughts floating just as aimlessly. That's when he heard it – the soft creak of the rooftop door.
He sighed. So much for peace.
A slender figure stepped into the sunlight, her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of midnight. Horikita Suzune. Her sharp eyes locked onto him, a hint of curiosity behind their icy exterior.
"Skipping class already, Ryūen-kun?" she said, her tone crisp and cutting.
Akira raised a hand in a lazy wave. "Technically, it's lunch break. I'm just getting a head start on ignoring the second half of the day."
She crossed her arms, one perfectly shaped eyebrow arching in mild annoyance. "You're not even trying to keep up appearances, are you?"
He shrugged. "Why bother? This place is a jungle. Only the strong survive, and I'm just here for the free rewards."
Her eyes narrowed, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. "You talk like this is a game."
Akira chuckled, his gaze drifting to the horizon. If only she knew.
[Life System Notice]
You have flirted with a cold beauty.
+5 Charisma
+1000 Yen
+1 Skill: Cold Reading
He blinked at the sudden notification. That was a generous one. He glanced back at Horikita, who seemed to be studying him with a renewed, if slightly irritated, interest.
"Tell me something," she said, stepping closer, her shadow falling across his relaxed form. "Why are you wasting your potential?"
Akira met her gaze, his grin widening. "Because it's more fun this way."
Horikita scoffed, turning sharply on her heel. "You're a fool."
He watched her go, her long hair swaying behind her like a battle flag. He waited until the door swung shut behind her before letting out a small laugh.
"Maybe I am," he whispered to the empty rooftop, his grin still in place.
[Life System Notice]
You have successfully annoyed a straight-laced heroine.
+5 Charisma
+1000 Yen
+1 Minor Luck Boost
Akira sighed, closing the notifications with a flick of his wrist. If his life was a game, then he was going to play it his way – lazy, chaotic, and utterly unbothered by the rules.
The afternoon bell rang, echoing across the empty rooftop, and Akira stretched his arms one more time before sauntering back to class, hands in his pockets and a faint smile still on his lips.
He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain – he was going to have a damn good time finding out.