was in hell.
Not the fiery kind with pitchforks.
The "I have two events at the same time, and one involves boobs" kind of hell.
It was 1:35 PM. He stood at a street corner with a convenience store lunch in one hand and a beach bag in the other.
TODAY'S CONFLICT
2:00 PM – Airi Library Flag
4:00 PM – Reika Beach "Hangout" (Possible H-Flag)
Warning: Attempting both may result in consequences (and humiliation).
"Okay," David muttered between bites of onigiri. "Plan is simple. I delay the library flag, plant a distraction, then sprint to the beach before Reika thinks I ghosted her."
He tapped his system.
Inventory Check
Water Gun
Book: "100 Ways to Fake a Fire Alarm"
Swimsuit (Bagged)
One Banana (Questionable)
He looked down at the banana. "You're backup."
He bolted down the street.
1:50 PM – Seiryu Academy Library
David dashed into the school, completely ignoring the security guard yelling "NO RUNNING!"
He stormed into the library, spotted Airi sitting at her usual table with a stack of books, and Yuuto entering from the opposite door.
They were about to meet.
It was going to happen.
"Not today, flag lovers," David hissed.
He whipped out the Fake Fire Alarm book and pulled the red-stickered tab from the back.
SYSTEM TRIGGER: Mini-Emergency!
Effect: Smoke-like fog released. Confuses everyone. No real danger.
Chance of being expelled: 3%
Pale fog hissed out of the vent behind Airi's seat.
She coughed. Yuuto froze mid-step. Students panicked.
"IS THAT SMOKE?!"
Librarian screamed.
"GET OUT, ALL OF YOU!"
David casually tripped Yuuto with a well-placed chair bump on the way out. "Oops. Sorry."
Flag Blocked: Shared Study Moment – FAILED TO TRIGGER
Yuuto's confusion level: +3
Airi's mood: Slightly Annoyed
David's cooldown time: 0 (Because he's insane)
He sprinted out the back exit, ripped off his school jacket mid-run, and flung it into a bush.
Time for the beach.
3:57 PM – Seaside Train Stop
David arrived drenched in sweat and barely alive.
He ducked into the nearest changing stall, ripped open his beach bag, and—
"Oh god, I packed the banana instead of my trunks."
He stared at the empty bag in horror.
The only thing inside?
A hoodie
Sunglasses
One bruised banana.
"Why," he whispered to the sky, "does the system hate me?"
Emergency Item Unlocked: "Modesty Cloak" Hoodie Mode Activated
Coverage: 87%
Risk of wardrobe malfunction: Medium
David yanked on the hoodie and stepped onto the sand.
It was full of people. Families. Tourists. Volleyball games. Ice cream carts. Bikini girls.
And in the middle of it all…
Reika.
Red bikini. Sun hat. Sitting on a beach towel like a queen on her throne.
She looked up, saw David, and smiled way too wide.
"Well, well. You showed."
He waved awkwardly. "Barely."
"Where are your trunks?"
"...In a better timeline."
She patted the towel next to her. "Sit."
He obeyed like a man walking to the electric chair.
Event Triggered: Beach Bonding with Reika (H Potential: 30%)
Options: Talk / Apply Sunscreen / Run into the Ocean
David picked the safest.
"Talk. Let's talk. Talking is great."
Reika handed him a drink. "So, what's your deal?"
"My what?"
"You're this weird transfer guy who always looks like he's avoiding eye contact with reality. But somehow you know where everyone is. What's your secret?"
David sipped the drink.
Then choked.
SYSTEM ALERT: Spiked Juice – Contains Hint of Aphro-Stat
Effect: Minor Fluster, Lowered Resistance
"Whuh—what the hell's in this?"
Reika grinned. "Just juice. Probably."
She leaned in.
Too close.
David could smell her shampoo. Feel her warmth. Her eyes practically glowed with mischief.
"You ever been kissed?" she whispered.
[ERROR: H-System Glitch Detected]
Auto-Trigger: Close Contact Cutscene
System Note: Player Morals Melting – Please Seek Shade
David's brain screamed for mercy. His body? Betraying him fast.
"I—I have a medical condition," he blurted. "It's called 'Too Awkward for Romance.' Very rare. Very contagious."
Reika burst out laughing and grabbed his hoodie string. "You're lucky you're cute."
Before she could say more—
"HEY! IS THAT DAVID?!"
Yuuto.
On the same beach.
With Airi.
David's soul left his body.
Catastrophe Triggered: Overlapping Routes Detected
Affection Triangle Forming
Immediate Choice Required: Stay or Escape
Reika turned. Airi blinked. Yuuto waved.
David made his choice.
"I LEFT MY MICROWAVE ON!" he shouted, bolting off the beach like a man on fire.
Behind him, he heard Reika laughing hysterically and Airi asking if he was okay.
Final Status: All Flags Delayed, None Broken
Your Title: The Great Avoider
Achievement Unlocked: DODGE KING
David found a bench near a vending machine and collapsed.
He looked up at the sky and whispered:
"End me."
The system responded.
Nope. We're just getting started.