16 Chapter 16: Heartbreaking Smiles
A nearly perfect degree of affection, 99...
It seemed inevitable that Kanade's affection for Reiji would soon reach the total mark. Perhaps a bold gesture from him next time, like a kiss, could push this favoritism to the maximum (if 100 is the maximum)...
He found this idea considerable.
With the newly acquired diary in hand, Reiji explored the new functionality in the system: [write a diary], now available for use.
A sudden urge to document the day's events in the notebook overcame him, clarifying his memories of the experiences he had lived.
Yielding to the impulse, he began to fill the diary pages fervently.
*Ding-dong!*
A system alert caught his attention, indicating that the [action points] for future exchanges had increased by 4, resulting in a total balance of 8 points.
After use, the option to [write a diary] became temporarily inactive.
Having secured the diary, Reiji pondered the other actions available in the system. Then, he organized the desk with the necessary material to draw.
Just like when writing in his diary, the inspiration to draw the urban night landscape emerged spontaneously, motivating him to create until the piece was completed.
*Ding-dong!*
Upon finishing the drawing, he noticed an increase of another 3 points.
"To dance and sing, it would be better to have an audience," Reiji reflected. "Perhaps a karaoke session with friends or an informal presentation for Nene and Kanade..."
Reiji prepared for rest. However, before succumbing to sleep, he made sure to review the latest chapter of his novel, bringing the total word count to 3,000. He then accessed the webnovel site and, to his surprise — or perhaps not —, discovered that with just two chapters published, his story had already amassed an impressive 50,000 views.
With the third chapter publication completed, he turned off his laptop and surrendered to well-deserved rest.
///
Dawn had not yet broken. The wall clock showed 4:20 AM.
Reiji, awakened by a call of nature, chose not to return to bed and decided to advance the homework he had neglected the day before. Moreover, by deciding to stay awake, he took the opportunity to create a save point.
...
By 4:50 AM, he had completed all the homework. After a brief stretch, he prepared his breakfast and then went out for a run.
Later that same day, Reiji met up with Kanade, and soon on the train, Nene joined them. The presence of the trio, standing out as an attraction that morning on the train, was notable.
Murmurs filled the air as many passengers cast glances in their direction.
The young woman of delicate stature and enchanting appearance, boasting pink hair styled in pigtails on one side and long strands flowing gently down below the shoulders on the other, complemented by a meticulously positioned fringe above her eyebrows, framing her radiant amber eyes, adorned with more intense locks around the ears and highlighted by a distinctive pink star under her left eye.
Despite her modest height of 140 cm, her silhouette was marked by pronounced curves, notably in the bust area; beside her, a companion who emanated the tranquility and refined aesthetics of a yamato nadeshiko, with long, dark hair that flowed like silk, blended with the seductive allure of a succubus.
Completing the trio was a young man whose appearance could easily grace the pages of a fashion magazine, thanks to his light blue eyes, softly tanned skin, tall and athletic body, highlighted by a stylish haircut.
Together, immersed in a lively dialogue, they evoked the vivid image of a classic novel scene.
The whispers and comments around them only diminished when the trio disembarked from the train, yet they continued to attract glances even outside it. Some of these observers were students from the same school, who followed them closely after getting off.
Reiji, however, did not view this attention as something permanent. The adaptability of humans was notable; most of the regular train passengers, often the same due to daily work or study routines, would eventually get used to their presence. Over time, he predicted, the interest and murmurs would naturally decrease.
Flipping her silky hair to the side gracefully, Kanade leaned slightly forward, a subtle smile forming on her lips as her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a glimpse of her legs adorned with silk stockings.
Capturing Reiji's attention, she began with her hands clasped behind her back, releasing them as she resumed her posture with a soft laugh: "You know, Reiji-kun," she said, "seeing that girl on the train stop crying just from your smile was truly impressive."
Nene intervened enthusiastically: "I agree! It was so cool~"
Reiji, amused, admitted: "I confess I did not expect such an effect."
Kanade then joked, with a hint of seriousness: "Well, your current smile is practically devastating. So, you better be careful not to use that 'lethal weapon' recklessly, or you might end up breaking many hearts unintentionally..."
"A lethal weapon, huh..." Reiji mused quietly before stopping abruptly.
"Reiji?" Kanade and Nene asked, surprised.
With a bold move, Reiji placed his hand on Kanade's face, fixing her with an intense look and a cunning smile: "So, it's a battle you want? Well, know that I do not easily back down. And now, what I desire most is your total surrender to me!"
He released a light laugh, undoing his previous cunning smile: "Was this the kind of demonstration you imagined?"
"..."
However, observing Kanade, Reiji noticed her subtle smile, as if she had savored a moment of pure delight, and mischievous.
Nene, by her side, displayed a pout of discontent. Secretly, she longed to have been in Kanade's place, wishing those bold words from Reiji had been addressed to her.
Kanade took a while to regain her focus, maintaining that little smile while Reiji had to guide her by the hand; otherwise, she would have remained there, standing, sporting an enchanted and smitten smile. Perhaps with a touch of depravity in her smile?
///
"I can't believe what we just saw!"
As soon as Reiji, guiding Kanade by the hand, and Nene, clinging to his other arm, moved away, the observers couldn't resist sharing their impressions of the witnessed moment.
"Did he really say that? What a confident attitude!"
"She seemed completely enchanted, did you see her smile?"
"That trio really draws attention, it's not every day that we see something like this."
"It's like something out of a movie, don't you think? I never imagined seeing something like this in real life."
"I wish I had that confidence... They seem like characters from a romantic story with a love triangle."
Unaware of the stir he had caused, Reiji was already in the classroom with Kanade, after saying goodbye to Nene.
Kanade, meanwhile, still deep in her thoughts, barely noticed her arrival at the place, even as she took her seat.
Curious, her classmates cast intrigued glances in her direction, noting that even as they tried to interact, her responses sounded automated. It was only after some time that Kanade seemed to wake from her reverie, startled to realize she was already in the classroom.
As she recalled the recent events, she brought her hands to her blazing hot cheeks, embarrassed: 'What an embarrassing situation... I can't believe I reacted that way... And what if Reiji-kun starts to get the wrong impression of me? Yet... it was so extraordinary. There's something in me that wants to be dominated by him... Oh, what's happening to me? Control yourself, girl!' Internally, she scolded herself.
||- Note -||
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