Interest

-Location Inside the Classroom-

The class had just ended, and everyone was starting to move on, while I was still at my table processing the information that I, unfortunately, managed to know.

What is life?

I question myself, the world that I know of is nothing more than an illusion, an illusion that would never fade.

(A/N: Because it's reality, dumbass!)

I wish I never knew these things, but at the same time, I'm also glad to know, if there's one thing I hate being in the dark, anyone has a secret or two, that they don't want anyone to know and I could understand that more than the surface level.

Because I have a secret, if the government found out, they'd put me in a confinement cell and start studying me, who I'm I kidding? The hospital already did that because of my 'blood' till this day I wondered how did I even get out of the hospital.

Maybe it was luck.

A sudden realization appeared in my mind and concluded. 'Yeah, it's luck alright cause of the stick.'

Probably if it wasn't for that I'd be confined somewhere and used as a lab rat.

But it happened once already and there won't be a second time.

I promised that to myself, now that I have the ability to protect myself, but not my family, exactly why I used 500 GP yesterday to buy 2 things, one is a protective item that I gifted to mom.

To which she reluctantly accepted, she's still mad at me for my non-existent tattoo.

2nd is a bounded field in my house, to anyone who has a hostile intention toward me or my mother, if they ever take a step into my house, they'd be put under an illusion.

Illusions that manifest their greatest nightmare, now imagine like The Grudge coming into life and starting chasing you? It would be scary, terrifying even.

And that's just a warning, but if they ignore that, the second level will commence, and the illusions are now capable of harming them physically.

But not killing them, the worst injury that they could get is a broken limb, but that wouldn't be the same mentally.

Then there's the third level, the final one, as everyone guessed it's death, their deepest nightmare killing them.

Terrible? Yes.

Horrifying? Of course!

That's why everyone should take the warning seriously.

Now back to knowing other people's secrets, not my intention but it's fun depending on the person.

I could use them if anyone would try to bully me, which they wouldn't because they're nothing but twigs in my eyes right now, one mistake could snap their bone.

Blackmailing isn't my thing, leave this to those people who had no morals, I have them so I wouldn't start a new hentai series about blackmailing and potentially NTRing people.

Speaking from personal experience, I got NTR'd and promised myself not to do it to other people because I understand how painful it is.

But no one said I couldn't use it as a weapon to protect myself, if I spill their secrets they might stop but if they won't they would be welcome in the world of pain.

I noticed my seatmate starting moving, before she could leave I said. "Hey, wait!"

That actually got her to stop, she stared at me in confusion wondering why I was stopping her or talking to her, possibly both.

"What?"

"Say, wanna go eat lunch together?" 

"Huh?" She blinked in surprise at my invitation not expecting it.

—

-Location Cafeteria-

So I managed to invite her, somehow. It wasn't easy. I have to wrack my brain for ways to convince her.

From what I know about her, she has issues, now everyone has one, however, she has real issues, possibly major ones.

Her distrust for me or anyone for that matter is astonishing, genuinely I wanted to be her friend, but that's probably going to take some time, as far as I could tell in her eyes I'm nothing more than a stranger who talked with her.

It still wonders to me, how the hell did I get her to lend me her notes yesterday, well 6 months for me but hey, still counts.

"So, any friends you know here?"

She stared at my face for a while, before muttering. "No…"

"Why's that?" I asked genuinely curious.

But instead of a positive response, she gave me a harsh glare and replied. "None of your business!"

"Okay, okay geez I won't ask again." Now I'm really, curious, should I try using my thinker skill to pry some information?

Thinking of the pros and cons, I decided not to, not worth the headache plus, I could probably uncover it myself.

Suddenly I felt familiar like someone was watching me intently. I wouldn't have noticed this before but after my training, my senses were sharpened to the point that it's almost inhuman.

I unconsciously stared at the cafeteria's window, even with my improved senses, there was no way I could see people from miles away.

I'm not Archer, he's got the eye of a hawk, damn I wanted that too, maybe in the future, I could achieve it.

Both of us finally found a seat, she sat on the opposite side of mine, not surprising because we're not close, just strangers.

But I'm determined to befriend her, she's possibly the most mysterious girl in this university. I couldn't wait to solve them.

Now I sound like a particular character.

"Hey." 

That's the first thing that came out of my mouth, oh gods that was embarrassing can do better than this!

"...hey." She replied it more like a whisper than anything, but I'm seriously grateful for that.

If she just stared at me without saying anything my embarrassment would shoot up multiple times for sure!

"Ahem- do you want anything? I can get them for you! Just give me the money to pay for them." I said bluntly, with the last part being said more clearly, no I wasn't making a mistake. It was what I really meant to say.

I still have issues regarding gold diggers, and I wouldn't be taken advantage of again, carefully looking at her reactions.

If she's going to react about the money, then forget befriending her, I would probably start to dislike her.

"Sure," Anna didn't react at all, she replied as natural as she breathes.

Good, she's not the kind of woman I dislike.

After that, she lent me her credit card. After getting her card, only at that moment did I realize the color of her card.

It was Black.

It means a Luxury Card, and it wasn't something that anyone could get, because you need a lot of money to have access to them.

Honestly, I would have frozen if I was anything like months ago before I received my strength and power, but right now money has very little significance to me.

Because I could easily become a billionaire if I want to, revolutionary ideas? Just buy some high-tech blue from the group chat, the shop is infinite, anyone could buy anything literally, as long as they have the right amount of points.

But for now, I'm a broke-ass guy with barely 500 points in my account.

"I'll get your food." 

Without question, I went to the cafeteria counter, and ordered food for her and mine, of course, on different cards.

Not that shameless to use her money, even though she had a lot of them, to begin with, was it even her card, to begin with? 

Deciding to forget that question, for now, I'll ask it again after we're closer, it's too personal.

The reaction of the employee was amusing after he saw the black card, not surprised there.

After I purchased everything, I went back to the table with both trays in my hand.

"Here's your food and card, you're welcome by the way." I sat down and started eating the steak that I ordered and felt a bit disappointed.

But I expected it anyway, it would be absurd for me to think that the cafeteria had the same quality as Archer dishes.

After being constantly spoiled by his dishes, it's hard to eat other dishes with lower quality.

Heck, even I could cook better than this!

Looking at my classmate, she ate them with ease, I'm a bit jealous that she could eat them normally.

After a few minutes, I couldn't finish the steak, what a waste. It's decided I'll go to the supermarket and get some supplies. I'm cooking my food from now on!

Gosh, I wasn't such a picky eater before I went to the Demon Slayer Universe, it's Archer's fault.

"Did you enjoy the food?" Because honestly, I don't, is this I wanted to say, but it stays in my mind.

"No, not really it's bland compared t-" Before she could continue, she paused after realizing what she was about to say, then glared at me for no reason.

What did I do?

"You, what's your purpose?"

I feel like I heard this before, but regardless I answered.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend, why are you trying so hard to befriend someone like me?" 

Someone like you? What does she mean?

Her expression was bitter when she spoke, behind that bitter look, there's a story there.

I couldn't contain my curiosity and used my skill.

-Is regretful about something? Someone has betrayed them, making them hate her, traumatized, not willing to try making another friend, believes that she would betray them again, she's disappeared, disgusted of herself, bzzt-

I immediately clenched my head in pain, fuck I knew I shouldn't use it, thankful she didn't seem to notice my pain.

Good.

Then she suddenly stood up from the table and said, "Look, I'm grateful that you invited me, but I prefer if you don't ask me next time, I'm not someone who's looking for a friend, goodbye."

After that, she left.

How curious, at the moment I felt like I'm Inside a movie or a romance anime.

Anna Tachibana, if you want me to stay away, you have to do better than that, for you have gotten my interest.

—

What's her issue? 

A daddy one? Like Weiss?

A mommy one? Like Yang?

Who knows, find out!

Also, support me on Pa.treon I've started putting advanced chapters here.

There are currently 8 Chapters in total.

Pa.treon/charlottes143