F Polenta

On the morning of the fifth day, Lucas rose from the bleachers, gazing at the court. His eyes were half-closed, indicating his drowsiness.

— Another long day begins... — he murmured as he stood up and headed to the toilet.

The only reason Lucas didn't emanate an unpleasant odor, even after all these days of bathing with just water, was the soaps in the toilet. There was only one problem—they were liquid and stuck to the wall.

Whenever he found himself alone at school in the early hours, before students and teachers arrived, the young man took his own hygienic measures, washing the upper part of his body in the sink. It was the most drastic measure he had taken so far.

— This cold also helps me wake up — Lucas said to himself, finishing the "bathing session" at the sink. — At least, my shirt is cotton and dries quickly. Not too bad.

With the shirt back on and a shiver from the wind, contemplative Lucas returned to the bleachers and stared at the court, lost in thought.

— This world... it's a creation of the system, but it's also real... — he pondered, shifting his gaze to the school. — The school is a recreation, but are the original characters? And the last part the system said... It bothered me a bit.

Deeply skeptical of the system, Lucas always carefully analyzed its words.

— Why don't I have a normal system? I feel like I'm going crazier because of it every day...

With his hands on his head, lowering it as if he wanted to erase his thoughts, Lucas sighed.

— But seriously, even the blame for that flea's bracelet was its! I was just grabbing a random desk to put in my backpack and ended up grabbing hers!? That dog could have put the leash on top of the desk, not the bottom!

Expressing his frustrations, Lucas calmed his spirits and stood up, intending to head to his classroom as class time was approaching.

— You know what, forget it all! I'll just change the whole story and see what happens.

With this bold resolution, the young man made the first change of attitude just as the students were arriving. As soon as he saw the anime protagonist walking quietly among the other students unnoticed, Lucas put his hand around him and grabbed his shoulder.

— Enzo, it's been a while! It took me a little while to notice, but it's really you!

— Hm? Eh!?

Seeing Lucas being strangely friendly while supporting his arm around his neck, Enzo was stunned and motionless. Taking advantage of the situation, Lucas guided him toward the court, where it was more isolated.

— Dude, don't you remember me? Seriously?

— I-I don't...

— Well, I don't remember much about you either since you were almost invisible in school.

— ...

With a look of bewilderment, Enzo looked at Lucas again. He only knew that the person beside him was the one who helped Lara find her bracelet.

Moreover, it seemed that Alexandre had been talking to him, but the two didn't seem to have become very close.

— By the way, what have you been up to? The other day, I even saw you walking with a beautiful girl. — Lucas said with a fake smile.

— Eerrr... Sh-She's just a classmate.

— A classmate... She seems pretty popular, so maybe she already has a boyfriend?

— ...I-I don't know, she never told me anything about that.

Watching Enzo answer his questions shyly but still sincerely, Lucas separated from him a bit and decided to guide him in a direction where, at least, the heroine would start thinking that Enzo likes her.

— Is that so? Why don't you ask?

— Wh-Why should I ask!?

— Look at her appearance, don't you think she might have a boyfriend? I'd like to know what kind of guy a girl like her would be dating.

— I understand...

While observing Enzo's reactions, Lucas realized that he would need to push him a little more to get him to ask.

— Come on, what's the harm in asking? Then you can also ask her if her friends are dating.

— Why do you want to know that?

— Maybe I have a slight interest in one of those girls... — Lucas replied, seeming a bit embarrassed. — So, can you do me this favor?

— ...Okay.

— Tell me about the answers at lunchtime!

Saying that, Lucas moved away from Enzo and headed towards his class. The young man didn't want to get too close to the protagonist at first, but now that everyone knew him, it would take a long time to wait for them to forget about his existence.

— Well, I hope the heroine doesn't disappoint me and starts thinking that Enzo is interested in her...

Unaware of the outcome of his actions, Lucas sought to have a normal day, but soon noticed something strange.

— It's already break time, and I haven't seen any of them wanting to buy a snack from me... Something went wrong.

The young man felt a slight discomfort thinking that his plan had failed, but he also knew he should consider other possibilities.

— I wonder if they'll avoid me from now on... Well, I can always kidnap the protagonist...

While contemplating the possibilities he had, the break ended, and Lucas returned to his normal classes.

He couldn't stand having classes anymore, especially because of the sun beating down on his side, but he persisted in maintaining himself as a normal student.

— ...Finally, lunchtime.

Leaving his classroom and heading towards the cafeteria, Lucas saw something he hadn't seen in years.

— Polenta? I feel like I only ate this in elementary school...

Seeing the rare chance to eat food that he had only experienced in childhood, Lucas joined the line with a bit of expectation.

— Hey, Lucas, are you already in line? — said a tanned and muscular young man.

— ...Renato? Are you trying to cut the line?

— No! I just thought of saying hi to you.

— Well, if that's the case, I think you'd better get in line soon, or it will just get longer...

— I have my lunchbox, so I don't need to get in line.

— Right...

Of all the characters so far, Renato was the only one Lucas was more relaxed talking to, mainly because of his help with the baths.

— By the way, are you going to train today? — he asked, walking alongside Lucas in line.

Although he was popular, and some people were watching the two conversing from afar, it didn't seem like anyone wanted to interfere, especially when the topic of training was mentioned.

— Ah, yes, I'll be there to suffer again. — Lucas said, without much enthusiasm.

— Come on, man, you've just started... I myself want to improve, but I feel like I'm not making progress.

— Well, isn't that because you're the best player? No one can match you when it comes to basketball.

— ...But that's a bit frustrating too.

Looking at Renato, who seemed to have some complicated feelings, Lucas just thought of something interesting and said with a slight smile.

— But it's not like you're unbeatable, you know?

— Hmm?

Renato looked at Lucas doubtfully, being a little surprised. After he became who he is now, no one ever tried to challenge him.

— Do you think you can defeat me?

— Alone? Probably not, but maybe if I have a partner...

— Hee... Ahahaha...

Seeing the young man laugh with a smile, Lucas continued.

— So, what do you think? Want to try a 2x1?

— ...I'm curious about who you would call to go against me, so why not?

Although he was talking humbly at first, Lucas could see his pride rise when it came to sports.

After another brief conversation, Renato said goodbye and went to have lunch with his other friends, while Lucas finally got some polenta to eat.

— Now, what should I do...

— Lucas, wait up!

Feeling his arm being pulled, the young man destabilized and saw his plate falling to the ground, along with his polenta. The plate was plastic, so there was no danger, but it ended up falling upside down.

Looking back was a certain amber-eyed girl, looking confused at the ground before realizing what she had done.

— Oops... Sorry.

— ...Just let me go.

[To be continued...]

S — Lucas gave up following the anime script...

??? — There was no way for him to bring the anime back to normal after so much interference from him.

S — So what is he going to do now? It doesn't seem like his plans will work correctly...

??? — Well, even if they don't work, something must happen.

S — But something doesn't always happen...