(Beginning of Volume 7. I would greatly appreciate your comments and a critique of the story. Are you enjoying it? Is there any character's story you'd like to know more about? Please leave your opinions; they help me improve.)
(Pov - Evelyn.)
I got home… My lonely home. That feeling of loneliness hits me again, huh? I'm used to it, but it still hurts.
I can't have friends, my family completely ignores me, and… And I also have to pay off that stupid debt.
[Get your ass over here. Room 325.]
If only I hadn't done what I did, I wouldn't be doing this.
I know I'll keep doing it for many more years, which is why I try to enjoy what I do. I just have to imagine the clients as if they were some anime boy. Having sex with an anime character is less disgusting than doing it with a gross fat guy.
"Only 5 more years…"
Although I know it's too optimistic to think they'll let me go.
… I don't know what to do.
"I… I don't want to keep doing this."
I quickly wiped away my tears. I have to do it. I can't make that much money any other way… I don't want them to kill me… I have to do it.
Be strong, Evelyn… It's the only thing you can do. Be strong.
•
•
CHAPTER 51 - Second Special Test. Part 1.
I finished washing the dishes. Originally, I was going to have dinner with Hanako and Sylphie, but with the expulsion issue, I had to postpone the dinner for another day.
Now that I'm done washing, I'll deal with this other problem.
"I hope you liked it, Saoto. Honestly, and without meaning to brag, I think they turned out delicious."
"Yeah, they were delicious, Saik. Thanks for inviting me to dinner, but you know I didn't come for that. Don't try to avoid the topic."
Saoto arrived while Yuki and I were having dinner. He ruined my dinner with Yuki; she had to go eat in her room.
"Oh, yeah, that's right. Sorry, I have to reject your feelings for me. I only see you as… Well, I was going to say I only saw you as a friend and send you to the friendzone, but I don't even consider you a friend."
"Hey, I've been hearing that joke come out of your mouth lately when someone wants to ask you something in class. Stop being funny when you use it too much."
… Ah… I guess normal students don't make as many jokes as I thought. I still have a lot to learn.
Ugh, I don't understand teenagers. It's frowned upon to be too serious, and now I find out it's frowned upon to be too funny. Who understands teenagers?
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
I took a sip from my teacup while looking at Saoto, who was staring at me seriously. I don't like this guy for two reasons.
Number 1: He wants to force me to help our classmates. He wants to turn me into one of the class leaders, and I don't want that.
And reason number 2…
"Please stop bothering the student council president. You're putting us all in danger."
That's it. He's too good of a person. Someone like him doesn't deserve to be the class leader, which is why I consider Ram the leader. I thought he would be smarter, but he turned out to be an idiot.
"Tell me, why did you decide to come to my house so late? Why didn't you talk to me about this in class? There must be a reason."
"The president told me everything that happened today. How she used a student to humiliate you and how you were able to figure out her plan."
"Are you on the student council?"
"They haven't accepted me yet; I'm on probation."
… Should I trust Saoto? He's a good person, but knowing the student council president, she could manipulate Saoto to her liking.
I'd rather not take the risk.
"Akito is no longer part of the student council, but he's still part of the president's class. If you expel him, our entire class will become enemies of the school. Not only could we drop to Class E, but they could also expel us, tarnishing our academic record. Please, Saik, don't make the president angry. Stop trying to expel Akito and move on with your life."
"Wow…"
The president made her first move, turning my own classmates against me. Sylphie and Ludius are the only classmates I know I can trust. Naok, Bell, and Evelyn are idiots who could easily be bought. And Naima doesn't even consider me a friend, so I can't trust her either.
The president recruited Saoto because he's the class president and one of the most popular. He's popular with girls and intelligent. The guys, although they envy him, know how smart and reliable he is, so they won't hesitate to follow him. I'm just a student with two trustworthy people against the rest of my own class.
And not just against my own class. Saoto is in the top 5 most handsome first-year students. A list the girls made. Yuki told me about it and asked me to comb my hair and wear glasses to make the top, but I ignored her. I'm at number 35. I guess that's good, considering there must be about 50 guys in the first year. Nah, I don't care.
I got off track. Saoto is one of the most popular first-years. I'm not just up against my own class, but also the other classes.
Hmm… Should I switch to Tanya's class? I doubt she'd do what the president tells her; she might even offer to help me expel her. Yeah, that could work. Tomorrow I'll tell the teacher I'm switching classes… Oh… Right, the promise. I have to stay in Class B to protect Sylphie. Ugh… Mother, Father, I know our family always keeps its promises, but couldn't I make an exception this time? Protecting Sylphie is costing me my normal school life. I have to protect her from perverts, annoying girls, and now I have to protect her from all the students because they'll want to expel her for having me as a friend and ally.
Ugh… Well… Mother, I know you'd be disappointed in me if I didn't help the only girl who's always willing to help me. But, Mother, if Sylphie does something that harms me, I'll abandon her. Forgive me, but I'm not willing to help someone who hurt me.
For example, if Saoto manages to convince Sylphie to use her protection point to save a classmate, I'll immediately switch to Tanya's class and stop talking to Sylphie.
Ludius… Well, he doesn't owe me anything. He can use his protection point however he wants. Same with Naima, though I doubt she'd use it on someone else.
"Hmm… I see… Saoto, would you like to hear a story…? Well, more than a story, it's a personal anecdote."
"An anecdote?"
"When I was in middle school, there was a group of delinquents. You know, the typical students who do drugs, have sex, and take advantage of the weak."
"Delinquents?"
… Why did he react nervously? Oh well, doesn't matter.
I sense nervousness in him, but I won't investigate. I don't care.
"I witnessed their evil acts. They stole money from students and even beat them up. It didn't affect me, so I didn't do anything about it. Until one day, one of them tried to take the lunch my saintly and beautiful mother had specially made for me. What did I do? I broke his arm, and I got expelled for a week."
"His arm?"
"Yeah. When I returned to school, the delinquents tried to take advantage of me. They scratched my desk, spread rumors about me, some girls started saying I was sexually harassing them, blah, blah, blah. In short, they tried to bully me. But it only stayed at that, a mere attempt. I never cared, because they were just words. I decided to simply ignore them… But one day, I found out they had spread a rumor that my mother spread her legs easily. I guess you know what I mean. Some claimed they had slept with her and called her a nymphomaniac addicted to… Well, you know… That made me angrier than anything, so I decided to get revenge. One by one, I investigated them and exposed their big secrets. One of their mothers was a prostitute, or something like that, cheating on her husband with other men. I revealed the secret to the father, and they got divorced. I found out one of them had raped his cousin, gathered evidence, and got him to admit it himself. I spread that information, and to this day, he stays locked in his house, afraid to go out because everyone looks at him with disgust and contempt. Drugs, rapes, thefts, and a long list of other things. And those I couldn't find anything on, I left them badly injured, broke their bones, and left notes on their bodies, writing the reasons why I beat them. I made up things about them raping little girls or blackmailing women to assault them. Although they didn't go to jail, their notes were spread throughout the city, branding those guys as rapists and pedophiles."
He's looking at me with fear, and I just take another sip of my tea.
"Why are you telling me all this? Are you trying to scare me? How do I know this is real and not something you're making up?"
"You can look it up online. They never found the culprit. You can call the police and tell them I was the one who beat them, but I didn't leave any evidence, which is why I have no problem telling you all this. They were all bad people, so I don't care if you think what I did was right or wrong."
"That was… I don't know what to say… Those you didn't find anything bad on, why didn't you leave them alone? How do you know they were really bad people?"
"They were part of that group, so to me, they were bad."
"Just because of that?"
"They called my mother a 'cheap whore.' That's reason enough to do that."
"… Why are you telling me all this?"
"If I was capable of doing all that, do you think I couldn't do it again? Maybe you have your secrets, and so do our classmates. I know perfectly well that the president will try to manipulate you to get your help, which is why I'm giving you a warning. If you try to expel me, you'll become another enemy. And if you convince others to help you, they'll become my enemies too. Today, I managed to expel someone by coming up with a plan just by hearing a phone camera. Do you think I couldn't expel other people? Do you think I wouldn't expel my own classmates? I would if they're my enemies."
"That's… too cruel… We… Saik, I just want everyone to be safe. I want to avoid as many expulsions as possible. I just want everyone to have a good school life without worries. And, if possible, I want us all to graduate in Class A. But if you keep insisting on being an enemy of the student council, no one in our class will be able to enjoy their school life for fear of being expelled. Please, I'll do anything."
"Anything?"
I got up from the table and approached him.
"Are you really capable of doing anything?"
"If it means you'll leave the president alone, yes… I'll do anything."
I caressed his chin and brought my face closer to his.
"If I told you I want to kiss you and have sex with you, would you do it?"
His body started trembling, and his eyes widened with fear.
"T-That's…! That would be… I-I'm not gay… But… But if you promise to leave the president alone and help us move up to Class A, I… I… I would do it."
"You would?"
"Yes… Just promise me you won't tell anyone…"
He closed his eyes and kissed me… Ugh… Is he really kissing me? Even with tongue.
… I don't like it. I already have Naima. Well, we're not friends yet, but I'll be loyal to her even if we're not dating yet.
I pushed him away and wiped my mouth.
"Hey, didn't you realize I was joking? I like women… Ugh… That was my first kiss…"
My first kiss with a living human was with Saoto, a guy… Ugh…
"Hey, Saoto, you've tarnished my honor. You stole my first kiss, the one I planned to give to the love of my life when I found her. Shall we settle this the old-fashioned way, with fists? Though we could also pretend this never happened and not say anything."
"Uh, yeah, I think I'd rather forget this happened."
"I admit I'm surprised at how far you're willing to go to get what you want. You should have more dignity. Don't go for the easy way if it means sacrificing your own dignity. Now go and think better about what you'll do. I recommend you cooperate with the president to expel me, but don't involve others if you don't want them to become my enemies. Remember, my only goal right now is Akito, and if the president becomes my enemy, I'll do everything I can to expel her."
"You really won't change your mind, huh?"
"I won't."
"Yeah… I see… You're a danger to the class."
He moved away from me.
"You're too dangerous for our class… I think I've changed my opinion about you… I heard Tanya wants you in her class. I thought having you would be very beneficial, but now I realize you're too dangerous. Accept the class change and put Class A in danger. At least that way, our classmates will be safer."
"I'll think about it."
"… Yeah… Goodbye."
He left my house… Ugh…
"Was that really my first kiss? It wasn't even romantic. I'm pretty disappointed."
"Kya! Saik, I knew it! No wonder you don't fall for Sylphie! You're gay!"
Yuki started laughing. Yeah, I knew she was spying on us. After all, Yuki is a busybody.
"You think it's funny that a guy is gay? Wow… I didn't know you were homophobic, Yuki. I must admit I'm quite disappointed."
"Huh? N-no, you misunderstood! I'm not homophobic!"
"Another joke that lands well. I'm awesome, huh?"
"Ahhhhhhhh! Stop acting like an idiot!"
"Yeah, sorry… Well, what I did to Saoto was just to make him think I'm a crazy pervert, so he'd be afraid of me and not dare to challenge me. Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned, and he stole my first kiss. Ugh, I won't be able to get married now."
"Fufu. Don't worry, Saik. I'm pretty sure Sylphie wouldn't mind marrying you."
"No, thanks, I'm not interested in Sylphie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something to do."
"Study?"
"No, sleep. I'll study tomorrow."
"By the way, is what you told him true? About those delinquents?"
"Yes and no. They tried to mess with me, but they stopped when I beat them all up. Someone else did the investigating."
"Phew. Good thing. I thought you were some kind of psychopath."
If it had been me, I would've killed them to save myself a lot of trouble. I suspect someone who can see ghosts did that, but I was too lazy to investigate. It didn't affect me, so I didn't care.
When they tried to bully me in middle school, they regretted it.
I was comfortably eating my lunch under a tree until one of those gorillas kicked my lunch and demanded my money. There were four others with him. Four guys and a girl just as rude and violent.
And I, as the peaceful person I am, warned them not to mess with me because they'd regret it. They didn't listen and tried to hit me. By the end of the day, all of them, including the girl, went home with black eyes. When I left school, more than ten delinquents were waiting for me with bats to beat me. The result was the same. They all went home sore and with black eyes, and I went home unscathed and made myself a delicious sandwich.
The next day, the delinquents avoided me, and no one knew what I did because they kept it a secret. If others found out, it would be humiliating for them.
I admit I took advantage of that fear to steal their money when I needed it and also their lunches… Ugh, I guess I was a delinquent too… Well, that's in the past.
I went up to my room, turned on the air conditioning, and lay on the bed… Alright…
"I think I only have three options."
There are three different paths I need to consider this school year. Number 1: Saoto's betrayal. If Saoto decides to betray me and turns others against me, I'll definitely be expelled more than once. I need to get another protection point.
Number 2: If Saoto decides to stay neutral, the president will use the other classes to sabotage me in the special tests, and that will cause expulsions not only for me but also for my class, causing us to drop to Class E.
Number 3, the least likely…
"A one-on-one confrontation."
If the president wants a challenge, she'll challenge me herself without external help, using her own strategies and not asking for more assistance. It's less likely, but it's possible.
Teamwork is out of the question in two of those three paths; I can't even trust my own classmates.
… Ugh… President, if I were the Saik from the past, you'd already be dead. You're lucky I want a normal school life.
Well… Saoto is against me. I just hope Sylphie doesn't betray me.
•
•
(Pov - Saoto.)
I just wasted my time. I should've known someone as selfish as Saik wouldn't be willing to think about others.
Why is Saik like this? Would it be so hard for him to leave Akito alone? Why is he so determined to expel him? He's already suffered enough; I don't think it's fair what Saik wants to do to him.
… Saik is evil and selfish. He may be the best first-year student, but he's a heartless monster who wouldn't care about sacrificing someone to get ahead.
"That thought disgusts me… Although…"
I used to think the same way.
I'd better not think about my past. I got home. I can't worry my parents.
I know the outcome was worse than I imagined; I even kissed him. Honestly, I didn't feel anything. I stopped caring about that kind of thing a long time ago… Since my grandmother died.
Saik holds a grudge against Akito; I don't know if I can make him change his mind.
If Saik decides to move forward, I need to think of a way to prevent it from affecting us. If Saik switches classes, our class will become weaker, but it'll be safer.
The final decision would be: fight against the student council and risk several of my classmates getting expelled, or fight alongside the student council against Saik.
Saik is a dangerous guy. Today, he expelled a student just by hearing a camera. I don't know what he'd be capable of with more preparation time. If we go against him, he could cause expulsions, but there could also be students physically hurt.
I want to be a trustworthy leader. I want my classmates to trust me, to consider me their friend and not hate me, but…
"I'm between a rock and a hard place."
The president is much worse than Saik, but I only consider her more dangerous than him because of the stories I've heard. Saik is still a mystery to me.
Neutrality isn't an option either. Whether we support Saik or not, the president won't care. She'll bring down the class just because Saik is in Class B.
The only option that would save us would be if Saik switches classes. We'd become very weak and probably never reach Class A.
… I don't know what to do.
I'd love for us all to be in Class A, but if Saik switches to Tanya's class, and considering that even with Saik, she was able to beat us, if she gets Saik, her class would become invincible.
Keep Saik and make enemies of all the school's classes, or get rid of our best weapon?
It's a decision I can't make alone; I need to talk to Ram, but knowing her, she'll take the risk and prefer to keep Saik.
I'm scared.
"Scared of failing again."
I don't want to fail as a leader… I don't want to.
Ugh… Saoto, stop crying! You have to fight and not give up. Your friends trust you; I know you'll find a solution to your problem.
I want to keep my friends safe, but I also want them to move forward and be able to reach Class A.
We need to get stronger and study more. Teamwork will be crucial.
"Grandma, I'll do my best. I'll protect everyone, I promise!"
But if I want to keep my promise, I need to earn a protection point… And if I can't earn one in a special test, would I be able to expel someone?
I… I'd be responsible for someone having a stain on their academic record… I don't know if I could do that to someone. Sacrificing one person to save another… What's the point of that?
Saik does it without any problem because he's evil, but I don't know if I could do it… Huh?
"What…? That was weird."
I felt like someone patted my head… Ugh, the stress is driving me crazy. I need to sleep.
I got home.
"I'm home."
I approached my grandmother's altar and left some of her favorite candies.
"Today, I helped a lost kid find his mom, Grandma. The rest of my day was normal."
I went into the living room. My younger sister is playing video games, and my mom is asleep on the couch… Drunk again…
"Hey, idiot, did you bring me something to eat?"
"No, sorry."
"Tch. You're useless."
"But you didn't tell me to bring you anything. I can cook something for you if you want."
"But hurry, I'm starving."
"Yeah… Sure."
She's 15 and still hasn't learned to cook for herself… I'd better not say anything about it. It's not worth arguing.
"Has Dad come home yet?"
"He's in the kitchen."
I went into the kitchen… My dad is cooking, but he looks awful. He has huge dark circles under his eyes.
"Hi, son. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Go rest, I'll finish dinner."
"Don't worry, it's almost…"
I put my hand on his shoulder.
"Go rest."
"… Yeah, thanks a lot, son."
He left the kitchen… He works all day and still worries about dinner… He needs to rest a lot… And my mom doesn't help him at all.
I know love is mysterious, but why doesn't he leave her? I don't know if I can hate my own mother, but… I'd better not think about this anymore.
"Grandma, I wonder what I should do to help my mom."
She refuses to go to rehab and doesn't want to listen to us… I don't know what to do anymore.
"Hey, hurry up, I'm starving!!"
And my sister is as rude as ever… Though I can't complain too much.
"Because she's like this because of me."
A mistake I'll never forgive myself for… Ugh… Tears?
No, Saoto… No… You don't have time to cry. Just smile and keep going. One day, everything will get better.
"Yeah… One day, everything will get better."
Every family has its problems, and every problem has a solution. I just have to be patient. My mom will quit drinking one day, my sister will become kinder, and my dad will get tired of being taken advantage of.
If I could change, they can too. I just hope it's not too late.
I couldn't change in time, Grandma. You died without seeing a kind and grateful grandson… I hope my mom doesn't decide to change after my dad dies of exhaustion.
I just… I just have to wait. One day, everything will get better… Yeah…
"One day."
•
•
(Pov - Saik.)
"Well, Yuki, today is Tuesday. You know what that means?"
"Taco Tuesday?!"
"Taco Tuesday."
"Yay! '¡Los tacos son tan deliciosos! ¡Quiero que me compres 10 para mí sola, por favor, señor Saik!'"
"Slow down, Yuki, my Spanish isn't as good as yours. Though, that 'señor Saik' sounded pretty fancy. I like it."
Yuki is, as always, on my shoulders, kicking and sniffing my hair. Ugh, I'll never understand her obsession with my hair.
"G-G-Good m-m-morning, Saik and…!"
Yuki covered Sumi's mouth as she ran toward us.
"What did I tell you about talking to me on the street?!"
"S-S-Sorry."
Wow, she's with her mom. She approached us.
"Is she here?"
Yuki took her hand, and the lady started trembling with fear, making Yuki burst out laughing.
"Hahahahahaha! It's so fun to scare her!"
"Yuki says she senses a curse on you and you'll die in three days."
"W-What?!"
"Hahahahahaha! She turned pale, Saik!"
"N-N-No, it's not true, Mom! H-He said it to scare you!"
"Sorry, I'm just venting the hatred I feel toward you."
I walked away.
"Hatred? What did I do to you?"
"Nothing to me, but you treated Sumi like she was crazy. You didn't even try to help her with a psychologist. If I hadn't met Sumi, you'd still see her as crazy."
I turned to look at her.
"I hate people like you."
At least my mom tried to help me with psychiatrists and medication, but she just thought they were simple imaginary friends and didn't give it much importance. And when Sumi told her something about ghosts, she treated it like it was a bother… I hate people like that.
"Well, Saik, see you later, I'm going to school with Sumi."
"If they try to bully her."
"Sumi will hit them. That's pretty wild advice. I'll find another way to help her."
"It's the quickest option for bullying."
"Unlike you, Sumi is a lady. She can't go through life solving her problems with violence."
"Huh? Just because she's a lady? Wow, wow. Besides being homophobic, sexist? And here I was admiring you. I'm disappointed."
"Ahhhhhhhh!! I'm not sexist! And I'm not homophobic either!"
"And I was just joking again."
"Saik, it's not normal to make so many jokes!"
It's not normal?
"Why have you been telling so many jokes lately? I don't get you!"
It's not normal… I see… Ugh, I messed up again.
Being a teenager is harder than I thought.
"See you at the restaurant."
"Order 15 tacos for me!"
"Didn't you say 10?"
"15!"
"Alright."
Well, at least I'm not the only glutton in the house.
•
•
I got to school, but something feels different in the atmosphere. What are they all doing outside? Why aren't they going in…? Huh? Are those suitcases? Why do the students have suitcases?
"Good morning, Saik!" Sylphie said, approaching me… with a suitcase.
… What?
"Good morning, Sylphie. Why do you have a suitcase?"
"Huh? Why? We're leaving today."
"To where?"
"Well… To the special test."
"But that's tomorrow."
"Didn't you read the message they sent in the school's group chat and email?"
Ugh… When I got home from school yesterday, I turned off my phone so no one would bother me while I was eating dinner… I'm an idiot.
Well, I won't need a suitcase on the island, so I'm safe.
"Oh… And why did they move it up?"
"Because of the cruise!"
"Cruise?"
"There'll be a party on a cruise. It's to celebrate the start of the special test."
"… Oh…"
I keep forgetting this school is for rich people. A party on a cruise, huh? I hope they don't charge me because I'm not wasting my money on something like that.
Well, considering Sylphie is going too, it means they won't charge us. I'll take advantage and eat as much as I can, assuming the food is free.
I need to prepare.
"I'm going to see Naima."
"Naima?"
"Yeah, we need to talk, we're partners on the island."
"T-That's right."
I walked away from her… Alright, I'm far enough.
"Yuki, come."
… 5, 4, 3, 2…
"Ahhhhhhhh!!"
Here comes Yuki, flying toward me at high speed.
She crashed into my chest.
"Kya!! Saik, you better have a good reason for doing that! I almost had a heart attack!"
"We're going on a cruise. The trip got moved up."
"C-Cruise?! Yes, just what you'd expect from a school for rich people!"
Now that I have Yuki, I just need to talk to Naima… Hmm… There she is.
I approached her; she was talking with her friends.
"Hey, Naima, I need to talk to you."
"Can't you see we're talking?" one of her friends said.
Was her name Reiko? I don't remember her well. I don't care about her at all, so it doesn't matter.
"Well, considering I called Naima, it means I knew she was here, so no, I'm not blind. And if I spoke to her even knowing you were talking to her, it means I don't care if you're talking to her. You like to complain, don't you?"
"You wanna fight?!"
"Wow, you're aggressive too. You're adorable."
I took a chocolate bar out of my pocket.
"Here."
She tried to throw the bar at me, but my grip was stronger, and she couldn't.
"I don't want it!"
"Wow. You tried to throw the chocolate? You're pretty weak. You should exercise more. You're a bit overweight. I recommend… Oh…"
She tried to slap me, but I stopped her by grabbing her wrist.
"Hey, I'm just trying to help."
"Calm down," Mark said.
Is he her boyfriend? Oh, I don't care.
"Wow… This got awkward. That's why I don't get along with girls like her; they get mad over anything. So, Naima, can we talk?"
"Make it quick."
"Thanks."
Before walking away with Naima, I offered the chocolate to Mark.
"Here, thanks for calming her down."
"I don't want it."
"Why does everyone reject my chocolate?"
I opened it and took a bite.
I walked away with Naima.
"That personality of yours can be annoying."
"Well, I just wanted to talk to you. Your friend's violent reaction was a bit embarrassing, so I decided to play along to see more of her reactions. Though I didn't expect her to react with violence."
"Whatever. What do you want to talk about?"
"It's about something we need to settle before the special test. Are you on my side or Saoto's?"
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough. If you had to choose who to support, who would you pick?"
"Tch. That's a weird question… I don't know. I guess I'd choose whoever gives me the most benefits."
"… I see. During the special test, I'll do my best to earn positive points for both of us. Oh, and by the way, you can use the tent; I'll sleep somewhere else."
"Really? Why?"
"My reasons are private. You're welcome. That's all. See you… Oh, and by the way."
I took out another chocolate bar.
"Want it?"
"Yeah."
She took it and put it in her backpack.
"See you later."
I walked away from her and took a deep breath… Ugh, I should've known.
"Ahhhhhhhh! I hate Naima and her friends! Saik, why did you get her a protection point?!"
Because she'll need it soon.
•
•
We got on the buses and left the school.
To avoid getting bored, I started drawing the next chapter of one of my mangas.
The first chapter about the prostitute got good support; it was even translated into Spanish and English by other people. I guess that's good.
Number 31 will be happy with that result.
"Can I sit with you?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
I answered and kept drawing. Hmm… Having the protagonist pay off the debt of a prostitute he just met feels unrealistic, but I think if I have them go out together to certain places, like dates or something, it would be more realistic. And when the man she owes money to comes looking for her, the protagonist pays the debt to keep her from selling her body again.
Before that happens, she'll tell him about her life and why she does what she does.
Yeah, that could work. The next arcs will be resolving family issues they both have, and then the wedding.
Number 31 told me it's a short series, about 70 chapters.
The other stories are longer.
"I read the first chapter. It was a good start."
"Thanks, President."
I'll tell Number 31 you complimented her.
"I have 4 protection points."
"I see… And what do you want me to do with that information, President?"
"Nothing, just wanted to brag," she said, smiling.
"My only goal is to expel Akito. I know it's almost impossible to expel you, but there are other ways to defeat you. By the way, do women care about a man's virginity? I'm conflicted. It matters to men, but I don't know if it matters to women."
"Do you care?"
"Not really. The only thing that matters to me is that they're loyal. I don't care if they're virgins or not."
"I think the same. The only ones who care about virginity are those pathetic men who can't stand the idea that another man has been with the girl they're dating."
"Yeah, I agree. By the way, I recommend manipulating Ram instead of Saoto. He's too kind; he's not useful to you. Ram would be a better piece."
"Fufu. Yeah, I know, but I prefer to attack with numbers rather than strategy. Sounds more fun."
"Yeah, whatever. Hmm…"
The start of the second story is too explicit; it even made me angry.
The hero's wives are simply killed in front of him, but I don't think that will satisfy the readers. It'll be cruel, but I'll have orcs rape the hero's wives, and even the hero himself.
"NTR? I didn't know you liked drawing that."
"It's the start of my second story. It's fantasy."
A man found the love of his life having sex with the hero, a person summoned to that world.
He had known her since they were kids, and they were married for over 15 years, but she cheated on him simply because the hero was handsome and powerful. She preferred to be part of the hero's harem, someone she barely knew, over staying with the man who had always loved her.
He gains his power when he commits suicide, and thanks to all the hatred he felt toward the hero, an evil goddess hidden in that world gives him her power to defeat the hero.
There are two goddesses: the one who gave the hero his power and is also part of his harem, and the evil goddess who gave the protagonist his power.
He goes to the Demon King's castle and joins forces with him. They build him his own castle and give him servants. One of his servants isn't an attractive girl like the typical heroines in fantasy stories; she's flat, very thin, wears big glasses, and her face isn't that pretty. A 7 out of 10.
He doesn't fall in love with her right away; they become friends first and then fall in love.
While the hero travels the world, expanding his harem, the Demon King strengthens his army and flirts with his new love.
This is also a short story, about 100 short chapters.
The romantic comedy with the ghost is longer because Number 31 wrote different endings, even a harem ending.
"Want to play cards, Saik?"
"No, thanks, I want to finish this."
"Alright."
I won't fall for her trap. I mustn't do something that reveals my way of thinking.
Ugh, I hope we get there soon.
(Extra - Legendary Ghost Number 11, the Ghost of Despair.)
(Pov - Saik, 6 years old.)
"Why are they expelling me?! Father, sue the school! Those idiots beat up others, and you do nothing! Now that they tried to hit me, and I humiliated them with my physical prowess, I'm the one expelled?! I demand you expel them too, or I'll go on a hunger strike!"
"Saik, you need to calm down. Son, defending yourself was a good thing; you didn't let them take advantage of you, but you broke those kids' bones by jumping on their arms!"
"That'll teach them to stop bothering others! I'm starting my hunger strike today! Principal, I hope you're ready for the lawsuit!"
I got up from the chair and left the principal's office. The kids' parents were outside, and since they were looking at me with hatred, I just smiled at them.
"Educate your kids better. This wouldn't have happened if your kids were good kids! They deserve what…! Hmmph!"
My dad covered my mouth. Hey, I want to tell them how I feel! Number 1, give them all explosive diarrhea! And cancer to one of them, so it doesn't look too suspicious.
Number 4, give bad luck to two of the kids.
We'll leave the other two alone. If they all suffer some accident or something, it'll be too suspicious.
Number 1 and Number 4 left my body.
My dad and I left the school, and I was still angry. I refuse to believe what I did was wrong. They kept bothering others and beating up the weaker kids. I did the right thing by teaching them a lesson.
"Saik, what you did today was…"
"Dad, no matter what you say, I won't change my mind. They weren't punished by the school; they ignored the problem. If I let them take advantage of me, the school wouldn't do anything. Insulting them wouldn't work. As hard as it is for you to accept, violence was the quickest solution. They'll fear me and won't dare insult me ever again. Fear is a powerful weapon."
"Saik, I'd really like to agree with you, but it wouldn't be right. Maybe you think that's a solution, but have you thought about what others will think of you? They'll fear you and label you as a violent, aggressive kid. Ugh, I said violent twice, but it's true. I ask you to think better about your actions and the consequences they might have in the future."
"Should I be ashamed of doing something others don't dare to do because they're afraid of what others think? I don't care what people think of me; I only need to care about what I think of myself."
"That thought might be very nice, but in real life, it doesn't work that way. You have to act a certain way at school and at work. When you grow up and have a job, you can't hit your boss just because you hate him. You'll have to endure that hatred and pretend you don't hate him."
"Pretend… But you told me lying is wrong. Isn't pretending the same as lying?"
"Pretending is a necessary lie, Saik. If they insult you, pretend it doesn't matter."
Well, it really doesn't matter to me. They're just words.
"Pretending is something we all do in life. Your mom and I do the same at our jobs. I sometimes have to put up with annoying students, and your mom has to endure the words of lustful patients. We have to pretend it doesn't matter and keep working."
"And if they hit me?"
"… I… Honestly, I don't have the right answer. It's like you said earlier, the school won't always do something about it, but I refuse to believe violence is the solution."
"That's a harsh reality, Dad. If no one does anything, we have to take justice into our own hands… Well, we're here."
I sat in the corner of the school.
"What are you doing?"
"My hunger strike. Tell Mom I'll be back home in two days. I doubt the school will risk having an innocent kid starving to death. Can you bring me my portable console?"
"Ugh… Let's go, Saik."
He picked me up in his arms. Hey, I'm not a little kid anymore! I've even had my first kiss!
"It'd be best to accept the punishment. Ugh, your mom will be mad at you."
"Let me complain to society about this injustice!"
"Nope. Now we're going to eat some burgers!"
"Sorry, my diet forbids it."
"You're too young to be on diets!"
"I'm not young…!"
Ugh, I almost told him about the kiss. Hehe. I'm an idiot.
"I found him," Number 7 said, floating beside me.
I looked into her eyes.
"He's a doctor. But I warn you, his legendary ghost feeds on despair. While working in that hospital, he must have absorbed a huge amount of despair from patients."
"Where?" I whispered.
"At the hospital where your mom works."
"I want to go see Mom! Let's go to the hospital! She'll understand my pain!"
"No, your mom is working; we can't bother her."
"I want to go, I want to go! I won't breathe until you take me!"
I stopped breathing, but my dad kept ignoring me.
"Your mom is busy, Saik. Sorry."
My dad keeps walking, not looking at me, just staring ahead.
It's been a minute… Two… minutes.
I'm losing… consciousness.
The lack of oxygen… is… affecting me.
•
•
"Son, I know I was hard on you, but you have to understand that what I say is for your own good. Life isn't that easy… Huh?"
When he looked at Saik, he realized he was unconscious. It was impossible for him to have fallen asleep since he didn't seem sleepy, and considering he threatened to stop breathing, he realized what happened.
"Saik?!"
•
•
(Pov - Saik.)
Hehe… I'm in my dad's arms, right in front of the hospital.
"Yay! Did you change your mind, Dad?! Though I was pretty comfortable sleeping."
"Sleeping?!"
"Now let me go see Mom to complain about the school."
"You were unconscious!"
"Huh? I was unconscious? No… I got sleepy and fell asleep. Why do you say I was unconscious?"
He sighed in relief. Sorry for the lie, Dad, but it was necessary.
"You don't know the scare you gave me, son."
"Huh? I'd apologize, but it's not my fault you mistook my nap for passing out. Now let's go to…! Oh… I need to pee! I need to go to the bathroom!"
"Let's go."
My dad and I entered the hospital. I went into the bathroom… There are two people in the bathroom, but I'm safe; they're in the stalls.
I activated my Shadow form and left the bathroom before the door closed.
"This way," Number 7 said.
I followed her to the doctor's office.
Number 7 returned to my body, and I entered the office silently.
He's reviewing some documents. Well…
I approached him, but as I got closer, he threw a kind of knife at me, which I barely dodged.
"Who are you?"
"Wow, wow. Can you sense my presence? You're really powerful."
No need to stay invisible anymore.
"A little kid?"
"I'm here for your legendary ghost."
All my legendary ghosts left my body.
The exhaustion started, but it's necessary. I can't let him escape.
"Fufu. I see, so you're like me, huh? Why don't we work together?"
"Together?"
"As you can see, I'm very powerful, but I don't know how to fully use my power. I can tell you do. If we join forces, we could conquer the country from the shadows."
"Wow… That doesn't sound bad… And you're the first to detect me… 50/50?"
"It's a deal."
All my legendary ghosts returned to my body.
I extended my hand, and he shook it.
"This is the start of a beautiful friendship," he said, smiling.
Idiot.
I pulled him toward me, and Number 4 stabbed the knife into his forehead, killing him in seconds.
Number 4 picked it up when she left my body, and when she returned, her hand stayed out, behind my back, ready to attack. And when he let his guard down, she came out fully and killed him.
I absorbed legendary ghost number 11. Good… Now I have to endure the pain.
"You really know what I'm planning without me having to say it. You're amazing, Number 4."
"Fufu. I know, I know. Wouldn't you like to lick my shoe? It'd be a great honor for you."
"… You know I could rape you if I wanted, right?"
"Boo! You can't even take a simple joke."
"Now, to hide the body… Any ideas?"
"Leave it to me."
She entered the body and… Ugh… She can control it.
She removed the knife and hid the wound with bandages.
"I'll go dissolve the body in acid. I know a place where they do that. I'll be back tonight."
That sounds very disturbing, but I'll ignore it.
I returned to the bathroom and came out in my normal form.
Well, another mission that went well.
11 legendary ghosts under my control, 89 to go.