A familiar voice suddenly echoed behind him, "Alan, are you okay?"Startled, Alan instinctively turned around. There, rushing toward him in a fluster, was a pretty girl with hair the same color as his. Her face was etched with worry and concern, and she moved quickly, her eyes searching his for any sign of distress. This was Esther, always attentive and kind-hearted, her presence a comforting beacon in moments of uncertainty.Esther approached, her breath coming in quick gasps from her hurried pace. Her eyes scanned Alan from head to toe, seeking any signs of injury or distress. "Are you hurt? What happened?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. Behind her, more familiar faces appeared, each bringing comfort and camaraderie. Haruki, the confident and charismatic male protagonist, exuded a calm authority. Among them, His sharp eyes assessed the situation quickly, taking in every detail with practiced ease. His presence was commanding, and his concern for Alan was evident in his
"Idiot."A cold, piercing voice suddenly broke the silence, sending a chill downEsther's spine. She spun around, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of fear, to see who had uttered those harsh, unfamiliar words.The Russian princess Katia Volkov was standing there, exuding an aura of regal authority and disdain. In the gaming world of Rainfall Disorder, Katia was not just another character; she was your in-game crush, a figure of both admiration and intimidation.Esther's heart pounded as she saw Katia, whose icy blue eyes seemed to pierce right through her.
"Why is it that every time I see you... Do you always cover your face so thoroughly? I know it's ugly... covering it up won't help anyway."A mischievous smile slowly spread across the plump lips of the playful girl, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Her words, laced with mockery, grated on Ryoshu's nerves. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows on the walls, and her taunting voice seemed to echo in the enclosed space. Ryoshu could feel a surge of irritation rising within him, his hands clenching into fists under his cloak. However, he managed to suppress his anger, knowing lashing out would do no good. The memories of past confrontations where he had let his temper get the better of him flashed briefly in his mind, reminding him of the importance of control.Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he responded, his voice measured and even, "Sensei Kenzo accidentally cut off one of my ears."As soon as those words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramaticall
'She looks quite sleepy, doesn't she...? Some things never change, even in this virtual reality version,' Ryoshu thought, noticing Katia's drowsy expression. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and she leaned against the wall with a languid grace as if the day's weight was finally catching up with her. Her serene beauty seemed almost out of place in the tense atmosphere of the room, a stark contrast to the urgency surrounding them.Meanwhile, Alan and Esther were engrossed in a hushed conversation in a dimly lit corner. Alan's posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp and calculating, darting occasionally toward the rest of the group to ensure their privacy. Esther, on the other hand, looked anxious. Her brow was furrowed, and she kept glancing at Alan's bandaged arm, the concern in her eyes deepening with every passing moment."Alan, with your injury like this, can we still proceed with the original plan—?" Esther's voice, though soft, was tinged with worry. She bit her lip, her finge
"Please, Esther. Ryoshu also has quite good reasoning skills. Who knows, he could do something.Esther's expression shifted slightly. The confident and somewhat haughty demeanor she usually carried wavered for a moment. This subtle change did not go unnoticed. It wasn't merely the logical appeal of the request that caused her to pause. The actual influence came from the one making the plea. Esther highly regarded Charlotte, valuing her opinions and respecting her deeply. This respect was coupled with a strong belief in Charlotte's intuition, which had proven reliable on many occasions.Charlotte's request carried weight, not just because of her logical argument but because of the bond they shared. Esther contemplated the situation, her mind racing through past experiences where Charlotte's instincts had been spot on. She let out a long, resigned sigh, an audible sign of her internal struggle, and finally responded, her tone laced with reluctance:"Fine, I agree because you asked, bu
She could only let out a weary sigh, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on her shoulders before she spoke again. "Alright, let me repeat the plan again for the group. This is especially important for you, Haruki, and Charlotte. Please make an effort to remember it this time."Haruki, always the one to lighten the mood, chuckled nervously, "Hehe. Sorry about that..."On the other hand, Charlotte felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. "I'll try my best to remember..." she added softly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.The mention of their names jolted Haruki and Charlotte, causing them to sit up straighter and exchange sheepish glances. They realized they needed to pay better attention. The gravity of their task was starting to sink in. Despite their initial reactions, they quickly refocused, understanding the critical nature of the plan. They leaned in closer, eyes fixed on her, as she meticulously went over every detail, ensuring no one missed anything. He
To Ryoshu, it represented a ticket to power and respect, things he craved deeply.In a typical exam scenario, Ryoshu might have considered withdrawing, recognizing his limitations and the overwhelming odds. But this was no ordinary test. The stakes were higher, and so was his resolve. This was a unique opportunity, one he could not afford to miss. Part of his motivation stemmed from a lingering resentment towards a teacher who had publicly humiliated him, leaving a scar on his pride that he was eager to erase. He could still feel the sting of that embarrassment, a burning reminder of why he needed to succeed. The other part was driven by calculated confidence. Ryoshu had devised a plan that he believed would allow him to outshine all the other students, including the prominent main characters, and secure the coveted top spot.He stood there for a moment, reflecting on the upcoming challenges. The atmosphere around him seemed to thicken with tension and anticipation. His mind raced w
"You didn't need lightning-fast reflexes to recognize that the sound from a moment ago had a malicious intent." Realizing the imminent danger, Esther cried out with all the strength she could muster despite the excruciating ringing in her ears, "CHARLOTTE! PLAN B!" Her voice was strained and desperate, carrying the situation's urgency to her friend.Charlotte, the blonde princess, though also affected and bleeding from her ears, managed to catch Esther's plea. Summoning her remaining strength, she immediately called upon the earth around them. The ground responded to her summons, and large chunks of earth rose and coalesced. They rapidly formed a formidable wall, attempting to seal off the gaping hole violently torn into the room, which now stood split in half.The earthen barrier stood tall and seemed sturdy, a testament to Charlotte's power and control. It loomed protectively, casting a shadow over the wreckage of what had once been a secure room. The wall's surface was rough an
Charlotte's sigh was heavy with the weight of her disappointment. Her eyes locked onto the paper she held, searching for hidden meaning in the inked numbers. The quiet room seemed to echo with her despondence. Her brows knitted together, and her lips pursed in a faint frown. "I only got 200 points... so I'm ranked 13th," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, each word laced with a palpable sense of frustration and regret. "Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th."Ever attentive to his friend's emotions, Haruki moved closer, his expression softening with empathy. His blue hair fell into his eyes as he leaned in, a small, comforting smile on his lips. "You both were so close, weren't you?" he said, his tone gentle and encouraging. "If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers at the end, our whole group would have made it into the top 10.Charlotte's gaze shifted from the paper to Haruki, her mind replaying the chaotic events of the competition's final moments. Her brow f
"What on earth is going on?" he muttered, utterly bewildered by the sight before him. The scene was so unexpected that it left him momentarily stunned. Although he lacked the courage to step inside, his curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously peered in. Just at the entrance of the dormitory, Haruki and Charlotte were deeply engrossed in an unusually intimate conversation, their heads close together, sharing words he couldn't quite hear."They look so close... why does this scene seem so familiar?" he thought, a profound sense of déjà vu washing over him. The familiarity was unsettling. "This is the scene right after that cold, unfeeling guy Midnight—supposed to be a Star student—challenges the academy."Reflecting further, he realized, "Because I've temporarily taken his place, now everything is unfolding as it should... according to the script of the game Rainfall Disorder."As he stood there, lost in his thoughts and trying to piece everything together, a group of other
"See you later... but... next time, please don't pull on someone else's shirt like that..."At that precise moment, it seemed that the petite angelic girl had just realized she was clutching the hem of Ryoshu's shirt. Her eyes widened in sudden awareness, and she quickly let go as if the fabric had burned her fingers. What stood out most in this scene was the incredible proximity of their heads. Their faces were so close that even the slightest movement could have resulted in an undeniably awkward situation, almost as if the air between them had thickened with tension.Ryoshu's mind raced, struggling to process the sudden nearness. The image of a tomato was the only thing he could conjure to describe Luna's face, which had flushed a vibrant, almost luminous shade of red. Her cheeks seemed to glow with embarrassment, and he could practically feel the heat radiating from her skin.This moment was incredibly challenging for someone like Ryoshu, who was acutely sensitive and easily flust
"Instead of paying for tuition right away, I'll invest in the shares of potential guilds with promising futures," he mused aloud, his eyes shimmering with a glint of ambition. Securing financial growth through guild investments excited him; it seemed a wise move in a world where connections and wealth often determined one's success. "And if I gather enough goods, I might even consider starting a small business in the Trading Guild."The thought filled him with a sense of purpose and hope. He could already see the possibilities unfold before him—ventures that would bring wealth and establish his reputation in the bustling city. Money, he understood, was not merely a tool for survival but a powerful key to opening doors to numerous opportunities and connections.In the quieter corners of his mind, the stark reality of his ambitions loomed large. "In the future, the amount of money I'll need is no small sum," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of sober reflection. Supporting the ta
Upon hearing the alarming beep of the error sound, the saleswoman immediately hurried over. Her steps were quick and purposeful, a clear indication of her concern. As she approached, she leaned closer to the counter, her eyes searching for the source of the problem, and asked, "Are you out of money, dear?"The young man, visibly flustered, responded with a slight tremble, "No... please wait a moment. It seems there might be an error." His fingers moved swiftly over the device, trying to troubleshoot the issue with an almost palpable urgency. Sweat began to form on his brow as he frantically tried to resolve the situation.Standing right beside Ryoshu, the saleswoman scrutinized him with a look that betrayed her suspicion. Her eyebrows knitted together, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to decipher what was going wrong. Her eyes darted between Ryoshu and the device, seeking any clue that might explain the unexpected error.Ryoshu felt the weight of her gaze bearing do
"Ryoshu... What are you looking at out there?" Charlotte called out to him, her voice tinged with concern after he had been silent for an unusually long time.Startled from his thoughts, Ryoshu turned towards them, his face pale and eyes wide as if he had just seen a ghost. The unsettling expression made both Charlotte and Haruki exchange worried glances.'Could it be... these two?' Ryoshu wondered internally, his mind racing. 'Is it because they know me or because they are actively engaging with me? If that's the case... I need to come up with a plan quickly. These scenes are making me sick!!!'Desperately trying to compose himself, Ryoshu quickly blurted out, "Oh, um... I saw a white cat passing by, but it's nothing special." He cringed inwardly, realizing it was one of the lamest excuses he had ever concocted.Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued but not fully satisfied. "A white cat, you say?""Yeah," Ryoshu stammered, nodding a bit too vigorously. "It just caught my
"Wow, looking over this list again, it's clear just how impressive Amemura is. He scored an incredible 600 points, outpacing Midnight by a substantial margin of 100 points!"Ryoshu'sRyoshu's friend exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement as they reviewed the freshly printed results. The numbers were still crisp on the page, highlighting Amemura's name at the top with a bold score beside it. Ryoshu, however, seemed preoccupied as he fumbled with a newspaper he had just picked up."This... just came out... I didn't have a chance to hear the scores earlier, but... it doesn't," Ryoshu muttered, his voice trailing off as he opened the newspaper. He was soon engrossed, his eyes moving methodically across the columns of text. Despite his initial nonchalance, he found himself compelled to read each word meticulously. A sense of helplessness washed over him as he realized he had no choice but to absorb every detail. The weight of the information bore down on him, making him feel like he was being
"Well, I only got 200 points, so I'm ranked 13th. But Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th," Charlotte sighed, her eyes scanning the paper in her hand with a mix of disappointment and resignation.Seeing the sadness on his friend's face, Haruki felt a pang of empathy and immediately sought to comfort her. His voice was gentle yet filled with a determination to lift her spirits."Both of you were so close, weren't you? If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers causing trouble at the end, our whole group might have made it into the top 10," he said, trying to inject positivity into the situation.Charlotte nodded slightly, appreciating his effort but still feeling the sting of their narrow miss. "I'm not so sure about that... but we should still celebrate the 2... no, now 3 of us who made it into the top 10! Maybe we could go out for dinner tonight... have a little party or something?"As she spoke, Charlotte absentmindedly twirled a lock of her shiny golden hair around her finge
They walked through it unharmed, and not only that, they managed to carry on a lively conversation, smiling as if they were taking a casual stroll. The air was filled with their laughter and light-hearted banter, starkly contrasting the tense situation at hand. "Do you think we'll be alright?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Ryoshu's mind was racing. He vividly remembered the second scene, every detail etched into his memory, and knew he had to act swiftly. The weight of urgency pressed down on him, his thoughts a chaotic whirl as he considered the implications. "I hope the scene hasn't progressed too far… I need to hurry…" he muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mount. Without wasting another moment, he took a deep breath and plunged into the invisible curtain that separated him from his goal.The instant he entered, an eerie sensation washed over him. Once responsive and under his control, his body began to betray him. It was as if an u