Chapter 78 – Back in Business

"So... I don't have to be escorted between all my classes, right?" I ask Bianca as we approach my next classroom, already knowing the answer but hoping I'm wrong.

"Selene will be waiting for you after this period ends." Bianca responds, completely ignoring my question.

"What? Come on, it's literally two minutes between classes. What's going to happen in two minutes?"

"Too bad. Selene said you took too long to respond to her texts. So we're doing this now."

"I responded in like ten seconds! How is that too long?"

"Hey, those were her words, not mine." A smirk tugs at the corner of her lips. "Guess you weren't fast enough."

I open my mouth to protest this absolute injustice, but we're already at my classroom. This is unfair! I didn't even get a trial!

"Alright, see ya dork." She reaches up to ruffle my hair.

Not today, foul demon! I catch her wrist mid-attack. "Haha! Blocked."

The triumph lasts approximately half a second before her other hand comes up and aggressively messes up my hair.

"Hey!" I let go and reach up to defend my hair, but it's too late. In retaliation, I mess up her hair, running my fingers through those perfectly straight black and green strands.

Unfortunately, her hair is so annoyingly silky that my fingers just slide right through it like I'm trying to mess up water. She smooths it back into place in literally two seconds while I'm standing here looking like I just survived a particularly violent storm.

"Ugh. You’re so annoying," I groan.

She giggles, clearly enjoying my suffering. "That's what sisters are for." She gives me a smug smile. "Alright, I'm out." She turns and heads off to her next class.

I pull out my phone, using the camera to fix my hair as I walk into the classroom. The back section is the worst, there's this one piece that's sticking straight up and refuses to cooperate no matter what I do.

I'm so focused on my reflection that I almost walk straight into three guys blocking the doorway.

"Hey man! What’s up?" The one in the middle, a studious, and decently attractive guy, sticks out his hand with way too much enthusiasm. "I'm Jake."

I pocket my phone and shake his hand, already feeling something off about this whole interaction. "Adam."

"Yeah, I thought that was you! You look familiar." Jake's smile is friendly, but his eyes are a little too focused. "So like, you and Bianca are pretty close, right?"

There it is.

That's a blatant lie. I've been practically invisible at school until recently. There's no way this random guy recognizes me. And the instant pivot to asking about Bianca? His intentions are crystal clear, he just wants to use me to get to my sister.

Yeah, no thanks.

"We're close," I say, deliberately vague.

"Oh cool, cool! Hey, you have Instagram?"

Uh, no. I'm not becoming friends with someone who just wants to use me as a stepping stone to my sister. Hard pass.

"Nah, I don't really use social media." I give him an apologetic smile that's about as genuine as gas station sushi. "Anyway, I should get to my seat."

I push past them before he can respond.

"Seriously?" I hear him mutter behind me.

"What a dick," one of his friends adds, loud enough for me to hear.

Ugh. So this is what I have to look forward to now. Having extremely hot sisters means constantly wondering if people actually want to be friends with me or if they're just trying to get access to Bianca and Selene.

Good thing I don't have any friends to worry about! Ha!

...Okay, that sounded way more pathetic than I thought it would.

I take my usual seat near the back and pull out my notebook, trying to ignore Jake's group glaring at me from across the room.

Whatever. I've got better things to focus on. I slide into my seat near the back and actually focus on paying attention to the lesson. It's surprisingly engaging when you're not letting your mind wander to fifty different random topics.

The familiar ding echoes in my mind.

Ding! Quest log updated.

New Quest: Academic Excellence (Chemistry)

Objective: Understand current chemistry topics and progress beyond the standard curriculum

Reward: 1 Evolution Point

Perfect.

Actually paying attention makes time fly by. The bell rings before I know it.

Ding! You've completed the quest: Academic Excellence (Chemistry)

Rewards: 1 Evolution Point

I'm packing up when I remember Bianca's warning. I glance toward the door.

Yep. There she is.

Selene is leaning against the wall right outside my classroom, and she's attracting attention like a celebrity sighting. Which makes sense, she's a cheerleader, she's as gorgeous as Bianca, and her bubbly personality is like a spotlight she can't turn off.

Her face lights up when she sees me. "Adam! Hi! How's your day going?" The words tumble out rapid-fire. "Mine's been sooo boring! Like, actually the worst! I hate school!"

I smile as I walk up to her. Selene's energy is contagious even when she's complaining. "Really? I've actually been enjoying today. Turns out classes are pretty interesting when you pay attention."

She stares at me like I just claimed brussels sprouts were delicious, her expression somewhere between disgusted and horrified. "Ew! What? Gross! You’re enjoying school?! What's wrong with you? Are you feeling okay? Did you hit your head?"

I laugh. "Come on, let's walk and talk. We're making a scene."

"Kay!" She bounces once, then falls into step beside me.

We head toward Computer Science, and the murmurs start immediately.

"Is that Selene Holloway?"

"Bro, she's so fucking hot."

"Did you see her magazine shoot? Insane."

"I bet she's super flexible in be—"

That last one makes me look back, glaring. It came from a shorter, chubby guy who immediately averts his eyes when he meets mine, his face reddening.

Good. Keep those thoughts to yourself, buddy.

I sigh and turn back around. My sisters attract way too much attention just by existing.

I tune it all out and focus on Selene. "You had calc this morning, right? How was it?"

"Noooo! Don't remind me!" She drops her head dramatically. "It was terrible! I understood literally nothing! You'll help me study, right?"

"Did you pay attention in class?"

"Nope!" She says it with absolutely zero hesitation and zero shame. "But that's why I have you! Come on, you'll help your favorite sister, right? Your amazing, wonderful, beautiful sister who loves you so much?"

I feel my resolve crumbling under the assault of puppy-dog eyes. "You know you could learn it yourself if you just focused."

"But Adammmmm!" She draws out my name like a whine. "If I pay attention in class, then I won't have an excuse to spend time with you when you teach me!"

"We could spend time together doing literally anything else if you kept up in class."

"Hmm..." She taps her chin. "But I like when you teach me! It's fun! And you're really good at explaining things!"

I sigh, but we both know I'm going to cave. "Fine. Yeah, I'll help you."

"Yay! Thank you!" She gives me a brilliant smile. "You're the best!"

We reach my Computer Science classroom.

"Okay, here's your stop! See you later!" She waves enthusiastically before bouncing off down the hallway.

I wave back, watching her go before turning to enter the classroom.

Luna is already at our usual spot, and I feel my shoulders relax immediately.

"Hey Luna," I say, settling into my seat.

"Hi... Adam..." Her voice is barely above a whisper.

I feel healed. Her quiet presence melts away all the morning chaos.

We fall into our usual rhythm, chatting casually while working on assignments and our side projects. She tells me about a bug she's been trying to fix, speaking in those fragmented sentences with pauses, and I tell her about the new feature I want to add to my stock trading program.

Just like with my other classes, I mentally trigger new quests.

Ding! Quest log updated.

New Quest: Academic Excellence (Computer Science)

Objective: Understand current computer science topics and progress beyond the standard curriculum

Reward: 1 Evolution Point

Ding! Quest log updated.

New Quest: Side Project Progress

Objective: Balance your studies with advancing your personal project

Reward: 1 Evolution Point

Perfect. Two points, one class period.

I split my time between assigned work and my side project, making solid progress on both.

In class, I explain to Luna that my sisters have been worried after the Jack situation, so they've been escorting me everywhere and I'm drawing way too much attention. We agree to eat in the computer science club room instead of risking the cafeteria.

And I pull out my phone to text my sisters so they don't panic.

Lunch in the computer science club room is peaceful. While eating, we watch anime on one of the school computers, some slice-of-life show about a girl who runs a bookstore. It's cozy and relaxing.

After lunch, the afternoon classes blur together. Each one nets me another Evolution Point or two as I power through material and push ahead of the curriculum.

By the final bell, I've accumulated a solid pile of Evolution Points and my brain feels pleasantly stuffed with information.

After school, I walk Luna home like usual.

And a little while later, I find myself standing outside the Midnight Café. Steeling myself before heading in.

Mr. Vale is behind the counter, and he looks up as I enter. His expression is warm but assessing.

"Good afternoon, Adam."

"Hi, Mr. Vale."

He studies me for a moment. "Are you feeling alright, Adam?" His voice is gentle, grandfatherly.

"Yeah, it still hurts a bit when I move too fast," I admit, touching my ribs where the bruises are fading. "But I can walk fine."

"Hmm..." He nods slowly. “Do you believe you'll be fit to work tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. I'll be ready."

"Very well." He pauses, weighing his words. "May I ask what happened?"

I hesitate, wondering how much to tell him. In the end, I decide to keep it vague. "It's... complicated. But basically, I got hurt protecting a friend."

Something shifts in Mr. Vale's expression. His eyes soften, and a small smile appears. "I see." He's quiet for a moment. "Violence should always be a last resort. However, when all other options have been exhausted, one must possess the courage to stand and fight for those they hold dear."

The words settle over me like a warm blanket. No judgment, no disappointment. Just understanding.

I feel warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks for understanding, Mr. Vale. That… means a lot”

"Of course, Adam." He straightens, returning to his professional demeanor. "Now, let us continue your training on coffee preparation."

I follow Mr. Vale toward the back, ready to master the subtle art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee.