The Cursed Gamer, Book 1

Chapter 87: Sports Festival (1)

Nejire stood with her hands on Neji's shoulders.

"I wouldn't be able to watch since I have my own Festival in the 3rd year quarters, but remember, Onee-chan is always with you!"

Neji smiled at her.

There were three areas, each for a year of students. The Sports Festival happens at the same time in all areas. So Nejire didn't have any way to be there to cheer Neji as he takes the medal—as she believed he would.

"I will get going then, okay? Or do I stay here for a bit more?"

Nejire stared at his eyes fondly.

"Just go, or the both of us will be late."

Nejire nodded and turned to leave. Waving at him for another minute, before entering her campus.

Neji turned to meet Kimi in the car and gave her a smirk. "You have nothing to say?"

She gave him a blank stare. "Not until you tell me about those new scents on your body that appear on you every day after school."

Neji laughed, leaned over and kissed her lips softly, before turning and walking away.

Kimi's flustered face looked around, making sure nobody was watching before she sighed in relief.

Neji's future hero carrier will take a blow if he was seen in a relationship with an ex-hero, who was much older than him.

Though Kimi wouldn't have thought such a thing if she knew—Neji never plans to be a hero at all.

—★—

Mt. Lady ate meatballs as she observed the crowd, muttering,

"Wow, the crowd is really huge this time around. Guess that's why they called heroes from all across the country, huh."

Kamui Woods nodded at her words. "The crowd is larger in the 1st year quarter. Usually, people go to watch the 3rd year students, since it's more fun seeing kids putting their experience into strategies. But this time because of the USJ incident, the 1st years have successfully gathered the nation's attention."

"Mhmm..." Mt. Lady continued eating her balls, just when her eyes caught something. "Oh, a reporter is causing trouble."

From far in the crowd, a female reporter was chasing a silver-haired boy, who shrugged her off every time. She seemed to be asking for pictures.

"Hey, come on! Didn't you see the response that your picture got last time?! Let me take another few pictures, you will be famous!"

It was the same reporter who had taken Neji's winking picture last time.

Neji finally stopped and sighed at her. "I am busy, Miss. I don't have time for a picture right now... But if you are eager, give me your number, we can meet later."

"Really?"

"Hey, what's happening?!" Mt. Lady walked between them, frowning. "You, reporter! Why are you disturbing a student? He has his exam in a few minutes."

The reporter was about to say something, but as the hero pressed a button on her hand, a few security guards came running and took her away.

Then Mt. Lady smiled at the strangely hot boy. "Oh hey, nice to meet you. You should learn how to deal with reporters sooner than later. Based on that face of yours, I can tell you will need it more than any other heroes."

"Hi." Neji smiled too. "I have my game soon, as you said. So yeah, I guess we will talk later if fate allows us to meet again."

Without waiting for a reply, he scurried off to the distance. Mt. Lady stood there, frozen with meatballs in her mouth.

A teenager actually ignored her.

...What the hell?!

—★—

When Neji entered the class 1-A waiting room, he was met by a worried Momo.

"Hey! I thought something happened, why are you so late! Only 5 minutes remain!"

Neji calmed her with a wry smile.

"Don't worry, I am here now, aren't I?"

Momo sighed and rubbed her nose. Such a big event, he should have come here a bit early to prepare mentally. Then again, as far as she knew, he was always mentally prepared.

"Neji."

Suddenly, a chilling voice called from the back. Turning around, Neji met the fiery cold gase of Shoto Todoroki.

"Oh, hi."

Todoroki gave him a challenging stare. "I have heard about your feats in USJ, but I was unfortunately too busy with myself and missed the chance to watch it with my own two eyes. So I don't believe the rumours, as they are often exaggerated."

"Huh? Oh... okay." Neji blinked. "The point you're making is...?"

"...I just wanted to say, I will beat you."

Neji gave him a stare more blank than his.

'Look at him.'

He couldn't care less. Maybe if it was Bakugo, then it would have been a fun challenge. He would have slowly broken his willpower and ground his bones to dust. But Todoroki wasn't that fun.

"We will see about that."

Neji held up a fist. Todoroki stared at it blankly, confused. To not make it awkward, Neji used his telekinesis to raise Shoto's fist in the air and give his knuckles a tap. A fist bump.

"Good luck. You will need that."

Then, before Todoroki could say something, a loud voice called from outside.

["And now, please welcome the Class 1-A!"]

Exchanging glances, every student started walking to their life's biggest opportunity until now.

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