Chapter 8: If I say we are fated then we are fated
Leviathan was in a bind.
If one had lived his entire life isolated from most of human society, then how should he react if one day, a handsome pervert arrived and stared at him?
Answer: You call the police, of course!
Ah, but Levi could not do that. The pervert in question had not done anything illegal per se, and if he did get the authorities involved, he would simply be the gross, overweight nerd who brought dishonor to an upperclassman.
Right now, that UR-ranked sadist of an upperclassman and his brocon sister were seated across from him in his favorite coffee shop hidden in the ... less than popular part of the city.
And at this moment, that stupidly gorgeous upperclassman was staring at him with a smirk that Levi wanted to smack right off.
"Why ... " Levi couldn't even bring himself to finish his question. It was a vacant day today and he escaped from his house that was currently being terrorized by his twin cousins to his beloved English-style coffee shop seated next to a humble but cute bookstore.
He averted one disaster by leaving the house (and away from the terror twins) but somehow fell into a pit populated by a beast that plays with its meals and an annoyingly clingy puppy.
The beast rested his cheek on his palm and spoke, "'Why are we here?'? Obviously, this is fate."
Levi wanted to haul the table upside down as he screamed in his heart: Fate, my butt! Are you a stalker? Why do we keep running into each other?
The beast chuckled, "First, we met at the mall. Next, you come to my grandfather's birthday party. And now, we run into each other in this tiny coffee shop that is far from a rich kid's usual hangout. If that's not fate then ... "
Levi had a bad feeling.
Your grin widened. "Then maybe you're stalking me?"
Levi almost puked out blood.
"W-w-what are you--"
"Well, like I said, if this right now is not fate then maybe you're stalking me. What was the saying, again?" You pretended to think, then you snapped your fingers in delight. "Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, but three times is enemy action. Dumpling, you're so cute. But if you wanted my attention, stalking is not the right way--"
Maya, who was too busy reading a book that her big brother recommended, finally reacted, "What the heck? You're stalking my brother?" She had an expression that should be threatening, but with her soft features only made her appear like a pouting child.
You lifted out three fingers, and then a fourth. "Now that I think about it, there was also that time you would stare at me while hiding behind a door."*See chapter 4
She slammed both hands on the table and glared at Levi. "I don't blame you for falling for my brother, after all he's tall, he's handsome, he's good at sports, he's clever--"
Beads of sweat rolled down Levi's forehead. He held mixed feelings at this girl's ramblings: Woman, are you trying to threaten me or praise your brother?
"--he's perfect! But you can't go around stalking him for attention. I know the feeling of thinking you're not good enough for him, I know exactly how you feel--"
Levi: The hell are you talking about?
"--but you can't break the law, no matter how tempting it is! He already called you cute, is that not enough to satisfy you? You selfish thing, you can't be too greedy!"
Maya was panting by the time she finished her spiel.
Even the normally immovable beast was taken aback by her exclamations, as made obvious by his wide eyes.
Levi was grateful that there were no other customers at this hour, but the two store clerks behind the cashier were sending them weird gazes.
He quickly defended himself, "Don't believe everything he says! As if I'd go around stalking anyone. A respectable fan keeps his distance--ah." Just now ... Levi made a mistake, didn't he?
He reluctantly turned his attention to you and found you smiling peacefully. So peacefully that he wanted to dropkick you to the next century.
"Why did you stop?" You leaned closer, closing your eyes. "I want to hear you profess your admiration of me some more, Levi-chan."
Levi sprung back from the nickname. He covered his face with his arms and stuttered, "I-I'm leaving!"
He snatched his backpack from the chair and hauled out the door.
You merely chuckled until the system spoke up.
[Host, wasn't that too cruel?]
"I told you, I'm the type to bully the one I like until they're crying. But don't worry, I'm also the type to chase after the beauty and comfort him with all. My. Heart."
Uwak refrained from remarking "Knowing the Host's morals, a normal person might not want your version of 'comfort.'"
You got up and motioned for Maya to follow you.
As you walked out the coffeeshop, you heard barking. Perfect.
"Maya, there is someone I want you to meet." You walked into the alleway between the cafe and Sakura's Little Bookstore.
Levi was kneeling in front of the makeshift dog house you built from carton boxes.
A few days ago or so, you noticed that the puppy was getting heavier than what you expected from what you've been giving him, so you decided to investigate a little.
Though you did mess around with Levi earlier, there were a lot of coincidences between you two. The meeting at the mall, the banquet dinner, this coffeeshop and now the puppy that he's been feeding in secrecy.
"Maybe we are fated," you mumbled with a smirk.
Levi was so busy coddling the dog that he didn't notice you or Maya. "Eat up, okay? You gotta grow big and strong so no one will bother you in the future, Boba."
He only realized that they had company when you laughed.
"What a nice name," you said, approaching them.
"Shut up, at least it's better than dumpling or, or--"
"Or what, Levi-chan?"
Levi blushed and turned away from you. "Whatever."
You shrugged and knelt down next to him. You watched the puppy devour a cup's worth of dog food. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about him starving. Oh, right--" You quickly called on Maya and introduced her to the dog.
"Little sister, this guy here is Boba. He's the one I wanted you to meet."
"He's so cute!" Maya squealed as the puppy finished its meal and trotted towards her.
"I originally wanted to give him to you but it seems like he has another master."
Maya looked at Levi, who cleared his throat.
"I'm not his master. I'm just feeding him because I felt bad for him. He didn't look like he has anyone here ... if you're going to adopt him, go ahead."
Maya beamed. "Okay! Then we'll take him to the vet later and you can visit him anytime."
Levi almost jumped at her claim, "Really?"
"Well, yeah. It'd be cruel to not let two friends meet, isn't that right, Boba?" She reached down and gave the dog a well-deserved belly rub.
As you watched the two fawn over Boba, the hair on your nape stood and you spun around with fists at the ready.
"Uwak, who was that just now?" You felt a presence watching you.
[Answering the Host: Ever since you decided to become a reckless delinquent--er, a free spirit in your current body, this system has been alert for any and every potential danger. However, my sensors did not pick up on anything out of the ordinary.]
You narrowed your eyes and scanned the area, but like Uwak said, there were no suspicious people around.
Thinking it was your imagination, you told your companions to pack up to take the dog to the vet.
You all left the alleyway, unaware of a certain customer sipping a cup of tea in the coffee shop. What was most peculiar about him was that he had been here for the entirety of your and Maya's exchange with Levi but not a single one of you noticed him.
The person was deep in thought and then he chuckled to himself.
"So you've reached this far, huh ... " He took another sip, his smile never disappearing.
***
"What is that?" The stepmother pointed at Boba sleeping peacefully in Maya's arms.
You sighed. Of course she would be waiting for the two of you by the door.
"Isn't he adorable?" Maya exclaimed. "He's a gift from--"
"--a gift from grandfather to Maya."
Maya blinked at you, surprised, but went along with the lie. "Yeah!"
The stepmother crossed her arms and cocked a doubtful brow at Maya. Her neck and arms were wrapped in bandages, but her face was clear of blemishes. "R-really?"
For a split second, Maya stiffened under her mother's sharp gaze, but when her brother's warm hand patted her shoulder, she nodded without losing her smile.
The stepmother clasped her hands together. "Great! Take good care of it then, we don't want to insult grandfather. Come, tell me what happened--"
You interrupted her words.
"Maya is tired from spending the day with me and grandfather. After all, we did nothing but shop all day. I think you should let her rest first."
The stepmother looked like she just swallowed a bowl of rotten fish but was forced to pretend she enjoyed it.
"O-of course, you're right. Maya, go wash up and take a nap before dinner."
As the mother shooed her daughter upstairs, Maya sent you a grateful smile.
[Look at that woman calling the father of the person she killed so intimately, talk about shameless.]
"Evil is more like it. She's been taking out her stress on her own daughter. Maya wore a sweater today even though it's 28°C outside."
[Also, Host, why did you lie about the dog's origin?]
"Because I want her dead," you said with a matter-of-fact tone as you stretched your arms. "If she knew Boba was from me then she would pretend to have allergies or something and blame me for being a thoughtless son. But she wouldn't be so careless with a gift from grandfather. And Boba will be a good learning experience for my dear sister."
[(^?^)]
"Maya is too dependent on me. It's dangerous for a child to rely on others to make decisions for her, but if I were to give her someone she can care for and take responsibility for, she will become a more decisive person with a backbone."
[I see, I see.]
"Now then, where is that hag right now?"
[Answering the Host: The hag--no, the stepmother is currently in the bathroom admiring pictures of herself.]
"Tsk. A villain is always narcissistic." You shook your head.
The system whispered in its heart: Doesn't the Host do the same thing? And even worse, you force the system to take photos!
You entered the happy couple's empty bedroom and approached the vanity. You reached into your pocket for the bag of nickel powder.
You mixed in just enough in her lotion, moisturizer and makeup so that there will definitely be damage but not too much that the shimmery powder would be noticeable.
As you screwed back the lid of the last lotion, you looked around the bedroom and found an open laptop.
You grinned and walked towards it.
[This appears to belong to this body's father. I've already unlocked it for you, Host.]
"Good job. I wonder what secrets are hidden inside."
[Do you think we will find proof of the adultery and murder of the mother here?]
"I doubt it. No one would be stupid enough to just leave that kind of evidence lying around, not even that garbage dad."
You looked at the files, but the numbers and technical jargon bored you to tears so you checked the scumbag's instant messaging account.
There were greetings from Maya, coquettish demands for gifts from the stepmother, and some business associates.
Just as you were getting bored, the system alerted you.
[The stepmother has finished changing into her evening wear and has now exited the bathroom.]
You were about to leave when you came across an interesting chat box. It was from a woman, her name had the additional label of "From: Accounting" but her profile ID was not very professional with the thick makeup, the kind of makeup a lady would wear if she wear out partying with her friends--a far cry from what is work-appropriate.
The messages seemed innocent enough. But if you were to read between the lines, they obviously were not just colleagues.
For example, the line "I'll be staying at Hotel Z this weekend for the seminar, but I wanted to ask your opinion on my presentation ... My room number is 3415 " is not explicit, but why would a mere co-worker from a different department share room numbers? And the ellipsis was a clear sign of flirtation.
[Host, the stepmother is walking down the hallway.]
You forwarded the messages to yourself and deleted the sent history.
[Host, the stepmother is opening the door!]
You jumped out the window.
[That was close. In the future, please refrain from doing such risky things.]
"Isn't your job to be lookout? Quit complaining. Life is all about what makes us feel alive."
The system wanted to reply: But aren't you technically dead?
As you landed with a soft thud on the ground, your phone buzzed.
It was an unknown number.
Your sister gave me your number.
The cloud with the three dots appeared and soon, a next message popped up: You don't have to save it, I just thought I should tell you.
Covering your mouth, you laughed and texted a reply: It's rude to talk without introducing yourself first. Who is this again?
Unknown number: You know who this is!
You: Nah. You're clearly a new contact that I have never known before. Are you perhaps a stalker?
Unknown number: (...)
Unknown number: I am NOT your stalker!
You: Unless you tell me who you are, I'll have no other choice but to treat you as one.
Unknown number: (...)
Unknown number: (...)
Unknown number: (...)
Unknown number:
You waited patiently, your smile getting wider.
Unknown number: It's me.
Unknown number: Levi.
You: So it's you, Leviachan~~~ You had me worrying there for a second.
Levi: Don't lie!
You: While I enjoy a good chase, I like it when you approach me first. You're so cute.
Levi: Quit talking nonsense. (ꐦ○_○）
You: OK, OK.
You: It's getting late so go to sleep or else you won't grow.
Levi: Do you WANT me to hit you?!?!
You: w(°ｏ°)w
You: I didn't know you were into THAT kind of adult play.
You: Hmm, I'm more of an S than an M, but for you I'll give it a try.
You: Woof, woof!
On the other side of the screen, Levi lay on his side typing on his phone. He sent an angry snake sticker but, whether he knew or not, he was smiling.