A soft chime rang inside my head, crystalline, unmistakable.
[ Achievement Unlocked: Encounter with the First Heroine ]
[ Reward: +500,000 AP ]
The glowing text cut through the steam, impossible to ignore. For a heartbeat, I forgot there was a naked girl standing in front of me.
"…Five hundred thousand?" My voice was low, incredulous. A crooked grin tugged at my lips.
"That's… way too much for just meeting someone."
[ Notice: Hidden achievements detected. Calculating bonus… ]
New lines scrolled into view like cascading data:
Maintained composure in front of a naked heroine – +100,000 AP
First divergence from original plot – +200,000 AP
Triggered 'Main Heroine Arc' – +200,000 AP
[Total: +500,000 AP.]
My brow rose.
I tilted my head slightly, water dripping from my hair.
'…So all that just for keeping a straight face while a naked alien teleports into my bathroom?'
[ Affirmative. ]
Prometheus's voice was calm, metallic.
[ The system rewards divergence and performance. You altered the narrative by acting differently from the designated protagonist. Your style generated greater 'impact.' ]
I chuckled, rubbing my jaw.
"So style points really do matter. Interesting."
[ Correction: Metric is 'Impact of Divergence.' Your phrasing is… tolerated. ]
I smirked, letting the words sink in.
So meeting heroines, altering canon, keeping my cool—that's the core loop. Every step I take away from Rito's path, every time I bend the story, I profit.
The display flickered:
[ Current AP: 500.000 ]
That number made me pause. My smirk faltered just slightly.
…Five hundred thousand already, on day one?
That's what I need.
Then reality snapped back—the hiss of water, the heavy mist, and the girl before me.
Lala Satalin Deviluke.
Pink hair cascading to her hips, emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity, towel-less and utterly carefree. She stood in the steam like a painting, smiling wide as if this were perfectly ordinary.
"Ahh~ finally, freedom!"
She stretched happily, voice light and musical.
Then her gaze locked on me, head tilting in curiosity. "
Um? You're really calm! Usually boys scream, or faint, or go red when I pop in like this. But you didn't even twitch! Amazing!"
Her delight was genuine, unfiltered.
I smirked, lifting my hand. Mana pulsed, and a clean white towel shimmered into existence. I tossed it toward her.
"It's not good for a girl to stand naked in front of a guy, you know,"
I said smoothly.
"Even if you don't care, I do. Humor me and cover up a little."
"Eh? Ohhh, right!"
she blinked, as if only now realizing.
She caught the towel, wrapped it loosely around her chest, and giggled. "
Wow, this is so soft! Did you just make this with magic? That's amazing!"
"Something like that."
She stepped closer, emerald eyes wide with wonder.
"That's so cool! You're not just calm, you can make towels appear too! Ufufu~ I like you already!"
Her words came without filter, cheerful and innocent.
She said "I like you" the same way someone might praise a tasty dessert.
I leaned casually against the tiled wall, smirking, never leaving.
"Glad to leave a good impression."
"Mm-hm!" she nodded vigorously, pink hair bouncing. Then her eyes narrowed mischievously.
"And you're really handsome, too."
Said so simply. No blush, no hesitation. Just a fact.
I raised a brow.
"You say that like you're describing the weather."
She tilted her head, and adjusted the towel.
"Well, you are! That's just true, isn't it?"
A laugh rumbled in my chest.
"You're… something else."
Inner Thoughts – Jay
She's dangerous. Not because she's scheming, but because she's pure.
She speaks her mind without filters, without shame.
And purity like that… it drags people in. The system wasn't lying—her arc is the first storm. I need to stay sharp.
"So,"
I said, tilting my head,
"mind telling me who you are and why you appeared in my bath?"
"Ah, that's easy!"
she chimed, clapping her hands together.
"I'm Lala! Lala Satalin Deviluke! I was running away from home—my papa is way too pushy—so I used my Warp Ring to escape. And ta-da~! I ended up here!"
She spun playfully, steam swirling around her.
"Lucky me!" she added brightly.
Lucky?, I echoed in my head. For her? Or for me? haha
"Running away, huh,"
I mused aloud.
"That sounds like trouble."
"Ufufu~ maybe! But trouble's more fun, isn't it?"
she beamed, completely unbothered.
I chuckled, shaking my head. She's going to flip this town upside down.
[ System Log Updated ]
[ First Conversation with Heroine – +10.000 AP ]
[ Maintained composure under direct compliment – +1000 AP ]
[ Current AP:511.000 ]
I almost laughed out loud. Even talking nets me points? This is too easy.
Her eyes flicked back to me, curious. Without warning, she stepped closer and poked at my chest, her finger tapping lightly against wet skin.
"Ooh, you're firm! Do you train a lot?"
I smirked, unfazed.
"Something like that. And you're really forward, you know that?"
"Forward?"
she blinked, head tilting. "But I was just curious! Is that strange?"
I exhaled, amused. "No. It's very… you."
She grinned, stepping back, twirling once with her towel.
The faint creak of footsteps outside the bathroom cut through the air.
"Jay? Are you done yet?" Rito's muffled voice called.
Lala blinked, tilting her head toward the door. "Oh? Someone else lives here too?"
I smirked, rolling my shoulders, eyes narrowing slightly. And here it comes.
"Yeah,"
I murmured, gaze fixed on the door. and I tell lala my current situation about me getting kicked by my step brother and now I'm staying in this house that my friend has and everything about them.
The footsteps outside faded. I exhaled slowly, then glanced back at Lala, who was still humming happily with my towel wrapped around her.
"Alright," I said, raising my hand.
"Hold still a moment."
My gaze slid back to her. She was still humming happily, towel shifting dangerously as she bounced on her heels. I snapped my fingers again.
This time, threads of mana unraveled from the air, weaving together in complex patterns. Cloth shimmered, shape forming—fabric bending, folding, stitching into a proper outfit. Stylish, simple, but fit for her.
Lala gasped, eyes widening as the clothes floated into her hands. "Clothes?! Wow, wow, wow! You even made me something to wear?! How did you know my size?!"
"Observation," I said calmly. "Genius comes with perks."
Her smile stretched even brighter. "Ufufu~ you're amazing, Jay!"
She spun happily, slipping into the outfit with zero hesitation. Within moments, the towel fell away, forgotten, and she was fully dressed.
"Much better," I said. "Now we can step outside without causing chaos."
"Hm? Chaos?" she tilted her head, genuinely confused.
"You'll see." I waved a hand again, cloaking her in shimmering invisibility. "Stick close."
We slipped out of the bathroom. The magic veil bent light around her, making it appear as though I was alone. Rito's voice carried faintly from the hall, but he was moving toward his room. Perfect.
I led her there, pushed the door open without hesitation, and stepped inside.
"Yo."
Rito looked up from his desk, blinking. "Jay? Finally! What took you—"
The invisibility shimmered away. Lala appeared beside me, fully dressed, smiling as if the world was hers to play with.
"Hi~! I'm Lala! Nice to meet you!" She sang brightly.
Rito froze mid-sentence. His eyes bulged. His jaw dropped.
"W-W-WHA—WHO—WHAT—"
I smirked. "Relax. She's with me."
"WITH YOU?!" Rito choked.
"W-where did she come from?! And how did she—"
Lala leaned closer to him, emerald eyes sparkling.
"You must be Rito! Ufufu~ nice to meet you!"
Rito staggered back in his chair, face red.
"J-Jay what is this?! You can't just bring random girls into my room—especially—"
"Especially what?"
I cut in smoothly.
"She's dressed. Nothing indecent. Chill."
Rito opened and closed his mouth like a fish, unable to form words.
Lala twirled in her outfit, arms spreading. "He even made me these clothes with magic! Aren't they cute?!"
"C-cute—magic—clothes—WHAT?!" Rito's brain practically melted.
I ignored him, settling casually against the wall. Predictable.
And then the window rattled.
CRASH!
Glass swung wide. Figures in armored suits vaulted through, landing in the middle of Rito's room. Their visors glinted, movements precise.
"Princess Lala!" the two bodyguards barked.
"We finally found you! You must return immediately!"
Rito nearly fell backward.
"P-P-PRINCESS?!"
Lala puffed her cheeks.
"No! I don't wanna! I already said I ran away!"
"Princess, please," another pleaded.
"Your father commands it. You must obey—"
"Or what?" I interrupted, stepping forward.
Their helmets turned toward me.
"Who are you? Stand aside, boy. This does not concern—"
My killing intent flared like a blade unsheathed. Shadows crawled across the walls, the air thickening as if gravity itself had doubled.
The guards froze, trembling violently.
Rito gasped, clutching his desk.
But behind me, Lala only blinked in confusion, humming cheerfully. The barrier I'd cast shimmered around her, keeping my aura from touching her.
"W-what is this…?!" one guard stammered.
"This pressure… even the king!!!—"
I teleport closer to them, my eyes become colder.
"She doesn't want to go. Which means you can't make her. Not even if her father ordered it."
The guards stiffened. "B-but the king—"
"Tell your king this," I cut them off.
"As long as Lala doesn't want to return, she won't. She's safe with me. If he doubts that—"
The killing intent spiked. The guards nearly collapsed, knees buckling.
"…then he can fight me himself."
Their breathing grew ragged. Sweat dripped under their visors.
"And another thing," I added, voice sharp as ice.
"Tell him to stop searching for a husband for her. She doesn't want it. Respect her decision. A father forcing his daughter to marry? Pathetic."
The air pulsed with pressure.
Finally, the guards stumbled toward the window, desperate in their movements.
"W-we'll deliver your message…!"
"Good."
They scrambled out, vanishing into the night.
Silence.
Rito's eyes were wide, pale as paper.
"J-Jay… what the hell are you?"
I smirked, brushing water from my jaw.
"Just your neighbor. With additional ability dont worry i will tell you someday, but well things happened so im sorry to reveal it like this."
Lala clapped her hands, eyes sparkling, face radiant with joy.
"Jay, you're sooo cool! With you here, I don't have to worry at all!"
I chuckled softly, though inside, my thoughts sharpened like knives.
The storm has begun. And I just declared war on Deviluke's king.
TBC