"Walking's not so bad." John Markus tugged on his backpack strap, striding down the misty street. His bike was still locked up at school, so this morning he had no choice but to walk the two kilometers. With his body now, it was basically just a warm-up stroll.
Flip-flops and scooters passed by every so often. The sky glowed faint pink, thin rays breaking through the gray clouds. John drew in a breath, thinking, "At least this way it's quiet. No need to fight over the road with those idiots revving their engines."
The school gates rose tall and cold, steel frame still damp with dew. Just as he stepped up, his eyes locked on a familiar figure.
Rachel Anderson. Ponytail, radiant face. But she wasn't alone. At her side stood Henry, tall and broad-shouldered, all smug confidence, with two cronies flanking him.
John stopped, chest sinking a little. "Fate really loves messing with me."
Henry, the rich boy, had awakened with an A-rank Berserker ability, close to breaking into S-rank. Ever since Rachel revealed her own S-rank ability, he had chased her like a shadow. But to her, he was nothing more than a good friend.
John curled his lip, mocking in his head: "Wrong move. She likes the cold CEO type, untouchable aura. If not, then at least someone as good-looking as me. The harder you show off, Henry, the worse you look."
His smirk faded fast. The cold CEO image he had built up so carefully was now stamped with the label chicken keeper after the Awakening Ceremony. Sure, people still thought he was handsome and aloof, but with a mocking smile about his chick tagging along.
John sighed, though his eyes lit with resolve. "When the college entrance exams come, I'll rise with the bearing of a powerhouse, take the top rank in the whole country. Maybe the world will even write novels about me."
That thought was still echoing when a harsh shout ripped the air.
"John Markus!" Henry roared, his voice booming like it could shake the whole schoolyard.
John frowned, keeping his face calm. Inside, he smirked. "Here it is. The usual script."
Henry strode up, cronies sneering behind him. He unloaded a string of mockery."Handsome guy like you, raising chickens? Planning to bring a chick along as your helper for the exams?"
One lackey clapped and laughed. "Bet he's opening a feed store soon."
Henry flicked a glance at Rachel, raising his voice. "Look at him, how could someone like that ever deserve you?"
John stood still, shoulders squared, eyes cool. Inside, he whispered to himself: "Keep going. Any second now you'll throw money and scream for me to stay away from her."
Rachel stayed silent, expression flat.
Henry went on a bit more, then exhaled and waved his hand. "Whatever. Get lost. Don't bother us again."
John froze, eyes wide. "What? That's not in the script!"
In his mind, Henry was supposed to fling a wad of cash at him and shout, "She's someone you'll never reach." But all he got was a lazy wave.
John's chest tightened. If he just stood there, he would be reduced to some background extra.
In that instant, an idea sparked. He sucked in air and suddenly shouted,"Rachel! Since we broke up, give me back the necklace worth twenty grand I gave you!"
The whole yard went dead silent.
Rachel's eyes flew wide, stunned. She had no clue that diamond-studded necklace had cost that much. After the breakup, she had tossed it without hesitation.
Henry looked like lightning had struck him. In his head, John was some nobody with average family background. How could he casually throw out twenty thousand bucks for a gift?
John stood tall, gaze steady, forcing himself to look every bit the aloof CEO. Inside he was cheering. "Yes. That's how the script's supposed to go!"
Henry ground his teeth, ready to explode. But then a glimmer of calculation flashed across his eyes. A thought popped up. Wasn't this the perfect chance to flaunt his wealth in front of Rachel?
His lips curved, a sly grin spreading.
John caught it and felt a tremor inside. "What the hell? Don't tell me the script's twisting again."
Right then, a loud flapping broke in from the school gate.
All four of them turned. Little Fire, its feathers blazing red, had somehow followed him all the way to school. It flapped clumsily on top of the iron gate, then dropped onto the grass with a thud. Standing right back up, it shook itself, strutting like nothing had happened.
John's breath hitched, mind screaming. "For god's sake, cursed household!"
Henry raised a brow, not yet processing. Rachel covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with surprise.
John quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to know. But Little Fire's thought rang in his head. "Master, I came to school with you."
His jaw clenched, veins bulging at his temple. "Shut up!"
But the chick's eyes still shone, proud of its successful landing.
Henry glanced between John and the chicken. His lips curled higher, smile thick with meaning.
John's heartbeat spiked. "What's he plotting now?"
The air hung heavy, broken only by the chicken's flapping wings. And in Henry's eyes, that calculating gleam grew sharper by the second.