Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 17: Pushed Everyone Away

Sirin and Alice exchanged glances while Rika nervously played with her fingers.

"The third-year incident, but she won’t tell us about it." Alice finally said with a sigh.

"In fact, she doesn’t really talk to us that much..." Sirin continued with a frown. "She only comes to club activities, helps close voids, then leaves immediately."

"We keep inviting her to things," Rika said softly. "Hoping she’ll say yes eventually."

Alice clenched her fist with quiet determination. "We won’t stop though. She deserves to have people who show up for her whether she wants them to or not."

The table went quiet for a moment as if they all agreed.

Reinhard smiled. "That must be hard for all of you."

"It is," Sirin admitted. "But we respect her space. She’ll open up when she’s ready."

"Or not," Alice said. "Either way, we’ll keep being there for her even if she doesn’t want us to be."

Rika smiled at that while her eyes got slightly wet. "That’s a nice way to put it."

The conversation shifted naturally.

Alice started telling stories about mishaps during void tracking. "There was this one time," she said while laughing, "when Louis calculated the wrong location, and we spent two hours searching the north garden before Rika realized the void was actually in the library basement."

"Louis turned so red," Sirin added with a grin. "I thought steam would come out of his ears."

"He didn’t speak to anyone for three days," Rika said.

Reinhard found himself laughing along. The stories flowed easily with each person adding details and corrections. The apple tarts got passed around while Alice ordered more soup for everyone.

"What about you?" Alice asked Reinhard suddenly. "Any interesting stories?"

"From before coming here?" Reinhard thought for a moment. "Nothing as exciting as tracking mysterious voids."

"Come on," Sirin pressed. "There must be something."

Reinhard smiled. "Well, I once got lost in a city market for six hours because I followed a cat that looked interesting."

Alice burst out laughing. "You what?"

"The cat had different colored eyes," Reinhard explained. "I wanted to see where it was going. It turned out it just lived in the market and knew every vendor. They all fed it scraps."

"That’s adorable," Rika said with her face lighting up.

"Did you find your way back?" Sirin asked.

"Eventually. The cat led me to a baker who gave me directions. And free bread."

"The cat was helping you!" Alice declared. "That cat is amazing."

She definitely was, if it wasn’t for her being so cooperative. I wouldn’t haven’t found that nice vault filled with such good treats. Reinhard thought, recalling fondly one of the best undercover missions he had done.

They continued talking while the cafeteria slowly emptied around them. Other students left in groups, and the staff began cleaning tables. The sky outside the windows had gone dark.

"We should probably go," Sirin said reluctantly. "Before they kick us out."

They gathered their things and headed toward the exit. Alice linked arms with both Rika and Sirin. "This was fun! We should celebrate new members more often!"

"We’d need more new members first," Sirin pointed out.

"Then we’ll recruit more!" Alice said cheerfully. "I’ll make posters!"

"Please don’t," Sirin and Rika said at the same time before all three of them laughed.

They walked outside into the cool evening air. The campus was quiet now with most students already in their dorms.

"I’m this way," Alice said while pointing left. "See you all tomorrow!" She waved and jogged off into the darkness.

Sirin raised her arms in a stretch. "Good day, wasn’t it? We closed a void, got a new member, and had fun." She nodded at Reinhard. "Welcome to this weird club!"

"Thanks," Reinhard said.

"I will leave Rika in your care." Sirin said with a small smile before heading off.

Under the quiet night sky, Reinhard and Rika stood alone.

"Thanks for joining us," Rika said quietly. "And for not thinking we’re weird."

"You’re not weird at all," Reinhard told her.

They walked together until they reached the first-year girls’ dorm, Rika’s hand finding his along the way.

"That’s me," she said. "I should-" "

"Okay, have a good night... And Rika, thanks for letting me join." Reinhard cut in with a warm smile. "I’ve made good friends today." Rika couldn’t help but blush from his words, smiling softly.

Rika couldn’t help but blush from his words, smiling softly. "I’m glad... I hope you won’t give up on us two, despite you..."

"Oh? Reinhard said, "You do some research on me? This already sounds like a joke." He smiled teasingly, causing Rika to blush.

"I-I well, I just before to you..."

"I know, and I’m glad." Reinhard caressed her cheek gently and spoke, "Thank you, Rika.".

She beamed at him before glancing around and shifting uncomfortably. Then she quickly kissed him lightly on the lips before rushing away.

Reinhard blinked and then he laughed.

Interesting, someone is getting pretty bold. I didn’t expect something like this until months later.

And then he continued walking back towards his dorm.

The pieces were connecting in ways he hadn’t fully mapped yet. He let them settle as he walked, turning them over without forcing the shape.

Ahead in the darkness, a figure stood near the fountain.

Yor was there alone, looking up at the spot where the void had been. He paused and saw her staring for a couple of seconds before turning around.

Reinhard walked up to her. His shoes made soft taps on the path.

"Yor?" he said softly.

She stood perfectly still.

Not even blinking.

He moved closer before stopping a few steps from her. He noted the area around her felt different like there was an invisible chasm. The fountain sounded louder a few steps back than here.

"Are you okay?" Reinhard asked quietly.

She said nothing, and her face was still blank. But he saw a faint tremor passed through her hand before she hid it behind her sleeve.

Once again, it happened... Could she have closed another Void Distortion when she left? Or is the previous one is still affecting her?

"It’s amazing you can get rid of the Void Distortion," Reinhard said.

No answer, it was like talking to a statue. But he didn’t mind, as this helped him know how things would be in the future for a little bit. He observed as water splashed in the fountain and leaves shook in the breeze.

Yor turned.

She didn’t look at him.

Then she walked away.

"Well, goodnight." He said and noted her steps, slightly pausing before she continued on. With a chuckle, Reinhard walked to his dorm.

So, she isn’t fully ignoring me. Reinhard thought. Could she also be socially awkward?

The building was silent now; he guessed most were still out or already asleep. He went up the stairs and opened his door before closing it and sitting on the bed.

"System." He said quietly.

Blue light flashed in the air. Words formed, glowing and bright.

[Host! Is there something you need? Also, I must say, amazing work on already contacting the target-]

"The distortions she closes," Reinhard said. "What does it actually cost her?"

The text paused, and then it changed.

[What do you mean?]

"The Void’s Distortion. When she closes them. Does it put strain on her body?"

[Oh! Yes, it does put a lot of strain on her body and mind. She needs to rest every time she closes a Void Distortion, even those small ones. Such as a quiet and comfortable place to relax her mind.]

"What happens if she doesn’t get that rest?"

[She will most likely collapse before passing out. Her body can’t handle that much stress without a break. She will be sleeping until she has recovered enough.]

Reinhard smiled. "Can you monitor her state? Tell me when she’s about to collapse and where."

The text froze for a moment.

[Is this how you’re going to make her interested, host?! What an amazing plan! As expected of my beautiful and genius host!]

Reinhard’s lips twitched at the blatant glazing. "Just answer the question."

[Yes! I can monitor her and alert you, no problem.]

"Good." Reinhard stood and walked to the window. "Also, those bullies from earlier. The ones I dealt with... Make sure to also monitor what they’re doing."

[Why? Do you plan to blackmail them more?]

"They’ll want revenge and also stop me from using what I know against them. It’s obvious."

[Got it then. I will keep an eye on them and alert you if something happens.]

"Perfect." Reinhard stretched and started getting ready for bed.

[And what will you do now, host?]

Reinhard smirked while pulling off his shirt. "Get to know Yor and make her fall for me, of course."

[Good luck, host!]

The blue light faded.

Reinhard climbed into bed and closed his eyes. A plan had already formed in his mind and will be implemented soon.

Yor couldn’t hide forever.

Because the moment she collapsed, he would be the one there for her.