Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 94: Rika Date (1)

Reinhard stepped out of the boys’ dormitory early with morning sunlight painting the campus in soft gold. He’d woken before his alarm, restless with anticipation he didn’t fully understand.

Then he saw her.

Rika walked toward him from the direction of the fountain. Her hands twisted together nervously. Her eyes darted left and right as if checking for witnesses.

She had been waiting for him.

For how long, he didn’t know.

But the moment he saw her...he realized this wasn’t just another day.

When she spotted him waiting, she froze mid-step.

"Reinhard!" Her voice came out higher than usual. "You’re already here. I thought I’d have to knock on your door."

He smiled before walking to her. "Good morning, Rika."

Her face flushed pink immediately. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt before taking a breath and forcing herself to meet his eyes. "I have the whole day planned. So you have to listen to me and follow my lead."

The determination in her voice was adorable, like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.

"I’m all yours," Reinhard said simply.

Rika’s blush deepened to red. "Don’t say it like that!" She grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward the main gates. "Come on. We’re starting with breakfast."

As they walked hand-in-hand through campus, Reinhard couldn’t help wondering what exactly Rika had planned. She’d seemed so nervous asking him out yesterday. Did she really want this to be a proper date? Or was she just trying to spend time with him as friends?

The way she kept glancing at their joined hands suggested the former. But her nervousness made him uncertain whether she’d actually planned romantic activities or just... things to do together.

He decided to follow her lead and find out.

The first place they went to was a familiar morning cafe. She took him here once when they just did research together.

They sat at a table by the window where sunlight streamed in. Rika ordered hot chocolate and pastries for both of them without asking for his preference.

"You like sweet things, right?"

"Oh?" Reinhard raised a brow. "How did you know?"

"I noticed during club meetings. You always pick the sweeter snacks when Alice brings food." Rika smiled shyly. "I pay attention."

The admission made him slightly perked up. She’d been watching him closely enough to notice his preferences.

That felt both good and a bit worrying.

They ate in comfortable silence, occasionally broken by small conversation. Rika kept stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. Each time their eyes met, she’d blush and quickly look away. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

After breakfast, she pulled him toward the art district. A section of campus where creative students displayed their work. Street artists set up easels along the pathways while musicians played for small crowds.

"There," Rika pointed to a street artist doing portrait sketches. "I want to get one for both of us."

"Oh? Not bad, it seems someone got bolder." Reinhard said lightly, making her blush even more.

But she still pulled him towards the artist.

On the way, Reinhard noticed the stares. Noble students watched him with suspicious eyes. He noticed from the way their gazes lingered too long, and how they were tracking his movement with interest.

He understood immediately.

Most likely, words had spread about his closeness to Yor Noctyne, daughter of a Duke, second only to the Emperor’s family in status. These nobles were questioning how someone with no apparent Sigil could be so close to someone so important.

Rika noticed the stares, too. She moved closer to Reinhard and whispered, "Do you think they’ll try something?"

"They won’t." Reinhard shook his head slightly. ’Right now they’re just trying to observe."

"And how long will that go on?"

"Until one of them gets too suspicious for their own good." Reinhard says lightly.

"What should we do? I don’t want to get caught unaware." Rika said with a frown and a hint of worry.

"They won’t do anything." Reinhard glances at the nobles, and they stiffly turn away. "Because we are associated with Yor."

"Ahh, that’s true."

All of the nobles have seen Yor hanging out and laughing with them. It was obvious they were all close, and all of the Nobles knew.

It would be foolish to mess with the friends of Yor Noyctne, daughter of a Duke.

Rika’s smile brightened. "Come on."

After a minute, they were sitting together for the portrait session.

The artist positioned them close.

Rika leaned slightly against Reinhard’s shoulder while he rested his hand on hers.

The pose should’ve felt awkward.

It didn’t.

"Stay still," the artist instructed while his charcoal moved rapidly across paper.

Reinhard became hyperaware of every point of contact. Rika’s shoulder pressed against his chest. Her hair tickled his neck slightly. The warmth of her hand under his palm. The soft rhythm of her breathing.

"I always wanted to try this," Rika confessed quietly while maintaining the pose. "I read about it in a romance novel and always wondered what it would feel like."

Reinhard laughed softly. He moved his free hand to pinch her cheek gently. "Well? How is it compared to the book?"

The artist sighed. "Please don’t move."

"Sorry," Reinhard said, but kept his fingers on her cheek for a moment longer.

Rika squirmed slightly at the touch. Her voice came out soft and hesitant. "It wasn’t as dramatic as the book described. But it still feels amazing... Better, actually, because it’s real."

The artist finished the sketch before looking at it and nodding with a smile. On paper, they looked like a couple deeply comfortable with each other. He peered down to see that Rika’s expression was captured perfectly, which really showed how she felt.

She looked shy, but her crimson eyes shone with joy while Reinhard had a faint smile and looked content.

"We look good together," Rika said while staring at the portrait. "I didn’t expect it to turn out so well."

"We do," Reinhard agreed.

As evening appeared above with the light shining down.

Rika pulled Reinhard towards a viewpoint he didn’t know existed. Just walking up the steps, he could see from the side that it was overlooking the entire academy. And even saw a few students walking down or leaning against the railing, smiling at each other.

The academy buildings stretched below them, bathed in golden light.

Magical lamps began flickering to life across campus like stars appearing in reverse. Everything from the training ground to the library glowed softly in the gathering dusk.

"It’s beautiful," Reinhard said as he took in the view.

"I discovered this place last month," Rika explained while moving to stand beside him at the railing. "I come here sometimes when I need to think... It makes everything feel smaller and manageable."

"I can see... Just standing here gives me a moment to relax."

"I’m glad."

They stood side by side watching the sunset deepen. The temperature dropped slightly as the night came, and Rika shivered once.

Reinhard instantly put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. She stiffened briefly in surprise, then relaxed against him with a soft sigh.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For today."

"I should be saying that." Reinhard rubbed her arms. "It was an amazing day, even though we didn’t do much."

Rika didn’t say anything and simply beamed at him.

They stayed like that for several minutes before Rika spoke again. "This has been the best month of my entire life."

Reinhard chuckled. "Don’t worry. I’m sure it will get even better from now on."

Rika perked up before giggling. "You know... I was hesitant to join the Resonance Club at first."