Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 95: Rika Date (2)

"Really?" Reinhard turned to look at her with interest. "How did you end up joining then?"

Rika’s expression grew more thoughtful. "I accidentally discovered a Void Distortion last year during my first year. My senses felt it forming even though I didn’t understand what it was at the time."

"And you follow the feeling-"

"Yes... It was a bit silly when I think about it." Rika said with a nervous chuckle.

"It’s fine. I can relate to following my senses and ending up in a bad situation."

"Oh? Like?"

"I heard a strange noise coming from the training yard at the Malvin House. And when I followed it, I saw my mother practicing with her water Sigil."

"But?"

Reinhard felt the memory pass through him. "She was doing a whirlpool with it, and well, I thought it was cool-"

"Don’t tell me you actually rushed into it?" Rika asked in disbelief, with her lips twitching.

Reinhard nodded with a chuckle, making Rika begin laughing.

The original of the body was more awestruck by the spinning whirlpool that covered the entire field. Then, following the advice his father had given him when his mother was training in the yard.

Do not disturb your mother.

"Alright, that was pretty bad. I guess your mother noticed you quickly?"

"It’s hard to miss a screaming child moving through a whirlpool."

Rika laughed again, crossing her arms over her stomach. He smiled, watching her relax even further before she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Then she paused.

Rika began speaking with a dazed look. "Well, for me... I would have been in serious trouble if Sirin hadn’t dragged me away from it. The Headmaster came to deal with the distortion himself."

"That’s how you two met," Reinhard said softly.

Rika nodded with a small smile. "When Sirin found out I could sense Void Distortions, she tried every method imaginable to get me to join her club. She was relentless about it."

Reinhard laughed at the mental image of Sirin in recruitment mode. "I can easily imagine that. She strikes me as the type who doesn’t take no for an answer when she wants something."

"Exactly!" Rika giggled. "She cornered me at least five times in one week. Brought me research papers about distortions. Explained how important detection was. Made logical arguments about helping people."

She grew quiet for a moment. "Eventually, I agreed because... well, she was right. If I could sense something dangerous that others couldn’t, didn’t I have a responsibility to help?"

"I’ve been wondering," Reinhard said carefully. "How exactly can you sense Void Distortions? Is it related to your precognition, Sigil?"

Rika considered the question while watching the last rays of sunlight fade. "I’ve always been sensitive to the feel of magic. Even before I got my Sigil... The distortions... They create holes where magic should be. Does that make sense?"

"Do you mean they create holes like a black spot on paper?" Reinhard mused while holding his chin thoughtfully with his free hand. "And the bigger they are... Is it harder to ignore them?"

"Yes!" Rika nodded in excitement. "But instead of seeing, I hear and feel it."

"How does it sound or feel?"

"Terrible is the best word I can give... Like, imagine hearing a constant ringing that gets louder the closer you are to the source."

"And you can’t ignore it," Reinhard said with understanding.

Rika sighed. "If it’s small, I can push it to the background. But the more it grows, the worse it becomes. Eventually, it’s all I can focus on until it’s dealt with."

"I’m surprised you could still stay in class without wanting to rush out."

"I got used to it after... Lots of headaches." She stretched her arms overhead. "But it isn’t all bad since we always deal with them quickly. The club is efficient that way."

The last light faded from the sky, leaving stars visible overhead. The campus glowed softly with magical illumination below them.

"Thank you for today," Rika said while turning to face Reinhard fully. "For spending time with me."

Reinhard smiled warmly. "This has been one of the best dates I’ve ever been on."

Rika’s face lit up with pure joy at those words. Her smile was radiant. "Really? You mean that? Even though we hardly-"

"Just talking to you for most of it is what made it so amazing."

She bounced slightly on her feet with barely contained happiness. "Then let’s continue it! I want to talk to you more. There’s a garden area that should be quiet this time of evening. We can sit and just... be together."

"Let’s go," Reinhard agreed with a smile.

They descended from the viewpoint hand-in-hand.

The evening air was cool but pleasant.

Other students passed them occasionally, but Rika seemed too happy to be self-conscious anymore.

As they walked, Reinhard’s mind wandered to his previous life as a spy. Most dates in gardens during that time had ended in one of two ways: either stunning memories of genuine connection, or hectic disasters when missions went wrong.

He found himself curious which category tonight would fall into. Part of him hoped for the former.

The larger part suspected that with Void Distortions behaving strangely and noble students watching him suspiciously, hectic might be more likely.

But as Rika squeezed his hand and smiled up at him with such genuine affection, Reinhard decided he didn’t care which it ended up being.

For the first time in years, he was living in the moment rather than constantly planning three steps ahead.

And it felt surprisingly good to just... exist with someone who cared about him.

The moonlight casts an ethereal glow over the garden, the silvery beams dancing and shimmering as they filter through the canopy of leaves above. The blue flowers seem to glow from within, their petals almost luminous in the night air. The scene is one of tranquil beauty, a hidden oasis amidst the castle’s ancient stone walls.

Rika walks ahead of Reinhard, her lithe form silhouetted against the moonlight. She moves with a newfound grace, a gentle sway to her hips that catches your eye. As she steps into a particularly dense patch of blue flowers, they seem to whisper and sway around her, as if welcoming her presence.

Reaching the center of the garden, Rika comes to a stop and turns to face Reinhard. The moonlight bathes her face in a soft, glowing light, making her crimson eyes sparkle like rubies. She takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she savors the cool night air.

"It’s so peaceful here..." Sancho murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. She looks around, taking in the glowing flowers and the moonlit sky, a wistful smile playing about her lips. "Like a dream... or a memory of a distant time."

She turns to Reinhard, her gaze soft and warm, a hint of melancholy lurking in the depths of her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like... to live in a world like this. Where the greatest worry is choosing which flower to admire." Rika sighs, a sound of longing and regret mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves.

"But I suppose that’s the beauty of a place like this... It’s a momentary escape."

Reinhard squeezed her hand gently.

Then he looked into her eyes after pulling her into his arms and embracing her tightly.

Then he whispers. "A momentary escape? I like the sound of that. I have been needing something like that."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, and now I have it... All because of you, thank you." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"You’re welcome..." Rika whispered softly as she shivered from his touch.

Reinhard smiles before kissing her deeply, making her shiver in delight.