《Reaching For the Stars》Chapter 18
Advertisement
I ended up texting with Natsumi for a few hours, only pausing when I went to eat dinner with my family.
We had a normal dinner with hearty conversation and I went back into my room after a while of talking as a family.
Later, remembering Charlotte's request for the pasta I headed into the kitchen.
I think I'll keep using the same pasta but make it a little more creamy this time and add some chicken.
This time, since I've got the rest of the night I'm probably going to marinate the chicken for some more time.
I take out a bag and toss in some chopped up chicken and mix it with olive oil, very little lemon, some chopped basil, parsley, and very little pepper flakes.
[Cooking has gained 10 points.]
I'll leave this in the fridge until tomorrow then.
Realizing I'll have to wake up early tomorrow to make the pasta, I'll probably have to sleep earlier tonight to not wake up dead the next day.
Sleeping little after strenuous work out is not very beneficial to your health.
I head into my room after saying good night to my family and open up my system tab.
[Total: 287 achievement points.]
Damn, that went up by 34 points. I'll have to get a piano soon and begin uploading some songs to start racking up achievement points. Now, I probably won't be able to afford a piano immediately so I'll get a small keyboard and then with earnings probably get a used upright piano.
A keyboard is already enough to produce good sound, especially in this advanced age where digital keyboards rival the sound of bonafide pianos.
I check my stats.
[Stats:
Luck: 1
Intelligence: 14
Charm: 9]
For the next stat, I'll probably put it in intelligence once again. By the time I have my next stat point, I'll probably be accumulating some fame and that's when I'll finally get the 10th charm point. Although my features are good, I gotta have some features that put me above the best.
Athletic, good looks, intelligent, and with a personality. I'll be the nation's husband in no time.
Okay, maybe not but it's a goal I want to achieve.
My skills are still doing ok, and I haven't found anything I yet want to spend my skill level ups on. So far, I have time and that is the most valuable resource to a man with an achievement system such as me.
I brush my teeth and while washing my face I begin to hum lullabies.
"Twinkle twinkle little star…"
Currently, my voice actually doesn't sound too bad at all. I can't tell if it's because I'm in the bathroom or because I'm humming very softly. If I raised my voice, that's when it would crack and stop making such a good noise.
I wipe my wet face and hair and randomly sneeze out of nowhere.
Who could be thinking bad of me?
Advertisement
I go outside for a cup of warm water with honey. I once read an article that drinking warm water with honey had very beneficial properties. Right now, I drink it because it tastes good and helps me sleep at night. It will also help my throat.
Practicing a few scales once again, I feel the strain coming back to my voice and I immediately stop.
Getting in my bed, I reach for and turn off the lights.
Day 2, over.
…
I left the window open tonight again and I wake up as the sun begins appearing on the horizon.
I woke up even earlier than my alarm rings even after setting it up an hour before I usually wake up.
Well, since I have enough time I'll take a warm shower first and shake off this cold.
Back in the bathroom, the water heats up very quickly and I begin feeling the warmth spread into my body. For the past two days, I've been showering with cold water and I am still not very accustomed to it.
It is said that cold water has good health benefits, but right now I don't think it would be a good idea to shower cold in a cold morning.
The warmth now shakes off the cold from my toes and I lightly begin stretching.
I close my eyes and feel completely at peace with myself.
In the shower, I can completely relax and not have to think about anything else.
It is a lonely feeling though, suddenly being pushed in a world with people you don't recognize at all. The memories merely serve as a guiding tool to people and don't offer any comfort at all. The songs I used to listen to and enjoy in my past life don't exist anymore.
Replicating all of the songs I enjoyed will be impossible. I don't really want them for fame, right now, I just need the music to help soothe and comfort me.
The lo-fi beats I used to listen to while studying probably don't exist anymore.
Right now, the only thing that is the most comforting is to know that at least my family is the same. It's a blessing and relief that they have the same likes, same dislikes, and more or less act the same.
I sigh and turn off the shower as some still warm water drops on my back.
…
After getting out of the shower, I took out the chicken and began cooking it. After cooking it, I added some garlic, onion, and mushrooms in the pot. I put a small amount of milk, salt, and some pepper flakes.
During that time, I had already boiled the pasta and just added it to the pot.
As I stir the pasta, Charlotte comes out with her hair still wet.
"Morning Charlie."
"Good morning."
She sat on the sofa in the living room and we conversed for a while until I was finished.
Advertisement
"You actually made the pasta?"
"Yeah, I made enough for lunch."
Her eyes softened.
She walked to the kitchen and tackled me.
…
Damned Charlie. You got the best sister and you didn't cherish her.
I hug her back,
"What's wrong?"
It's a little weird that she's hugging me out of nowhere. Is this world's Charlotte more clingy and sentimental? Well, there's nothing wrong with it anyway.
"No, nothing."
She looked to be a little awkward since we've probably never hugged in this world but well, a change is a change.
She lets go and her eyes light up at the pot of pasta.
"It smells so good. Can I eat some now?"
I grab her hand which was just about to scoop some pasta out.
"Ah ah, what are you doing? You little piggy at least use a spoon."
She pouts at me.
"Don't eat too much, we'll be having breakfast with mom and dad."
…
My parents watch me with pride after I cooked a hearty breakfast apart from the pasta for all four of us. They noticed the change I was making and merely chose to observe me instead of asking me about it.
In some cases, asking too much wouldn't be very helpful.
With all of these ingredients and materials, how could I not be helping to cook?
My cooking once again leveled up and I felt a few more ideas and techniques pop into my head.
With the warmest feelings in my heart, I presented them the best I can.
[Ding!]
[Achievement Unlocked: Sometimes the greatest achievements are through love.]
[Reward: 15 achievement points.]
[Total: 312 achievement points.]
I earned around 10 overnight and with these additional ones I jumped from 287 to 312 achievement points.
I leave some pasta for my parents to eat at lunch if they decide to try it at all and pour some into a lunchbox. I hand the lunchbox to Charlotte and put the rest in a big thermal lunchbox that I left at the fridge overnight.
In the past, I'd sometimes cook for my friends and teammates and we'd eat together before training.
I decide to take this tradition with me to my new friends in a show of appreciation. If they like it, I'll probably start doing a weekly cookout for them. I enjoy cooking for others and seeing their reactions after all.
Finishing up, I head to school with my sister and offer to carry her backpack.
She declined.
…
Accompanying my sister to her homeroom once again, her friends wave at me and I end up waving awkwardly at them as well. I've never before greeted my sister's friends apart from when they occasionally came over but never at school.
Once again, I walk back to my grade section while the pubescent little buggers stare at me. That's right, I definitely do bite back. Don't do something you'll regret to try to impress your crush.
A few seconds later, I face-palm at my own childishness.
I join up with my friends behind them quietly and stare at them for a few seconds.
They haven't noticed me yet. Lizbeth merely glances at me and begins giggling.
As they ask her why she's laughing I abruptly yell behind their ears.
They all jump up and stare at me with the most hilarious scared faces I've ever seen.
Elle: "Jesus Christ, Charlie you idiot!" She began chasing me.
Natsumi was still petrified in her spot like a little bunny and Macy was getting her backpack to hit me with.
Alex laughs and dramatically repeats their reactions exaggeratedly and Lizbeth stays rooted in her spot laughing, mocking the ones who jumped up.
I stay back to laugh at them and Reed tackles me from behind into the grass. No sooner do the rest jump up and start piling up on me.
…
After having our fun we sit down on the usual benches.
"Hey guys, don't get anything for lunch today. I've got a surprise."
Natsumi 'oh's. We texted earlier in the morning and I sent her a few pictures of the pasta, the rest don't know though.
Catherine and Reed stare at me suspiciously, "What surprise?"
"A surprise."
Elle: "It wouldn't be a surprise anymore if he told us."
I smile cheekily and Natsumi too shows a knowing grin.
After a little while, Callie tells me she recorded the video of me playing the piano
"It's actually going viral too."
Ah, so it was the cafe performance that started earning me the achievement points. I actually prefer the coffee cafe performance to the school cafeteria one because although it was good, the cafeteria one was a little sloppy. Of course, a common listener wouldn't think that at all but veteran musicians would be able to point it out easily.
Hey, I still did play an extremely hard piece with undeveloped fingers, muscles, strength, and absolutely no rehearsal beforehand. I did a pretty good job of it too.
"Wait what really? Damn where'd you guys go yesterday?" Owen asks.
Juniper continued, "We went to the cafe yesterday. You guys should've come, Charlie played a really nice song."
Elle taps me, "What was it called again?"
"It's called Canon in D."
"Who is it by? There's no way I haven't listened to a song that beautiful before." Natsumi asks.
"I dreamed of it." I threw her a thumbs up.
Ronan puts me in a headlock.
"Huh, this guy is a master piano composer, playboy, and is actually intelligent? God clearly shows his favorites."
"Shut up Mr. Soccer Scholarship."
…
Today's chapter was some more interaction and character introduction. I tried balancing it out with more of the achievement system and him getting a new steady income of points.
Advertisement
- End79 Chapters
Toradora!
Toradora!’s story begins with the male protagonist Ryuji Takasu who is frustrated at trying to look his best as he enters his second year of high school. Despite his gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent so he is utterly hopeless about his chances of getting a girlfriend anytime soon, and does not have many close friends either. After being greeted by his hungover mother in the morning, Ryuji goes to school and is happy to find that he gets to be in the same class as his best friend Yusaku Kitamura and crush Minori Kushieda. However, it is then that he unexpectedly knocks into “the school’s most dangerous animal of the highest risk level” — Taiga Aisaka — who just happens to also be in his class, and is a good friend of Minori. Taiga has a negative attitude towards others and will not hesitate to snap at people. After meeting Ryuji, she takes an instant dislike of him. Taiga comes from a rich family, though she moved out to live on her own due to family issues, and by coincidence is now living in an apartment next door to Ryuji. After Ryuji discovers that Taiga has a crush on Yusaku, and Taiga finds out about Ryuji’s affections towards Minori, Ryuji suggests that they cooperate so they can win the object of their affections. Ryuji says he will do anything to get closer to Minori, which Taiga exploits, making Ryuji her personal servant, and getting him to do household chores like cooking and cleaning for her. Taiga spends a lot of her time over at his house, so much so that she could almost be considered a member of his family. Since Ryuji spends a lot of time with Taiga, he is opened up to her world and to a side of her that most people do not see. The two also attempt to help each other in order to improve how people view them. Unknown to them, however, people they know from school start to become curious about their strange relationship together and rumors begin to spread about them.
8 262 - In Serial80 Chapters
I Don’t Want to Become a Villainess, So I Aim at Becoming a Perfect Lady Together with the Prince!
Liz, who came to have a formal marriage meeting with First Prince Alan, unintentionally eavesdropped something. “Be careful, okay? Liz Beltran is arrogant and has a high self-regard, she is a selfish lady. ……Truly, she is a young lady who fits the word 『villainess』 perfectly.” “You, who are disgusted by the wicked deeds of your villainess fiancée, awakens to the true love with the Heroine and finally reaches the happy ending. I highly recommend Brother x Heroine, so I absolutely want you to do your best, Brother!” A bunch of words she didn’t understand came out of the mouth of Second Prince Wilfred who was together with Alan, and Liz was shocked. “What is a 『villainess』? Why would I be scorned? What did he mean by 『true love』!” Due to too much frustration, against her better judgment, Liz got teary eyes. First Prince Alan, who was the partner of the formal marriage interview of such a girl, addressed her thoughts. “It’s fine. I will cooperate so that you won’t become a 『villainess』.” At least, what Prince Wilfred said to be 『villainess』. Liz, who was determined, received Prince Alan’s slightly too sweet cooperation, aiming to avoid becoming a 『villainess』, even though she didn’t know what it means. This is the story of Liz who aims to become a perfect lady, the exact opposite of a villainess.
8 153 - In Serial51 Chapters
The Alpha Broke the Omega
"Will you reject me?" I ask, ignoring the lump that was forming in my throat. I fought the tears that were threatening to fall. Don't cry, please Hannah, don't cry.His green eyes looked like orbs of ice that stared straight through me. A sadistic smirk pulls up his lip and he puts his arm on my right side, blocking my escape route. "Reject you? That's an easy escape, don't you think?" his voice was as cold as his eyes, as his heart. "The moon goddess gave me you and I'll simply pay her for her kindness." his tone was laced with venom, hatred and disgust. "If she thinks that I can ever accept an Omega as my mate, she's damned wrong." "to those who grew up too fast"A/N: Hey there! Mind giving this story a chance?#1 Werewolf (09/24/2020) Thank you so much for giving this story a chance ♡
8 710 - In Serial20 Chapters
Get Lit (Book One)
[New Adult Zombie Apocalypse Romance]"It's the second of January and students are racing back to campus early to make an appearance at the biggest rave of the year hosted by the one and only DJ Sparks." College freshman, Lilly Butler, doesn't consider herself much of a party girl, but agrees to let loose to appease her best friend. Lilly is unhappy to discover they will be attending the bash with the campus bad boys. Eli and Nico are considered to be the life of the party. Most students have indulged in Nico's party favors at one time or another, and many are excited to sample Nico's brand new shipment called Hype.The joyful energy of the party goes downhill fast as word spreads about a vicious virus that has taken down New York City. It isn't until people experience the insane crash from their euphoric state that their zombie-like behavior appears, leaving Lilly to fight for her life alongside the infamous duo, Eli and Nico. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE ROMANCE NOVELLA(FOR TEENS AND NEW ADULTS)FEATURED ON @WATTZOMBIES •VIRAL READS LIST19 EPISODES(Episodes are 1500-3000 words) STARTED: January 20, 2019COMPLETED: March 30, 2019[WARNING: THIS BOOK MAY INCLUDE EXPLICIT LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE, GORE, ABUSE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, ALCOHOL USE, AND DRUG USE.]
8 69 - In Serial48 Chapters
Second Love [Completed]
Second Love previously known as Billionaire's LOVE or OBSESSION Ranked #80 in Romance on [28.09.17] Ranked #88 in Romance on [24.09.17]Ranked #93 in Romance on [24.09.17]Susan Marie Joseph, 21 years old a young woman full of determination. She is Smart, Beautiful, Stubborn, a clean freak and was in love with her high school boyfriend Adrian Chris Johnson, 23. Both of them work in the same company Williams corporations. Where Susan works in an accounts department and Adrian work as a Manager in Shipping branch both are too much in love. Adrian and Susan have love which is totally dreams come true ready for the next big step. Things are going smooth and Perfect to say until one solo vacation. Which change their lives as Billionaire Xavier Williams lands his eyes on Susan and made his personal ambition to find her and make her fall for him. Xavier Williams rude, Handsome, a bit of a womanizer, rich gentleman. He never fails to get what he wants, he never falls in love because he did not find his the one and only yet. Where on the other hand, during holidays Susan's world collapsed when she discovered that Adrian is having an Affair with his school crush Sia Rudey from months as he was constantly ditching her.What will happen when things go difficult and arrange marriage sparks up between leading Susan and Xavier to be a couple through arrange marriage?! Can Susan ever get over with pain given by Adrian? Would Xavier, ever realize that love exists? Can you forget and move on from your horrific past? To know the answers of these questions read Billionaire's LOVE or OBSESSIONVote&comment&shareCopyright ©2020
8 166 - In Serial41 Chapters
•HIDE ME FROM THE BAD BOY• [Mongolian]
"Зүгээр л...намайг энэ муу залуугаас нуугаад өг, гуйя""За тэгвэл о-" түүнийг үгээ таслахын хажуугаар бид хаалга тасхийн хаагдах дууг сонслоо.
8 88

