“Where are you going? The cafeteria?” Ares called.

“Yeah. You joining?”

“Of course. Hey Julien, you coming?”

“In a bit. You two can go first,” Julien was struggling to answer the history revision homework the teacher left us with. Since it wasn’t obligatory to complete, I’ll just look through it.

“Julien, want to go to the cafeteria?” Brunette and Cailly called out to xe just as Ares and I walked out of the door. I heard Julien decline, something along those lines.

“So, want to go to the baking club today?” I asked.

“I knew you’d ask. Sure. But what’s up with the baking club? You bake?”

“I want to confirm something.”

“You don’t even participate in the gaming club whenever I invite you.”

“Sorry about that. I suck at games.”

“No shit.”

You didn’t need to hit a sensitive spot there.

Looks like that’s something Avner and I, Shin have something in common.

Come to think of it, I’m having a hard time integrating into Avner’s identity.

This time around, I got the curry rice while Ares got cricket noodles. Plain water for me, mango shake for Ares. My parents gave me extra allowance telling me there is no next time.

Julien came, tagged along with Brunette and Cailly. The food they ordered varied.

“Mind if we joined?” Brunette asked.

“Yes, please.”

“It’s supposed to be no,” I corrected Ares.

“What’s the difference?” He looked at me with dead eyes.

“Nevermind.”

“Is it just me or does Avner act more calm these days,” the person making this statement was Cailly. Shoulder length black hair, black eyes.

“True. You’re not sick are you, Avner?” Julien asked.

“He lost his NFT and got so sick he became like this. That’s all I know,” Ares joked.

“Eh.. which one?”

“Which one was it again?”

“It’s the one from AmilyChasesAFrog. He wanted the smug frog with the big sunglasses.”

Avner wanted this thing? NFTs are really confusing.

“Yeah, that one.”

“You don’t seem particularly sad about it.”

“No. Of course I’m not.”

“He’s beyond sad.”

I rolled my eyes at Ares’ melodramatic assumption.

We enjoyed our lunch in peace.

“Club activities are scheduled for later, are you going to go? I’ll be headed off to the library to study for next week’s exam.”

“Bah. You’re already a member of the reading club, what’s the difference?”

“The kind of books I guess?”

“Are those old books really that good to read? Don’t people these days just read on the glasses?”

“It’s got a different feel, is what I can say.”

Which reminds me, I hadn’t started exploring the literary works of this world.

I did pick up a few bits of information regarding art. Anime is still a trend, though it has greatly shifted to 3D modeling. 2D art is phasing out because of AR and the development of autodrawing technology.

That’s troubling to know.

“See. He’s all quiet now.”

“Sure is.”

“Yo bro, you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Art.”

“Hah? What art?”

Explaining to them would only cause more confusion, so I decided to dodge the topic instead.

===

{WARNING: PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE NEAREST DEMON ASSOCIATION TO ATONE FOR YOUR SINS}

The message rang up again.

“Where are we going?” Brunette asked, pulling me back to the present.

It’s quite clear now that they can’t see these purple words.

“Baking club,” Ares answered.

“I don’t think I ever invited everyone to join me besides Ares,” I said.

“Is there any reason why you can’t let us join?” Brunette asked with a critical tone.

“I won’t be able to do my work there.”

“What work?”

“Just looking around. Basically.”

“There should be active members in the club,” Cailly added. That’s also another reason why this is the perfect timing.

The club room, or kitchen was on the third floor. The directory pointed us in the right direction, passing many students making their way through the hallway.

“I just realized, I forgot to put on my running shoes,” Cailly bent hirs knees and looked at hirs legs.

“In your locker? That’s pretty far away.”

“I think I’ll have to go. I can’t be late for training.”

“Okay, be careful. And good luck.”

“Alright.”

Cailly left.

The fact that each student is assigned a locker in this school prompted me to think about mine. How long has it been since Avner last checked it? I’m curious. Fact is, I’ve never used a locker in my life.

“One down, two to go.”

“Do you want us to leave that bad..”

“I’m joking.”

“That doesn’t sound like a joke.”

“Avner, I can leave if it’s really something private, it’s not a problem for me.”

“So?”

Ares prompted me for an answer after what Julien had said.

I actually plan to talk to someone, which Avner had never met. And the topic was a sensitive one. I only called Ares, thinking it would be nice with some company. Though, now that I think about it, it would’ve been better if I came alone.

“It’s alright. I only came to talk to someone.”

The baking club was located next to the cooking club. If Avner’s memories prove correct, there’s a sort of rivalry between the two. During last year’s school open day, both clubs made pastries to sell. Rumor had it that a conflict broke out between the two departments.

Near the door was a floating panel displaying the baking club logo alongside a basic description, members and a few interactable options.

I peeked into the club room. It’s got metal tables, cooking stations, pans, ceramics. Most notably, the smell of flour and sweet caramel butter.

Orange hair, where are you.. there.

A club member wearing an apron came out to greet us. I remember him from the story, Daniel.

“Is there anything we can help you with?” He welcomed us with a warm smile. I laughed secretly at the fact that there was a piece of dough stuck on his face.

“I’m here to find a student by the name Lynda?”

“Lynda? Oh, please come in,” Daniel invited us to try a few pastry samples before turning to the kitchen and shouted, “Lynda! Your boyfriend wants to see you!”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” came a reply back.

I felt the stares of Ares, Brunette and Julien pierce my body. I almost choked on the cookie.

“I thought you liked Pu’er?”

“Yeah, I know right.”

“Fucking hell..” I cussed.

“Chill bro. Want another cookie?” Ares fanned my face with his hands.

“So we’re right?” Julien asked.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“What boyfriend?!”

The orange haired girl with a ponytail complained to Daniel who continued to show her a mischievous smile.

“There, that guy.”

“I never said that, Daniel.”

“Hey, how do you know my name?”

I pointed at the information details in the club description. It only served as a useless diversion.

“Excuse me, so, what are you here for?” Lynda narrowed her eyes at me.

“Can I talk to you about something? If not, is it alright if I got your contact?”

“Avner you..” Brunette raised a strained voice.

“He’s gone cuckoo.” Ares said.

“Avner, should you go for a check up? Just in case?” Julien poked my shoulder.

Oh right. Why did I assume that I can calmly approach a random girl and ask for her contact? It’s very suggestive, isn’t it? Ain’t I weird?

“Why?” Lynda’s expression froze up.

“You’re in danger.”

“Huh? What kind of danger?”

“That’s the point.”

“Are you trying to woo her or something?” Daniel stepped in, realized how our conversation was going in a weird direction.

“Actually, give me your contact too Daniel, that’ll make things easier.”

Daniel was the fourth or fifth to be infected in the story.

“What? Really?”

There was an awkward silence.

“Fine,” Lynda relented, “I don’t know why you want my contact but don’t try to spam me. That’s all I ask.”

“Lynda, why?” Daniel was perplexed.

“Isn’t it a senior’s job to help a junior?”

“You’re right.”

“Jeez. You should just say if you’re interested in the baking club. Feel free to ask me any questions.”

Lynda said, and at the same time, an invitation window popped up. I accepted her request.

“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

Depending on the situation, I may also have to get involved with the baking club. I have the knowledge and information required to support them if an outbreak does happen.

“Done? Now go away,” Lynda showed me a disgusted expression and walked away. I heard the other club girls giggle.

“Thanks Daniel, sorry about this.”

“Okay..” he drawled.

“See you around.”

“Yeah. Can’t wait to see your face in our club.”

I might be making an early conjecture but can I safely assume that Lynda hasn’t been infected yet? So will it be something that happens in the future? There wasn’t a specific date given to when she’ll tackle her first victim. But it’s definitely going to happen this year.

It’s October. There’s still a month to go before school break.

I’ll have to keep tabs on her.

“Avner. What was that about?”

“Just wanted their contact.”

“That’s not it isn’t it.. is there something wrong? You’re like a detective.”

“We’re here to listen if you need an ear.”

“Nah. It’s fine.”

Not a big deal. Rather, it’s something only I can handle.

“We should return to class. I’ve done what I need to.”

“I didn’t know you planned to join the baking club,” Ares said as he bit into another cookie.

Everyone stepped through the door, I was about to do the same when I felt myself spill out of my body.

{YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

{WARNING: YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

===

dotturndot: otome, reincarnation, sci-fi, systems, angels and demons, what else I’m I missing? Who knows.. Mine? OH, MINE! What’s a mine?

That asides, all that detail about the NtBM virus– that’s the result of studying in the medical field. You might have to google up some of the terminology, I’ve tried to describe the infectious process in a way that sounds realistic.

Tell you this: zombies can’t exist. The issue isn’t the virus. Say, even if a virus, bacteria, or parasite that can turn a human into a zombie exists, the biggest problem is homeostasis. Blood pours out from the wound, no blood left, no oxygen, no ability to move a single muscle. Or rather, imbalanced nutrition from eating flesh can cause seizures (due to electrolyte imbalance) so the zombies wouldn’t even bite. Worse, zombies don’t drink water so basic life processes can’t even be carried out! Fuck all those ‘zombies can exist’ theories out there! I’m from the medical line and I say it’s impossible! AHAHAHAHA!!