Sneeze
Theos sneezed. According to popular belief, someone was probably talking about him. He was handsome enough, though not extravagant or narcissistic enough to think so.
But his sneeze gave Zi Yun Esiah an opportunity to lighten the mood. In a teasing tone, she advised, "You should think about cleaning your sheets."
Though it was all in good fun, she implied that Theos's bed was dusty, and he playfully chased after her.
It was just a joke, but the problem was he almost thanked her for it, thinking she was wishing him well. Now she was laughing at his joke and half-thanking him while being chased.
Genuis Matters
The co-educational and polytechnic high school was a private institution with an educational system emphasizing student autonomy, followed by qualifying training. Its aim was to build the future of youth and serve as a stepping stone into the professional world.
At least, that was the propaganda of their marketing strategy. Genuis Matters was in no way different from existing structures.
Noises could be heard outside Room B1's door. When Theos and Zi Yun Esiah opened it, they immediately noticed the teacher's absence.
As the education system became more intuitive and technology advanced, schools and universities closed. Students could study anywhere, and teachers were replaced by AIs. However, the impact on the population was negative, prompting the Ministry of Education to revert to traditional learning methods: a competent teacher, an assistant, and an artificial intelligence.
Theos and Esiah were running late. Luckily, the teacher wasn't there; otherwise, they'd have to explain their adventures.
Not discussing it only served to avoid explaining it later. After all, as soon as they entered the school building, they were marked as late. "But it wasn't without consequences."
"Theos and Esiah together again? You're late, moreover," their classmates teased.
"A date, perhaps?" one suggested.
Esiah used everything she'd learned since childhood to avoid appearing embarrassed. It would have been problematic if she didn't have a modicum of self-control. But one would have to be very observant to notice her blush.
And since neither she nor Theos denied or evaded the question, with the atmosphere as it was, a spark could start a fire.
To put Esiah in such a state was rare. Theos mentally gave her a thumbs-up for handling it so well.
"Mahito, stop teasing Esiah!" Theos played the hypocrite on this one. He appreciated the gesture, but the other boys in the room didn't seem pleased with Mahito's teasing.
Esiah greeted everyone and sat in her usual place.
"I can feel them, all those inquisitive looks," Mahito muttered. "They want to shut me up and get my artifacts back." Theos thought he really had a flair for acting.
"Where's the teacher?" Esiah was curious too, but she knew there was no hope. She asked her friends around her. Apparently, all the teachers had been summoned as soon as they arrived, and they didn't know more.
"And to answer Theos's question," Mahito said with a superior air, "eh eh."
It was that moment when friends made a move that only the privileged few understood. Like in poker, you had to follow. Theos understood what was happening and took his place on a chair.
A few seconds later, the desks in the room came together, forming a small group.
"Did you play the game I lent you yesterday?"
"I've reached the maximum level! I really enjoyed talking to the goddess at the end. It was a wonderful scenario."
"Hmm." But it was just a feeling. Theos couldn't really remember the content of the discussion. As Mahito mentioned the game, he wondered why he couldn't recall those parts. Only the feeling remained.
"And I don't remember very clearly what the goddess was saying!"
Mahito was rather depressed at how long it had taken him. "It took me a month to finish this game!" he spat.
His friends thought he just sucked. Everyone had speedrun the game for sure, but a month for such an RPG? "You'd have to be the busiest guy in the HU."
"You just suck!"
"It took me a week," Suzuki asserted, while Theos nodded in agreement that the timing sounded right.
"Four days for me," Jack said. "I wasn't a great player, so it was respectable."
Cheng said he finished the game in five days. Unlike Theos, who only played for recommendations and fun, Cheng was truly passionate. So Jack finishing the game earlier was a surprise.
Mahito stared at Theos.
"What's the matter, man?"
"It's not fair that he's good at video games, gets good grades, and excels in sports." In his mind, Mahito imagined having a good time playing a game, then realized his grades were dropping. Even though it was only in his imagination, it gave him chills.
"It's not unfair, man. I just know how to manage my time."
Everyone wondered what level of organization it took to be like that boy.
"You and Hina are the only exceptions in the group. She's a girl in an otaku group, and you, frankly, don't look like an otaku."
This categorization came out of nowhere, the others thought. Suzuki wondered if they knew that "otaku" originally had a rather unappetizing connotation, but since the term had evolved, it was acceptable.
"Don't take it that way, guys. Culture's supposed to bring people from all walks of life together. Let's face it, most of us have our own little worries."
On this point, Theos wasn't wrong. They thought for a moment, realizing culture had survived the Third World War. But in the end, maybe they weren't wrong. Basically, an otaku is a person who practices indoor activities, video games, anime, etc.
Since the first year, the term had gradually returned to its original definition. The more technology evolved, the more anyone could be an otaku.
In the previous era, an otaku was the kind of person who didn't adapt easily. In a sense, most were recluses, and for the small percentage who made the effort to leave their homes, reality was a completely different world.
"Yes, a universe where Mahito, you, and Theos Hikari can fulfill your wildest desires."
Theos enjoyed the time spent with them. He adapted so well not because he was special but because he did what was expected of him while respecting his convictions. Naturally,
he made a lot of friends, otaku or not.