Another day, another morning spent spying on Jack. I'm leaning against my chosen locker again, hoodie up, head down, pretending to scroll through my phone. I'm beginning to feel more and more like a discount spy. Maybe I should invest in one of those fake mustaches and a trench coat. Really commit to the persona.
I hope I get something incriminating today. Has what Jack's said so far been disgusting? Absolutely. Has anything he's said been technically illegal? Unfortunately, no.
Whatever. I'm a patient guy. I'll spend weeks doing this if necessary. Months, even. I'll become the world's most dedicated amateur stalker if it means keeping Luna safe.
Though I do feel bad for Luna. She's never asked for this attention. She's done absolutely nothing wrong except exist while being beautiful and shy. And now we're both forced to completely change our routines just to keep her safe from these disgusting degenerates. It's not fair. If karma exists, Jack better be scheduled for reincarnation as a dung beetle.
I pull up my stats while I wait. Might as well do something productive with my time.
Adam Gray
Age: 18 | Height: 5'2"
Dick Size: 3.5 inches (flaccid), 5 inches (erect)
Current Occupation
Student
Part-time worker at the Midnight Café
Inventory
Minor Shop Voucher [Appearance]
Evolution Points: 33
Attributes
Appearance: 12 → 13
Charm: 13
Strength: 10 → 12
Dexterity: 10 → 12
Endurance: 11 → 13
Willpower: 25 → 26
Intelligence: 27
Body Enhancements
Optimized Body (All workouts become more effective; much faster recovery from fatigue)
+ Improved Hearing (Heightens ear sensitivity, offers minor protection against loud noises, and improves ability to distinguish between overlapping sounds)
Active Skills
N/A
Passive Skills
Expert Programmer (+50% efficiency while programming)
Novice Cook (+10% effectiveness while cooking)
Perks
Advanced Sleeper (+15% Sleep Efficiency)
Genius Intellect (+50% effectiveness for all intelligence-based activities)
Training Expert (+50% Workout Efficiency)
Increased Training Effectiveness (+10% Workout Efficiency)
Yeesh, it's been a while since I've actually looked at this thing. I gained a point in all my physical attributes last Sunday, and another point in each after my morning workout today. My previously tiny bicep has now upgraded to a small bicep. And my previously moderate amount of chub has decreased to a small amount of chub, which is great.
I'm not cute enough to draw attention yet, but I'm solidly above average now. In another timeline, I'd be thrilled about these achievements. But right now, the whole Jack situation is keeping my mind occupied.
And speak of the devil, here comes Jack himself, swaggering down the hallway like he owns the place.
Time to get the show on the road.
After Jack settles into his usual position against his locker, I'm feeling emboldened by yesterday's success. Instead of keeping my back to him like before, I turn slightly so I can keep him in my peripheral vision.
Jack's leaning against his locker, chatting with his friends. He pulls out his phone, fiddles with it for a bit (I catch a glimpse of him unlocking it with his face), before sliding it back into his bomber jacket's left pocket.
The conversation starts off as disgusting as expected. Today's topic: whether Elize's tits or ass are better.
Then, inevitably, they bring up Luna again.
"Yo, where's that girl you were talking about? Luna?" one of Jack's friends asks. "Didn't see her at all yesterday."
"Yeah, I guess that bitch is avoiding us," Jack says, scratching his head. "Haven't seen that fatass around either."
Yeah, well, if it was up to me, I'd never see these assholes again in my life.
"Dude, fuck," another goon speaks up. "I'm horny as shit. We doing something this weekend or what?"
"Hell yeah, man," the other one says. "Jack, your place open? We should get some new girls to come through. You got more candy?"
Candy? What are they talking about?
My improved hearing picks up every word crystal clear, but the meaning doesn't click right away.
"What, my place again?" Jack laughs. "Why are you so obsessed with new girls? Just hit up Elara. She'd come."
Elara? Who?
"Bro, Elara? She's mid as hell..." One of them sounds genuinely disappointed. "And you think she's coming over again? After what happened last time?"
"She'll come." Jack's voice takes on this edge that makes my skin crawl. He pulls out his phone, tapping it. "She knows what'll happen if she doesn't."
What the fuck?
This is sounding scarily rapey. "She knows what'll happen if she doesn't"? What the hell does that mean? Blackmail? And "candy"? What the hell is that? Drugs of some sort?
I feel a shiver run down my spine. These guys are getting more disgusting by the second. Every time I think I've found the depths of their degeneracy, they pull out a shovel and keep digging.
Okay, I always knew these people were vile. They're vulgar and aggressive, and I was angry and worried when they cornered Luna. But now? Now I'm terrified.
This passive reconnaissance I'm doing? It's not going to cut it anymore. These aren't just bullies making crude comments. They might be genuine criminals. I need to start doing something drastic.
Jack was motioning to his phone while saying that Elara better come over. Maybe there's something on it that's incriminating, something that could get him into serious trouble. Photos? Messages? A full confession recorded in his Notes app?
It looks like my first priority is getting that phone. But before that, I need his PIN.
He's unlocked his phone multiple times throughout the morning, but it's always with Face ID. I need to somehow get his passcode… Ugh, the list of things I have to do just keeps mounting up.
Whatever. At least I have a plan of attack now:
Step 1: Get his PIN somehow
Step 2: Steal his phone
Step 3: Hopefully find some evidence of wrongdoing
Step 4: ??? Profit?
The beginnings of a plan start to form in my mind.
Before I can develop it any further though—
RING.
The school bell sounds, signifying that first period is about to start. Students start rushing through the hallway, creating a surge of bodies that I'd find difficult to push through even if I wanted to.
First, second, and third periods pass in a blur of me not paying attention to anything the teachers are saying. I'm too busy thinking about Jack and churning through possible avenues of attack.
RING!
Oh! Fourth period! Luna time!
As usual, Luna beats me to class.
I walk up to our seats with a smile. "Hey, Luna!"
"Hi Adam!" she whispers back, and then I notice her lips curving into a small, pleased smile. "I beat you... again... I was faster... this time..."
Wait. Is she—
"What? You literally said last time that it wasn't a competition?" I tease, sliding into my seat.
A mischievous little smile plays at her lips, it's something I've rarely seen from her, and it's dangerously cute. "Anything's a competition... if you're... competitive enough..."
She just quoted me. Word for word. This absolute menace.
"Jeez... yeah yeah, you win. You're the best, Luna." I roll my eyes, but I can't keep the smile off my face.
She smiles brightly at me, clearly pleased with herself, and just like that, I can't help but smile back. It's like her happiness is contagious, or maybe I'm just pathetically weak to cute girls. Probably both.
For a few minutes, we chat about lighter things. Her mobile Sims game, where apparently the youngest son has now been promoted to manager. Classes, which are boring for both of us. The weather, which is a conversation topic so bland it hurts, but somehow still enjoyable when it's with Luna.
But eventually, I have to broach the more serious topic that's been eating at me all morning.
"Hey, so..." I keep my voice low. "I've been doing some spy work on Jack in the mornings."
"Spy work...?" She tilts her head slightly, curious.
"Yeah, just... listening in on his conversations and stuff." I try to keep my tone casual, but my stomach is twisted in knots. "And honestly? He's way more dangerous than I thought."
Her expression shifts, the playful smile fading into something more serious.
"Remember how your parents were talking about getting you a bodyguard?" I continue. "I think... I think they might be right about that."
"Oh..." Luna's voice gets even quieter than usual. She looks down at her hands in her lap. "Do you... really think... I need one...?"
"Just until this whole thing blows over, you know?" The words come out in a rush. "I can't... I really can't stand the idea of something happening to you."
"Mm..." She's quiet for a moment, her fingers twisting together. Finally, she looks up at me. "Okay... if you... think that's best... I'll tell them..."
Relief washes over me, immediately followed by a wave of guilt so strong it almost knocks me over.
"I'm sorry, Luna." The words feel inadequate. "I wish I could do more. I wish I was enough to keep you safe myself."
She looks up at me then, and her expression does something to my chest, makes it feel tight and warm and painful all at once. "But Adam... you already... make me feel safe... You're always... protecting me..."
She looks at me with those bright violet eyes, and there's this warmth in them, this complete trust that makes my chest ache. Her smile is genuine, sincere, and I can tell she means every word.
And somehow, that makes me feel even worse.
FUCK, I scream internally.
Ding!Quest log updated.