On the train, Fu Li was in a bit of a daze. Beside him, a purple-haired girl was giving him a detailed introduction to the school.
It was her duty as his student guide.
Therefore, even though Fu Li wasn't in the best of moods, he was still polite enough to listen and take mental notes.
But when Yuno brought up another topic, his ears perked up instantly.
"Hey, Fu-kun, let me tell you something. You know Raiden Mei from our class? She's the daughter of the president of ME Corp, the most famous young lady in our school."
Raiden Mei? He was more than familiar with her.
The housewife in the early game, the wielder of the lightning brush later on... ah, no, "The tempests shall bow to my will."
She was also the number one member of the Honkai protagonist Kiana's harem.
Fu Li narrowed his eyes, choosing his words carefully. "Raiden Mei... I've heard the name. What's with your tone? Is she in the same class as me?"
Sato Yuno sounded a bit agitated. "Yeah, and she's the one who sits in front of you. But she's in a bad spot recently. You'd better not get involved with her."
"It's not that I want to kick her while she's down or anything, it's just that you're new here and might not be familiar with how things work."
"Schools here are all about 'reading the atmosphere'. If you get too close to Raiden Mei, you'll be ostracized."
For some reason, Sato Yuno seemed particularly eager to help him, even telling him things that could potentially offend others.
Although it was unpleasant to hear, he understood that for an ordinary female student, there was nothing she could do to change the situation.
Fu Li nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Yuno-san."
Despite saying that, he had no intention of complying.
He had fought on the front lines against the Honkai in the Previous Era until the descent of the Tenth Herrscher. Was he supposed to be afraid of bullying from a few little brats?
The train network in this part of Japan was quite extensive. Through some casual and intentional probing for information, Fu Li soon arrived at Senba Academy.
Sato Yuno was in Class 5, while Fu Li was in Class 2. After bidding her farewell, Fu Li made his way to his own classroom.
About half the students had already arrived. They were gathered in small groups of three to five, with almost no one sitting alone.
Why almost? Because at the very edge of the second row, a beautiful figure was sitting all by herself.
And as Fu Li looked over, his gaze met a pair of deep, dark eyes.
Fu Li found it strange, because he could have sworn Raiden Mei was looking at him as if she'd just seen a ghost.
What's going on? This is the first time Mei and I have ever met, isn't it?
After a moment's thought, Fu Li ignored the stares of the other students, raised a hand, and gave a little wave as a greeting.
"Hm? Hello there, classmate. Is something wrong?"
"N-Nothing..." Mei's body trembled visibly. She immediately lowered her head, looking utterly terrified of Fu Li.
As if he were some kind of monster.
Seeing this, Fu Li could only give an awkward smile and, under the curious gazes of the others, take his seat.
Although he wanted to get on good terms with Mei, given her reaction, he would have to think about this in the long run.
Still, the classes here were so boring.
Fu Li looked at the mathematical formulas on the blackboard and yawned.
As Mobius's assistant from the Previous Era, even in a high-level school like Senba Academy, the material the teacher was covering was child's play to him.
It was actually making him sleepy.
And so, on his very first day of school, he gloriously fell asleep and stayed that way for the entire day.
When he finally woke up, the classroom was empty, save for a single figure busy cleaning up.
Raiden Mei? Why is she all alone?
Fu Li frowned and looked at the blackboard. There were clearly five names written on it for cleaning duty.
Forcing the work of five people onto one person—what's the difference between that and getting paid for one bowl of noodles when you were forced to eat two?
This was just bullying the honest folk!
Though he was indignant, seeing Mei's somewhat flustered back, Fu Li felt helpless.
Sometimes, even when you know something is unfair, there's nothing you can do about it.
If he had woken up earlier, he might have been able to keep the other four here.
But now...
Fu Li got up from his chair, making a clattering sound.
Mei's figure stiffened for a moment, and then she began sweeping even faster.
What is happening? What is going on?
Watching Mei's reaction, Fu Li was still utterly baffled.
Plenty of older female classmates came up to chat with me today. Why is she so afraid of me?
Though confused, Fu Li silently picked up a broom and began sweeping from the other side of the room, helping Mei.
Sweeping... mopping... wiping the blackboard...
He was all too familiar with these tasks.
After all, Mobius was a research fanatic who often liked to slack off on chores and rarely even bothered to dress up.
So, household duties naturally fell to him.
With the two of them working separately, it was a bit inconvenient, but they still managed to clean the classroom quickly.
During that time, Mei had initially watched him with a wary expression, but gradually, that wariness faded a little, though she still remained on guard.
But he clearly remembered that Mei's early-game persona was that of a gentle older sister. What was going on now?
Just as Fu Li was puzzling over this, Mei, as if having made some great resolve, walked up to him and gave a deep bow.
"Thank you very much for your help, Fu Li-san! I have something else to do, so I'll be leaving now!"
Without waiting for his response, Mei bolted out of the room like the wind, leaving a dumbfounded Fu Li behind.
"How strange..."
Oh well. There's no rush to get to know her. I can wait for the right opportunity.
Shaking his head, Fu Li didn't dwell on it. He turned off the lights and left the classroom.
But on his way back, he suddenly saw a bar named "Raven's" and stopped in his tracks.
If he remembered correctly, wasn't this bar run by Raven? And wasn't it in Arc City? Why was there one in Nagazora?
---o---
Author's note:
PS: There will be an explanation later for why Raven opened a bar here. Also, according to the timeline I researched, this is where Raven finds her child.
So, this is the third chapter today, sniff sniff, please give this child some stone!!