Unwanted Popularity / 8

Zodiac would suddenly materialize in an unfamiliar place, the metal platform beneath him was gone, but instead was a very clean looking floor. He looked up to see a desk and an unfamiliar man in another one of those black business suit. Who almost looked like at the mid-forty kind of age.

The person chuckled before gesturing to Zodiac at the spare chair in front of the desk. But when they spoke, their language was different from him, it was Japanese and he did not know how to speak or understand it, yet Zodiac obliged, walking to the chair in front of the desk. Sitting down on it comfortably whilst keeping his eyes at the man in front of him then speaking.

A system screen would appear at his side, instead of giving choices, it gave him a question saying:

[Would you like to automatically understand every language in the world?]

Zodiac was a bit caught off guard, every language in the world without any consequences was a bit concerning, the system was giving him an offer he can't refuse. But he accepted it willingly. Nodding his head to the system, now granting him the power to speak, and understand any language.

He turned to look at the person before finally speaking in fluent Japanese for them. "Can you understand me?"

The person was shocked at the sight of it, he knew Zodiac wasn't native to their language but to speak it so easily and fluently out of nowhere made him chuckle, asking confidently. "Amazing. Is that the work of your system? Fascinating... Oh where are my manners? I'm Kei Chiteki." Kei would reach out a hand towards Zodiac, gesturing a handshake.

Zodiac nods in response, reaching his hand out and accepting the handshake, before pulling back and relaxing into the chair while asking.

"It's obvious that I'm in Japan, but why did you bring me here?"

Kei would chuckle, smiling softly while his arms rested against the desk, elbows on the hard wood while his hands was underneath his chin as support before speaking.

"We brought you here because this is one of, if not, the highest technological Headquarters of the S.O.S, specifically Tokyo."

"That doesn't answer my question.. Why?"

"If you wish to know so badly. It's because I'm the only one available out of the 6 Leaders. Would you like for me to explain?"

Zodiac would nod in response, since he doesn't know how this works properly. With Kei chuckling in delight, liking the way Zodiac was wanting more information. Already about to drop a very big answer.

"We have 6 Leaders in the world, despite having Presidents, we differ from them. We mainly pursue what is abnormal activity. You saw when you completed that Red Glitch."

"So.. You basically do your work from behind the shadows?"

"More or less. And I am one of them. I lead the entire continent of Asia's S.O.S. Of course South Korea had a chance but unfortunately. I won against her."

Zodiac nodded, taking all this information in seriously without even getting distracted. As Kei continued to speak.

"Unfortunately, the other Leaders are busy, as I've said. But we agreed on one thing. And that is to bring you here and make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Zodiac raised an eyebrow, intrigued and curious about the deal. "What deal are we talking?"

Kei smiled, before standing up from his chair and walking to the right side of the office, staring outside of the glass, at the bustling streets of Tokyo, seeing many people walk, many vehicles wander. Flashing brightening lights all over as he spoke.

"The deal is.. You join us and help us make our world safer from danger. I've heard from Femi that you don't like attention."

Zodiac nodded. "It's too much eyes on me.. And from gaining this system, it apparently got you guys all over me at this point."

Kei chuckled before turning around to look at him. "Then how about this? Join us and we will assure that every system user leaves you alone. As long as you help us do what we ask for. You will be free."

Zodiac looked dead in the eyes of Kei, searching for any deception or trickery, but nothing. Instead seeing genuine and concern, he sighed scratching his hair and standing up from the chair while speaking annoyed.

"Fucking hell.. Fine, I'll join you guys, if it makes you leave me and my best friend alone, then so be it."

"I'm glad we settled this in peace."

Kei nodded, before handing out a piece of paper. It was a contract for him to join the S.O.S, he grabbed it and read the entire page first because he knew what contracts were like from the movies and series he watched.

But nothing was out of the ordinary, just a normal contract with him to be a member of the S.O.S. He set the paper down on the desk and grabbed a pen nearby before signing his name on it. Then putting it down as he turned to face Kei.

"There. It's done."

"Wonderful. Happy to have you onboard with us, Zodiac."

Kei would walk forward and offer another handshake. Which Zodiac happily accepted, shaking the other's hand before grinning with a snicker. "By the way.. You have to give me the money the lady was talking about when I beat that Red Glitch."

Kei chuckled embarrassed, completely forgetting about the reward. "Ah.. My apologies, it will be deposited from your bank accounts. For now, accept this."

After the handshake, they both let go as the contract paper would fly onto Kei's hand, floating just above his palm until it formed into a card. an I.D to be exact. Handing it to Zodiac to show that he was an official member of the S.O.S, having his full name, and his rank.

"SSS Rank.. Is this because I have?"

"Yes. It automatically makes you one of the highest ranks in the association. But of course, you are not the only one."

"Really? So there's someone stronger than me?"

"Indeed. You will meet him soon enough, for now. You can leave."

Zodiac nodded, appreciating Kei for the meeting, heading towards the exit door, opening it.. Then only to get bombarded with flashing lights. More like cameras?

"What the hell?.."

Zodiac had a confused expression, looking all over at the people holding their cameras and snapping photos of him.

While this was happening, multiple system users were witnessing this on their System Screen, thanks to Femi's Streaming System. The livestream showed Zodiac with the words on the screen.

' The 21st SSS Rank User has joined the association!! '

' The proud owner of the VN System finally comes out and joins! '

A lot of them were watching, from all 6 continents, excluding Antarctica of course.

Zodiac was overwhelmed by the sudden surprise while Kei was laughing just behind him, enjoying the scenery. Many of the people taking photos even began asking question.

"What will you do now that you have joined the association?!"

"Will you use your system for good?"

"Who's your favorite basketball player?!"

"Would you win against the strongest system user??"

Zodiac just had his mouth open in shock, his eyes also wide in surprise before composing himself, wanting to answer the questions but he instead looked at his side to see the system screen asking.

[Go back Home?]

He nodded instantly, disappearing suddenly as if he wasn't there, which caused all of them to stop snapping pictures and groan annoyed.

---

Zodiac arrived home, the scent of his living room finally catching onto him as he looked around, only to see.. "Chai? What the hell are you doing in my house?"

Chai was sitting down on his couch, wearing some casual boy clothes as always while watching T.V casually as if they owned the place before chuckling. "Ehe.. I was waiting for you! You were gone when I came here because I wanted to talk to you."

Zodiac sighed, sitting down on the couch and watching whatever it was on the T.V, mostly it was news but nothing special.

"Talk to me about what?"

Chai would fidget her fingers, not wanting to mention about the time Multi tried to threaten her yesterday.

"Join the association Multi told you!"

"I did."

"Huh?"

"I just came back from the headquarters after making a contract with one of the bosses.. Oh right you didn't see it."

"Oh.."

Zodiac turned his head to look at her, she seemed nervous and embarrassed from the looks of it, making him ask.

"Are you alright? Why suddenly tell me to join it?"

"So uh.."

Chai would chuckle nervously, her eyes gazing elsewhere while muttering in a soft toned voice.

"Multi might have.. Told me to tell you.."

"Alright. I'm killing him."

Zodiac stood up from the couch, only for Chai to grab his arm and stop him.

"Hold on dude! He- She- I mean, they didn't do anything to me!"

He looked at her with an eyebrow raised, before sighing and calming himself down then plopping back onto the couch.

"I'll take your word for it. But seriously, next time tell me this sooner. I don't want you getting hurt."

Chai just sighed, smacking his head. "And you need to learn that you can't even find them, remember he can shapeshift into anyone!"

"I know I know!"

Zodiac would just wince slightly in pain after feeling that smack. Even after having almost inhumane strength and endurance, Chai's hands still hurt. Then he just spoke out of nowhere.

"Do you think Multi's a guy or a girl back then.."

This made Chai also think about this question, they don't know anything about what Multi's gender was or whatever they were into.

"Now that you think about it.. What are they?"

"Are they like those uh.." Zodiac paused, trying to remember the right word that he had in mind. "Like, those things old people say? Non.. Binary?"

"Oh you mean those people with no gender?"

"Yeah, do you think they're like that?"

Chai would cross her arms, her eyes closed thinking about it before sighing, opening it back up and shrugging while looking at Zodiac.

"Beats me!"

"Really helpful.."

Suddenly, Zodiac's screen popped up in front of him, showing that he had received a mail from Kei. "Already?"

"Who's that?" Chai asked curiously, looking over at the system screen to see, Zodiac didn't mind it but he made the screen disappear with a sigh.

"The boss I met. I'm already being called.."

"Yikes, so you have work now? What about school?"

"...shit. Wait it's Saturday right?"

"It's Sunday.."

"I might be dropping out."

"Do that and your parents are not going to like it. They might even prepare you a coffin and a grave in advance!"

"Teasing me isn't going to help."

"Heh, my bad!"

Zodiac just sighed, scratching his hair while speaking. "I might have to talk about this with him.. I'm not sure how the association is going to handle me being in school when they need me."

"Looks like you've grown more busy after you got the system." Chai teased while giggling.

"Please don't remind me anymore.." Zodiac said in a defeated tone.