Chapter 2: Meeting Takagi Saya

Lucas wiped the sweat from his forehead after running around a small park near his school. His breathing was slightly heavy, but his body felt incredible. Ever since he realized that his body could evolve, he had been pushing his training even further.

"My endurance has improved again... and my reflexes are getting sharper," he thought, flexing his fingers quickly.

However, in the middle of his training, he heard a commotion near a park bench. A pink-haired girl with small glasses resting on her head was arguing fiercely with a group of male students in uniforms who didn't seem very friendly.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. He recognized the girl from his memories of Highschool of the Dead. Saya Takagi, a smart, sharp, and strong-willed girl who refused to be intimidated.

He leaned against a tree, casually listening to their conversation.

"You think I'd be scared just because you all came in a group?" Takagi's voice was sharp, full of confidence.

One of them, a student with short hair, clicked his tongue. "Don't act tough, Takagi. We just wanted to have a little chat, but you're the one making a scene."

"If you really wanted to talk, you wouldn't be surrounding me like this," Takagi shot back, crossing her arms.

Lucas smirked. This girl had guts.

He saw one of the students step forward, raising his hand as if he was about to touch Takagi.

Without thinking, Lucas moved. He walked toward them casually and clapped his hands twice, loud enough to grab everyone's attention.

"Wow, wow, wow... This feels like watching a cheap drama," he said in a relaxed tone.

All eyes turned to him. Takagi glanced at Lucas with a sharp gaze, while the male students looked irritated by his sudden interruption.

"Who the hell are you?" one of them asked, annoyed.

Lucas grinned. "Just a passerby who happened to see a bunch of guys trying to intimidate a girl all by herself. You know that looks bad, right?"

Takagi stared at him for a moment, then scoffed. "I don't need help from a stranger."

Lucas shrugged. "And I have no intention of being a hero. I just thought this was a boring scene."

One of the students stepped toward him. "Listen, new kid. This isn't your business."

Lucas kept smiling, but his gaze shifted slightly. He had been training for months, and his instincts told him that these guys weren't a serious threat.

"Oh, I know it's not my business," he said casually, then glanced at Takagi. "But I think this girl can handle herself just fine. So why don't you all leave before your pride gets shattered?"

The students exchanged glances before muttering curses under their breath and walking away. They probably knew Takagi wasn't easy to intimidate, and Lucas' presence only made things worse for them.

Once they were gone, Takagi sighed. "Tch, idiots. They really thought I'd be scared just because they came in numbers?"

Lucas smirked. "You really have a sharp tongue."

Takagi looked at him analytically. "And you… who are you, exactly? I don't remember seeing you at school."

Lucas slipped his hands into his pockets and gave a relaxed smile. "Lucas Hoshigawa. New student. And you, if I'm not mistaken, are Saya Takagi, right?"

Takagi narrowed her eyes. "So you know my name."

Lucas chuckled. "Hard not to. You're pretty famous as the genius of this school, right?"

Takagi scoffed. "At least you know who you're talking to."

Lucas nodded, then glanced in the direction where the students had disappeared. "Do you deal with people like that often?"

Takagi crossed her arms. "Quite a lot. Idiots always feel threatened by someone smarter than them."

Lucas let out a small laugh. "I like the way you talk. Full of confidence."

Takagi studied him for a moment before giving a faint smirk. "And I like the way you handled the situation. You didn't act like a wannabe hero, but you were smart enough not to make things worse."

Lucas grinned. "I just enjoy a good drama."

Takagi sighed. "I hate unnecessary drama."

Lucas chuckled. Interesting. This girl was exactly as he remembered from the original story.

Their conversation ended as Takagi walked away first, but Lucas knew this wouldn't be the last time they spoke.

And he couldn't wait to see how their relationship would develop.