Chapter 6: Do you understand Uchiha, or do I?

…

The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the window, the alarm clock on the somewhat cluttered nightstand rang promptly. Zhong Yan, who had only just fallen asleep not long ago, groggily lifted his head and manually shut off the alarm, then immediately sank back into bed.

It was only after several minutes that he reluctantly opened his eyes. Stretching lazily, he got up and began his morning routine.

By the time he was ready, the clock read exactly 7:00 a.m.

Heading out at this hour meant he could stop by a nearby street-side shop and grab some freshly steamed soup dumplings, paired with a stomach-soothing soy milk—Zhong Yan's essential breakfast combo.

After eating, he took the subway to the district where his school was located, passing by "Sixth Street," home of the protagonist siblings—but at this point, he had no time to visit them.

Once off the train and out of the station, he was greeted by a bustling street filled with all sorts of passersby. Some rushed to work, others to school, forming the living pulse of New Eridu.

Zhong Yan's school was tucked away in a corner of the district. Not particularly well-known, but its proximity to the city center—and distance from Hollow threats—meant housing prices here were outrageous.

With his current savings, he could maybe afford a ten-square-meter bathroom.

As for the city center, where prices could reach 100 million Dennies per square meter, not even a bathroom stall would be within reach.

Unfortunately, that's exactly where Zhong Yan had set his sights—his dream was to own a home in the city's heart.

He'd endured enough hardship as a poor man before transmigrating—was it so wrong to want to live like someone at the top now?

Still, he had a long way to go before that dream could be realized. For now, he'd be stuck living in his tiny apartment.

It was spring, and the cherry blossoms lining the school path were in full bloom. Petals drifted to the ground with every burst of laughter from the boys and girls passing by, forming a soft pink carpet.

The girls in their school uniforms often walked in groups, chatting about the handsome boy from the neighboring class. Their bare legs, lined up in unison, created a scene that drew more than a few glances.

Zhong Yan, unable to resist, stole more than a few extra glances himself. Only when the girls disappeared around the hallway corner did he reluctantly tear his eyes away and head into the classroom.

There were about ten minutes left before class started. The classroom was nearly full, but Zhong Yan, not one to attract attention, slipped in unnoticed.

His seat was in the last row by the window.

Back row, window seat—the king's throne. Whether by coincidence or design, he had ended up in this legendary spot.

The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and bored, Zhong Yan took out his phone and started scrolling through Proxy Network.

Proxy Network was New Eridu's unofficial anonymous forum, identity obscured by high-level encryption. No one knew who created it, but it was wildly popular among Proxies and Hollow Raiders—many of whom used it to connect, take jobs, and complete missions. A full-blown underground economy had grown from it.

The top trending post at the moment? About none other than the Cunning Hares.

The headline was eye-catching:

[Shocking! Cunning Hares perfectly clears a giant Ethereal in an accompanying Hollow, receives official praise from the Hollow Investigation Association, and nets 30 million Dennies!]

Zhong Yan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

That was fast. The mission had only taken place the night before, and it was already making waves across the forum by morning.

The comments were equally entertaining.

[Anonymous A]: Cunning Hares? That's that jack-of-all-trades shop run by the pink-haired chick, right?

[Anonymous B]: Nicole, yeah. Their reputation has always been kind of trash. How'd they suddenly pull off a high-level mission like that?

[Anonymous C]: I heard most of the street inside that Hollow was obliterated. No way they had that kind of firepower.

[Anonymous D]: Someone must've helped them. Probably trying to use the Association for a payout. But seriously... who's got the power to take down a giant Ethereal?

Zhong Yan chuckled, then typed a comment of his own.

[Anonymous E (Zhong Yan)]: Maybe it was Uchiha? Hasn't he soloed a bunch of giant Ethereals before?

It didn't take long before someone replied.

[Anonymous F]: Are you nuts? Why would Uchiha work with Cunning Hares? I did a deep dive—Uchiha doesn't care about money or girls. He's basically a cinematic hero, fighting to rid the world of evil.

[Anonymous E]: That could just be his persona. Who doesn't bend for cash these days? And do you have proof he isn't into women?

[Anonymous F]: Please. Who understands Uchiha better—you, or me?

Zhong Yan: "..."

He quietly exited the thread. Regardless of the suspicions surrounding the mission, the fact remained: Cunning Hares's public image was booming.

He figured Nicole was probably drowning in job offers right now.

Thud!

A dull sound snapped Zhong Yan back to the present. He looked up to find... a black shark tail on his desk.

His eyes followed the tail to its source—a short-haired girl in a school uniform sitting in front of him. The tail placement was clearly no accident.

Was she picking a fight? That was one interpretation. But more likely, she just wanted his attention.

"Putting your tail here... trying to get me to pet it?" Zhong Yan asked, putting his phone away and looking at her with amusement.

The girl turned her head slowly. Her eyes held no emotion as she stared at him for a moment—then reached out her hand.

In her palm sat an unopened lollipop.

"It's for you."

***

Read 30+ chapters ahead!

Patreon(.)com/SiRoasa