SFDI: Chapter 76

"The Date"

Because they had a shopping trip planned, they skipped their usual morning workout.

Drake and Ikki Kurogane waited at the dormitory entrance. Both were casually dressed, showing no awareness of their date with the girls.

In contrast, the two girls were meticulously dressed.

Stella wore a knee-length dress with a pale yellow jacket and a stylish beret, looking youthful and energetic.

However, she was less formally dressed than Kurogane Shizuku, who wore a gothic princess dress. Her petite figure and light makeup made her look like a delicate doll.

Drake nudged Ikki. "The girls dressed up for you; expressing appreciation is gentlemanly!"

Ikki finally reacted, greeting Shizuku. She blushed. She seemed high-attack, low-defense.

Stella approached Drake, blushing. "How… do I look?"

Drake gave a thumbs-up. "Beautiful! The dress suits you!"

"Great!" Stella whispered; Kagami's advice had been helpful.

Then, Drake saw a third person with Stella and Shizuku. A tall, handsome man with a melancholic air. Unlike Ikki's delicate features, this man possessed true androgynous beauty.

Stella introduced him. "This is Shizuku's roommate, Nagi Arisuin"

Nagi spoke in a languid voice. "Nice to meet you, Drake-san! Call me Alice."

Drake was surprised; Arisuin sounded like Alice, but Alice is a female name.

Nagi seemed to sense Drake's confusion. "I… have a male body, but a female heart."

He was serious; Drake sensed no joking it was Nagi's chosen way of life.

Drake didn't mind Nagi's gender; what concerned him was his strength. Only Stella and Drake were A-rank freshmen; there were fewer than five B-ranks, excluding Shizuku. Nagi wasn't listed.

He was at most C-rank, but his ki was different! His strength wasn't from training like Ikki's but from high stats, like Stella's. He was likely B-rank, possibly A-rank.

His dark, sharp, slightly bloody ki… this was the aura of an underworld assassin!

Drake was wary; Nagi was hiding his rank and identity; what was his purpose at Hagun Academy? He lacked knowledge of this world's plot.

Nagi showed no malice; Drake remained calm.

After greetings, they headed to the shopping street. It was close; Drake wouldn't suffer from transportation.

Shizuku naturally took Ikki's hand. Ikki wanted to pull away but saw Shizuku's pitiful expression.

Stella hesitated, unable to muster the courage.

Walking beside Drake, Stella whispered, "Seriously, boys should be more proactive!"

Drake didn't notice; Nagi did.

He smiled. "Stella-san is cute!"

Stella blushed, fearing Nagi would say something embarrassing.

Nagi approached. "I understand; I'll cheer you on silently."

Stella pretended not to understand.

Each with their thoughts, they reached the shopping street.

Drake, a minimalist, quickly found what he needed. The others weren't there to shop; they wandered.

Drake sat on a bench, feeling his legs tremble. Stella's stamina was lower than his; she couldn't keep up with him and Ikki initially.

Ikki ran 20km daily at full speed interspersed with jogging, pushing his cardiovascular system. Drake tried it; it worked; Stella joined, collapsing on the first day. She finished the second day but vomited.

Ikki wanted to adjust the pace, but Drake stopped him; Stella hadn't given up; they couldn't insult her resolve. She was strong.

But Stella, who couldn't keep up during training, had incredible stamina shopping—a female talent.

They were at a men's store; Shizuku wanted to buy a reunion gift for Ikki. Ikki let Shizuku and Nagi dress him.

Stella noticed Drake sitting outside; she left the clothes and went to him.

"Drake-san, aren't you looking for clothes?"

Drake tugged his scarf. "Spare me! I hate shopping."

Stella looked at his scarf; it was summer, yet he wore it.

"That scarf is unique; you never take it off," Stella said calmly.

Drake smiled. "It's from someone important."

Stella was uneasy. "Important… a girlfriend?"

She stared at him, fearing a yes.

Drake laughed. "What? I don't have a girlfriend; it's from my foster father."

Stella only heard what she wanted. "No girlfriend… that's great!"

Drake facepalmed. Was that good news?

A man in a black coat passed Drake. Drake's nose twitched; he grabbed the man's shoulder.

Before the man could react, Drake choked him, pressing his head to the ground. The tiles shattered; the man fainted.

"Drake, what are you doing?!" Stella shrieked.

The others came out; Drake reached into the man's coat, pulling out a familiar object—an M4 assault rifle. It wasn't a toy.

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