Chapter 13: A Smell of Gunpowder

Reze suddenly coughed violently, coffee spraying from her mouth, splashing onto the tabletop and forming dark brown stains.

Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and her eyes began to flicker with panic and unease.

"Ding~ Detected Reze's flustered emotion, system rewards 20 points."

"Oh no! Reze, what are you doing! Guest, I'm so sorry…"

The boss was about to scold Reze for her impropriety, but before she could finish, she suddenly noticed Reze's unusual expression.

Her cheeks were flushed red, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her earlobes, making her look as delicate and charming as a blooming flower. Her eyes were hazy, as if she were enduring some inexpressible "pain."

"Ding~ Detected Reze's shy emotion, system rewards 15 points.""Ding~ Detected Reze's joyful emotion, system rewards 20 points."

"Hmm? Reze, what's wrong? Your face is so red? Did you catch a cold from the rain this morning?"

Reze's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a barely perceptible tremor."No… nothing."

Her voice was so light it seemed even uttering those few words took immense effort.

Reze's body trembled slightly. Her hands felt weak as she finally placed the coffee cup back on the table with a slight clatter, trying her best to appear normal and ease the boss's concern.

Renji Kuroda sat beside her, witnessing it all, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

That smile was full of amusement at Reze's disheveled appearance.

The roles had completely reversed now—what had begun as Reze seducing and teasing him had now become Renji deliberately teasing her.

Renji calmly explained to the boss that it was just a little joke between him and Reze. The boss, half-convinced, gave Reze a few words of caution before returning to the kitchen.

During the brief time Renji conversed with the boss and until she returned to the kitchen, he did not stop his actions. Through the thin layer of fabric, his hand continued to slowly and teasingly caress her, the touch both light and deliberate—deeper and deeper.

"Ding~ Detected Reze's joyful emotion, system rewards 20 points."

Renji knew Reze's position and identity all too well; she absolutely could not loudly scold him in this setting, couldn't grab his collar, couldn't lift him by the shirt and shout: "Pervert! Why are you touching my leg!"

Such a move would not only plunge their relationship into immediate and awkward crisis, but more importantly, it would blow Renji's cover. If word spread, Reze's plan would be completely ruined.

And Reze's feelings at this moment were undoubtedly complex and subtle.

But one thing was certain: Reze was joyful at this very moment.

Her pretty face flushed, eyes filled with a mix of shyness, embarrassment, and a trace of suppressed anger and helplessness. Her slightly trembling lips looked as though they were about to say something, but in the end, she remained silent, merely enduring Renji's quiet teasing.

Actually, it was fine; she could accept it. It was just… completely opposite to what she had imagined.As long as she could make Renji obsessed with her, as planned, it would be enough.

Even though Renji, confident in the system, acted bold and fearless, he didn't go too far.

"Oh, by the way, we haven't formally introduced ourselves yet. My name is Renji Kuroda. What's your name?"

"My name is… Reze." Her voice was very, very soft, but it still reached Renji's ears clearly.

Renji pretended to savor the name."Oh, oh… Reze, what a beautiful name. It's my first time meeting such an interesting girl like you, haha. To be honest, when you did that rose magic trick, I was really happy. Thank you."

After he finished speaking, Renji naturally let go of her hand.

He picked up the coffee cup Reze had left behind and drank it down in one go.

"If you can't finish it, I'll drink it. After all, it's the boss's kind intention. Can't waste it."

Reze looked at Renji's actions, her heart a tangled mix of emotions. She was grateful he hadn't continued offending her, but…

She was also a little disappointed.

Because that comfortable feeling…She had never experienced it before.

"Ding~ Detected Reze's reluctant emotion, system rewards 10 points."

Renji Kuroda got up, took the rose, passed Reze, and left his seat.

Seeing Renji walking farther and farther away—and clearly not heading toward the restroom—Reze asked urgently,"Hey, where are you going?"

Renji stopped, turned to look at her, and replied with a tone of confusion,"Hmm? I've finished eating and paid the bill, so of course I'm leaving. I'm off. Oh, by the way, boss! The coffee was delicious! The dessert was also very good! I'll come often!"

After saying this, he turned back and gave Reze a meaningful look.

Hearing the compliment, the boss rushed out of the kitchen and thanked him with a beaming smile."Thank you for the compliment, welcome back anytime, guest. Hey, Reze, you should thank him too."

"No need, no need for that," Renji said quickly, waving his hand.

Reze watched Renji walk farther and farther away, a sudden sense of inexplicable loss welling up in her chest. She pursed her lips, opened her mouth as if to say something—but in the end, she said nothing.

"It's okay… he said he'd come often."

Reze thought to herself.

After Renji exited the coffee shop, his pace unconsciously quickened. He crossed the street and walked briskly back to the rental building, didn't even bother with the elevator, and jogged all the way to his doorstep, where he finally stopped, panting heavily.

He pulled the keys from his pocket, unlocked the door, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind him.

Then, Renji slowly extended his right hand, which he had been protecting in his arms the whole time. His gaze fixed on the viscous fluid coating his index and middle fingers.

As his fingers slowly separated, the sticky liquid stretched between them in long, thin threads that swayed in the air, releasing an increasingly pungent scent.

Renji brought the scent closer to his nose, gently sniffing. The aroma grew stronger—sweet, fishy, and strangely… smoky?

He tasted it.

"Hmm…? Is it just me? Or has it been too long? Why does it smell like gunpowder?"

He shook his head. "Must be tired. My senses are dull. I should get some rest."

After a quick shower, Renji lay on the bed with a satisfied expression. But instead of falling asleep immediately, he opened his system interface and began checking his accumulated points.

"323 points. That's enough for a skill."

He opened Arthur Pendragon's character interface and, without hesitation, purchased the innate skill "Mana Burst"—a boost to his output capabilities.

Once the skill purchase succeeded, Renji finally closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

When Renji was woken up by a knock at the door, the sun was already high in the sky.

He had slept very soundly. Checking the time, he saw it was already 11:46 AM. Renji rubbed his eyes, got dressed, and walked over to open the door.

As soon as it opened, Denji's pretty face appeared in front of him.

She had apparently been asking around the whole way to find his address. Her first reaction upon seeing Renji was excitement and relief—but she quickly caught herself, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.

"Uh… that, yo~ I, I came to find you."

Renji leaned out and glanced up and down the hallway, asking in confusion,"Where's Hayakawa Aki? Didn't she come with you?"

Denji quickly explained,"Oh, oh, she didn't follow me. I snuck out. By the way, here, take this."

Saying that, Denji handed him a piece of folded clothing.

Renji took it and found it was the jacket he had previously placed over Denji's lap.

Denji's cheeks flushed bright red again. She looked shy—almost adorably so. Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she began to speak hesitantly.

"That, that I…"

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