Part-43

  James' jaw dropped. This outndish accusation came pletely out of left field. Where in the world did Ryahis idea? "Love with Mili? What are you talking about?" he sputtered, pletely bewildered.

  Ryan puffed out his chest, a hint of defiance flickering in his eyes. "Don't py dumb, James. I saw the way you were looking at her. And besides, it's obvious. Why else would you try to challenge Sourov?"

  James shook his head, dumbfounded. "I challenged Sourov because he ig on a weak kid like me. Mili had nothing to do with it!"

  Ryan's shoulders slumped slightly. He seemed to defte, the bravado repced by a hesitant vulnerability. "Look," he mumbled, kig at a stray pebble. "If you join the Judo club, I'll leave Mili alone. I won't bother her anymore." He paused, then added in a near whisper, "I'll even help you get together with her."

  James stared at Ryan, pletely at a loss for words. The situation was baffling. Was Ryan trying to make a deal? Was this some eborate scheme cocted by the Bully System?(James now thinks what happening surrounding him because of Bully System)

  Hesitantly, James spoke. "I appreciate the offer, Ryan," he said, his voice cautious. "But joining the club isn't something I decide on a whim. And as for Mili..." He trailed off, searg for the right words. "I don't have any feelings for her like that. She's just a friend."

  Ryan's face fell. He looked like a kicked puppy, his shoulders slumped i. "Oh," he mumbled, kig at the pebble again with more force this time.

  "But," James tinued, seeing a flicker of hope in Ryan's eyes, "I will tell you this – I'm going to win that match against Sourov."

  Ryan looked up, a flicker of something akin to respe his gaze. "Alright," he said, a hesitant nod apanying the words. "But you better win."

  The tensioween them seemed to dissipate, repced by a fragile trubsp; James wasn't sure what Ryan's true motives were, but for now, this was enough. He had a fight to prepare for, his training with Riva to focus on, and the ever-present mystery of the Bully System looming over him.

  As James turo leave, Ryan called out after him.

  "Hey, James?"

  James stopped, turning back to face him.

  "Good luck with the match," Ryan said, a hint of siy in his voice.

  James nodded silently.

  James had barely taken a step away from Ryan when a familiar blue window flickered ies presence a cold sp of reality amidst the fragile peace he'd just established. He groaned, burying his fa his hand for a moment. Of course, the System wouldn't let him have a moment of quiet. He steeled himself and focused on the message, his jaw dropping as he read it:

  **[Mission 8: Ask Mili for a date.]**

  **[Reward: +3 WIS]**

  **Penalty: Struck by Thunder**

  James's eye socket, still sore from the previous notification overload, threateo pop out again. Ask Mili for a date? Seriously? He barely khe girl beyond a few stolen gnces and a shared dislike for bullies. And the penalty? Struck by thunder? The System was b on sadistic with this one.