Part-88

  James whistled, a surprised chuckle esg his lips. The System, it seemed, wasn't tent to let him rest on his urels. Join the Judo Club? Of all things! A part of him balked at the idea. The memory of his grueling match with Ryan, the unfamiliar throws and grappling teiques, was still fresh in mind. Yet, another part, the part fueled by the hunger frowth and the cryptic message about his father, saw the opportunity. A +3 increase to all his stats was a signifit boost, and food poisoning, while unpleasant, wasly life-threatening.

  "I've already rejected Ryan before," James muttered to himself. "So, it would be awkward to go there and join the club now."

  He sidered his options. He could dee the mission, but the potential reward was too tempting to ignore. He could fake joining the club, but the System seemed to have ways of deteg insiy. The most logical course of a, then, was to embrace the challeo delve deeper into the world of martial arts, even if it meant fag his newfound fear of throws and grappling.

  The school hallway buzzed with the usual cacophony of teenage chatter as James navigated his way to css. He still felt the lingering aches from his epic duel with Ryan, but a determined glint shone in his eyes. The notification from the System had solidified his resolve. Joining the Judo Club, however unwele the prospect might be, was the step in his journey.

  Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the din. "James!" Mili called out, a hint of in her voibsp; She caught up to him, her brow furrowed. "Are you alright? You looked absolutely exhausted yesterday."

  James, still basking ierglow of victory, let out a tired but genuine smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit sore, but a good night's sleep did wonders."

  Unfortunately, his response, coupled with the closehey dispyed, wasn't lost on the ever-observant student body. A group of girls huddled together, their whispers carrying an unmistakable air of mischief.

  "Did you hear that? James spent the night at Mili's!" one girl squealed, her eyes wide with excitement.

  "No way!" anasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. "Are they, like, a thing now?"

  A third girl, the resident gossip, chimed in, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "Well, it wouldn't be surprising, would it? They've been spending a lot of time together tely. Remember that whole cafeteria i? And now this training thing?"

  Mili, catg ss of their versatio a blush creep up her nebsp; She elbowed James pyfully. "Hey! We were just talking about yesterday's match, you guys. Nothing more, nothing less."

  James chuckled, relief washing over him. The idea of him and Mili being a couple was ued. "Yeah," he agreed casually. "Just sparring."

  One boy nudged another, a sly grin spreading across his fabsp; "Looks like Ryan has some serious petition now."

  Mili, oblivious to the brewing gossip, pletely misinterpreted the surprised gnces. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she spoke a little louder than necessary. "gratutions on winning against Ryaerday, James! Everyoalking about it."