[Protagonist is 2 feet from Master’s location.]
“Huh?” As Zane let out a burp and lazily stretched his long arms above his head, the sudden alert startled him.
His arm flailed as he turned to look behind him.
CRASH!
Unknowingly, his right hand knocked into some kind of sculpture, causing it to fall and crack into pieces.
[TARGETS within reach, please initiate contact and complete the mission.]
“AH!
Clyde!” A dark shadow loomed over Zane.
From behind him came a softer, coquettish voice.
You useless system!
Can’t you alert me earlier!?
“Shit…sorry.” Zane apologized and bent down to pick up the broken sculpture.
“This is all my fault…I shouldn’t have convinced you guys to come here first.” Zane looked toward the voice.
“I’m sorry, Clyde.
Your assignment became like this…”
The voice’s owner stood nearly 177 meters tall.
His large eyes were clearly visible beneath his thin-framed glasses.
He was very handsome, brows perfectly groomed, lips a pale red, and hair a little longer than ear length.
[The protagonist is feeling displeased at your presence.]
Yo!
You send notifications for something like that, too?
His white teeth bit down anxiously on his bottom lip, eyes slightly watering as he grabbed hold of Clyde’s arm.
They were supposed to drop the assignment off before heading over, but he was too hungry to wait.
He’s the protagonist, alright.
For someone majoring in Fine Arts, his looks were unusually pretty and handsome, attracting attention wherever he went.
This caused him to be scouted relentlessly ever since he set foot back in the country.
Zane’s gaze shifted to the person being grabbed.
Their eyes briefly met before the man turned to look at the protagonist.
“It’s fine, Oliver.” His deep voice was calming to the ears.
He moved to grip Oliver’s smaller hand, gently comforting him.
This is about to make me gag.
System, what does Clyde think of me?
[Answering: Only the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings toward Master can be read.]
What good are you?
“I can’t afford to buy you a new one.” After picking as many pieces that would fit in his hand, Zane stood and shoved them against Clyde’s chest.
This action separated the two as Clyde struggled to grab hold.
His calm gaze flickered back to Zane and then to his broken assignment.
“Buy!?
Don’t you know that this was made by Clyde!?” Oliver instantly fumed once he heard the uncaring words.
“So?
Am I supposed to make him a new sculpture as compensation?”
“You!?
Make him something?
What kind of godly skills do you have!?”
I’ve thought about this since earlier…
Wouldn’t the mission be complete if I just killed him?
[You are not permitted to harm the protagonist.]
“I don’t argue with children.” As he thought, his height was closer to the two male leads.
Considering that one was a Ceramic Arts Major and the other a professional swimmer, they were similar in size, height, and muscle mass.
“Children!?” Zane brushed his loose bangs back, eyes once again meeting Clyde’s gaze.
Does he find this situation funny?
Aside from the flicker of humor in his gaze, Zane couldn’t tell much of what the man thought.
“Since it was my mistake, I’ll go with you to see your professor and explain things.”
“Wait.” The only person who had been quietly observing things from the side spoke up.
His broad shoulders were the first thing Zane noticed.
“What year are you in?”
His hand gently pushed Oliver behind him, wanting to keep them separate to avoid further arguments.
He had on a tight athletic jacket that was zipped up all the way, subtly outlining his toned abs and slim waist.
The low taper, two-block haircut highlighted his existence as one of the male leads.
Zane could feel his brow twitch at how outstandingly handsome all three of them were.
Should I get the same haircut?
His current hairstyle was closer to a short, shaggy wolf cut, causing him to feel weird every time his bangs brushed against his face.
He was used to styling his short hair up with gel, but considering his broke status here, he didn’t own a single styling tool.
“First year.” Having stared enough, Zane finally answered his question.
“And our name, Junior?”
Right.
I forgot that I’m a year below them.
“…” His eyes scanned Zane.
As he was about to say his name, a professor came walking in.
“Zane!
There you are!” The sudden chattering around them fell silent in an instant.
They all belatedly realize how much attention they had attracted.
“Have you heard the announcement of the annual camping field trip?”
“Not yet.
Did you come running just to tell me about it, Professor Reed?”
Isn’t that the field trip that ends with them having a threesome?
[Master should consider sharing a tent with the TARGETS]
“You could have waited for me to attend class.” Zane looked toward the exercise oozing from the Professor’s pores and wondered why he went out of his way just to talk nonsense.
I can’t say much since he’s the one sponsoring my meals.
“There’s a special theme this year.
It has to do with the location.” His heavy palm smacked Zane’s shoulder.
“We’ve been given special permission to study the sacred ruins of the village.
You’re coming with me, no questions!”
“I have work—.”
“It’s a sponsored trip!
This will be your paper for the year.”
“You’re kidding, Professor.” Zane excitedly gripped the professor’s shoulder in return.
Both of them stared at each other with a stupid grin, completely lost in their own worlds.
“I’m serious.
No other assignment needed, no quiz, no test, and no finals.
As long as you complete the study with me, you automatically pass and earn extra credits for field work.”
“Hehehehehehe.” The two of them looked maniacal, both cackling as they shared a strong handshake.
“Pack your bags and meet me at the front on Saturday.
7 AM sharp.”
“Shall we go?” After bidding each other goodbye, Zane’s attention was once again drawn toward the three who were still there.
He assumed that they were waiting for him to accompany Clyde to see his professor.
[Master can use this chance to be alone with TARGET Clyde]
Quit yapping.
Even though he complained, Zane thought it was better to be near the protagonist.
He told them to stay put and quickly returned his tray to the bins.
Seeing that Oliver was currently chatting with Michael, Zane grabbed the largest piece of the broken pottery.
His free hand gripped Clyde’s wrist and dragged him out the door.
“Where to?” After walking along the corridor, Zane came to a late realization that he didn’t know where the professor’s classroom was located.
“Let go.”
“Sorry…” Without hesitation, Zane let go of the smooth wrist he had been holding.
“You should call me Senior, Junior.”
“Yes, yes.
Understood, Senior.” Neither of them has formally introduced themselves, so Zane agreed to call him whatever he wanted.
“Give me what you’re holding.”
“Nah, I should at least carry the evidence of my crime.” There it was again, the flicker of humor in Clyde’s gaze.
Is it that easy to make him fall in love?
Disgusted by its host’s unrealistic self-confidence, the system decided to ground him.
[You are being delusional.
TARGET Clyde’s current goodwill towards Master is 1%.]
Thanks.
I didn’t need to know that.
“Ah!
Clyde!
Are you here to submit your assignment?” The excited greeting of the professor made Zane feel slight guilt.
He glanced at Clyde, seeing him lift the corner of his lips into a gentle smile as he greeted her back.
“I was going to, but there was an accident.” The professor belatedly noticed when Clyde slowly placed the pieces on the desk.
“I did it.
I bumped into him and broke his work.” He followed closely and also attempted to put the one in his hand down.
“I came to apologize and ask for an extension on his behalf.”
“Hm?
You’re Professor Reed’s protégé, Zane Lee.”
Am I famous or some shit?
“Um…yes.”
“I’ll forgive the assignment if you help Clyde put it back together.”
“Say what?”
“A vase can crack and still be fixed.
It is the same for sculptures.
But who am I kidding?
You should know best since you’re an archaeology student.”
“I’m terrible with my hands.” His statement went unheard by either of them.
Clyde had already prepared the tools and was now sitting down.
“Have a seat.
I’ll be back after I grab some breakfast.” She gently guided him to one of their tables and forcefully seated him beside Clyde.
“Have fun, boys!”
“Wait a minute—!” The door to the room shut without bothering to hear his pleas.
[From the novel “Pottery and Sex,” chapter two begins with the two love interests sitting side by side while they work on their project.
A few accidental touches here, and a few knee brushes there, their lips collided, one on top of the other as their muddy hands explored each other’s skin—]
“YOU ARE A LUNATIC!”
[Master can recreate this now that you are body-to-body with the TARGET Clyde]
“Ahem—ahem!!
I don’t know what that was.
Sorry, Senior…” He coughed into his hands, face a shade redder as he tried to play off his earlier shouting as nothing.
“…” Clyde didn’t respond to his nonsense.
His gaze focused on the red tips of his ears, only shifting away once he heard Zane fumble with the lid to the two-part epoxy.