MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC27: My Stepsister is Allergic to My Friendship with Her Bestie
Chapter 27: My Stepsister is Allergic to My Friendship with Her Bestie
I trailed behind Natalia and Emi as we left the boba shop, watching the rigid set of Natalia's shoulders with quiet satisfaction. The cool evening air carried the scent of rain, though the sky remained clear. Perfect walking weather—and perfect conditions to let Natalia stew in her own emotional turmoil.
"That was so fun!" Emi chirped, skipping ahead and turning to walk backward, facing us. Her blue hair bounced with each step, antennae-like strands bobbing enthusiastically. "We should do this more often."
"Mm," Natalia replied, her lips barely moving.
One syllable. That was all she could manage. I had to suppress a grin.
"The entrance exam is only a few weeks away," Emi continued, undeterred by Natalia's frigid response. "We could form a study group! I'm terrible at the written portions about Gate classifications."
"That sounds useful," I said, making sure to sound just enthusiastic enough. "I've been cramming the standard protocols, but there's a lot to catch up on."
Natalia's jaw tightened. She'd told me once, when we first moved in together, that she knew every classification by heart. Her father had drilled her on them since she was ten.
"What do you think, Nat?" Emi asked, clearly trying to include her sulking friend.
"Whatever," Natalia muttered, adjusting her bag strap unnecessarily. "Do what you want."
Emi's smile faltered. She shot me a quick, concerned glance. I returned it with a subtle shrug—what can you do?—and watched her bright expression dim a bit.
We walked through the West District plaza, passing the central fountain where water danced and shimmered under colored lights. Students from nearby academies lounged on benches, laughing and talking, their voices creating a backdrop of youthful energy. Some of them had visible Aspects—a boy with glowing fingertips, a girl whose hair shifted colors with her emotions.
"Oh! Did you guys hear about the new Hunter reality show?" Emi asked, clearly grasping for conversation topics. "They're following a rookie team through their first year of missions."
"I saw the trailer," I replied. "Looks interesting. The girl with the sonic Aspect seems promising."
"Yes! Aurora! She's amazing. Her battle cry can shatter concrete at fifty paces!" Emi's eyes lit up. "And the team leader, Stone, has this incredible earth manipulation ability where he—"
"It's propaganda," Natalia cut in sharply. "My father says those shows edit out all the real danger and make the Hunter life look like a glamorous adventure. Real Hunters don't pose for cameras while fighting monsters."
Silence fell after her outburst. Emi's animated expression wilted.
"I was just saying it looked fun," she said quietly.
"Sorry," I offered to Emi. "I'm sure there's entertainment value, even if it's sanitized for viewers."
Natalia shot me a venomous glare, which I pretended not to notice.
We continued walking, the conversation sputtering and dying several more times despite Emi's valiant efforts. I could practically hear Natalia's thoughts grinding against each other, a millstone of jealousy and confusion. The System hadn't chimed in since the boba shop, but I didn't need its analysis to know I was making progress.
I had to suppress another grin. This was working far better than I'd anticipated. I thought it would take weeks to grind down her walls. Instead, one afternoon of kindness to her friend had sent a fault line straight through her composure.
As we approached Emi's street, she slowed her pace.
"This is me," she said, pointing to a modest apartment complex with a small garden out front. "Thanks again for the boba, Satori. It was really sweet of you."
"Anytime," I replied. "I learned a lot about healing formations. Next time, you'll have to tell me about battlefield triage."
Emi beamed. "Definitely! I have all these diagrams from my advanced courses. Maybe I could show you..."
She trailed off, glancing at Natalia, who stood slightly apart from us, examining a nearby tree with sudden, intense interest.
"Anyway," Emi continued awkwardly, "I should go. Early training tomorrow."
She stepped forward and gave me a quick hug, which I returned with just the right amount of friendly pressure. Then she moved to Natalia, who accepted the embrace stiffly.
"Text me later?" Emi asked her.
"Sure," Natalia replied.
We watched Emi bounce up the steps to her building, turning once to wave before disappearing inside. Then it was just Natalia and me, standing in the gathering dusk.
"Ready to head back?" I asked, knowing the question would irritate her.
Natalia didn't answer. She simply turned and started walking in the direction of our condo.
I fell into step beside her, not rushing to fill the silence. The evening streets were busy with people returning from work, the sidewalks crowded enough that we occasionally had to walk closer together to avoid others. Each time our shoulders nearly brushed, Natalia would jerk away as if scalded.
"Your friend seems nice," I said finally.
Natalia's lips thinned. "She is nice. Too nice for her own good sometimes."
"She mentioned wanting to pair up for the entrance exam," I continued, "but said the teams are randomly assigned. Is that true for all academies, or just New Vein?"
"All of them," Natalia replied curtly. "It tests your adaptability."
"Makes sense. In real missions, you can't always just be with your guild if it's small."
Natalia quickened her pace. I matched it easily.
We turned onto Maple Avenue, lined with upscale condos and small boutique shops. Our building was at the far end, a sleek high-rise with a doorman and floor-to-ceiling windows. Home sweet home—at least for now.
"The new ring looked effective," I said, trying another angle. "The ice properties complemented your telekinesis well."
She couldn't ignore a direct comment about her powers. Her pride wouldn't let her.
"It's still calibrating," she replied, a hint of enthusiasm breaking through her frosty demeanor. "The attunement process takes about a week for full synchronization."
"And then what? Double the power output?"
"Hardly," she scoffed. "It's about control, not raw power. The ring regulates mana flow to prevent Overload. But it also allows for more focused applications."
I nodded thoughtfully. "Like the ice spikes you were forming."
"That was nothing. When it's fully attuned, I'll be able to create complex structures and maintain them without constant concentration."
We'd reached the steps of our building. The doorman nodded to us as we passed, used to our comings and goings.
"Still," I said, pressing the elevator button, "it's impressive. You handled the power surge well today."
The doors slid open, and we stepped inside. Natalia punched our floor number with unnecessary force.
"Don't patronize me," she said, her voice low.
"I wasn't."
"Whatever."
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC28: Possessiveness is a Love Language, Right?
Chapter 28: Possessiveness is a Love Language, Right?
Natalia slammed her bedroom door, shutting out the rest of the world. She tore off her jacket and flung it across the room, watching it sail over her desk and crumple against the wall. The pressure in her chest refused to dissipate.
She kicked off her shoes next, sending them skittering across the hardwood floor. One hit her nightstand with a thud, knocking over a framed photo. Natalia ignored it, pacing the length of her room like a caged animal.
"Stupid," she muttered, running her fingers through her long purple hair. "So stupid."
Her reflection caught her eye as she passed her full-length mirror. She stopped, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. She looked fevered. Unhinged. She hardly recognized herself.
What was happening to her? When had everything become so complicated?
An hour ago, she'd been seething with anger. Now she just felt hollow, scraped raw from the inside out. The memory of Emi and Satori laughing together played on repeat in her mind. The way Emi had touched his arm. The way he'd smiled at her.
Natalia dropped onto her bed, burying her face in her hands. It wasn't even about Emi, not really. Emi flirted with everyone. She was naturally affectionate, bubbly, free with her emotions in a way Natalia had never managed to be.
No, this was about Satori. About the fact that other people were noticing him now. About the fact that Emi—beautiful, kind Emi with her perfect curves and sunny smile—was noticing him.
The thought made her stomach twist painfully.
Natalia rolled onto her back, staring at her ceiling. The Cryo-Lich Ring on her finger pulsed softly, responding to her agitated emotional state. Its cold blue light cast dancing shadows across her walls.
"Get a grip," she told herself, flexing her fingers and watching the ring's glow stabilize. "He's your stepbrother."
Natalia sat up abruptly, shaking her head to dispel the memory of those strong fingers kneading her back. She couldn't think about that. She wouldn't.
She pushed herself off the bed and walked to her bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The shock of it helped clear her mind, if only for a moment. She stared at her dripping reflection.
"This is ridiculous," she told herself firmly. "You're Natalia Kuzmina. You don't get jealous over boys."
Especially not this boy. Not Satori.
But the hollow feeling persisted, a gnawing emptiness that demanded to be filled. And beneath it, something hot and insistent burned—a need to reclaim what was hers.
Because that was the truth of it, wasn't it? Satori was hers. He was her stepbrother, her training partner, her... whatever this new relationship was becoming. She'd watched him transform himself. She'd fought beside him. She'd trusted him with her body when it betrayed her.
And now Emi was looking at him like he was some kind of prize to be won.
The thought propelled Natalia out of her bathroom and toward her bedroom door. She hesitated with her hand on the knob, suddenly uncertain. What was she even planning to do?
Through the door, she could hear the muffled sounds of the television. Satori was still up, probably watching one of those Hunter documentaries he'd become obsessed with lately.
Natalia took a deep breath, steadying herself. Then she opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
The living room was dimly lit, the main source of illumination coming from the television screen. Satori sat on the couch, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the flickering light. He'd changed into a simple black t-shirt and sweatpants, his damp hair suggesting he'd showered after they got home.
Natalia approached quietly, her bare feet silent on the floor. A documentary about S-Rank Hunters played on the screen, showing footage of a massive Gate breach in some foreign country. Satori was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, completely absorbed.
She paused a few feet behind the couch, suddenly unsure. What was she doing? What was she going to say?
As if sensing her presence, Satori turned his head slightly, acknowledging her without fully looking away from the screen.
"Hey," he said, his voice casual. "Can't sleep?"
"Something like that," Natalia replied, moving closer to the couch.
On screen, an S-Rank Hunter with glowing golden armor was single-handedly holding back a horde of Abyssal creatures. The camera panned to show civilians evacuating behind him.
"Is this the Shibuya incident?"
"Yeah. They just released the full footage last week."
Natalia circled around the couch, intending to sit on the opposite end, but found herself stopping behind where Satori sat. From this angle, she could see the strong line of his neck, the way his shoulders bunched beneath his shirt.
He'd been spotting her all day during training. Hours of maintaining a ready position, arms extended, prepared to catch her if her control slipped. That kind of work took a toll.
"You looked tense today," she said, her voice coming out lower than she'd intended. "All that spotting... your shoulders must be tight."
Satori turned, looking up at her with slight surprise. "I'm fine. Used to it by now."
But he wasn't fine. Natalia could see the subtle stiffness in his movements, the way he held himself. Before she could second-guess herself, she reached out, her fingers pressing into the hard muscle of his traps.
She felt him stiffen under her touch, then gradually relax as she worked her thumbs in small circles, mimicking the techniques he'd used on her.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
"You helped me," she answered, her other hand coming to rest on his opposite shoulder, effectively caging him from behind. "It's only fair I return the favor."
A small smile played at the corner of his mouth, there and gone so quickly she almost missed it.
"I don't remember asking for help," he said, but he made no move to pull away.
Natalia increased the pressure, digging her thumbs into a particularly tight knot at the base of his neck. He exhaled sharply, his head dropping forward slightly.
"You didn't have to ask," she murmured, leaning closer. "I know what overworked muscles feel like."
His skin was warm beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. She could feel the solid mass of him, so different from the soft, doughy body he'd had just weeks ago. This new Satori was all hard planes and firm muscle, his body transforming as rapidly as his personality.
"How does it feel?" she asked, working her way up the sides of his neck.
"Good," he admitted, his voice rougher than before. "You have strong hands."
"A telekinetic needs strong hands," she replied. "It's all about control."
She moved her fingers to the base of his skull, applying gentle pressure, and was rewarded with a small groan. The sound sent an unexpected jolt through her body, settling low in her stomach.
"Where did you learn this?" Satori asked, tilting his head to give her better access.
"My father made me take physical therapy courses. Said a Hunter should understand their body as well as their Aspect." Her thumbs traced the line where his hairline met his neck. "Plus, I watched what you did yesterday."
She felt him chuckle, the sound vibrating through her fingertips. "Quick learner."
"Always."
Natalia continued working on his shoulders, the documentary forgotten in the background. She was hyperaware of their position—her standing behind the couch, him seated, her arms creating a cage around him. There was something possessive about it, something that satisfied the hollow ache in her chest.
Mine. Not Emi's. Mine.
The thought should have horrified her. Instead, it sent another thrill racing through her veins.
"I didn't thank you properly," she said suddenly. "For spotting me today."
Satori was silent for a moment. Then, "You don't need to thank me. We're partners, right?"
Partners. The word hung in the air between them, loaded with meaning.
"Right," she agreed softly. "Partners."
Her hands stilled on his shoulders, but she didn't remove them. They stayed like that, suspended in a moment that felt charged with possibility.
Slowly, deliberately, Satori reached up and covered one of her hands with his own. His palm was warm, slightly calloused from his recent training. He didn't pull her away. Instead, he simply held her there, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a way that made her breath catch.
"Natalia," he said, his voice low and intimate in the dim room.
"Yes?"
He turned his head, looking up at her over his shoulder. His eyes caught the light from the television, gleaming with something that made her heart rate spike.
"Is this really about my shoulders?"
The directness of the question caught her off guard. Natalia opened her mouth to deny it, to offer some plausible excuse, but the words died on her tongue. Instead, she found herself asking, "What do you think it's about?"
Satori shifted, turning more fully to face her while remaining seated. The movement brought them closer together, her hands now resting on his upper chest. He looked up at her, his expression unreadable but his eyes intense.
"I think," he said slowly, "that you're trying to figure something out."
"And what would that be?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Why you can't stop thinking about me."
The audacity of the statement should have infuriated her. Two months ago, she would have slapped him for such presumption. Now, she found herself frozen, unable to deny the truth in his words.
"That's ridiculous," she managed, but there was no conviction in her voice.
"Is it?" His hand moved from hers, tracing a path up her arm that left goosebumps in its wake. "Because you've been watching me for weeks. Following my progress. Helping me train. And now this."
His fingers reached her shoulder, then continued their journey to the side of her neck. Natalia knew she should pull away. She knew this was crossing a line that could never be uncrossed.
She didn't move.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said weakly.
Satori's mouth curved in a smile that was equal parts triumph and desire. "Yes, you do."
His hand cupped the back of her neck, applying the gentlest pressure. An invitation, not a demand. Natalia could break away at any moment. They both knew it.
Instead, she found herself leaning down, drawn by a force as powerful and inexorable as gravity itself.
Their faces were inches apart now. She could feel his breath on her lips, see the flecks of gold in his irises. This close, there was no hiding the hunger in his gaze—a hunger that mirrored her own.
"Satori," she whispered, his name both a question and a plea.
"Yes?" His voice was thick with anticipation.
"This is a mistake."
He nodded, his fingers threading through the hair at the nape of her neck. "Probably."
"We shouldn't."
"Definitely not."
"If our parents found out..."
"They won't."
His confidence should have annoyed her. Instead, it sent another wave of heat coursing through her body. This new Satori, with his unwavering self-assurance and knowing eyes, was magnetic in a way she couldn't resist.
"Last chance," he murmured, giving her one final opportunity to retreat.
Natalia made her choice. She closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was both an admission and a declaration.
Mine, her heart pounded as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer.
Mine, mine, mine.
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC29: My Stepsister Tried to Start a Fire, So I Burned Her House Down
Chapter 29: My Stepsister Tried to Start a Fire, So I Burned Her House Down
Her lips crashed against mine with the force of a freight train. Not a gentle, tentative kiss, but a bruising claim of ownership. I could taste the anger on her tongue, feel the desperation in her fingers as they dug into my shoulders. All that jealousy I'd been stoking all day had finally ignited, and Natalia Kuzmina was burning up.
For one glorious second, I let her think she was in control. I let her believe this was her show, her conquest.
Then I remembered who the fuck I was.
I wasn't Satori the fat loser anymore. I wasn't even just the new, improved Satori with his mysterious fire powers and workout routine. In this moment, I was Kaelen Leone again.
And Kaelen Leone had never let a woman lead.
My mouth took command of hers, transforming her desperate assault into something controlled and consuming. My tongue swept past her lips, claiming territory that had never been invaded before—virgin soil now being methodically conquered. Her indignant protests dissolved into broken, pleading whimpers against my mouth, the sound vibrating between us like a private melody only I could orchestrate.
My arms, wrapped in the new muscle that still startled me whenever I caught fleeting glimpses of myself in mirrors or reflective surfaces, snaked around her slender waist with practiced precision. The Strength stat that had painstakingly climbed to D-277 through countless grueling workouts now served its purpose perfectly. With just a grunt of effort—mostly for theatrical effect, a performance to maintain the illusion of strain—I lifted her clean over the back of the couch, her body light as a feather in my grasp.
The girl who had sneered at me for months, who had treated me like something scraped from the bottom of her designer shoes, now trembled in my hands like a captured butterfly, wings beating helplessly against inevitable desire.
She weighed nothing. One smooth motion and she was airborne, her eyes widening in shock as I pulled her across and settled her firmly on my lap, facing me, legs splayed on either side of my thighs.
"Mmmph!" The sound she made against my mouth was half surprise, half arousal.
Her body went rigid for a split second as the shock of being manhandled registered. Then something changed. The tension in her spine melted away, replaced by a liquid heat that I could feel radiating through her thin pajamas.
She began to move against me, her hips finding a slow, desperate rhythm.
"Ahnn..." A low, broken moan escaped her throat as my hand slid from her waist up her spine, fingers digging into the muscles I'd massaged just yesterday. Her head fell back, exposing the pale column of her throat.
Mine.
She was coming apart in my arms, this girl who had looked at me with such disgust. The System wanted her surrender for its quest, but the part of me that was pure Kaelen wanted it just for the taste.
I could feel the heat of her through our clothes, the growing dampness where she rocked against me. My [Intermediate Kama Sutra] skill activated without my conscious input, flooding my brain with information. The meaning behind her hitched breath (high arousal, approaching first plateau), the subtle shift of her hips seeking maximum contact (inexperienced but instinctual), the racing pulse I could feel under my fingers (140+ BPM, fight-or-flight response converted to sexual energy).
A blue text box appeared in my vision, Nel's sterile analysis intruding on the moment.
[Nel: Target's heart rate has exceeded 140 BPM. Arousal indicators are critical. Primary Quest progress is accelerating. Suggestion: Apply pressure to—]
Shut up. Silence until morning.
For a moment, the text box flickered in protest, then vanished completely. I didn't need a play-by-play from my divine warden.
I broke the kiss, pulling back just enough for us both to gasp for air. Natalia's face was a masterpiece of my making. Cheeks flushed crimson, lips swollen and slick, her violet eyes glazed and utterly lost. Her purple hair, always so perfectly styled, had been mussed by my fingers, wild strands framing her face.hm
This was my victory. My conquest. And I wasn't going to ask permission for what came next.
My hands slid from her back to hook securely under her thighs. In one smooth motion, I stood up from the couch, lifting her as if she weighed no more than a backpack. Her legs instinctively wrapped around my waist, arms locking behind my neck.
"Satori!" Her voice was high, breathless with surprise and something darker. "What are you—"
I cut her off with another kiss, swallowing whatever protest or question she had been about to voice. Her mouth responded hungrily, her kisses turning frantic and desperate as I began to walk, carrying her out of the living room.
I kicked my bedroom door open with my foot, the loud bang a punctuation mark on our old dynamic. The room beyond was dark except for the dim glow of my computer monitor in sleep mode, casting everything in a faint blue light.
I carried her across the threshold, feeling her heart hammering against my chest. The door swung shut behind us with a definitive click.
I moved through the darkness toward my bed, navigating from memory. Natalia's breath came in short, ragged gasps against my neck, her thighs squeezing my waist tightly. She was trembling, a fine vibration running through her entire body.
"Scared, princess?" I murmured against her ear, letting my lips brush the sensitive skin there.
"N-no," she stammered, betraying herself.
"Liar."
I reached the edge of my bed and paused, still holding her aloft. Her weight was nothing to my enhanced muscles, but I made a show of adjusting my grip, using the movement as an excuse to slide my hands up to cup her ass. She made a small, startled sound but didn't protest.
"Last chance to run," I told her, my voice dropping to a register I hadn't used since my Yakuza days. "Once I put you on this bed, there's no going back."
In the dim light, I could see her eyes searching mine.
"I..." she began, then stopped, swallowing hard. Her fingers tightened in my hair, a small pain that only heightened my arousal. "I don't want to run."
Those words sent a rush of satisfaction through me that was better than any hit of Schema Points the System could provide.
"Good girl."
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC30: Good Girl
Chapter 30: Good Girl
"Good girl."
Those words sank into Natalia's skin like a brand, burning through her defenses. The heat of Satori's breath against her ear sent ripples of sensation down her spine as he lowered her onto his bed with deliberate slowness. Her back met the cool sheets, and before she could reconsider her reckless decision, Satori was above her, his newly muscled arms caging her body. His right hand captured both her wrists, pinning them above her head with insulting ease.
"Let me go, you... you brute!" Natalia spat, her words lacking their usual venom. Her defiance felt hollow, a paper shield against the inferno of his gaze.
Satori chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and into hers where their bodies pressed together. "But you're my partner," he murmured, his free hand tracing the line of her jaw. "And I haven't properly thanked you for your help."
Before Natalia could formulate a retort, his mouth descended on her neck, just below her ear. He sucked hard against her sensitive skin, teeth grazing the surface.
"Ah!"
His mouth worked against her skin, creating what would surely be a visible mark by morning. A mark that anyone—Emi, her classmates, perhaps even her father—might see.
"Satori," she gasped, unsure if she was protesting or pleading.
He moved lower, his lips and teeth a devastating combination as he left a trail of red marks along her collarbone. When he reached the swell of her breasts visible above her top, he nipped at the sensitive skin, drawing another helpless sound from her throat.
"Stop... Mmmph... I didn't say you could..." Natalia panted, struggling weakly against his grip. Her defiance crumbled as her body arched of its own accord, pressing up to meet his mouth.
Satori pulled back, his eyes glinting in the dark like a predator's. "Did you say stop?" he asked.
Natalia opened her mouth, then closed it. Did she want him to stop? Her body certainly didn't. It thrummed with need, every nerve ending alive and begging for his touch.
His smile was victorious as his hand slid down, over the thin silk of her pajamas, to the heat between her legs. He pressed down firmly, right over her core, and a full-body shudder wrecked Natalia's frame.
"Nghh...!"
"So wet," Satori observed. "And all for me. Your stepbrother."
The forbidden nature of what they were doing should have shocked her back to her senses. Instead, it only heightened her arousal, making her throb against his palm.
Suddenly, he released her wrists. Natalia's hands, now free, hovered uncertainly in the air. She should push him away. She should storm out of his room, pretend this never happened, and return to hating him from a safe distance.
Instead, her hands weakly clutched at his shirt.
"Please," she whispered, the word so quiet she barely heard it herself.
Satori hooked his fingers into the waistband of her pajama bottoms. He pulled them down her legs, the silk sliding away like water. Cold air hit her exposed skin, and Natalia tried to clamp her legs shut out of pure reflex.
He laughed, a soft, predatory sound that made her stomach flip. His knee nudged her thighs apart.
"Look at you," he said, positioning himself between her legs. His eyes drank in the sight of her, at the wet, glistening proof of her desire. "You're a mess, Princess. What would your father say if he saw you like this? His perfect daughter, spread out for the family Zero?"
Shame and arousal warred within Natalia, neither giving ground. She could only whimper, turning her face away from his burning gaze.
"Look at me," Satori commanded.
Natalia forced her eyes back to his, her cheeks burning.
"Good," he said, and then lowered his head between her thighs.
The first touch of his tongue against her core made Natalia's entire body jolt as if struck by lightning. Her hands flew to his hair, gripping the fiery strands tight enough to hurt. A strangled cry burst from her lips as he licked a long, slow stripe up her most sensitive flesh.
"S-Satori!"
He worked with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times before, which seemed impossible given the Satori she thought she knew. His tongue circled her most sensitive bud, then pressed flat against it, creating a rhythm that had her panting within seconds.
"Oh god," she moaned, her hips rising to meet his mouth of their own accord.
Just as she felt herself approaching the edge, teetering on the precipice of something world-shattering, he pulled back. Natalia nearly sobbed with frustration.
"Did you think it would be that easy?" Satori asked, his voice rough with desire. "That I'd just give you what you want after years of your contempt?"
"Please," Natalia begged, past caring about pride or dignity. "Please, I need..."
"Tell me what you need," he insisted, his breath hot against her aching flesh. "Say it."
"I need to come," she whispered, the words nearly choking her.
"And who can give you that?"
"You," she admitted, tears of frustration gathering in the corners of her eyes. "Only you, Satori. Please."
Apparently satisfied with her surrender, he lowered his head again. This time, his tongue was relentless, circling her sensitive bud with expert pressure while one finger slid inside her. The sudden dual sensation made Natalia cry out, her back arching off the bed.
"Satori... please... F-fuck...!"
He added a second finger, curling them forward to hit a spot inside her that made stars explode behind her eyes. His mouth never stopped its devastating work, bringing her right to the edge again—but this time, he didn't stop.
When the orgasm hit, it was cataclysmic. Natalia screamed, her back bowing off the bed as pleasure crashed through her in violent waves. Her telekinesis flared wildly, beyond her control, making objects around the room rattle and shake. A book flew off Satori's desk. The lamp wobbled precariously. The curtains billowed as if caught in a phantom wind.
Through it all, Satori didn't stop. He worked her through the peak, only easing up when her body began to relax back into the mattress. Natalia lay panting, her body a trembling, sensitive wreck, her mind blank of everything except lingering pleasure.
"No more," she begged, the words slurred. Her limbs felt like lead, her entire body hypersensitive. "Please... mercy..."
Satori moved up her body. His face was slick with her pleasure, and the salty, musky scent of her arousal filled the air between them.
"Mercy?" he said, his voice a low purr as he leaned down until their noses nearly touched. "But we're just getting started."
Before Natalia could protest, he was moving back down her body, planting soft kisses along her stomach, her hipbones, the insides of her thighs. This time, when his mouth returned to her center, it wasn't the frenzied assault of before. It was slow, deliberate worship that was somehow even more devastating.
"Satori," she whimpered, "I can't... it's too much..."
He ignored her, his tongue moving in lazy circles around her sensitive bud, occasionally dipping lower to tease her entrance. The pleasure built differently this time—not a rapid ascent to a sharp peak, but a slow, rolling climb that seemed endless.
When the second orgasm hit, it wasn't the explosive release of the first. It was a long, rolling wave that crashed over her again and again, making her sob with the intensity. Her telekinesis surged once more, this time lifting several small objects into the air where they hovered, suspended by her unintentional power.
Natalia's consciousness narrowed to a pinpoint of pleasure, then expanded outward as the aftershocks rippled through her. Her body felt simultaneously heavy as stone and light as air. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, sliding down into her hair.
She was vaguely aware of Satori moving up beside her, gathering her boneless body against his chest. His shirt was damp with sweat, his heartbeat strong and steady under her ear.
"That's it," he murmured, stroking her hair. "Let go. I've got you."
The tenderness in his voice broke something inside her. Natalia turned her face into his chest, her body still trembling with aftershocks. His hand stroked down her back in long, soothing motions.
"Good girl," he whispered again, and this time, the words settled into her like a blessing rather than a brand.
Natalia reached for him, her fingers weakly tugging at his shirt, her eyes glassy and full of a new, desperate hunger. The urge to please him, to earn more of that praise, overwhelmed every other thought in her mind.
Where had her defiance gone? Her independence? Her hatred? All washed away by waves of pleasure, leaving behind only this new, desperate need to be his. To be worthy of those two simple words:
"Good girl."
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC31: Let a Scumbag Cook
Chapter 31: Let a Scumbag Cook
I woke up to a weight on my chest and the soft caress of morning light filtering through my curtains. Opening one eye, I was greeted by a cascade of purple hair splayed across my shoulder like spilled wine. Natalia Kuzmina, New Vein Academy's ice princess herself, was curled against me like a contented cat, one leg hooked possessively over mine, her arm draped across my stomach.
Her face was tucked into the crook of my neck, and each exhale ghosted warm against my skin. Every few breaths, she'd make this little noise—a soft "mmm" that vibrated through her body into mine. My right hand rested where it had been most of the night: cupped around the full curve of her ass, fingers spread in a gesture of ownership that felt bizarrely natural, the smooth fabric of her skirt still bunched around her waist.
What a fucking picture we made. The proud, perfect Natalia and the formerly fat, formerly pathetic Satori. If someone had told me a month ago that I'd wake up with Natalia Kuzmina sleeping on my chest after I'd made her come twice with my mouth, I'd have laughed in their face then punched them for the cruel joke.
Then again, a month ago I wasn't Kaelen Leone. I was just Satori Nakano, the family embarrassment, the worthless Zero everyone loved to hate.
"How the mighty have fallen," I whispered, voice barely audible in the quiet morning air. My fingers tightened slightly on her ass, testing the firm flesh beneath my palm, and she responded by nuzzling closer in her sleep, making a small sound of contentment that sent a rush of satisfaction through me.
I felt a familiar pressure building against my thigh. Even through my sweatpants, my morning wood was making itself known—a hard ridge pressing against her soft thigh, practically throbbing with urgency. I sighed, looking down at the problem with a mixture of pride and annoyance.
"Eight inches of rock-hard inconvenience," I muttered, shifting slightly to ease the pressure. "The sacrifices I make for this mission. Strategy over instant gratification."
I could wake her up. Take things further. Finish what we'd started last night with her spread across my bed, begging for me. But that would be rushing things. Last night was about breaking her defenses, making her vulnerable, cracking that icy exterior. Today was about cementing that vulnerability, not pushing her back into her shell with post-coital regret.
Besides, I needed to check in with my demonic taskmaster before making my next move.
"Nel, you can come online now."
The familiar blue text box materialized in my vision, floating just at the edge of my peripheral view.
[System online. Good morning, Host. Primary Quest progress has been updated to: 85%. Congratulations on a... successful night. You have been awarded +100 SP for achieving a critical milestone. Total SP: 185.]
A hundred points? That was substantial, far more than I'd expected. Clearly, the System—or should I say, the gods watching through Nel—had enjoyed last night's performance. The thought of cosmic entities watching me eat out my step-sister should have been disturbing, but in my previous life, I'd performed for far worse audiences. Before I could respond, the text changed.
[One of our divine sponsors for the Apollo broadcast has a query. They ask: "Why did you not fully claim the mortal female when she was so clearly pliant?"]
I rolled my eyes, suppressing a snort that might wake Natalia. "Tell your sponsor they're an idiot who doesn't understand the art of corruption," I replied mentally, careful to keep my thoughts focused. "This isn't a one-night conquest; it's a long-term hostile takeover. If I'd fucked her, the spell would be broken. She would have woken up full of regret and fury, building her walls back twice as high. This way... she wakes up wanting more. She wakes up confused and craving." I smirked, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest against mine.
"Let me cook. I know what I'm doing."
[The sponsor acknowledges your expertise in the field of corruption, though they wish to express that the viewers were quite enthusiastic about the potential for a more... conclusive scene. The ratings peaked during your oral performance.]
"Tell them to be patient. Good things come to those who wait." I glanced down at Natalia's sleeping form, her normally sharp features softened in slumber, vulnerable in a way she'd never allow if conscious. "And the best things come twice, as we've already established."
A new notification flashed, this one in the garish gold of Apollo's Emporium. The smirking, pixelated face of the god appeared, animated with an insufferable wink.
[APOLLO'S GACHA EMPORIUM PRESENTS: A NEW PLAYER RATE-UP BANNER! For a limited time, a special 3-card pull is available. Guaranteed ONE Gold-tier or higher reward! A perfect boost for an up-and-coming star! COST: 150 SP.]
My eyes narrowed suspiciously. I had 185 SP. I could make the pull and still have 35 left over. It was a huge investment, practically my entire savings, but a guaranteed Gold-tier item or skill could be a game-changer for the upcoming exams. In this world, power was everything, and I needed every advantage I could get.
"What's the catch?" I asked Nel silently. "There's always a catch with you cosmic bastards. Nothing comes free, especially not from a god of trickery."
[No catch, Host. Just divine generosity toward a promising performer. The Audience has been... entertained by your progress. Consider it an investment in future entertainment.]
Right. And I was born yesterday, fresh-faced and innocent. Even in my old world, I knew better than to trust a smiling dealer.
Natalia stirred against me, her grip tightening on my shirt. Her leg shifted, sliding dangerously close to my morning situation, her thigh brushing against it with unconscious intimacy. I froze, holding my breath, waiting to see if she'd wake up and shatter the moment.
She didn't. Instead, she mumbled something incoherent—something that sounded suspiciously like my name—and settled back into sleep, her body somehow pressing even closer to mine, seeking warmth and connection even in unconsciousness.
I stared at the ceiling, weighing my options, absently tracing small circles on her hip with my thumb. The entrance exam was less than a month away. My current abilities were decent, but nothing spectacular. A Gold-tier reward could be the difference between barely passing and excelling, between surviving and thriving.
On the other hand, Schema Points weren't easy to come by, and spending most of my stash on one pull was risky. What if I got garbage?
Risk versus reward. The eternal calculus of the hustler, the gambler, the survivor.
"Fine," I decided, mentally bracing myself for disappointment. "Let's do it. Activate the banner pull. But if I just get one gold, I'm going to be very disappointed in your divine showmanship."
[Pull confirmed. Initiating 3-card draw. Good luck, Host. May the Fates smile upon your performance.]
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC32: Gacha is a Cruel Mistress
Chapter 32: Gacha is a Cruel Mistress
The System interface exploded in a garish display of light and color, bathing my bedroom in a private light show only I could see. Golden trumpets blared silently in my mind as a slot machine animation materialized before me, spinning wildly with impossible physics.
"What the actual fuck," I muttered, watching the digital spectacle unfold inches from my sleeping stepsister's face.
Three cards materialized, each face-down and glowing with a rainbow shimmer that hurt my eyes. They floated and bobbed in my vision, taunting me with possibilities.
[APOLLO'S DIVINE EMPORIUM THANKS YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE! PULL THE LEVER, MORTAL! LET FATE DECIDE YOUR GLORY!]
I glanced down at Natalia, still blissfully unaware of the cosmic casino operating above her head. She mumbled something in her sleep, nuzzling closer into my chest.
"This better be worth one hundred and fifty fucking points," I growled under my breath, mentally reaching for the first card.
It flipped with dramatic slowness, spinning three times in midair. The back revealed an ornate design featuring Apollo's smirking face, which I already wanted to punch. The card completed its final rotation and landed...
On dull, tarnished bronze.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: IMMORTAL SNAIL (Familiar - Bronze Tier). An immortal snail. It is immortal. It is also a snail.]
My eye twitched violently.
A fucking snail?
A small icon appeared in my inventory display: a cartoonish snail with a gleaming golden shell. It winked at me. A snail. Winked at me.
"Nel," I whispered harshly, "explain this bullshit."
[All familiars require formal summoning after acquisition. Even the... less impressive ones. Your new companion is immortal, which is quite rare. Consider the tactical applications.]
Tactical applications? It's a SNAIL!
[The second card awaits your selection, Host. Perhaps your fortune will improve?]
Fifty points per card. I took a deep breath. I'd already wasted a third of my investment on a creature that would lose a race to drying paint. The second card had to be better.
I mentally flipped it, watching it spin with far less enthusiasm now.
It landed with a thud in my vision. Bronze. Again.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: DURABLE BASEBALL BAT (Item - Bronze Tier). An extremely durable baseball bat. Will likely survive a direct nuclear blast. Still a baseball bat.]
A simple wooden baseball bat appeared in my inventory display. It looked completely ordinary except for a faint golden shimmer around its edges.
One hundred Schema Points. One hundred. For a snail and a bat.
[Is something wrong, Host? You seem... displeased with Apollo's generosity.]
"Generosity?" I finally managed, my voice a strangled whisper. "I could have bought attribute points with that. I could have been stronger, faster. But instead, I have a bat and a snail." I squeezed my eyes shut, counting backwards from ten. "This is a fucking scam."
[The final card remains. As promised, one Gold-tier or higher reward is guaranteed. Perhaps you should proceed?]
I looked down at Natalia, still sleeping peacefully against me. Her purple hair spilled across my chest, her breathing slow and even. I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Bring me some luck, princess."
In her sleep, Natalia let out a soft "Mmm..." and shifted position, her knee rubbing directly against my morning wood. A jolt of pure, agonizing pleasure shot through me, and I bit back a groan.
"Fuck," I hissed through clenched teeth, trying to ignore the throbbing need between my legs. Focus, Kaelen. Focus.
I flipped the last card, bracing for disappointment.
The card spun once, twice, three times. Then it exploded in a shower of brilliant, blinding gold, illuminating my vision with such intensity that I had to squint.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: MYSTICISM (Passive Ability - Gold Tier). Your energy reserves and recovery speeds are far beyond the norm, allowing for prolonged use of abilities and spells. A passive miracle for the relentless performer.]
I blinked as information flooded my mind, detailing the trait's effects:
MYSTICISM grants you exceptional energy reserves and recovery rates. Your magical and physical stamina is increased by 300%. Cooldown periods for active abilities are reduced by 60%. Energy replenishes during sleep at 5x normal rate.
With this trait, I could cast Ember and Freezing Breath repeatedly in combat with minimal downtime. I could train longer, fight harder, and recover faster than anyone else at my level.
But I was still pissed.
"So let me get this straight," I said, keeping my voice low. "You promised me one Gold-tier item, delivered on that exact promise, and padded it with absolute garbage. That's some loan shark tactics, Nel. You'd make a killing in the Yakuza."
[The divine sponsors find your reaction amusing, Host. They believed you might appreciate the... balance of fortune. Great power comes with small inconveniences.]
"A snail is not an inconvenience. It's a joke. And I don't like being the punchline."
[If it makes you feel better, Host, all three rewards have been delivered to your inventory. You may examine them at your leisure. The Gold trait has already been automatically applied to your status.]
I glanced at my status screen:
Name: Satori Nakano
Title: [NONE]
Level: 1
Class: [NONE]
Strength: D-277
Dexterity: D-208
Agility: D-231
Endurance: D-291
Magic: F-110
Active Abilities (2/2):
[EMBER]
[FREEZING BREATH]
Passive Abilities (1/4):
[MYSTICISM]
Skills/Traits:
[CHARMING EYES]
[INTERMEDIATE KAMA SUTRA]
[BASIC FIRST AID]
"I expect better from you next time, Nel," I said, dismissing the gaudy display with a mental wave. "I'm not some rube you can fleece with carnival games."
[Duly noted, Host. The divine sponsors will take your feedback under advisement. May I suggest examining your new familiar? Summoning it might provide... entertainment.]
"Not with Natalia here," I replied, glancing down at her sleeping form. "I don't need to explain why I suddenly have a magic snail. And speaking of Natalia..."
I studied her face, peaceful in sleep. Last night had been a significant victory, pushing her past her defenses, making her vulnerable to me. The System had acknowledged as much with the quest progress update. 85% complete. Almost there.
But what was the remaining 15%? Just sex? That seemed too simplistic for the System's twisted sense of narrative.
[Host. Physical intimacy is merely one aspect. The final act must be her choice, made with full awareness. A willing sacrifice of her former self.]
I considered this, absently running my fingers through Natalia's purple hair. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, pressing herself closer against me.
"And then what?" I asked. "Once I've completed this quest, what comes next?"
[That information is currently restricted. Complete your current objective, and new narrative possibilities will become available.]
Typical.
I sighed, suddenly aware of how tired I was. The excitement of the gacha pull and the mental taxation of dealing with Nel had drained what little energy I had upon waking. My eyelids felt heavy, my body warm and comfortable with Natalia's weight against me.
"I'm going back to sleep," I decided. "Wake me if anything important happens."
[As you wish, Host. Although... aren't you forgetting something?]
I frowned, searching my memory. Was there something important happening today? I couldn't recall any specific plans or appointments. Just another day of training and preparation for the entrance exams.
"If it were that important, I'd remember," I muttered, already drifting back toward sleep. "Just let me rest."
[Very well. Sleep well, Host. Your energy recovery will be significantly boosted thanks to your new trait.]`
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC33: Cockblocked by the Welcome Home Mat
Chapter 33: Cockblocked by the Welcome Home Mat
Warmth. That was the first thing Natalia registered as consciousness slowly returned. Warmth and the steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath her ear, strong and sure. The second thing she noticed was the weight of a hand resting possessively on her backside, fingers splayed across the curve of her ass with casual ownership that sent an unexpected thrill through her body.
Natalia opened her eyes, blinking away the fog of sleep. Dim morning light filtered through unfamiliar curtains, casting long shadows across the room. This wasn't her room. The walls were the wrong color, the furniture arranged differently, and the scent—oh god, the scent. Sweat and soap and something unmistakably masculine that made her stomach tighten and her toes curl against the sheets.
Satori's room. Satori's bed. Satori's powerful body beneath hers.
The memories flooded back in a rush of sensation so vivid she felt her body respond immediately, a liquid heat pooling between her thighs. His mouth between her legs, hot and demanding. His fingers inside her, knowing exactly how to curve and press. The way he'd made her beg, desperate and shameless. The way he'd called her a good girl and how those two simple words had broken something fundamental inside her, shattering her pride into glittering, beautiful fragments.
Natalia shifted slightly, and her inner thigh brushed against something hard and hot beneath the thin fabric of his sweatpants. The contact sent a jolt of electricity straight to her core, making her gasp involuntarily. Fresh wetness pooled between her legs, and she had to bite her lip hard enough to taste copper to keep from moaning aloud.
She was still naked from the waist down, she realized with a mixture of embarrassment and arousal. Her sleep shirt had ridden up to just below her breasts, leaving her exposed against him. One of her legs was hooked over his, her core pressed against his thigh in an intimacy that should have mortified her but instead only intensified the ache building inside her.
Natalia looked up at Satori's sleeping face. His features were relaxed in sleep, softer than when he was awake, almost vulnerable in their repose. His chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths beneath her cheek. She remembered how he'd held her after she'd fallen apart for the second time, how he'd stroked her hair and whispered praises against her skin like prayers.
Why didn't he fuck me?
He had her completely at his mercy. She would have let him do anything—everything—to her body. Yet he'd stopped. He'd given her pleasure until she was incoherent with it, until she was nothing but sensation and need, and then he'd just held her until she fell asleep in his arms.
The thought was maddening. It made her feel both cherished and cheated, protected and denied.
Natalia's gaze traveled down his body, taking in the powerful lines of his chest and arms, the definition that hadn't been there months ago. When had Satori become this... magnificent? She barely recognized him as the same person she'd despised for so long. Her eyes caught on a dark, purplish mark on his neck, just below his jaw. A mark she'd made with her mouth in the heat of passion, a primal claiming she didn't even remember doing.
Satori slept on, unaware of her scrutiny or the possessive turn of her thoughts. His breathing remained deep and even, his face peaceful in the soft morning light.
Natalia wanted to bite him, to sink her teeth into the muscle of his shoulder and leave an imprint he'd feel for days. But she didn't want to wake him. Not yet. This quiet moment felt precious, a stolen interlude outside the complications of their daily lives, their history, their future.
Instead, she settled for something gentler. Carefully, Natalia pressed her lips to his jaw. The light stubble there rasped against her skin, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. She trailed feather-light kisses down his neck, across his collarbone, to the hard plane of his chest. Each kiss was a silent thank you. Each kiss was a wordless plea for more.
His skin tasted faintly of salt, and she could feel the heat of him radiating through her lips like a furnace. A wave of affection crashed over her, so intense it made her breath catch in her throat. She wanted this. She wanted him. Not just his body, but all of him. His smirks, his arrogance, his unexpected tenderness.
How had this happened? When had her hatred transformed into this overwhelming need that consumed her thoughts and dreams?
Natalia pushed herself up carefully, hovering over his face. In sleep, his features looked almost innocent, the harsh angles softened by vulnerability. The red hair she'd once thought garish now seemed vibrant, alive with an energy that called to something deep within her. She reached out, brushing a strand from his forehead with trembling fingers.
She was going to do it. She was going to steal a kiss, a real kiss on the lips, while he slept. Just one, to satisfy the craving that had been building since she'd opened her eyes in his arms.
Natalia leaned down, her hair falling around them like a silken purple curtain. Her lips hovered a breath away from his. The world narrowed to this single perfect moment, balanced on the edge of something profound.
Click.
The sound of a key turning in the front door lock shattered the silence like a gunshot. A cold, electronic voice drifted from the living room:
"Front door unlocked. Welcome home."
Natalia froze, her heart stopping mid-beat. Then came the voices.
"It's good to be back," her father's deep baritone rumbled through the apartment. "I hope the kids haven't burned the place down."
Kimiko's laugh, light and musical. "I'm sure they've been fine. They're adults now, after all."
"Huh," Luka's voice said, much closer now. "It doesn't smell like a pigsty for once."
Pure, undiluted panic crashed over Natalia like an arctic wave. She was in Satori's bed. Half-naked. On top of him. At what must be mid-morning on a Saturday.
And daddy was home.
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC34: My Parents are Home and I'm Shirtless With My Stepsister, What Could Go Wrong?
Chapter 34: My Parents are Home and I'm Shirtless With My Stepsister, What Could Go Wrong?
I woke to sunlight stabbing through my eyelids like tiny, persistent daggers. My body felt heavy, saturated with the aftermath of deep sleep. Every muscle sang with a pleasant ache that told stories of the night before. I stretched with a low groan, my arms reaching over my head until my joints popped.
The bed beside me was empty, the sheets cool to the touch but still carrying the faint, sweet scent of Natalia's shampoo. I ran my palm over the depression where Natalia had slept, a small smirk tugging at my lips.
"So the princess snuck back to her room," I murmured to the empty air. "Shy, are we?"
I sat up slowly, running a hand through my messy red hair. The condo wasn't silent as I'd expected. The low murmur of a television drifted in from the living room, punctuated by the distant clatter of pans. A rich, savory smell wafted under my door – bacon and eggs.
My stomach rumbled in eager response, but my brain was still moving at half-speed. I glanced at my status screen, noting the faint golden glow around my MYSTICISM trait. At least that hadn't been a dream.
"I need to buy a terrarium for an immortal snail," I said to myself, rubbing my face. "My life is a fucking joke."
A quick check of my phone showed it was nearly 10 AM. I'd slept longer than usual, probably thanks to the new trait enhancing my recovery. My mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and my bladder gave an urgent reminder of its existence.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, I pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and decided against a shirt. Let her get another look. After the way she'd melted under my hands last night, I had a feeling she wouldn't complain.
I padded barefoot down the hallway toward the kitchen, guided by the smell of breakfast and the soft sounds of movement. The living room was empty, the television playing some morning news program about another Gate Break in the Financial District.
As I rounded the corner into the kitchen, the sight that greeted me stopped me dead in my tracks. Natalia was there, bent over with her head deep in the refrigerator. She wore a cropped t-shirt that rode up her back, but what commanded my attention were the incredibly short, tight sleep shorts that hugged every curve of her ass. The fabric strained as she leaned further into the fridge, mumbling something about orange juice.
My mouth went dry. Images from last night flashed through my mind – her writhing beneath me, gasping, begging. The sounds she'd made when I'd—
"Come on, I know we have some in here somewhere," she muttered, oblivious to my presence.
I moved silently across the kitchen. Without a single coherent thought, my hand came up and delivered a loud, sharp SMACK right on the perfect curve of her left ass cheek.
The sound echoed in the quiet kitchen like a gunshot.
"KYAAAA!"
In the next instant, a wave of invisible force slammed into me with the subtlety of a freight train. My feet left the ground as Natalia's telekinesis caught me square in the chest, throwing me backward across the kitchen. I hit the opposite wall with a sickening CRUNCH, knocking the wind from my lungs before sliding down to the floor in an ungraceful heap.
"FUCKING—OW!" I groaned. D-rank strength or not, being telekinetically bitch-slapped into a wall hurt like hell.
Natalia spun around, her face flushed crimson, one hand clutching the refrigerator door and the other on her hip. Her violet eyes were wide, her mouth open in a perfect 'O' of shock. She stared at me crumpled against the wall, and for a moment, I thought she might hit me again.
Then, a snort escaped her. It was followed by a giggle, and suddenly she was leaning against the fridge, laughing – a genuine, beautiful sound of pure amusement.
"Are you okay?" she asked between giggles, her free hand covering her mouth in a failed attempt to stifle her laughter.
I glared up at her, rubbing my shoulder. "What do you think? You just threw me into a wall, you psycho."
Her laughter intensified. "You slapped my ass! What did you expect?"
"A little gratitude would be nice," I grumbled, pulling myself to my feet with as much dignity as I could muster. "After last night, I thought we were past the 'launching me into walls' stage of our relationship."
Natalia's laughter cut off abruptly, her cheeks darkening. "About that... we should probably talk—"
"Wait," I interrupted, finally noticing the subtle tension at the corners of her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I was trying to warn you," she hissed, suddenly all business. "Our parents are—"
A loud CRASH from the living room cut her off, followed by a woman's shocked gasp.
"Baby...?" a soft, unfamiliar voice called out.
My blood turned to ice in my veins.
I turned my head slowly, wincing at the pain in my neck. Standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room was a beautiful woman with the same fiery red hair as the body I inhabited. Her eyes held a mixture of shock and dawning recognition as they traveled from my face down to my transformed physique.
"Satori... is that you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
For the first time, I was face-to-face with Kimiko Nakano. The mother of the boy I replaced.
I had no frame of reference for this. Kaelen Leone never had parents. Kaelen Leone never had a mother who looked at him with such... hope? Pride? Love?
My throat closed up. My mind raced for a script, for the right persona to slip into, but I came up empty.
"Mom," I managed. "You're... back early."
Kimiko stood frozen, her hand still covering her mouth. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. She took a hesitant step forward, then another, until she was standing directly in front of me. Her hand reached up, trembling slightly, and touched my cheek.
"Look at you," she whispered. "What happened to my little boy?"
Before I could answer, heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway, and a mountain of a man appeared behind Kimiko. Luka Kuzmina was even more imposing in person than in the memories I'd inherited. Standing well over six feet tall with shoulders broad enough to fill the doorframe, he looked like he could bench press a car. His brown hair was cut in a practical, military style, and his eyes—warm brown—widened as they landed on me.
"Holy shit!" he boomed, his voice filling the kitchen. "Is that really you, kiddo?"
I stood rooted to the spot, unsure how to respond. In my past life, people looked at me with fear or deference. Never with this... naked affection.
"Hi... Dad," I tried, the word even stranger than the first.
Luka's face split into a broad grin. He crossed the kitchen in three great strides and, before I could react, wrapped me in a bear hug that lifted me off my feet. The air whooshed out of my lungs for the second time that morning.
"Would you look at this!" he laughed, setting me down and holding me at arm's length to examine me. "You're almost as jacked as your old man! When did this happen?"
"I... started working out," I said lamely, my brain still struggling to process this hurricane of parental affection. "A few weeks ago."
"A few weeks?" Luka's eyebrows shot up. "That's some serious progress for just a few weeks, son!"
"Luka, let him breathe," Kimiko said, laying a gentle hand on her husband's massive arm. Her eyes hadn't left my face, studying every inch of me with an intensity that made me want to squirm. "Satori, honey, we weren't expecting... this."
I forced a smile. "Surprise?"
Kimiko laughed. "Surprise indeed! We thought we'd come home early and take you kids to brunch, but I see you've been busy with... other changes."
Her eyes darted meaningfully to Natalia, who stood awkwardly by the refrigerator, her face still flushed from our earlier encounter.
"Hey, Daddy," Natalia said, her voice strangled. "Kimiko. Welcome home."
Luka's grin widened as he turned to his daughter. "There's my girl! Come here!"
Natalia allowed herself to be swept into a hug, though her eyes remained fixed on me over Luka's shoulder. The message was clear: We are so fucked.
"So," Kimiko said, her gaze moving between Natalia and me with a mother's uncanny intuition. "What have you two been up to while we were gone? Anything interesting happen?"
"Nothing!" Natalia blurted out, too quickly. "Just studying for the entrance exams. Boring stuff."
"And I've been training," I added. "Working on... self-improvement."
Luka clapped a hand on my shoulder, nearly buckling my knees. "Well, whatever you've been doing, it's working! You look like a completely different person, son!"
You have no idea.
"Thanks," I said, managing a more genuine smile this time. There was something disarmingly likable about Luka's straightforward enthusiasm.
"I'm making breakfast," Natalia interjected, clearly desperate to change the subject. "Eggs and bacon. Do you want some?"
"We'd love some!" Kimiko said, finally releasing me from her scrutiny. "But first, I want to hear all about what you've been doing, Satori. Last time we talked, you were... well, let's just say less motivated."
She gestured to the living room. "Come sit with me. Let's catch up while Natalia and Luka handle breakfast."
My heart rate spiked. One-on-one time with my "mother" hadn't been in the plan.
"Sure, Mom," I said, resigning myself to the inevitable. "Let's catch up."
As Kimiko led me to the couch, her arm linked through mine in a gesture of maternal possession, I caught sight of Luka leaning down to whisper something to Natalia. Her face paled, then reddened spectacularly.
"So," Kimiko said as we sat down, her eyes searching mine with uncomfortable intensity. "Tell me everything."
[Your affection score with Kimiko Nakano has been initialized. Current standing: Neutral/Curious]
Oh, fuck me.
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC35: My Mom is Scarier Than the Yakuza
Chapter 35: My Mom is Scarier Than the Yakuza
I stared at Kimiko on the couch beside me, her arm still looped through mine like a warm vise. Her smile reminded me of certain Yakuza elders I'd known—seemingly kind on the surface, but with eyes that caught every micro-expression.
I needed to be extraordinarily careful here. This woman had raised Satori from birth, wiped his tears, bandaged his scraped knees, and watched him grow from baby to teenager. If anyone could spot the impostor behind his eyes, it would be her—the one person whose love might be powerful enough to see through my performance.
"So," she said, her voice gentle but inescapable, like a silken noose gradually tightening. "When did all this start? The last time we video called, you were..." She waved her hand vaguely, clearly searching for a diplomatic way to say 'a disgusting slob who could barely drag himself off the couch, who reeked of stale chips and wasted potential.'
"Different," I supplied with a sheepish smile, giving her the escape route from blunt honesty.
"Different," she agreed, returning my smile with one of her own that didn't quite reach her eyes. "And now look at you."
"I hit rock bottom," I said, lowering my voice as if sharing something deeply personal, intimate—the kind of confession that builds trust. "About a month ago."
Kimiko's eyes softened, maternal instinct overriding her suspicion, at least momentarily. "What happened, sweetie?"
The question felt like a trap laid by a master. Too specific an answer, and I risked contradicting something the real Satori might have told her. Too vague, and I'd fail to create the emotional connection I desperately needed to establish. I had to walk the razor's edge.
"It wasn't one big thing," I said slowly. "It was a thousand little things. The way Natalia looked at me—like I was something she'd scraped off her shoe. The way Dad talked about his Hunter stories, his eyes lighting up with pride, and I had nothing to contribute. The way I'd wake up tired, go to sleep tired, and accomplish nothing in between except disappointing everyone who cared about me."
I let my voice crack slightly0. "The mirror was the worst part. I started avoiding it because I couldn't stand what I saw looking back. A failure. A zero in every sense of the word."
Kimiko's hand found mine, squeezing gently, her palm warm and comforting. Mother's touch—something I'd never truly known in either life.
"I know you and Dad were trying to help. But I had to hit bottom before I could bounce back up." I looked down at our hands, intertwined like my lies were intertwining with just enough truth to be believable. "One night, I tried to do a single push-up. Just one. And I couldn't even do that."
I let out a self-deprecating laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears. "That's when something just... snapped inside me. I was so angry—at myself, at the world, at everything. I decided I was done being useless. Done being a Zero." I raised my eyes to meet hers, projecting every ounce of sincerity I could muster. "I wanted to make you proud for once."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a maternal vulnerability that made me feel like the monster I truly was. "Oh, Satori. I've always been proud of you."
"You shouldn't have been," I said firmly, injecting a steel into my voice that the old Satori could never have managed. "But I want to earn it now. I want to be someone worth your pride."
In the kitchen, Luka's booming voice rose over the sizzle of bacon. "The kid's finally found his fight! Didn't I tell you he would? Just needed some time to figure himself out!"
"Yes, Daddy, you did," Natalia replied, her tone clipped with barely contained frustration. "You've been saying it for years."
"And I was right! Sometimes people just need time to figure themselves out. You can't rush these things!"
"Or maybe they need someone to stop enabling them," Natalia muttered, the bitterness in her voice carrying clearly to the living room.
Kimiko's attention remained fixed on me, laser-focused and unswayed by the kitchen drama. "And what about your studies? The entrance exam is coming up soon."
"I've been working on that too," I said, treading carefully around the topic of Natalia. "Natalia's been... helping me."
Her eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise breaking through her composed facade. "Has she? That's new."
"We've reached an understanding," I said carefully, mentally editing out the part where that understanding involved her pinned against a wall. "She's been more patient with me since I started trying harder."
Kimiko's smile turned thoughtful, almost knowing. "That girl has always been too hard on herself. And on everyone around her." She squeezed my hand again, her grip firmer this time. "I'm glad you two are getting along better."
"Me too," I said, meaning it more than she could possibly understand, given what I had planned for her stepdaughter.
"And this change... it's coming from inside you? No one's pressuring you?" Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, searching my face with disturbing thoroughness.
The question seemed innocent, but her eyes remained watchful, probing, dissecting. I had the uncomfortable feeling she was seeing more than I wanted her to, peeling back layers I'd carefully constructed.
"It's all me," I assured her, meeting her gaze steadily. "For the first time, I actually like the direction I'm heading."
From the kitchen came the clatter of plates being set on the table, the domestic soundtrack of normalcy. "Breakfast is ready!" Natalia called, sounding relieved to have an excuse to end her uncomfortable conversation with Luka.
"We'll be right there," Kimiko called back. Then, in a lower voice, her eyes never leaving mine, she added, "One more thing, Satori. Have you manifested an Aspect?"
My heart skipped a beat, then raced to catch up. How the hell did she know to ask that? Had Natalia already told them? Was this another trap?
"Why do you ask?"
"A mother knows these things," she said with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "There's a... light in your eyes that wasn't there before. The kind I see in Luka's eyes after a successful Gate run. A certain intensity that's... new."
I decided to stick close to the story I'd told Natalia. If they compared notes later, consistency would be vital.
"I think I might have," I admitted, as if sharing a precious secret. "Something with fire. It happened recently, during training. I've been trying to control it before telling anyone."
Her eyes widened, genuine excitement breaking through her careful scrutiny. "Oh, Satori! That's wonderful news! Have you registered with the Aspect Authority yet?"
"Not yet," I said, shaking my head. "I wanted to be sure first. And to surprise you and Dad."
She laughed, a musical sound that carried genuine joy. "Well, consider us surprised! Wait until your father hears this. He's been saying for years you were just a late bloomer!"
"Actually," I said, lowering my voice conspiratorially, leaning closer like we were co-conspirators, "I was hoping to show him myself. Maybe after breakfast?"
Kimiko's face lit up with maternal pride. "He'll be thrilled. My boy, a late bloomer!" She pulled me into a tight hug that felt so genuine it was disorienting, her warmth and unconditional acceptance almost painful to receive under false pretenses. When she pulled back, her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "I'm so proud of the man you're becoming, Satori."
For a moment, I thought I was in the clear. Then her expression shifted subtly, almost imperceptibly, and she added:
"I just hope I still recognize my baby boy when you're done."
I am watching you.
The message couldn't have been clearer if she'd said it out loud, written it in blood, or carved it into my forehead.
"Come on," she said, standing and offering me her hand. "Let's go eat before Luka inhales everything."
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MY SCUMBAG SYSTEMC36: My Stepsister and I Have a Date (It's Mandatory)
Chapter 36: My Stepsister and I Have a Date (It's Mandatory)
I followed Kimiko into the dining room, my guard still sky-high after our conversation. The domestic scene that greeted us was like something from a family sitcom—Luka arranging plates of glistening bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and perfectly browned toast while Natalia sullenly poured orange juice into glasses.
"There they are!" Luka boomed, his face lighting up with genuine joy at the sight of his wife and stepson. "Just in time! The bacon's at peak crispness!"
I slipped into my seat, adopting the eager-to-please son persona I'd been crafting. "Everything looks amazing, Dad. Thanks for cooking."
"My pleasure, kiddo! Gotta fuel up that new muscle you've been building!" He clapped a hand on my shoulder with enough force to stagger a normal man. I absorbed the impact without flinching, earning an approving nod. "Strong as an ox now! What did I tell you, Kimiko? Just needed some motivation!"
"You were right, dear," Kimiko said, settling into her chair with graceful economy of movement. Her eyes never left me, despite her words being directed at her husband.
Natalia sat across from me, her entire body radiating tension. She changed into baggy sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt—clearly chosen to hide any evidence of our activities—but nothing could disguise the hickey peeking out from beneath her collar. Her eyes flicked to mine, then away, a flush crawling up her neck.
"Salt, Dad?" I passed the shaker before Luka even reached for it.
"Thanks, son!" He seemed genuinely touched by this tiny gesture.
"So how was the conference?" I asked. "Did you give that presentation on team combat?"
Luka's fork paused halfway to his mouth, his eyes widening in surprise. "You remembered that?"
I nodded, crafting my expression into one of earnest curiosity. "You were practicing it before you left. Sounded fascinating."
The big man's chest swelled with obvious pride. "It went great! The Guild Leadership actually asked me to expand it into a training module for the C-Ranks!" He launched into a detailed explanation, his hands gesticulating wildly, occasionally causing his fork to fling bits of egg across the table.
I nodded attentively, asking relevant questions at appropriate intervals while monitoring the women at the table. Kimiko watched our interaction with that same unsettling intensity, though her expression remained warm and loving.
Natalia picked at her food, stealing glances at me when she thought no one was looking, each glance lingering a little longer than the last.
"Natalia," Kimiko said suddenly, causing the girl to jolt. "Is that a mark?"
"I—it's not—"
"Oh," Kimiko laughed. "Must have happened during training."
Natalia's face flamed red. She shot me a murderous look that promised future retribution. I smiled back pleasantly, taking a deliberate bite of toast.
"How's that ring working out for you, Natalia?" I asked, smoothly changing the subject. "The ice catalyst seemed to stabilize your output yesterday."
"You've been training together?" Luka asked, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
"Satori's been... helping me test the Cryo-Lich Ring," Natalia admitted grudgingly. "He's surprisingly knowledgeable about energy modulation."
"That's my boy!" Luka beamed, his chest puffing out like a proud rooster. "Always said you had a good head on your shoulders when you chose to use it!"
"Did you get to see any action on this trip, Dad?" I asked.
Luka launched into an animated story about a surprise Gate that had opened near their hotel, gesturing wildly with his utensils. "Took down a B-Rank Magma Crawler! Guild's throwing a bonus our way for the quick response."
"That's wonderful, dear," Kimiko said, her hand resting on his massive forearm. The gesture was casual but there was something possessive in it, a quiet statement that this mountain of a man was hers.
"Oh!" Luka exclaimed suddenly, setting down his fork with enough force to rattle the dishes. "Speaking of the Guild, I've got fantastic news!"
We all turned to him expectantly.
"My Guild got a corporate table at the VHC Gala in two weeks," he announced, grinning broadly. "And they've given me seats for the whole family! It's time to show off my two prize-winning kids to the world!"
My fork froze halfway to my mouth.
The VHC Gala. The most prestigious social event in New Vein's Hunter community. A gathering of the elite, the powerful, and the connected. A place where careers were made, alliances formed, and reputations cemented.
A place where every eye would be watching.
[New Mission Issued: The Alpha's Debut]
Objective: At the VHC Gala, publicly establish a new social standing and decisively humiliate an arrogant Scion without revealing your true power.
Reward: 50 SP, new Title [The Social Predator]
"The VHC Gala?" Natalia's voice rose an octave. "But that's—we can't—I'm not—"
"Not ready?" Luka finished for her, misinterpreting her panic. "Nonsense! You've been ready for years! This is your chance to network with the best Hunters in Valoria before the entrance exams. Make connections, show off that beautiful ring of yours!"
"I don't think..." Natalia began, her eyes darting to me.
"It sounds like an amazing opportunity," I interrupted smoothly. "Thank you for including me, Dad. I know these seats must be extremely valuable."
Kimiko nodded. "Honestly, the timing couldn't be better. With your new Aspect manifestation, this is the perfect place to make your debut."
Silence crashed over the table.
"Aspect manifestation?" Luka asked.
Kimiko's gaze hadn't left my face. "Satori was just telling me about it. It's some sort of fire manipulation!"
Luka laughed. "This calls for a demonstration after breakfast! And we'll need to get you registered with the Global Aspect Registry right away. Can't have my boy going unclassified!"
Shit. Registry meant official testing. Blood work. DNA verification. Things that would immediately flag me as an anomaly.
"I was hoping to wait until after the entrance exams," I said carefully. "I want to focus on training rather than paperwork right now."
"Fair enough," Luka conceded easily. "Plenty of time for all that. But definitely not too early to start showing it off at the Gala! You'll need a proper suit. Nothing off the rack will do for my son's Aspect debut!"
"Dad, about the Gala," Natalia tried again, her voice strained. "I really don't think—"
"It's mandatory, sweetheart," Luka said firmly, his jovial tone hardening just enough to indicate `this wasn't up for discussion. "The whole family will be there."
Natalia's jaw clenched, her fingers white around her fork.
"It'll be fun," I said, smiling at her across the table. "We can go shopping for your dress together. Something to complement that beautiful ring of yours."
If looks could kill, I'd have been reduced to a smoldering pile of ash. Her eyes promised murder, but her words when they came were sugary sweet.
"That sounds lovely, brother dear." The emphasis on our familial relationship was pointed enough to draw Kimiko's gaze.
"Wonderful!" Luka boomed, oblivious to the subtext. "We can go after breakfast!"
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