Two days had passed since Daniel offered Yuki a place to stay. Two days since the bizarre camping discovery that should have been mortifying but somehow became the foundation of actual friendship instead.
Settling into Seoul came easier than expected considering everything. Considering Yuki had literally been transported into a manhwa universe and spent three nights sleeping outside someone's apartment like an absolute creep.
J High's Fashion Department turned out to be surprisingly manageable compared to Japanese schools where one wrong answer could ruin your entire future. The curriculum focused on creativity and practical application rather than soul-crushing memorization, which was a relief Yuki hadn't expected to feel. Sketching came naturally enough.
Daniel had formalized their living arrangement three nights ago with that awkward earnestness that made Yuki's chest ache. They'd sat at the microscopic kitchen table with cheap ramen steaming between them while Daniel explained rent and utilities
"I won't pry about why you ended up like this," Daniel had said quietly, his handsome face serious in the dim lighting. "For now. But definitely later when you're ready to talk about it."
The unspoken understanding hung between them. Yuki was running from something he couldn't name yet, and Daniel knew it without needing details.
The apartment itself was absurdly tiny even by Seoul standards. One room serving every possible function, a kitchen barely large enough for one person, a extended bathroom where you had to strategize which direction to face while brushing your teeth. But it was clean and warm
Living with Daniel had its own rhythm Yuki was learning to navigate. The careful choreography of three people in space meant for one, morning routines and evening meals and those strange moments when Little Daniel would stumble in exhausted from convenience store shifts and immediately collapse, big daniel waking up and yuki having to pretend of it as nothing.
Of course yuki knew about the two body secret, but it was Daniel's right to tell him, no matter how horrible he was at hiding it.
Now it was September first. Daniel's birthday according to the quest notification from two days ago. Yuki was awake in the predawn darkness, waiting with the cake he'd purchased yesterday afternoon after carefully counting his remaining money twice.
The cake wasn't elaborate. Just a small cream cake with "Happy Birthday" written in careful Korean script across white frosting. But it felt important in a way Yuki couldn't articulate, something about having a moment with the mc, and a good person at that.
The door opened quietly around five-thirty when the world outside was still mostly dark. Little Daniel slipped inside with practiced silence, his store uniform rumpled and his glasses sitting slightly askew. He looked exhausted in the weak gray light filtering through the single window.
Yuki stayed perfectly still on his blanket nest by the wall, barely breathing as he watched Little Daniel move through his routine with mechanical efficiency.
When little Daniel collapsed on the shared bed. Within seconds his breathing evened into sleep.
Yuki counted to ten slowly, his heart hammering as he watched the impossible transition happen exactly as it had every morning since moving in.
Big Daniel's eyes opened moments later. The body switching consciousness, He sat up slowly, running a hand through sleep-mussed hair, his handsome face marked by that particular blankness and sleepiness.
"Wake up sleepy head...." Daniel turned to the voice surprised, he was still not used to living with someone else.
"Happy birthday," Yuki said quietly from his spot by the wall, holding up the cake with its single lit candle.
Daniel froze completely. His entire body went still like someone had pressed pause, his expression cycling through confusion to comprehension to something that looked almost like pain. His eyes went slightly wide behind the hair falling into his face, and for a moment he just stared at the cake like it might disappear if he blinked.
"You..." Daniel's voice came out rough with sleep and something else. "You remembered?"
"Of course I remembered." Yuki felt oddly self-conscious now that the moment was actually happening instead of existing safely in his imagination. "You mentioned it a few days ago. I thought I should do something nice since you've been so kind about letting me stay here even though I was basically camping outside like a stalker."
Daniel made a small sound that might have been a laugh or might have been something breaking. His jaw worked like he was trying to swallow words that wanted to escape. He pushed himself up from the futon and crossed the small space in three strides, dropping down next to Yuki on the blanket nest
"My mom's the only person who's ever..." Daniel stopped himself, throat working visibly. He started again, voice quieter. "She always remembers but she's working a double shift today and i couldn't make her visit me all the way here.... I thought maybe that was fine because birthdays don't really matter when you're..."
He didn't finish but Yuki understood anyway. Understood what it meant to feel like you didn't deserve celebration or acknowledgment or the simple recognition of existing for another year. Daniel was thinking of Little Daniel right now, of the body that spent its life being invisible.
"Make a wish," Yuki said softly, holding the cake steady between them.
Daniel looked at him for a long moment in the gray predawn light, something unreadable flickering across his expression. Then he closed his eyes like he was actually taking it seriously and blew out the candle, the small flame extinguishing with a whisper of smoke that curled upward.
They shared the cake sitting on the floor while Seoul woke up outside, eating with cheap plastic forks Yuki had grabbed specifically for this. The cake was good, sweet without being overwhelming, and Daniel ate well enough.
"This is really good," Daniel said after his third bite, something soft in his voice that Yuki hadn't heard before. "Where did you get it?"
"That bakery three blocks away. The one with the cat decorations in the window." Yuki took another small bite of his own piece. "The lady was really nice when I explained it was for someone's birthday."
"You told her it was for me?"
"You think your that famous dummy" Yuki felt his cheeks warm slightly. "Just a little good looking and people start thinking themself as celebrities" he muttered turning away
Daniel laughed light heartedly "Thank you," he said finally, voice even softer than before. "Seriously. This means more than I can really explain."
"You're welcome." Yuki meant it with everything he had. "Everyone deserves to be celebrated on their birthday. This time it was my duty"
Daniel nodded slowly, still doing that thing where he looked like he wanted to say something meaningful but couldn't find the words. Instead he reached out and squeezed Yuki's shoulder briefly, the gesture awkward but sincere.
TRUST LEVEL INCREASED
Daniel Park: 34/100 → 58/100
Status: Close Friend
BIRTHDAY QUEST PROGRESS: 40%
Yuki dismissed the notifications as Daniel finished his piece. The trust jump was larger than expected from previous interactions. Maybe birthdays carried more weight, or maybe Daniel just really needed someone to care
They got ready for school in comfortable silence after that. Daniel made instant coffee in their tiny electric kettle while Yuki packed his bag, both being deliberately quiet so they wouldn't disturb Little Daniel still sleeping soundly on the futon.
ofcourse due to Daniels constant insistent yuki had to change it the bathroom for some reason
"Do you want coffee?" Daniel asked, holding up a second cup.
"Please." Yuki accepted it gratefully even though it tasted more like brown water than actual coffee. It was warm and caffeinated and that was enough.
They drank in comfortable silence, standing in the tiny kitchen area because there wasn't really anywhere else to stand. The apartment was so small that three steps in any direction hit a wall, but somehow it didn't feel claustrophobic anymore. Just cozy in a way Yuki hadn't expected.
"You don't have to do anything else today," Daniel said eventually, rinsing his cup in the sink. "The cake was more than enough."
"I know." Yuki rinsed his own cup. "But I might anyway."
Daniel smiled at that, something genuine that reached his eyes. "Looking forward to it then."
The walk to J High took twenty minutes through streets already busy despite the early hour. September air was pleasant without the humidity Daniel had complained about from summer months. he seemed lighter as they walked, chirpy even, and Yuki felt proud of being responsible for that shift even if only temporary.
They talked about small things on the way. Classes they had today, assignments due, whether the convenience store down the street had better ramen than the one by school. Normal conversation that felt surprisingly comfortable considering they'd only known each other a week.
"The Fashion Department teacher is actually pretty cool," Yuki mentioned as they waited at a crosswalk. "She doesn't baby us but she explains things well."
"Mrs. Kwon?"
"Yeah. dude.... she has a motorcycle"
Daniel nodded. "Well said"
The light changed and they crossed with the small crowd of other pedestrians, mostly office workers rushing to catch trains. Seoul in the morning had an energy to it that Yuki was starting to appreciate, different from Tokyo's organized chaos but compelling in its own way.
They approached the school gates as other students streamed in from various directions. Yuki spotted some familiar faces from his class, a few people who'd been friendly on his first day. One girl waved at him and he waved back, feeling oddly normal about the whole thing.
Then Yuki noticed something wrong.
A group of students had clustered near the main gate and it screamed trouble. Their voices were raised in an argument that was rapidly escalating, and right in the center was Zack getting aggressively in someone's face while Mira desperately tried to pull him back.
The tension was palpable even from this distance. Other students gave them wide berth
Daniel's entire posture changed when he registered what was happening. His shoulders tensed visibly and his morning relaxation evaporated in seconds.
"Shit," Daniel muttered, already moving forward with purpose. "Not again. Not today of all days."
Yuki followed quickly, stomach sinking with familiar dread. He recognized the ugly energy of a fight about to start from too many similar situations at his old school.
As they got closer, Yuki could make out more details. Zack was facing off against a guy from another department, possibly Vocal and Dance based on his uniform. The guy was bigger than Zack, which was saying something, with arms like tree trunks and so so wide shoulders
"—don't care what you think you saw," Zack was saying, voice tight with barely controlled rage. "Keep Mira's name out of your fucking mouth."
"I'm just saying what everyone already knows," the bigger guy sneered. "Your girlfriend's her would be way better with me. Makes people wonder what she sees in—"
Zack moved so fast Yuki almost missed it. His fist pulled back, ready to drive straight into the guy's smug face.
Daniel who yuki realized had disappeared caught Zack's wrist mid-swing
"Zack. Stop." Daniel's voice was calm but firm, "He's trying to bait you into a fight so you get suspended. Don't give him what he wants."
Zack's face was red with fury, muscles straining against Daniel's grip. "Did you hear what he said about Mira? and jack shit, its not like these teachers give a damn about fights, let me at him!!"
"I heard." Daniel didn't let go. "And it's bullshit said by an insecure asshole trying to feel important. Don't let him win by getting yourself expelled..... you will hurt him" he whispered the last part
The bigger guy laughed, ugly and mocking. "Aw, look at the prince in shining armour playing peacemaker. Look he even brought his girlfriend, What, you want to fight instead? I don't hit girls though."
The comment hung in the air for a beat too long.
Yuki realized with cold clarity that the guy was looking at him, not Daniel. Calling him a girl. Again.
Something hot flared in Yuki's chest, different from the usual resigned frustration. This was just some asshole being a dick for no reason except that he could.
"I'm not a girl," Yuki said quietly, his voice carrying despite the small crowd noise. "And you're an idiot if you think insulting people makes you look tough instead of pathetic."
The guy's expression darkened. "The fuck did you say bitch?"
Yuki met his eyes without flinching, something cold settling in his stomach. "I said you're pathetic. Was I unclear? Should I repeat it in smaller words?"
The guy took a step toward Yuki, his face twisted with anger. "You little—"
SYSTEM ALERT
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE DETECTED
The notification appeared in Yuki's vision with terrible timing, bright and insistent.
TUTORIAL PHASE: OFFICIALLY COMPLETE
CURRENT WORLD: LOOKISM UNIVERSE - SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
TIME SINCE ARRIVAL: 7 DAYS
SURVIVAL QUEST: COMPLETE
✓ SHELTER OBTAINED
✓ BASIC ROUTINE ESTABLISHED
✓ FOOD SECURED
✓ SCHOOL REGISTRATION
✓ STAYED ALIVE
Yuki barely had time to process before more text appeared, covering his entire field of vision just as the angry guy reached for him.
PATH SYSTEM: NOW AVAILABLE
Your tutorial training has prepared you for world integration. Now you must choose how you wish to exist in this reality.
Each world offers SIX paths divided into THREE categories based on power dynamics and personal preference. Your choice will permanently affect available skills, quest types, relationship dynamics, and story progression.
WARNING: Path selection is PERMANENT for this world. Choose carefully.
The display expanded, showing detailed information that Yuki couldn't dismiss no matter how hard he tried. He could see the guy's hand reaching for his collar but he couldn't do anything about it because the stupid System had decided NOW was the perfect time for this.
LOOKISM WORLD - AVAILABLE PATHS
DOMINANT CATEGORY:
Path of Pleasure's Command - Take control of intimate encounters through confidence and skill. Learn to dominate and guide partners through desire, reading their needs while maintaining power dynamics. Skills focus on sexual confidence, dirty talk mastery, and stamina enhancement. Quests involve seducing targets, establishing dominance, and taking what you want without apology.
Path of the master - Become an irresistible force that bends others to your will through charm and manipulation. Master the art of making people desperate for your attention, using intimacy as currency and power. Skills enhance social dominance, pheromone production, and the ability to find weakness. Quests involve building harems, destroying rivals, and ascending social hierarchies through sex and fights. ( massive physical boost)
SUBMISSIVE CATEGORY:
Path of Sweet Surrender - Embrace vulnerability and find power in yielding to others who cherish you. Learn the art of being treasured, of submission as gift rather than weakness. Skills enhance sensitivity, pleasure reception, and emotional bonding through sex. Quests involve finding protectors, deepening trust through submission, and discovering strength in softness.
Path of the Doll - Become a living fantasy for others to shape and treasure, finding identity in fulfilling desires. Master perfect obedience, aesthetic appeal, and the art of being exactly what someone needs. Skills focus on flexibility, endurance, and reading unspoken commands. Quests involve serving masters, maintaining beauty standards, and becoming indispensable through devotion.
NEUTRAL CATEGORY:
Path of Balanced Desire - Walk between dominance and submission based on situation and partner, maintaining flexibility without losing yourself. Learn to read what each encounter needs and adapt accordingly. Skills allow switching between control and surrender while keeping emotional core intact. Quests offer choice between taking charge and yielding with neither extreme.( not recommended for beginners)
Path of the Survivor - Use sex as strategic tool for protection and advancement while maintaining emotional distance. Master the art of transactional relationships, of sex as currency without attachment. Skills emphasize reading danger, strategic seduction, and self-preservation above all else. Quests involve building alliances through sex, avoiding threats, and staying alive no matter the cost.
TIME TO CHOOSE: NO LIMIT
However, until path is selected, certain advanced features remain locked and quest generation will be restricted.
Choose wisely, Host. This decision will define your journey in the Lookism world.
Yuki felt someone grab his collar and yank him forward, but he could barely register it through the wall of system notifications. He heard Daniel and Zack shouting, heard Mira's alarmed voice, heard the crowd's collective gasp.
But all he could see were six paths sprawling before him, each one a different future, a different way of existing in this world.
And he had no idea which one to choose. instinctively a fist went towards the guys face, and in the next second there was blood.