Akemi's lips brushed against my cheek, leaving a warmth that lingered like a soft summer breeze. My vision blurred, the world around me softening into a haze of colors and shapes. Beyond this dreamlike veil, I could just make out the men, tirelessly gathering mushrooms in the forest clearing, their hands moving with purpose.
They worked with the diligence of ants serving their queen, their voices rising in a chorus of pride and competition. "Akemi-san! Look at the haul I've gathered!" one shouted, holding up a basket brimming with earthy treasures. "No, mine are bigger!" another countered, thrusting his own collection forward, each man vying for her approval.
Their chatter halted abruptly as they glanced up, catching sight of Akemi's gesture. Mushrooms tumbled from their hands, scattering across the forest floor like forgotten dreams. Their faces twisted in disbelief, eyes wide as they processed the scene before them.
"Ugh… no way, is this real?" one muttered, his voice trembling with shock. "Why would Akemi kiss him? A nobody like that?" another hissed, his tone laced with envy. "We've never even been touched by her!" a third cried, clutching his head as if to ward off the impossible.
"It's got to be the mushrooms," one stammered, his voice rising in desperation. "They're making us see things—hallucinations!" The group erupted into chaos, their shouts echoing through the trees as they grappled with their disbelief. Akemi, unfazed, pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"My family's kisses are said to bring good fortune," she said, her voice light and teasing. "I'm wishing you the best of luck, Leopin. Until we meet again." With a playful smile, she turned and glided away, her steps as graceful as a dancer's.
The men snapped out of their stupor, scrambling after her. "Wait, Akemi-san!" they called, tripping over their scattered mushrooms in their haste. I stood frozen, my hand pressed to my still-warm cheek, trying to make sense of the moment. Then, a soft glow enveloped me, shimmering like a gentle aura.
My body felt lighter, stronger, as if some hidden energy had awakened within me. Could a kiss really raise my level? I wondered, a smile tugging at my lips. Maybe Akemi's right—maybe this really is a lucky kiss. I even gained a new skill, Masonry.
The forest seemed to hum with possibility as I made my way back to my modest home, the basket of mushrooms swinging at my side. Their earthy scent filled the air, promising a feast to cap this strange day. I decided then to put my newfound masonry skill to use, envisioning a proper kitchen to complement my harvest.
Switching to my mason profession, I surveyed the area around my house, noting the stones scattered among the trees. Before crafting, I needed tools—something sturdy to shape the rock. Using wood from the nearby Gisu trees and a large stone I'd found, I fashioned a hammer and chisel, their weight balanced perfectly in my hands.
The tools gleamed with potential, enhanced by the bonuses I'd unlocked through my skills. The wood, sourced from the lush forest, was of exceptional quality, but the stone felt lacking, its texture rough and uneven. I'll need to find better materials tomorrow, I thought, already planning my next exploration.
For now, I worked with what I had, carving a crude but functional cooking hearth from a nearby rock. The bonuses from my tools made the task smoother, the stone yielding under my steady strikes. The fire I kindled in the hearth burned steadily, its warmth a comforting promise of the meal to come.
I gathered dry leaves and branches, feeding them into the hearth until flames danced brightly. Placing the mushrooms on a makeshift grill of woven branches, I watched them sizzle, their savory aroma curling through the air. A pinch of salt from Akemi's gift added the perfect touch, transforming the simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
My stomach growled as the mushrooms browned, their juices hissing against the heat. Unable to wait any longer, I plucked one from the fire and bit into it, the flavor bursting across my tongue. "Haa! So good!" I exclaimed, devouring the rest with unbridled joy, each bite a celebration of the forest's bounty.
As I leaned back, rubbing my full belly, a commotion broke my reverie. The principal and vice principal burst through the trees, their faces flushed with urgency. "Leopin-kun!" the principal gasped, correcting himself from his usual "Trash" moniker. "Is it true you found a tatsumaki?"
I blinked, still savoring the last of my meal. "How do you know about that?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion. The vice principal's eyes gleamed as he explained, "The school's magic device broadcasts everything to the world! Supporters saw you eating 'tattemake' on the feed!"
"We've had inquiries flooding in!" the principal added, his voice rising with excitement. "If you've got any tatsumaki left, hand it over! I'll pull strings to get you out of the special training class—into a better one!" The vice principal nodded eagerly. "This is your shot to escape this place, Leopin!"
I scratched my head, glancing at the empty hearth. "Uh, sorry, I ate it all." Their faces fell, and a piercing wail escaped them, echoing through the forest like a chorus of despair. "KEEEEEE!" they cried, their dreams of tatsumaki crumbling as swiftly as my mushrooms had disappeared.