Harem Stealing System

Eiden walked alongside Deuel as they headed toward the cafeteria, their footsteps falling into a casual rhythm against the tiled floor. The crowd of students around them buzzed with chatter and the distant clatter of trays being shuffled. Deuel glanced sideways at Eiden, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"You've gotten kinda popular lately, huh?" Deuel started, his voice half-joking but laced with curiosity. Eiden scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "What popularity?"

Deuel smirked, clearly waiting for the reaction. "You know… the guy who got rejected by Linda, but somehow now hangs around a cute girl in the cafeteria. The same guy who got into a fight for her. Also, the supposed 'genius' who managed to get an A-plus from the strictest professor and didn't even try to claim credit. That guy."

"Woah, woah, woah," Eiden held up a hand, blinking. "People are talking about that?"

Deuel chuckled, lips quirking. "Who knows?"

Eiden frowned slightly, opening his mouth to ask something, but before he could continue, a trio of voices broke the moment as Harry, John, and Petter caught up with them. "What're you guys talking about?" Harry asked, grinning as he slung his arm casually over Eiden's shoulder.

Before anyone could answer, Petter cut in, looking frustrated. "You know what, guys? I'm sick of eating at the cafeteria all the time. Why don't we go somewhere else for once?" John rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. How about the rooftop?" Harry's face lit up with approval. "Nice. I haven't been up there in ages."

"I'm okay with anything," Deuel said, shrugging. Eiden gave a small nod, though a subtle flicker of hesitation crossed his face. The rooftop. He knew that place wasn't just a hangout spot. Airie often used it to exchange intel with that mysterious bodyguard spy of Eva's. If they couldn't use it today, they'd probably do it over the phone or some other way. Well, not his problem. Probably. "Sure," he said eventually, his voice neutral.

The group made their way up the stairs, the steps creaking under the weight of their movements. As they ascended, Eiden caught a familiar figure further ahead Airie. She was climbing the stairs as well, but when she heard the commotion behind her, she turned slightly, her expression freezing when she saw them.

She stepped to the side to let them pass, halting mid-step. But then, her voice called out from behind them, polite but firm.

"Excuse me, you guys." The group turned around, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Airie cleared her throat. "Are you all heading to the rooftop?" Harry nodded. "Yeah." John added with a puzzled frown, "Any problem?" Airie's expression twitched ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Why?" she asked again.

They exchanged confused glances. It was strange of her to question it, especially in that tone. All of them looked puzzled except for Eiden. He stepped forward slightly and replied with a small smile. "We're just planning to eat lunch together up there."

Airie looked like she was analyzing something in her head. After a moment, she asked again, "Do you guys come here often?" Eiden shook his head. "No. Just today. Random plan."

Airie let out a sigh. "Okay then. Sorry for bothering you." She quickly turned around and headed back down the stairs, pulling out her phone along the way. Her footsteps echoed softer and softer until she was gone.

The group continued upward. The rooftop was wide and open, with a clear view of the entire campus. The afternoon sun poured across the concrete, warm and steady, and a light breeze made the place feel alive. The five boys gathered near the ledge, placing their lunches down as they sat in a circle.

The conversation, as usual, turned silly. "So," Harry began, "which teacher do you think is the prettiest? Or, you know, the hottest?"

"Oh boy," Deuel muttered with a grin. Harry didn't even pause. "Miss Mika. Easy."

Eiden's eye twitched. "She's got that mature vibe even though she's still young," Harry continued. "I heard she hasn't even hit thirty yet. And that face? So refined. Total mommy material." Petter nodded frantically. "Bro, I second that. Absolute top-tier."

"I like Madam Grace," Deuel offered thoughtfully. "She's married, yeah, but she's got this cute and friendly vibe. Feels approachable." They laughed and tossed names around, debating with the serious enthusiasm of teenage boys with too much imagination and not enough filter.

Eiden leaned back, finally loosening up. "I like Miss Mika too." Harry gave him a thumbs up. "Attaboy." John leaned toward him, smirking. "That's it? Come on, give a reason." Eiden gave a half-shrug and responded with a rare moment of honesty. "She seems like a responsible adult. Cool-headed, mysterious, and, well... she's really pretty. Plus, I like her legs."

The group broke into laughter. Not judgmental, just boys being boys. "No shame in that," Harry said, still chuckling. But then John turned to him again, the laughter dimming slightly into curiosity. "Hey, I heard from Harry about the project thing. Are you, like, secretly studying hard or something?"

Eiden blinked. "What nonsense? I'm already intelligent. A genius, if I may say so." John rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Right." Deuel suddenly wrapped an arm around Eiden's neck from behind, pulling him in with a laugh. "Don't tell me you're getting tutored. Is that why you don't hang out with us after class? You always rush home."

Eiden scoffed and pushed him off. "You guys are just jealous of my genius mind. You can't accept it." The teasing faded into easy laughter again. It felt good, being normal for once. Not chasing quests. Not worrying about the system. Just friends, food, and the wind above the world.

Eiden stood up, stretching. He walked toward the edge of the rooftop and looked down at the campus below. Harry followed him, leaning on the railing. "Woah. The college really is huge. Look at all the people."

Eiden nodded, his eyes scanning the crowds. "Yeah. It's bigger than it looks from the ground."

As their voices blended with the chatter behind them, none of them noticed the faint sound of footsteps padding softly across the rooftop. A shadow moved slowly around the opposite corner, hidden from view. The figure crept along the wall, her eyes fixed on the group.

She stopped near the rooftop door, watching them from a distance. Then, as the laughter echoed and the moment passed, the figure turned quietly. She reached the door, opened it just enough to slip inside, and closed it gently behind her. Her steps quickened as she descended the staircase, her heels tapping softly in urgency.

It was none other than Miss Mika.