Morning sunlight spilled across the school courtyard, golden rays cutting through the cool air. For most students, it was just another day. But for Gray Aster, it felt like the whole school had flipped upside down.
He shuffled through the front gate, yawning so wide a passing teacher almost smacked him with the attendance book. His bag dangled lazily from one hand, his shirt was untucked, and his hair looked like he had wrestled a pillow and lost.
"Another day, another nap," Gray muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Maybe the world forgot about yesterday…"
Unfortunately for him, the world had not forgotten.
The Rumors Spread
The moment Gray stepped onto campus, whispers began buzzing around him like mosquitoes.
"There he is—Gray Aster!""Did you hear? He beat Razor without even breaking a sweat.""They say he dodged every attack like some kind of martial arts master.""Rumor has it, he used a secret pressure-point technique to cripple Razor's hand."
Gray blinked as students parted in front of him, staring in awe. Some even clapped politely as he passed.
"…Huh? Did I die in my sleep and respawn as someone else?"
Riku rushed to his side, panting from running across the courtyard. His shirt was already untucked, tie crooked, hair messy. Clearly, he had been battling questions since sunrise.
"Gray!" Riku wheezed, clutching Gray's shoulder. "You have no idea what's happening! The entire school's talking about you!"
"I can tell," Gray mumbled, watching a group of freshmen bow to him as if he were their sensei. "This is bad. I don't like attention. Attention leads to responsibilities, and responsibilities lead to… less nap time."
Riku groaned. "You really don't get it, do you? You're a celebrity now! Yesterday's fight is all anyone can talk about. Even kids from other classes are peeking into our homeroom just to catch a glimpse of you."
Gray frowned, scratching his head. "So… you're saying I can't sleep in class anymore?"
"Yes!" Riku shouted, throwing his arms up.
Hana's Frustration
Inside their classroom, Hana sat by the window, tapping her pen against her notebook. She had overheard every whisper, every rumor.
"Unbelievable," she muttered, glaring at Gray as he stumbled into the room with his usual half-dead expression. "He's being treated like some kind of hero… but he's still the same lazy idiot!"
Gray dropped into his seat, his bag thudding against the floor. He folded his arms on the desk and buried his head into them immediately. Within seconds, soft snores escaped him.
The classroom erupted in murmurs.
"Wow… he's so relaxed. Not even Razor scared him.""That's the sign of true strength.""Only someone with absolute confidence could nap like that."
Hana slammed her fist on her desk. "He's just sleeping! How is that impressive?!"
Miyu, sitting gracefully two rows behind, covered her mouth with a quiet laugh. "People see what they want to see. Right now, they've decided to see him as strong."
Hana spun around. "You sound like you're enjoying this."
Miyu tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Maybe I am. Watching him stumble through these situations is… fascinating."
Hana scowled, cheeks warm. "Fascinating? He's a mess!"
Razor's Humiliation
Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of the school, Razor sat surrounded by his lackeys. His nose was bandaged, his pride battered beyond recognition. He hadn't shown his face in the courtyard that morning; instead, he stayed hidden, his rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Boss… you okay?" one of his cronies asked hesitantly.
Razor slammed his fist against the wall, making the smaller boy flinch. "Do I look okay?! That clown humiliated me in front of the entire school! And now… now everyone's calling him the top dog!"
The lackeys exchanged nervous glances. One whispered, "It's true though… Gray's kind of scary. He didn't even try, but you still—"
"Shut up!" Razor barked, eyes blazing. "That wasn't strength! That was luck! A soccer ball, a stupid thumb jab—he's not stronger than me! I'll prove it!"
But even as he shouted, Razor knew the truth: yesterday's fight had broken his image. His fearsome reputation was crumbling, and Gray's was rising in its place.
And worst of all—someone else was watching from the shadows, smiling as Razor's fury boiled over. A figure unseen, pulling strings.
Lunchroom Chaos
By lunchtime, Gray's so-called "legend" had only grown worse.
The cafeteria was packed with students leaning across tables, telling exaggerated versions of the confrontation.
"I swear, he disappeared for a second, like he was using ninja techniques!""No way, I heard he kicked Razor so hard his nose exploded.""My cousin's friend's sister's classmate said Gray actually broke the tree in half with one finger."
Gray sat at his table with Riku, holding his tray with a blank stare.
"…Why does my rice taste like lies today?"
Riku slapped his forehead. "Because the entire school is exaggerating everything! Gray, you're turning into an urban legend while you're still alive!"
"Can I… not?" Gray asked weakly, shoveling rice into his mouth.
A Brewing Storm
As the day wound down, Gray noticed something unusual. Strangers—students he had never spoken to before—were eyeing him with a mix of respect, curiosity, and fear. Some even whispered invitations:
"Hey, Gray, if you ever need backup, I'm with you.""You're amazing! Teach us how to fight like you!""Join our group—we'd follow you anywhere."
Gray recoiled. "Follow me? But I don't even know where I'm going…"
Riku leaned in, whispering urgently. "Gray… this is it. People are starting to see you as a leader. If this keeps going, you'll have your own gang."
Gray choked on his rice ball. "A gang?! No, no, no! I can barely lead myself to the bathroom at night without bumping into a wall!"
But the truth was undeniable. From that day forward, Gray was no longer just another lazy high-schooler. His name carried weight, whether he liked it or not.
And far away, in the dim glow of a secluded room, the true villain smirked as he watched Razor stew in rage.
"Good… let the chaos grow. Soon, the game will really begin."
End of Chapter 6