The rest of the morning classes passed in a blur of whispers, stares, and poorly concealed phone usage as students obsessed over Yukari's social media post. Zororo tried to focus on the lessons, but his mind kept drifting to the complications his fake relationship had already created.
His system remained active in the corner of his vision, occasionally flashing notifications about increased infamy and social status changes. Apparently, dating a high-profile student like Yukari was boosting his villain potential simply through association with power.
[SOCIAL STATUS UPDATE]
[SCHOOL RANKING: 35TH → 28TH]
[REASON: ASSOCIATION WITH HIGH-VALUE TARGET]
[INFAMY +10]
[STUDENTS NOW VIEW YOU AS: MYSTERIOUS, POWERFUL, DANGEROUS]
When lunch finally arrived, Zororo expected another cafeteria session with Daichi. Instead, he found Yukari waiting outside his classroom, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. The sight of the Ice Princess personally waiting for someone sent another wave of shocked whispers through the hallway.
"We're having lunch together," Yukari announced, not making it sound like a request. "Part of maintaining appearances."
"Where?" Zororo asked, grabbing his bag.
"The rooftop. I had the student council reserve it for us."
They walked through the corridors together, and Zororo noticed how the crowds parted like water around Yukari's presence. Students who normally would have bumped shoulders in the crowded halls now pressed themselves against lockers to give her space. The Ice Princess's reputation for coldness wasn't just metaphorical.
"You're enjoying this," Zororo observed quietly as they climbed the stairs.
"Enjoying what?" Yukari's expression remained neutral, but he caught the slight curve at the corner of her lips.
"The attention. The power of making people react."
"Perhaps." She glanced at him with those ice-blue eyes. "Is that a problem?"
"No. Just an observation."
They reached the rooftop, which was now completely empty except for a table that hadn't been there this morning. Two chairs, a white tablecloth, and an elaborate lunch spread waited for them like something from a romantic drama.
"The student council has its privileges," Yukari said, sitting gracefully. "I thought we should talk strategy without interruption."
Zororo sat across from her, examining the food. Everything looked expensive and carefully prepared. "This is more than just maintaining appearances."
"True. I wanted to discuss what happens at Saturday's dinner." Yukari poured tea for both of them with practiced elegance. "My family will try to intimidate you. They'll probe for weaknesses, question your background, and test your resolve. You need to be prepared."
"What exactly will they ask about?"
"Your system rank, your family's status, your future plans, your grades, your combat abilities everything that determines whether you're 'worthy' of a Shirogane." Yukari's voice carried barely concealed resentment. "They view marriage as a business transaction, not a personal choice."
Zororo sipped his tea, thinking carefully. "What should I tell them about my system?"
"That's the complicated part." Yukari set down her cup. "You can't claim to be too weak or they'll dismiss you immediately. But if you claim to be too strong without proof, they'll investigate and discover you're lying."
"So I need a credible middle ground."
"Exactly. I suggest claiming you have a B-Rank system with unusual properties that make it difficult to evaluate properly. That explains why you might seem stronger than your official rank suggests, and gives you room to grow without raising suspicions."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[DECEPTION STRATEGY DETECTED]
[APPROVE YUKARI'S SUGGESTION?]
[WARNING: CLAIMING FALSE SYSTEM RANK MAY TRIGGER DETECTION ABILITIES]
Zororo mentally selected 'approve' and the system adjusted his cover story parameters automatically.
"B-Rank works," Zororo agreed. "What about combat demonstration? Will they make me fight?"
"Probably not at dinner. But they might arrange a formal evaluation later if they're interested in you." Yukari began eating with perfect table manners. "My older brother, Hiroshi, is the most likely to challenge you. He's protective and doesn't trust anyone who approaches me."
"How strong is he?"
"Level twenty-five with an S-Rank Ice Blade system. He's the pride of the Shirogane family." Despite her words, Yukari's tone carried affection. "He's actually the only family member I genuinely like. He supports my desire to choose my own path, even if he can't say so publicly."
"And your parents?"
"My father is pragmatic and cold. My mother is ambitious and controlling. They want what's best for the family, not what's best for me." Yukari met his eyes directly. "But they're not evil, Zororo. Just... traditional. They believe in duty above desire."
Zororo understood that mentality. His previous life had been full of people who sacrificed personal happiness for societal expectations. He had been one of them, working a job he hated because it was stable and respectable.
"I can handle traditional," Zororo said. "What I need to know is what's your relationship like with Kazuki? The man you're supposed to marry?"
Yukari's expression hardened like ice crystallizing. "Kazuki Shirogane is everything wrong with our family concentrated into one person. Arrogant, cruel, obsessed with power. He views me as a prize to be won, not a person to be respected. Last month at a family gathering, he cornered me and said..." She paused, her hands clenching. "He said he looked forward to 'taming' me after our wedding."
Anger flashed through Zororo before he could suppress it. The protective instinct surprised him he barely knew Yukari, yet the thought of someone treating her that way made his blood boil.
"I won't let him near you," Zororo said quietly.
Yukari looked startled. "That's not your responsibility. This is just an arrangement"
"I don't care. Arrangement or not, while we're doing this, you're under my protection." The words came out with more conviction than Zororo intended. "That's part of the deal now."
For the first time since he'd met her, Yukari's icy composure completely cracked. Her eyes widened, color rose to her cheeks, and something warm flickered across her face before she quickly looked away.
"Thank you," she whispered. "No one's ever said something like that to me before."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL MOMENT DETECTED]
[YUKARI SHIROGANE'S CORRUPTION POTENTIAL INCREASED TO: VERY HIGH]
[GENUINE PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR HAS CREATED DEEP IMPRESSION]
[WARNING: PERSONAL FEELINGS MAY COMPLICATE VILLAIN PATH]
Zororo dismissed the warning. He was beginning to understand that being a villain didn't necessarily mean being heartless. It meant choosing who deserved his loyalty and protection, then doing whatever was necessary to keep them safe.
They finished lunch talking about lighter topics school gossip, the upcoming dungeon expedition, and Yukari's favorite books. Zororo discovered she loved mystery novels and classical music, interests that contrasted sharply with her ice queen reputation.
As the lunch period ended, Yukari stood and smoothed her uniform. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Zororo. I know it's sudden and complicated."
"Life's never simple," Zororo replied, standing as well. "Might as well make it interesting."
Yukari smiled a real, genuine smile that transformed her entire face. "I'm beginning to think you're more interesting than I initially suspected, Zororo Kurogami."
They returned to class together, and Zororo noticed the stares had shifted in quality. Before, students looked shocked or envious. Now they looked intimidated, as if Zororo had suddenly become dangerous by association with Yukari.
His system was right. His villain status was growing simply through social positioning and perceived power. He didn't need to commit obvious crimes to build infamy he just needed to cultivate the right reputation.
The afternoon passed quickly. During combat theory, Instructor Hayato announced that dungeon team assignments would have their first coordination meeting tomorrow. Zororo caught Yukari's eye across the room, and she gave him an almost imperceptible nod.
When classes finally ended, Zororo headed toward the library for their scheduled team strategy meeting. He found Yukari already there with the other two members of Team Seven.
Mei Tanaka was a petite girl with gentle brown eyes and shoulder-length chestnut hair. Her B-Rank Healing System made her invaluable for dungeon expeditions, but she seemed painfully shy, barely making eye contact.
Hiro Sato was average in every way average height, average build, brown hair, brown eyes. His C-Rank Shield System was solid but unremarkable. He looked nervous being in the same room as Yukari.
"Thank you for coming," Yukari said formally, taking charge immediately. "We have one week to prepare for the Shadow Grotto expedition. Our success depends on coordination and understanding each other's abilities. Let's begin with introductions. State your name, system rank, and primary abilities."
Mei went first, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm Mei Tanaka. B-Rank Healing System. I can heal injuries, cure status effects, and provide stamina regeneration buffs. My healing is strongest when I'm calm and focused."
Hiro spoke next, more confidently. "Hiro Sato. C-Rank Shield System. I can create energy barriers for defense, deflect projectile attacks, and absorb damage for allies. I'm best at protecting the healer."
All eyes turned to Zororo. He took a breath, committing to his cover story.
"Zororo Kurogami. B-Rank Shadow Element System. I specialize in stealth, mobility, and precision strikes. My abilities work best in darkness or shadow-rich environments."
Yukari's eyes studied him carefully, and he wondered how much of that she actually believed.
"And I'm Yukari Shirogane. A-Rank Ice Princess System. Area control, offensive ice magic, and enemy debuffs. I'll handle crowd control and primary damage." She pulled out a dungeon map. "Now let's discuss strategy."
As they planned their approach to the Shadow Grotto, Zororo felt something shift in the group dynamic. Despite their different backgrounds and abilities, they were becoming a team.
[END OF CHAPTER 7]