"Take these two first. Then go for the nearest card."
Ye Fei murmured to himself while looking at the virtual map projected onto his retina. After tasting the sweetness of a Special Card, he could not wait to unlock more.
However, the locations were frustrating.
Most of the cards were either inside research facilities or attached to living beings. The former required proper clearance and identification to access. The latter required special unlocking conditions, which were even more troublesome.
"Sigh. Forget the research institutes for now. Without proper credentials, getting inside is basically impossible."
Just as he was thinking, Tsukuyomi Komoe's sweet voice echoed through the classroom.
"One more reminder. It is almost the end of May. Your June allowance will be transferred on time, so do not lose your bank cards or wallets."
The students responded enthusiastically.
"Alright then, little kitties, class is dismissed."
"Goodbye, Komoe-sensei!"
"Sensei, we will miss you!"
Ye Fei suddenly stood up.
He walked straight toward the closest two star card in the classroom. The card floated quietly above Fukiyose Seiri's head.
She had long black hair, a confident posture, and a figure far more mature than her age suggested. As the class committee chairwoman, she was responsible and dependable. She rarely refused anyone asking for help.
Ye Fei forced an innocent smile and lightly tapped her exposed arm.
"Fukiyose-san, I have a question. May I?"
She turned her head calmly. "If it is about class material, I can answer."
Ding. Congratulations, Host. You have made contact with a two star character card.
Unlock condition: Kiss Fukiyose Seiri's forehead.
Ye Fei's expression froze.
His eyelid twitched.
Are you serious?
Of all possible activation conditions, it had to be this? Was he the kind of person who casually went around kissing classmates on the forehead?
This completely destroyed his image as a model student. Not to mention he would definitely be beaten by every jealous male student in the room.
What kind of morally bankrupt requirement was this?
"What exactly are you trying to ask?" Fukiyose frowned slightly when she noticed his strange expression.
Ye Fei inhaled deeply.
"Fukiyose-san… may I kiss your forehead?"
Silence.
Fukiyose blinked. "Are you… confessing to me?"
Her brows knit together in confusion. This quiet, well behaved classmate who usually kept a polite distance was suddenly saying something like this?
The noisy classroom instantly fell silent.
Then it exploded.
"What is happening? Ye Fei is confessing to the Iron Wall Chairwoman?"
"He is done for. One punch and he is finished."
"I respect the bravery though."
A loud slam echoed as someone hit a desk in shock.
Fukiyose straightened, regaining her composure.
"I am sorry, but I have no intention of dating before I finish my studies."
Disappointed groans filled the classroom.
Ye Fei scratched his head.
"What if I insist on kissing you?"
The room went silent again.
Several students questioned whether they had heard correctly.
Fukiyose's gaze turned sharp.
"Do you understand what you are saying?"
"Yes." His heartbeat thundered in his chest. "I want to kiss your forehead."
He was finished. Absolutely finished. His reputation was dead.
"Do you dare?" Fukiyose clenched her fists. A vein pulsed faintly on her forehead.
"Dare."
With that single word, Ye Fei stepped forward. Under the stunned gazes of the entire class, he gently held her cheeks and pressed a quick kiss to her smooth forehead.
Time seemed to freeze.
Three seconds passed.
Fukiyose's face turned bright red. Her breathing grew uneven. She shoved Ye Fei back violently, grabbed a nearby chair, and swung it toward him.
"Ye Fei, you shameless idiot! Go to hell!"
"I am kissing you for the sake of saving the world!" Ye Fei dodged awkwardly while saying something that sounded completely insane.
"If that is your excuse, I will save your brain with my fists!"
She threw a punch toward his head.
Previously, Ye Fei would not have dared provoke trouble. He lacked both strength and confidence. But now things were different. He had a foundation. He needed growth.
Ding. Congratulations, Host. Two star card unlocked.
Reward obtained: Advanced Observation Haki.
Advanced Observation Haki
Origin: One Piece.
A perception type ability that enhances the five senses to extraordinary levels. It allows the user to sense the presence, emotional fluctuations, and hostile intent of surrounding targets. At advanced levels, it can predict incoming attacks and anticipate short term future movements.
A strange clarity flooded Ye Fei's mind.
Fukiyose's movements slowed in his perception. The trajectory of the chair, the shift in her shoulders before striking, even the subtle tension in the air were all clearly visible.
He tilted his head slightly.
The thrown book narrowly missed him.
"So this is Observation Haki…"
Even in a world as dangerous as this one, early stage predictive awareness was extremely valuable.
"What are you mumbling about? Stand still!"
The sounds of chaos filled Class 7.
"This is serious! Someone go get Komoe-sensei!"
...
Inside the teachers' office.
Komoe-sensei stood with one hand on her hip and the other pointing at the two troublemakers. Despite her petite appearance, her expression was unusually serious.
"Alright. I want an explanation."
Ye Fei scratched his cheek and glanced sideways at Fukiyose.
Objectively speaking, that had been his first time boldly kissing a girl. It was… memorable.
Fukiyose caught his glance, her face flushing again. She snorted coldly and turned away.
"I will explain properly, Sensei."
Komoe puffed her cheeks.
"You two are usually well behaved. What exactly happened?"
Ye Fei stepped forward.
As a man, he should take responsibility.
"It was my fault."
"I should not have taken the initiative to kiss my classmate, Fukiyose."
Komoe-sensei blinked.
"...What?"