Chapter 51: Zakira’s Question (1/2)

“Jacob, I need to ask you something. Please answer truthfully...”

Fuck...

The way she is looking at me right now and after what we just discussed... I have a bad feeling about what she wants to ask me.

“... Have you noticed any strange behavior among your close friends lately?” She asks seriously.

Wait... What?

“Strange behavior among my friends? What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

How come my friends fit in here?

I thought that she will ask about my system or something...

“I mean, have you noticed any sudden change in their personality, which was not there before? Especially after the system ceremony?” she asks, pressing on.

After the system ceremony?

My only friends in school are Ryan and Leo and I have only met both of them once after the system ceremony, that is, yesterday.

But still, let’s see...

Ryan seemed completely like himself. I don’t think there was any change at all. Well, yes, he was a little sad about not getting any sex-related system but he also told me that the one he did get is relatively good with easy to earn point methods.

And Leo as well, he was same as... he was...

Wait a second. I didn’t notice, but yesterday, he really did seem different...

Usually, he likes to listen more and speak less, even among us, who are his friends. In fact, you can never guess it from afar that he is as big of a pervert as me and Ryan are, because of his silent nature.

But yesterday, he was more confident and outspoken than before. Even when we were making plans to meet at Ryan's house, he was the one to suggest most of the things including the games we should play and the snacks we should get... something which he had never done before.

And yes, there was one thing more which seems really strange. Every time Leo spoke, each and every word of his was drowned with extreme smugness.

He was also heavily indicating that something really good has happened to him and that it’s related to his system. Though he did not tell us why because of wanting to surprise us later.

“So, did you notice anything?” Zakira asks again, sounding slightly impatient.

Damn... I got lost in my own thoughts...

“Well, yeah... One of my friends, Leo, was acting a little weird but what does it matter to you?” I ask.

It makes no sense for Zakira to ask me this. She probably has never even seen Leo before...

“It does matter to me. Very much. I believe that it is the system of Leo which is somehow affected by what happened at the WST...” She tells me.

Wait....what the fuck!?

“How do you jump to that conclusion!? There is no way that’s possible! Everyone changes a little after they get infused with their system...” I say in disbelief.

And not just that. I am not going to say this to Zakira but it is not Leo’s but my system which is broken because of what happened at the WST.

“I know about that, Jacob, but I did not mean that in the exact sense. I want to know if his behavior changed... radically. And in fact, that is not even the main reason I believe Leo's system is affected...” Zakira answers.

Radically? I am not sure about that.

And anyway...

“What is the main reason for you to believe so?” I ask.

Zakira takes a deep breath in while staring into my eyes...

“It is because he is your friend, that I am confirmed of this...” she says.

...

“What!?” I exclaim loudly.

Nothing she is saying is making any sense! How the fuck do I enter the scene, all of a sudden now!

“Listen to me carefully, Jacob. I know, you must be getting a little confused by this but hear me out...