Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 40

Is This... Blackmail? 

The bus departed... while I was thoroughly... enjoying... Shizuka-san's thighs. Yeah, that makes no sense, but don't overthink it. Atena? C'mon, she wears slacks, not a skirt.

A high school girl's bare legs... ...vs... A high school girl's legs (through fabric)...

It's not even a contest. Of course, Atena was glaring daggers at me the whole time. So much for your 'easy-going' personality. ...Shizuka-tan's legs... were so smooth... ...Ugh, I'm such a creep.

Anyway, I was planning to call an ambulance after we got back to school. Not because I was sick. Because I wanted to savor the... afterglow... of her thighs on my cheek... while I... "volunteered"... for... stuff.

"Kashiwagi... sama. I need to talk to you. Alone."

For some reason, my classmate Akiyoshi-san, who I've basically just met, called out to me. (Wait, how can she be my classmate if I "just met" her? And this chick is dangerous. I really don't want to be alone with her.) I was about to politely decline when she shoved a memo into my hand.

Hmph. What's this? Has she fallen for me after just one day? Maybe I should send Tiara-chan a quick text: "Hey Tiara, you'll never guess! Akiyoshi is right next to me and..."

I was thinking about this total nonsense, grinning like an idiot, as I opened the note. It said: "If you don't come, I'll tell everyone about your 'Appraisal' thing."

...Ah. A 'novel' love letter... or... probably not.

I shot Shouko-san a text—"Gonna grab a bite to eat before I head home"—and followed Akiyoshi to... "Karakasa Sushi." Seriously? Grabbing sushi for a "quick bite"? Are we in the Edo period?! This is not where high schoolers hang out! ...Then again, this world doesn't have a single hamburger chain, so I guess it can't be helped.

"...Wait. Is this... a 'business opportunity'?"

"You really are the weirdest guy I've ever met."

You know, it's actually refreshing. I don't think a single girl has treated me with this level of contempt since I got here.

"...You know what? Don't you ever change."

"God, you're weird. ...But hey, none of my business."

She... sets up the hot water... for her own tea, while I'm ordering on the tablet. Just her own!

"So. What do you want?"

"What do I... want? I dunno. Just... wanted to talk, I guess?" I'm pretty sure that's code for "threaten you."

"Look, I'm on an allowance, so if you're after money, I don't have it. Or... is it my body you—"

"Hmph."

"Hey! Don't snort at me! ...But seriously, I was being so careful. I wasn't moving my mouth, I wasn't making a sound... how did you know I was 'doing that'?"

"Isn't it obvious? I've only had eyes for Tiara since elementary school. I fell in love three seconds after I met her. I think about her from 'good morning' to 'good night.' You really think you can fool me?"

"...Akiyoshi-san, why did you suddenly start this creepy confession?"

"It all started... in the second grade..."

"Is this... going to take a while?"

...It did. So, the short version is: "You think you can fool ME, the only one who can understand Tiara's voice, just by not moving your lips?!" The more she talks, the creepier she gets. She then proceeded to ramble on and on about Tiara's charms. ...Wait, do I even need to call this psycho "san"?

"...Okay, I'll ask again: what's your motive?"

"Motive? I don't have one. I just... figured, since you can 'talk' to Tiara, we could 'gush' about her together. ...Oh, and I needed to make sure you understood that I found her first. ...And I needed to warn you not to kick me out of the party, now that I know your 'secret'. ...And you'd better call me when you do 'that' with Tiara, you got it? ...And when you marry Tiara, I'll marry you too, so you'd better be grateful. ...And—"

"THAT'S A LOT OF 'ANDS'!"

So... wait. She... wasn't trying to blackmail me with the 'Appraisal' thing? She just wanted to 'fangirl' over her 'oshi'? ...But... I'm not... that obsessed with Tiara-chan...

"...And what is with that order? Tamago, inari, eel, tempura shrimp, and corn...?"

"I also got chawanmushi, ramen, french fries, and candied sweet potatoes. What about it?"

"You... doubled up on potatoes."

"I don't like raw fish! And regular potatoes and sweet potatoes are 'different stomachs'! Your order... it's all... shellfish... You're a high school girl, not a 50-year-old man!"

Akiyoshi... "went to powder her nose"... and just... paid the whole bill. I... have to admit, that was pretty cool of her. In a different way from Atena, she's... actually... kinda easy to be around.

---

...Okay, who cares about Akiyoshi! When I got home, I immediately started researching 'Levels,' 'Skills,' 'Classes,' and 'Blessings.' "Hmm..."

Okay, so the concept of "Levels" exists, but there's no way to check them. That matches what Shizuka said about "Appraisal not working on people." (Of course... that's just because no one who can has reported it.)

"Skills" seem to be a gray area. No one can confirm them, but it's assumed that 'passive' skills—like enhanced strength, speed, or sword techniques—might exist. On the other hand, "Active" skills, like "Attack Magic," are believed to be impossible unless you use a magic item.

"Classes" are just self-proclaimed titles. They don't have any actual effect. And "Blessings" (Gifts)... aren't mentioned at all.

"Well, for now... I'll just wait and see."

...By the way, I tried 'Appraising' some high-level Explorers in a video... but all I got was the 'model number' of the tablet.

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