"Yaaaaay! A Z rank pull!" Jonathan yelled.

Jonathan celebrated hysterically as the other students in the room looked at him like an idiot.

"A Z rank pull!!??" Nicole thought to herself.

These two introverts, Jonathan and Nicole, played the same game but they didn't talk to each other. They weren't friends, nor lovers, nothing. It had been two months of school and they didn't even know each other, just two literal introverts. Nicole Anderson, born into a rich family, cute, pretty, with long black hair, brown eyes, and really wanted to talk about their favorite game but she couldn't overcome her shyness.

The game was called Zombie Outbreak where you controlled waifus to kill incoming zombies with a storyline. There was a gacha system where you could roll and get uncommon waifus, common, rare, legendary, and so on. The higher the rank of the character, the harder it was to get the pull.

"It's Maria Elizabeth!!" Jonathan yelled.

"Maria Elizabeth!!!" Nicole thought to herself.

Even how annoying Jonathan was in the classroom, people just let him be and continued on what they were doing. Even bullies just ignored him. Maria Elizabeth was a legendary pull and the most first legendary pull of Jonathan. Nicole had been really lucky mostly because she always got legendary pulls but never got Maria Elizabeth.

Jonathan and Nicole were once extroverts when they were young and turned into introverts during and after the pandemic when they reached grade 8. They needed to do a lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading. Oh right, Jonathan, who came from a normal life family, handsome, dark hair, brown eyes, joined a long running gang when he was in grade 4 to 7.

All the gang did was to go around bullying people outside of the school or inside. These were the rumors people heard and the reason why they feared him was because Jonathan was a top 4 feared one in the gangs. They were afraid of him because he may have a lot more experience of fighting than them, which the rumors were actually true. He looked like some kind of kid in his teens with an Inner Beast inside him. He still had tattoos around his body that he hid from everyone.

The pandemic called Dotted Virus when they were in grade 8 was the reason why they turned introverts because they were focused on social media and gaming. All of Jonathan and Nicole's friends went to different schools, leaving them behind.

Clack

Oh wait, who's that?

Clack

Looks like we have a new character.

Clack

It is

Clack

Marylin Jones, beloved sister of Jonathan. Jonathan and Marylin had a normal relationship when they were young but somehow gained a different kind of relationship in their teens. It was called complex, but a different kind of complex. Jonathan gained a sister complex when he started watching romance shows that sometimes show brothers and sisters giving too much love to each other. The same went for Marylin. In seating arrangement, Marylin sat beside Jonathan and Nicole sat in front of him.

"Hi brother" Marylin greeted Jonathan after taking a seat.

"Yow" Jonathan replied.

"Yow? Seriously yow? That's the best thing you got onichan?" Marylin thought to herself.

Marylin moved her chair near to Jonathan. She grabbed his head and put her mouth closer to his ear.

"Brother, that is not the proper way to greet someone. How about giving me a kiss to show your proper greetings and love for me" Marylin whispered to Jonathan's ear.

"Wh-what? What is happening right now? And did she just say kiss? Is this incest? And how can I reject a legendary offer from my sister? Y-you know what, say less, anything for my sister to be happy" Jonathan thought to himself.

Jonathan closed his eyes, ready for a mouth-to-mouth kiss. His face went closer, but he felt air like there was no one there and touching air. Jonathan opened his eyes, Marylin was back to her seat blushing and kicking the air under his chair. Jonathan felt the embarrassment and hid under his table. Marylin meant for a kiss on the cheek but she was also thinking about a mouth-to-mouth kiss.

A lot of people around the room saw the scene including Nicole, who had their mouth wide open with shocked faces. They couldn't even believe what they just saw.

"What the fuck are these two's relationship?" Nicole thought to herself.

Riiiiiiiiiinnnnngggggg

The bell of lunchtime rang. Jonathan and his sister went straight to the cafeteria, ordered food and went to a vacant table.

While Nicole, holding her food in the middle of the cafeteria, had nowhere to go and was looking around for a vacant seat. Jonathan looked around while eating, he saw Nicole with a puzzled face and she was like in a war.

"Nicole! Over here!" Jonathan shouted.

Nicole looked where the shouting came from. Jonathan was waving his hand and pointing to an empty seat in their opposite seat. Jonathan just pitied Nicole. Even how introverted he was, he would try to overcome some things.

Nicole went over to Jonathan and Marylin and took a seat.

"Th-th-thank you" Nicole said.

"Yeah, but there's an exchange" Jonathan replied.

"An-and exchange? You literally offered me a seat and needed an exchange? Okay, what exchange? I have money, things or Pervy thoughts with Jonathan"

"Your homework" Jonathan said.

"Oh assignment" Nicole thought and nodded, but suddenly blushed after remembering herself imagining pervy thoughts.

So it wasn't pity, but homework.

"Brother, you can cheat my assignment after this" Marylin said to Jonathan.

"Oh, so what's the exchange then?" Jonathan asked.

When Jonathan was young, he always did things for free. So when he realized what he was doing, he kept in mind that everything he did needed to have an exchange.

"A sniff on the thighs?" Jonathan thought out loud.

The two choked on their food. Jonathan panicked and thought of things to change the subject.

"How about $1?" Jonathan said.

Nicole hastily took out a dollar and gave it to Jonathan. Such an embarrassing situation for Jonathan. He just continued eating his food.

"My my, Nicole, how much do you know about my brother? And brother, don't think about pervy stuff" Marylin asked and said, trying to boost the mood.

"It is null, this is the first we talk to each other" Jonathan answered.

Nicole just thought about the two, mostly what happened that morning. That was the very first time the two siblings did that stunt.

"Well Nicole, how about the two of you get to know each other. My brother doesn't even have a single friend in this school and just talks to me and only plays on his PC on the weekends. So how about the two of you hang around and play or talk or anything." Marylin said to the two.

"More like a date to me." Jonathan thought to himself.

"Well, I could use help to defeat the game on hard mode and he is the only one I know who plays the same game as me" Nicole thought to herself.

They both started daydreaming and poof, went to their senses. Nicole ordered Jonathan to give his phone to her. Jonathan opened his Webook app and gave Nicole his phone. When Nicole saw his profile picture, she got carried away and blushed at the handsome profile picture. Jonathan looked more handsome and different on his profile, but maybe because of the haircut.

Nicole used Jonathan's phone and friended herself on the app and gave Jonathan his phone back. Then Jonathan looked at his phone, he was met by the beautiful face of Nicole's profile picture.

"Fight it Jonathan, fight it!" Jonathan thought to himself.

"I want him in this haircut right now!" Nicole thought to herself while admiring Jonathan's profile picture.

"Want to play Zombie Outbreak later or tonight?" Nicole asked.

"Okay" Jonathan replied.

"Why do I feel like these two will get into a romance story?" Marylin thought to herself.

Quote For The Day (I made it):

"I haven't married you in this world, not until my ending. But in the next world, I will marry you, and I will regain the true ending."

*Riiiiiiinngggg*

Ahhh, the bell of dismissal, the 2 strangers actually talk to each other's like friends during class until dismissal.

"Hey, why don't the 2 of you hang around? Make sure to not get late" Marylin said

"Nah, I'll go home, I have no mo-"

Marylin grabbed his brother's hand and gave him money.

"I am not sure what does money do while the 2 of you hang around but take this, I don't want to see you again playing games all night" Marilyn said

Marylin kissed his brother on the cheek and started to walk home alone.

"You know, I could hang out with you-!"

"What I want is to have a friendly relationship with someone, you can't even have a talk with a guy at school" Marylin shouted cutting Jonathan's line

Jonathan and Nicole were left alone in silence.

"What do you want to do?" Jonathan asked Nicole

"I... Don't know" Nicole replied

"How about we go to the park and play Zombie Outbreak? Let's go to the store to buy some snacks" Jonathan said

"Yeah, good idea"

Both of them started walking, both of them are in silence. Just looking at their surroundings like shy couples. Why won't these 2 just get along. They arrived at a nearby store. Nicole walks to the walk lane without looking at her surroundings.

Jonathan looked left and right.... There's a truck coming, Jonathan looked at Nicole and calculated. Nicole doesn't have enough time to reach the other end of the road. If Jonathan pushes Nicole, Nicole will live and he will get hit or die. If Jonathan ignores and idles, Nicole will get hit or die.

What is Jonathan going to do?

.........

"Oh I know, throughout calculation and ejaculation, we both, will live"

Nicole looked to his right because of a noise, there is a truck coming at her and have no time to move. She shrieked in horror as the truck come to her.

Suddenly, someone grabbed Nicole's hand with a strong force and hugged her tightly. The truck went past them at a swift moment. Nicole opened her eyes, Jonathan has his hand wrapped around her hugging tightly.

"Let go of me! Why are you hugging me!?" Nicole shrieked as she escaped from Jonathan's grasp

"Then what do you want me to do?" Jonathan asked

"You should have pushed me!" Nicole replied

"I would die, the truck has a big width and I have no time to escape" Jonathan replied

"Then you shouldn't have touched me" Nicole said

"Then you would die" Jonathan replied

"You should have pulled me away like some kind of sling throw!" Nicole said

"Well, there's a chance you will trip over and be hurt and bruised, if I keep holding your hand. We will both trip over because of your heaviness and you will be on the ground and I will land on top of you" Jonathan replied

"Then you should have used your feet like a brake pedal to stop the both of us from falling!" Nicole said

.......

Jonathan went silent

"Then I am sorry, I have no time to think more okay" Jonathan said

"Just forget about it, let's just go and buy snacks" Nicole said

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the plaza

"Nice game!" Jonathan celebrated as they finished their 25 minutes game

"Can you teach me some tips for the game later? You literally obliterated 75% of the zombies" Nicole said

"Yeah I'll teach you tonight" Jonathan replied

Jonathan looked around, there were a lot of people playing around, some were having a date, some were talking, confessing to their girl and lot more. Jonathan saw 2 kids playing badminton.

"Want to play badminton?" Jonathan asked

"If they want to share or give it to us" Nicole replied

Jonathan put his trash in his pocket and approached the 2, he asked if he could borrow their rackets and they gladly accepted.

"Nicole!" Jonathan shouted as he waved the other pair of racket

Nicole went to Jonathan and took the racket from him, she went to her position.

"I'll set Jonathan said

Jonathan threw the shuttlecock on the air and hit it going towards Nicole.

*Smack*

Nicole just spiked and the shuttlecock went straight to the ground, the 2 kids started laughing.

"The game just started, why are you spiking?" Jonathan complained

Nicole just smiled like a maniac, Jonathan picked up the shuttlecock and did a set again.

*Smack*

Nicole did a spike again ending the game early.

"You know what" Jonathan said going serious mode

Jonathan picked up the shuttlecock and threw it in the air and hit it. Nicole raised her racket for another spike again. But Jonathan is ready this time.

*Smack*

At an immense speed, Jonathan went to where the shuttlecock is going and hit it on time. Nicole and the 2 kids are in awe, but Nicole went back to her consciousness and hit the shuttlecock.

Jonathan hit it again, this is it, an epic battle has started.

*Tuktuktuktuktuktuktuk*

They started to make barrages of hits non stop.

*Tuktuktuktuktuktuktuk*

*Floom*

The shuttlecock burst into flame, the 2 kids panicked as they saw it burst into flame. The other people around on the plaza caught their eyes and started watching Jonathan and Nicole's battle at an immense speed hitting the shuttlecock.

*Tuk*

"Oh shit! It went the other way!" Jonathan thought to herself

He jumped towards the shuttlecock and hit it on time.

*Smack*

Nicole did another spike. You know what, enough is enough, Jonathan thought to himself. He hit it but he made it go to the sky. Jonathan raised his racket waiting for it to come down and

*Smack*

*Vrooooom*

*Tack*

The shuttlecock hit right on Nicole's forehead at a lighting speed. Nicole fell to the ground because of the strong impact

Jonathan was victorious, Jonathan looked around, people went back to what they were doing like nothing happened.

"Wow sir! That was cool!" One of the kids said to Jonathan

"Teach us! Teach us!" The other shouted

"Listen here kiddos, both of your body is not fit for my abilities and skill so wait till the both of you grow up" Jonathan replied

Jonathan looked at Nicole's body on the ground, her legs resting up revealing the panties from her skirt. He also looked at the shuttlecock near her, it was badly damaged and burned.

"Can both of you look that way?" Jonathan said to the 2 kids to prevent them from looking at Nicole's..... Aherm

"Oh yeah and here's some money to buy a new shuttlecock, sorry for burning it. There is a store right there to buy one" Jonathan added

Jonathan went to Nicole and put her legs down with his feet. He took the racket from her hand and gave it back to the 2 kids.

"Hey wake up Nicole, let's go home. It's getting dark" Jonathan said to Nicole

Nicole whimpers

"Th-th-thank you for the fun" Nicole said

Quote For The Day:

If you were a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber. Because you're the only one I can see myself spending forever"

"Girl, isn't reading boring?" Johnny said to Nicole

"Just shut up Johnny, I'm literally reading Inner Beast by TheLegend Season 3. The most peak season right now. The part where Mateo is getting 1 versus 4 by 4 powerful enemies. One of his friends who has the ability of lightning speed carrying their healer to heal Mateo during the fight without getting noticed"

Johnny went quiet, he opened his phone and started playing Zombie Outbreak. A girl named Maya, the classroom president of Jonathan and Nicole, burst into the classroom. She was practically radiating sunshine, her bright smile a stark contrast to the quiet hum of the students, mostly lost in their own little worlds.

"Good morning my fellow grade 9-Rose!" Maya announced

A few students mumbled greetings in return, but most remained focused on their devices, their eyes glued to screens filled with colorful pixels and flashing lights, including Jonathan and Nicole.

"I know you're all busy with your phones there, but there's some exciting news that will hopefully distract you from your phones for a bit"

She paused, her eyes scanning the room, taking in the expressions of apathy and mild annoyance on the faces of her classmates. Undeterred, she continued.

"You've been chosen for a very special project!" Maya declared, her hands raised in the air, emphasizing the importance of her announcement.

"This year, Grade 9-Rose will be responsible for putting on the annual school play!"

Complaints and groans can be heard from the students who are in the room. Oooooh a school play? Wonder what kind of school play.

"Oh my fucking shit, seriously, a role play?" Jonathan said silently, focused on his game

"A roleplay!? Now I will have no time to read this novel in the afternoon at home" Nicole also complained, silently

"I know, I know, it sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, it's going to be amazing! We're going to have a ton of fun, and I'm sure it will be a huge success. I've already been talking to the teachers and they've given us some amazing ideas"

Maya paused again, her eyes meeting Jonathan's, her expression turning mischievous.

"We're going to do something different this year. Something that's never been done before"

Maya leaned forward

"This year, we're going to put on a... a... magical play! A play that will transport us to a world of wonder and adventure, a world where anything is possible!"

Maya's voice grew louder as she spoke, her energy contagious, spreading a ripple of excitement through the classroom.

"I'm so excited, and I know you are too!" Maya declared, her smile lighting up the room.

With a final wave, she walked over to the board, her gaze fixed on his two fellow classmates, Jonathan and Nicole, who are still focused on their phone and near each other.

"So, who's ready to make magic?" Maya asked, her voice filled with anticipation

Maya, her energy crackling like a spark, surveyed her classmates with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"This year's play will be a story of forbidden love, perilous journeys, and a princess who can't speak a word!" She announced

The students, still reeling from the unexpected news, exchanged confused glances.

"This play will be called 'The Silent Princess,'" Maya continued

"And the roles have been carefully chosen."

She then proceeded to assign roles, by writing it on the blackboard. Jonathan don't want to see what Maya is writing by sticking their eyes on their phone.

- Jonathan, the stoic warrior: "You, my friend, are the brave and valiant knight who must rescue the princess."

Maya pointed at Jonathan, Jonathan threw his phone on the table and looked at the blackboard with a shocked face, Maya jumped with sweat on her head. Maya knows Jonathan's rumors, but she fights her fear. Nicole giggled.

"Oh nooooo, looks like Jonathan is the prince, I wonder who is the princess" Maya mockingly whispered to Jonathan, her eyes still on her phone

- Nicole, the Silent Princess: "And you, my dear, are the princess, whose heart speaks louder than any words." Maya looked directly at Nicole

Nicole's phone slipped down her hand falling to her table. Jonathan and Nicole just stared at the blackboard soulless.

"Ayiiieeeeeeee" people in the classroom ayied for Jonathan and Nicole's role

- The Sorceress: "Now, we need someone wicked, someone with a heart full of darkness."

Maya's gaze landed on a quiet girl named Lily, who always wore dark clothing and carried a mysterious aura.

"Lily, you're perfect for the part of the Sorceress."

"Okaaaay" Lily replied without hesitation

We know, he want to see the most fierest person in the room and the most silent person in the room, act in a romance way

- The King: "And of course, we need a wise and loving King!"

Maya turned to a tall, bespectacled boy named Daniel, who was usually found reading in the corner.

"Daniel, you have the gravitas for this role."

"Yeeeess ma'am!!" Daniel shouted

- The Royal Guard: "And to protect our kingdom, we need some brave guards!"

Maya pointed to a group of four athletic students, all of whom looked surprisingly excited to be part of the play.

"Yes ma'am!" The four shouted

Jonathan and Nicole were frozen in place. This was definitely not how they saw their lives unfolding. Well, this will be a good way to improve this two friends'relationship with each other. Both of them just stared at the ceiling above them.

"Now," Maya continued,

"We'll start the practice this afternoon. L I know this will be a lot of work, but I know you can do it. After all, this is more than just a play, it's a chance to explore the magic within ourselves! Any questions?"

Jonathan raised his hand, Maya including the others, felt a shock of fear, this might not be going well.

"Mama!" Jonathan shouted after raising his hand

The students around laughed after Jonathan called Maya 'mama'. Maya shakingly raised her hand pointing at Jonathan, her hand shaking.

"I-t's Maya Jonathan, I-Is there a-any q-q-question?" Maya asked, shakingly

"Is there a fuckin kissing scene!?" Jonathan asked angrily, still staring above

"W-well, y-yes.."

Jonathan hit the wall beside him with the side of his palm making the whole and the nearby classrooms shook, it's a good thing that it didn't make any cracks but looks like his strength and anger is coming back.

Nicole is more soulless than before

"Th.... There's really no need for a direct kiss, we can find a way to like cover it to think the audience both of you kiss but both of you were actually not" Maya replied

Smokes started to come out of Jonathan's nose like an angry bull. Is this really his anger? Is this the anger what he shows in the gang and while fighting? Is this the reason why he is the top 4 most feared person in the gang war?

"Tha-thats all for today now, I... I'll be going, remember to practice in the afternoon" Maya said and rushed outside

"Class president!!! This is your classroom!!!" The students inside the classroom shouted but Maya didn't hear it

Jonathan and Nicole were silent, looking up at the ceiling. Was it a bad idea to make him join?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Riiiiiiiiiinnnngggg*

"What room did the class president say? The room where we practice?" Jonathan asked Nicole

"The drama classroom" Nicole replied

Jonathan and Nicole went to the classroom, as they arrived. They found the other actors standing there, whispering. When they noticed Jonathan and Nicole standing on the door, they stopped their whispering.

"Okay, everyone, take your places!" Maya said after noticing Jonathan and Nicole

She seemed to be struggling to maintain her usual bubbly enthusiasm

The actors awkwardly shuffled into position. Lily, the Sorceress, stood in the middle of the room, her dark eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity. Daniel, the King, was perched on a chair, his brow furrowed in concentration. The four Royal Guards, all wearing makeshift armor made of cardboard and duct tape, stood at attention, their faces taut with anticipation.

Jonathan and Nicole stood near the back of the room, their eyes fixed on the floor.

"Let's begin with the opening scene,"

Maya said, her voice shaking slightly.

"The Silent Princess is being captured by the Sorceress. Lily, can you show us how you imagine this scene?"

Lily stepped forward, her movements graceful yet menacing.

"You will learn to be silent, Princess!"

Lily hissed, her voice a raspy whisper, as she grabbed a stuffed toy from the prop table.

"You will learn to submit to my will!"

She knelt down in front of the toy, her hand hovering over its head as if ready to strike.

Jonathan's eyes narrowed. It was as if a switch had been flipped, his anger replaced by a focus that radiated out from him like an invisible aura.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

"What do you mean?" Maya asked, her eyes wide with concern.

"I can't stand here and watch this. I have to protect the Princess," Jonathan said, his gaze fixed on Lily.

Lily chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound.

"It seems our brave knight is already in action."

"Jonathan, it's just a play..."

"This play is about protecting those who can't protect themselves," he said, his voice firm.

"This isn't about pretending. It's about standing up for what's right."

The other actors watched, their eyes darting back and forth between Jonathan and Lily.

"Maybe we should start over," Maya said

"I-it's just a play Jonathan, it will be hard to make another scene again"

Quote For The Day(Or I Don't Even Know If It's Good To Be A Quote, I got this one from my friend):

Forget about X and Y, how about U and I?