Chapter 104: 104 | Game

Vivian walked through the school gates.

She kept her head up.

At least, she tried to.

Her stomach was still tight.

She could feel people looking at her.

Maybe they weren't actually looking.

Maybe she was imagining it.

Either way, she didn't slow down.

Her phone vibrated.

She pulled it out.

Sarah: You there?

Vivian smiled.

Vivian: Just arrived.

Sarah: Good.

Vivian: Don't worry.

Sarah: I wasn't worried.

Vivian: Liar.

A few seconds passed.

Sarah: Fine. Maybe a little.

Vivian smiled again.

Then another message arrived.

Sarah: Remember what we agreed.

Vivian stared at it.

No secrets.

No manipulation.

No pretending.

And if something made her uncomfortable, she would say it.

Vivian typed:

Vivian: I remember.

Sarah: Good.

Vivian put her phone away.

She continued toward the main building.

She hadn't gone far when someone called her name.

"Vivian."

She stopped.

She already knew who it was.

She slowly turned.

A guy stood several meters away.

He was dressed in the school uniform, his bag hanging from one shoulder.

His expression was awkward.

Not angry.

Not anymore.

Just embarrassed.

Vivian recognized him.

Daniel.

The same guy from yesterday.

He approached.

"Can we talk?"

Vivian's first instinct was to leave.

But she remembered what she had told Jason.

She wasn't going to hide.

She wasn't going to let someone else's reaction determine whether she could walk through her own school.

So she nodded.

"Fine."

Daniel stopped in front of her.

"I wanted to apologize."

Vivian blinked.

"For yesterday?"

"Yeah."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I was an idiot."

Vivian didn't answer.

"I shouldn't have gotten angry when you rejected me."

"You shouldn't have."

"I know."

He looked genuinely uncomfortable.

"I said some things I shouldn't have."

Vivian crossed her arms.

"Yes."

Daniel nodded.

"I don't expect you to forgive me."

"Good."

He looked surprised.

Vivian almost smiled.

"But I accept your apology."

Daniel nodded.

"Thanks."

He started to leave.

Then stopped.

"Can I ask you something?"

Vivian immediately became cautious.

"What?"

"About that guy."

Her expression changed.

"What guy?"

"The one from yesterday."

Vivian knew exactly who he meant.

"Jason?"

Daniel nodded.

"Yeah."

Vivian remained silent.

Daniel hesitated.

"Are you two together?"

"No."

The answer came naturally.

Then she remembered the rules.

No pretending.

She added:

"Not officially."

Daniel's eyebrows rose.

"Not officially?"

Vivian sighed.

"It's complicated."

Daniel gave a small laugh.

"Clearly."

She didn't explain further.

She didn't owe him that.

Daniel nodded.

"Okay."

He walked away.

Vivian watched him disappear into the building.

She let out a breath.

That wasn't as bad as she'd expected.

Her phone vibrated.

She checked it.

Unknown Number.

Vivian frowned.

The message was short.

Unknown: So you're not together?

She stared at it.

Her stomach tightened.

She looked around.

Nobody appeared to be watching her.

Another message arrived.

Unknown: Interesting.

Vivian immediately blocked the number.

She stood there for several seconds.

Then she opened her contacts.

Jason.

Her thumb hovered over his name.

She almost called.

Then stopped.

No.

She could handle this.

That was what she had said.

She had asked for independence.

She wasn't going to abandon that the moment something uncomfortable happened.

Vivian put her phone away.

Then continued to class.

---

Across town, Jason sat at Sarah's kitchen table.

He held a cup of coffee.

He hadn't taken a sip.

Sarah noticed.

"You're doing it again."

Jason looked up.

"What?"

"Thinking."

"I'm allowed to think."

"Not like that."

He frowned.

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to solve a murder."

Jason looked at his coffee.

"I'm just wondering if Vivian is okay."

Sarah nodded.

"Me too."

Jason looked at her.

"You aren't angry?"

"About what?"

"That I'm worried about her."

Sarah stared at him.

Then smiled.

"No."

Jason relaxed.

"Really?"

"Really."

She sat across from him.

"Being your girlfriend doesn't mean I suddenly stop caring about people."

Jason smiled.

"That's one of the reasons I love you."

Sarah smiled.

"Good answer."

Jason took a sip of coffee.

Then his phone vibrated.

He immediately looked down.

Sarah laughed.

"See?"

Jason ignored her.

He opened the system.

[Temporary Quest.]

[Phase Three Progress: 30%.]

[Time Remaining: 4 Days, 14 Hours, 26 Minutes.]

He frowned.

No movement.

He closed it.

Sarah watched him.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Good."

Jason looked at her.

"You really don't want to know?"

Sarah shook her head.

"When you're ready to tell me something, you'll tell me."

Jason felt a strange pang of guilt.

He wanted to tell her.

More than anything.

But the system's restriction remained.

He couldn't reveal it.

Not without consequences.

Sarah stood.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"I have an idea."

Jason raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of idea?"

She smiled.

"Let's go shopping."

Jason stared at her.

"Again?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I need something."

"What?"

"A dress."

Jason laughed.

"You dragged me here to be your shopping assistant?"

"Exactly."

"Do I get paid?"

"No."

"Then I'm filing a complaint."

Sarah laughed.

"You're coming."

They left the apartment.

---

Vivian sat in the back row of the classroom.

She tried to focus.

She really did.

But the anonymous messages kept bothering her.

She hadn't received another one.

That should have made her feel better.

It didn't.

Someone knew about Jason.

That wasn't unusual.

But the wording bothered her.

So you're not together?

Why did someone care?

Vivian looked around.

Nothing seemed strange.

Class began.

She forced herself to concentrate.

An hour passed.

Then another.

By lunch, she had almost forgotten about it.

Almost.

She walked into the cafeteria.

Her friend Maya waved.

"Vivian!"

Vivian smiled and walked over.

"You disappeared yesterday."

"I had something to do."

Maya looked at her.

"With Jason?"

Vivian nearly choked.

"What?"

Maya laughed.

"I saw you two."

Vivian froze.

"You did?"

"Yesterday."

Maya leaned closer.

"You two looked close."

Vivian didn't know what to say.

Maya grinned.

"Are you dating?"

Vivian shook her head.

"No."

Maya's smile became more curious.

"Then why were you looking at him like that?"

Vivian looked down.

"I don't know."

Maya stared at her.

"You like him."

Vivian sighed.

"Apparently."

Maya smiled.

"Finally."

"Finally?"

"I've been waiting for you to admit it."

Vivian stared.

"You knew?"

"Everyone knew."

Vivian's face warmed.

"Everyone?"

"Not everyone."

Maya laughed.

"But enough people."

Vivian wanted to disappear.

Then Maya's expression changed.

"Wait."

"What?"

"Isn't Jason dating Sarah?"

Vivian became quiet.

"Yeah."

Maya stared.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"That's..."

"Complicated."

Maya nodded slowly.

"Very."

Vivian expected judgment.

It never came.

Instead, Maya asked:

"What are you going to do?"

Vivian thought about it.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I'm not going to chase him."

Maya nodded.

"Good."

"But I'm also not going to pretend I don't feel anything."

Maya smiled.

"That's probably the healthiest thing you've said."

Vivian laughed.

"I've been getting advice."

"From who?"

Vivian smiled.

"Sarah."

Maya nearly dropped her fork.

"Sarah?"

Vivian nodded.

"You two talked?"

"Yesterday."

"And she's okay with you liking her boyfriend?"

Vivian shook her head.

"She isn't exactly okay with it."

"Then?"

"She's trying to understand."

Maya stared at her.

"That's... surprisingly mature."

Vivian smiled faintly.

"Yeah."

She looked down at her food.

"I don't want to hurt her."

Maya nodded.

"Then don't."

"I won't."

The conversation ended there.

Vivian felt lighter.

At least someone knew.

She didn't have to carry everything alone.

Her phone vibrated.

She pulled it out.

Another anonymous message.

Unknown: You should be careful.

Vivian's smile disappeared.

She stared at the screen.

Unknown: People are already talking.

She immediately blocked the number.

But this time, her hands were shaking.

---

Jason and Sarah were walking through the shopping district.

Sarah entered a clothing store.

Jason followed.

She picked out several dresses.

"Which one?"

Jason looked at them.

"That one."

Sarah held it up.

"The black one?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't even look."

"I looked."

"At what?"

"Your face."

Sarah stared at him.

Then laughed.

"You're getting good."

"I've always been good."

"No."

She walked away.

Jason followed.

They spent nearly an hour inside the store.

Sarah eventually bought the dress.

Outside, she held the shopping bag.

"Thank you."

Jason smiled.

"For what?"

"Coming with me."

"Anytime."

She looked at him.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I think we should keep doing things like this."

"Shopping?"

"Not shopping."

She smiled.

"Just normal things."

Jason nodded.

"Yeah."

Sarah leaned against his shoulder.

"I don't want every day to become about Vivian."

Jason looked down at her.

"It won't."

"I want us to still be us."

"We will."

She smiled.

"Good."

They continued walking.

Then Jason's phone vibrated.

He looked down.

[Phase Three Progress: 32%.]

Jason stopped.

Sarah turned.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

She sighed.

"There you go again."

Jason laughed.

"Sorry."

He opened the system.

[Phase Three Progress: 32%.]

[External Variable activity detected.]

Jason frowned.

Another line appeared.

[Secondary Relationship under external pressure.]

His expression changed.

Vivian.

Something was happening.

He looked at Sarah.

"I need to check something."

Sarah nodded.

"Go ahead."

Jason stepped away and called Vivian.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

No answer.

Jason frowned.

He called again.

Still nothing.

Sarah walked closer.

"She isn't answering?"

"No."

Jason tried again.

This time, Vivian picked up.

"Jason?"

Her voice sounded normal.

Almost.

"Hey."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Jason frowned.

"You sound weird."

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

He hesitated.

"Did something happen?"

Silence.

Vivian finally said:

"No."

Jason knew immediately.

She was lying.

But he remembered the system.

He couldn't interfere.

He couldn't manipulate her.

He couldn't solve the problem for her.

So he asked the only thing he could.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Another pause.

"No."

"Okay."

Vivian sounded surprised.

"You're not going to ask?"

"I want to."

"Then why don't you?"

"Because you said no."

Silence.

Then Vivian whispered:

"Thank you."

Jason smiled.

"Anytime."

"I'll call you later."

"Okay."

She hung up.

Jason lowered the phone.

Sarah looked at him.

"What happened?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't push her?"

"No."

Sarah smiled faintly.

"Good."

Jason looked at her.

"How are you so calm?"

"I'm not."

She sighed.

"I'm terrified."

Jason blinked.

Sarah continued.

"But I trust her."

She looked toward the street.

"And I trust you."

Jason's chest tightened.

"Sarah..."

"Don't make me regret saying that."

He smiled.

"I won't."

She nodded.

Then her phone vibrated.

Sarah checked it.

Her expression changed.

"What?"

Jason looked at her.

She turned the screen toward him.

It was a message from Vivian.

Vivian: Sarah, can we talk tonight?

Sarah immediately replied.

Sarah: Of course.

Vivian: Alone.

Sarah looked at Jason.

He understood.

Sarah: Okay.

Jason felt uneasy.

Whatever Vivian had been hiding, she wanted to tell Sarah.

That was good.

At least, it should have been.

Then Jason's phone vibrated.

[Phase Three Progress: 35%.]

Jason stared.

Sarah noticed his expression.

"Something happened."

Jason looked at her.

"Maybe."

She waited.

Jason looked toward the street.

He had no idea what Vivian was going to tell Sarah.

But whatever it was, the system considered it important.

---

That evening, Vivian stood outside Sarah's apartment.

She stared at the door.

Her hand hovered over the bell.

She had spent the entire afternoon thinking about what to say.

There were too many things.

The anonymous messages.

The rumors.

The guy from school.

Her feelings for Jason.

The fear that everything would become worse.

She finally pressed the bell.

The door opened.

Sarah smiled.

"Come in."

Vivian entered.

Sarah closed the door.

"Jason isn't here."

"I know."

"Good."

They sat down.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Sarah said:

"You wanted to talk."

Vivian nodded.

"I did."

"About what?"

Vivian took a deep breath.

"Someone has been messaging me."

Sarah's expression changed.

"What kind of messages?"

"Anonymous."

She handed over her phone.

Sarah read them.

Her face became serious.

"When did this start?"

"This morning."

"Did you tell Jason?"

Vivian shook her head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to handle it myself."

Sarah looked at her.

"And can you?"

Vivian hesitated.

"I don't know."

Sarah handed the phone back.

"Then you don't have to."

Vivian looked surprised.

"What?"

"You don't have to handle everything alone just because you promised not to make Jason solve your problems."

Vivian stared at her.

"There's a difference."

Sarah nodded.

"I know."

She smiled faintly.

"Being independent doesn't mean refusing help."

Vivian's eyes softened.

"Thank you."

Sarah leaned back.

"What else?"

Vivian became quiet.

"There is something else."

"What?"

"I think..."

She struggled to find the words.

"I think someone knows more than they should."

Sarah's expression sharpened.

"About you and Jason?"

Vivian nodded.

"Maybe."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

Sarah thought for a moment.

"Then we'll figure it out."

Vivian looked at her.

"We?"

Sarah nodded.

"We."

Vivian smiled faintly.

"Okay."

Sarah reached for her phone.

"First, we're going to save every message."

Vivian nodded.

"Then we're going to figure out where they came from."

"And then?"

Sarah smiled.

"Then we decide what to do."

Vivian nodded.

For the first time that day, she felt safe.

But neither girl noticed the phone lying on the table.

Its screen lit up.

A new message appeared.

Unknown: I told you to be careful.

Vivian's face went pale.

Sarah looked at the screen.

Then at Vivian.

Neither spoke.

Another message arrived.

Unknown: He isn't the only person being watched.

Sarah's expression hardened.

"Okay."

She picked up the phone.

"This just became serious."

Vivian nodded.

And across town, Jason's system panel suddenly opened by itself.

[External Variable Escalation.]

[Threat Level: Increasing.]

Jason stared at the notification.

Then another appeared.

[Phase Three Objective altered.]

[New requirement added.]

[Protect the integrity of the primary relationship without interfering with the secondary relationship's independent choices.]

Jason's expression became grim.

The system had finally given him something he understood.

He had to protect Sarah.

He had to respect Vivian's choices.

And somehow, he had to do both without controlling either of them.

Jason looked at the countdown.

[4 Days, 02 Hours, 47 Minutes.]

He slowly clenched his fist.

The situation was no longer just complicated.

Someone else had entered the game.

And this time, Jason had no idea who was holding the cards.