Multiversal Chat Group: The Cultivator

"My dearest friend, want some snacks?"

Ren Asakura handed a bag of snacks to Megumi Katou.

Megumi spoke softly, "Ren, class is about to start. We're not allowed to eat during class."

Ren waved his hand dismissively. "No worries. This is my way of bribing you. If the teacher comes, just give me a heads-up. With your stealth-like presence, you can definitely warn me without getting caught."

Megumi sighed but accepted the snacks, tucking them into her bag to eat at home later.

The friend she made was somehow completely immune to her low presence.

Though Ren Asakura was carefree and a bit of a problem child, he wasn't a bad person.

If you ignored his constant antics, he was actually a decent guy.

---

Shizuka Hiratsuka stepped into the classroom and immediately spotted Ren Asakura—who had been absent for ten days—sitting at his desk, head down, playing a game.

Megumi Katou, noticing the teacher's arrival, cleared her throat lightly.

"Ahem."

Ren, fully engrossed in his team fight, didn't react at all.

Shizuka walked closer, her eyes cold as ice.

Although the principal had already explained that Ren had taken an official leave, she was still annoyed.

"Ahem!"

Megumi coughed a little louder.

Still no response from Ren.

By now, Shizuka had reached his desk, watching as he focused intensely on his game.

The other students turned to watch, eager to see some entertainment unfold.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!!"

Megumi coughed again. Even with her low presence, the teacher finally noticed her.

Shizuka cast her a questioning look, and Megumi's face turned slightly red.

All this effort… just for a bag of snacks.

Ren, however, remained completely immersed in his game.

"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!!"

Megumi decided to give it one last try.

It's not that she wasn't trying hard enough—her teammate was just too useless to carry.

Shizuka sighed.

"Katou, if you're not feeling well, you should go rest properly."

Then she turned back toward Ren, still deep in his game.

Her patience ran out instantly.

She grabbed his shoulder and, with gritted teeth, growled—

"After ten whole days of skipping class, Ren Asakura, you sure know how to give me a big surprise on your first day back."

This time, Ren finally snapped out of his game.

He looked at Shizuka, who was right in front of him, then at Megumi, who had subtly turned her head away.

His mind raced.

Then, with a sudden stroke of genius, he blurted out—

"Ah! Shizuka, you look even more beautiful today. Love life progress—highly promising!"

Shizuka Hiratsuka felt the flames of rage explode within her.

But with so many students around, she had no choice but to suppress her fury.

Through clenched teeth, she said, "Ren Asakura, see me in my office after class."

The classroom fell silent.

Countless sympathetic gazes turned toward Ren.

Single women of a certain age have some untouchable boundaries—like their relationship status.

---

After class, in the teachers' office…

Ren walked in like a warrior facing execution.

By this time, Shizuka Hiratsuka had already calmed down.

She had long accepted the reality of having this problem child in her class.

But what Ren didn't expect—was to see the Great Teacher himself, Hachiman Hikigaya, standing there.

"Hey, Hachi! You got called here too? What kind of disaster did you cause?"

Ren strolled up casually.

Hachiman remained the same as ever—lifeless dead-fish eyes, a detached expression, completely uninterested in anything.

"When did you get back? I thought I'd never see you again." Hachiman muttered.

Ren grinned. "I'm an excellent student."

Hachiman scoffed. "An excellent student who spends half his time skipping class?"

After school started, students naturally formed their own social groups.

Because of his accident on the first day, Hachiman had returned to school late, only to find himself isolated.

Combine that with his naturally awkward personality—he ended up completely alone.

Only the sunshine, carefree, problem child Ren Asakura had gone out of his way to talk to him.

And just like that, they became friends.

After all, this was the Great Teacher Hachiman—the master of twisted logic and self-destructive problem-solving.

---

Shizuka Hiratsuka held an essay in her hands.

Then, she looked up at the two problem children standing in front of her.

With a deep sigh, she muttered, "Why… why do I have both of you in my class?"

Ren beamed proudly. "Shizuka, aren't you honored to have both of us in your class?"

Shizuka inhaled deeply. "Stay calm… the dizziness is normal…"

After steadying herself, she continued, "Let's start with Hachiman. Do you remember the assignment I gave in class?"

Hachiman awkwardly looked away. "A reflective essay about high school life."

Shizuka picked up his paper.

"Then why… WHY did you write an anti-social, borderline-anarchist rant? And at the end… why did you suggest mass destruction?!"

Ren Asakura interjected.

"Teachers think that for us introverts, 'normies' should all just explode. I totally understand Hachiman's point—any normie with a girlfriend deserves to die."

Shizuka Hiratsuka rubbed her temples.

"How can you even say that? I'm your teacher! Suddenly, you just disappeared, do you know how many calls I made to you? Is my class really that boring?"

Ren raised his hand in defense.

"Shizuka, I was on leave."

Shizuka tried to calm herself down.

"Did you tell me you were on leave?"

Ren gave a slight smile.

"I told the principal."

Shizuka's face darkened. "When?!"

Ren grinned. "Yesterday!"

Shizuka froze in disbelief.

"...!"

Hachiman stared blankly at Ren, then at the exchange.

Shizuka felt something snap inside her.

With a sudden movement, she threw a quick punch straight into Ren's stomach, but it was controlled.

Ren felt the punch, but there was no pain.

However, he decided to play along.

"Ah! I... it hurts... Shizuka, if you don't forgive me, I'll keep feeling this pain."

Hachiman watched Ren's horribly exaggerated acting.

"As expected, a person with no shame is truly invincible."

Shizuka Hiratsuka was genuinely frustrated.

Ren, aside from his somewhat awkward personality, was perfect.

He had the highest grades, never caused trouble, excelled in sports, and had top-tier social skills. He could skip class and still cover his tracks well—clean enough that no one could find fault.

Even Hachiman, who had been pushed to the outside by his peers, had found a friend in Ren.

Ren had friends even in the junior high section of the school.

It was safe to say Ren's friends were everywhere.

"Fine, fine, I forgive you."

Shizuka sighed helplessly.

Ren immediately jumped up joyfully.

"Oh yeah! I knew you were the best, Shizuka! Now I'm going to play games."

Ren turned and prepared to leave.

Hachiman stared at Ren in complete shock.

He couldn't believe it. He would never be able to do such an incredibly shameless thing.

"Stop right there! Who said you could leave?!"

Shizuka's voice rang out.

°°°

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