Zhang Ming managed to successfully steer clear of Reke for a few more days. Don’t get him wrong, there definitely were a few close calls… but he refused to let that deter him.
“You must be at your PE Class in approximately half an hour for Background Character D’s only Encounter.”
Zhang Ming almost jumped out of his skin.
‘What the heck, System! You startled me!’ （─.─||）
“…”
Zhang Ming inwardly sighed, ‘What “Encounter”?’
“Background Character D’s only Encounter, which are scenes that need to happen to progress the plotline, is his only dialogue.”
His eyebrows furrowed as he remembered it, ‘The one about participating in competitions?’
“Correct.”
‘Alright, I’ll be there.’
–
“I’m sure you’ve all seen the flyers around the school by now.” He started with a grin, the class erupted in excited whispers in response.
“Yes, yes. The annual Sports Festival is coming up in a week or so!” The teacher announced and clapped as the students followed suit. “Most of us PE teachers will now use all our classes as training time for the competitions.”
One of their classmates raised their hand.
“Yes?” The teacher said as he nodded to the student.
“Are indoor sports included in the Festival competitions as well?” The girl asked.
“Definitely! We have an official list of the competitions and details about them posted on the bulletin board by the entrance of the school. Make sure to look through it everyone! Now, any other questions?”
Zhang Ming raised his hand.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Do we all have to participate in competitions?” Zhang Ming asked somewhat softly after getting a go ahead from the teacher, making Elizabeth turn to look at him.
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Some of the students who thought they could use this as an opportunity to go out with friends or stay at home instead could only groan in disappointment.
“You have successfully finished your Encounter.”
For once, Zhang Ming pops up at the World System’s words. ‘Does this mean I can act differently from Background Character D?’
“While this is Background Character D’s only Encounter, Background Character D is still present in other character’s encounters. Therefore, you may not ‘act differently’ or face punishments.”
Zhang Ming could only grimace at the answer.
Great, just great.
While he blanked out to talk with World System, the teacher had already wrapped up the announcement.
“With that out of the way, follow me to the school gym for some practice!” The teacher cheerfully said and waved a hand.
Zhang Ming sighed before following.
As soon as he got there, he could already feel the sore pain he’ll be feeling very very soon.
Then he felt something grab him from behind. He almost falls backward with a yelp before he regains his footing, only to be tugged inside.
He finally is allowed to stand for himself when he is let go. He looked around to see it was the room where the volleyball team would store their equipment, then his eyes eventually found its way to the one who dragged him here.
Reke. Because who else would it be. (￣へ￣)
“Sorry for just grabbing you like that.” The boy said.
“You must not interact with the Second Male Lead. Background Character D has no Scenarios with this character.” Came the voice of the World System.
“I just didn’t know how else to get you to talk to me.” Reke continued.
“Continued interaction will be cause for further punishment.” Came the voice of the World System.
Zhang Ming’s eye would probably be twitching in frustration right now.
“The thing is I don’t want to talk to you.” He eventually says when it seems like Reke is waiting for a response.
“But why?”
“I don’t know, maybe because you’ve been trying to hound me around the school?” Zhang Ming couldn’t even try to keep the sarcasm in.
“Warning. Do not proceed or punishments will be given. Actors cannot act out of character.”
‘Shut up for a second.’ (눈_눈)
Reke almost deadpanned, “Wouldn’t ‘hound’ you around school if you stopped running off the minute you saw even a hair on my head.”
“I would stop ‘running off’ if you stopped trying to talk to me when I obviously don’t want to talk to you!” Zhang Ming snapped.
The next thing he knows, he feels a zap run through his spine. This time it’s a little stronger than the small jolt from the last time in the library. His face immediately betrays the pain he feels to the outside world.
But Reke doesn’t notice and thinks the expression is just accompanying the snapped statement.
“Breaking out of character. Punishment has been delivered. Continued interactions will equal worse punishments.” the World System says.
“At least let me apolo—”
“You must not interact with—”
“No! Just leave me alone!” Zhang Ming whisper-shouts in frustration.
Was he shouting at Reke? Was he shouting at the system?
Reke’s brows furrowed, “I just wanted to say I’m sorry—”
“Well, now you have. Please. Just go.” Zhang Ming grits his teeth with a restrained sigh.
Silence.
“You didn’t need to be so rude about it.”
“…”
“I get it. You won’t be seeing me anymore.”
Zhang Ming follows the sound of footsteps walking away from behind him.
As soon as he got home, Zhang Ming stepped into his room. Closing the door behind him, the room is basked in darkness. He sighs and leans his back against the door, sliding to the floor.
It seems like everything just keeps piling up.
He curls his knees into his chest and wraps his arms around them as he buried his face in them.
–
Small Extra:
Zhang Ming barged into the dining room, almost slamming his bedroom door open and kicking it close.
“Hey, bro—” Zhang Ling was cut off when her brother just grabbed his plate and bowl, piled food on it, then stomped right back to his room and closed it shut.
“What’s up with him?” Rose Zhang asked her husband.
Zhang Yefeng only shrugged while slurping some noodles.
Rose Zhang gave him a disapproving look. Zhang Yefeng ignores his wife’s look, and instead continues to enjoy his wife’s great cooking.
“PMS-ing probably.” Zhang Ling joked with a sharp grin.
Rose Zhang mimes hitting her with the wooden spoon in her hand.
“MA— I’M KIDDING— OBVIOUSLY IT’S NOT HIS TIME OF THE MONTH—”
Pfft his family seems nice.
But really, it must be quite the hell to essentially be restricted from random social life just because he’s “not supposed to” talk with the guy. If he didn’t have such strict punishments, he’d probably have a normal random conversation and be done with Reke LONG ago. At this point, I just want Reke to find out he’s a protagonist and be forlorn at how orchestrated and fake his life is.And then he should know the pains our little background character faces. Then maybe I’ll allow him to pursue baby Zhang Ming O^O
Ah srsly… you’re good at making me really hate that damn system xD At least he is allowed to breath? x’D
And I can also understand that/if Reke is hurt or annoyed by how harsh he’s treated, without reason (for him).
I’m really curious how you will solve all this.
Thx for the ch ٩( >ヮ<)۶
System, just give him some freedom 😭
Thanks for the chapter 💜
This system is incredibly frustrating. Limiting him like that and having no understanding of how the other NPCs might have an actual personality and free will is infuriating. Also, like, why isn’t our main girl getting zapped? I feel like she should be receiving some of the burden too.
Also: thank you for the chapter!
System cruelty… tyfc ❤️❤️❤️