Chapter 14: Drama and the Leading Actor
“Mr. Dan!” Hoshino Kirara’s eyes lit up the moment Dan stepped through the door. She lifted her skirt slightly, hurrying to him with small steps, tilting her head up, her cheeks flushed with shy excitement.
“Mr. Dan, our class is putting on a play for the campus festival. So… would you be willing to play the male lead in my script?”
Dan gazed at the blushing, eager girl before him, his lips curling into his signature gentle smile. He bowed elegantly, taking her hand and lightly kissing the back of it.
“To be invited by such a lovely lady and star in your carefully crafted play is my honor.”
His voice was low and magnetic, like a melody brushing against the heartstrings.
Amid the squeals of nearby girls, Hoshino Kirara’s face turned as red as a boiled shrimp, practically fainting from joy.
Fengxiang Hong rubbed her forehead helplessly. Just how much charm did this guy pour into Kirara?
Mizuse Kazuha shook her head with a faint smile, likely recalling her own youthful daydreams.
Dan looked up, his gaze sweeping the classroom before landing on Dongfang Cheng, slumped over his desk, cap covering his face, fast asleep.
The man strolled to Dongfang Cheng’s desk, his slender fingers gently pinching the brim of the black baseball cap and lifting it, revealing the boy’s irritated, sleep-disturbed face.
“Dongfang,” Dan said with a smile, his clear voice carrying across the room, ignoring the boy’s murderous glare. “I’ve read Kirara’s script—it’s brilliant. There’s a crucial male role: the female lead’s childhood friend and fiancé, a righteous, brave young knight, her first admirer and steadfast suitor.”
“He’ll face off against my character, the male lead, in a thrilling rivalry for the heroine’s heart, culminating in a fateful life-or-death duel. Tragically, my character defeats and kills him. So, Dongfang, interested in tackling this tragic role?”
“Got a cow? Play it. Scram.”
Dongfang Cheng tuned out after the first third, itching to snatch his cap back, punch this guy, and go back to sleep.
But Mizuse Kazuha, their homeroom teacher, looked at him encouragingly. “Dongfang, this is a rare chance to grow and bond with classmates and teachers.”
Hoshino Kirara chimed in instantly. “Yeah, exactly! Dongfang Cheng, if you dare refuse, this lady won’t let you off! Plus, acting with Mr. Dan is an honor!”
Other classmates, especially the girls, joined in, creating a weird “refuse and you’re the class enemy” vibe around him.
Dongfang Cheng eyed the scene, then Dan’s “let’s see what you choose” expression, and finally let out an irritated “tch.” “…Whatever.” He grumbled through gritted teeth, yanked his cap back, slapped it over his face, and resumed sleeping.
But to his surprise, amid the class’s uproar, Lin Feng didn’t join in as usual. He just looked at Dongfang Cheng with a complex expression, then at Dan, his brows furrowing slightly.
“Hey, you okay?” After homeroom, Lin Feng nudged Dongfang Cheng lightly.
“Leave me alone.” A muffled reply came from the boy’s folded arms. Lin Feng, sensing the mood, didn’t press further.
After school, the teachers’ office was quiet, save for the wind outside. Only Lin Feng and Dan remained, face to face.
“Lover,” Lin Feng cut straight to the point, voice low. “What’s your game? Why drag Dongfang Cheng into this?”
Dan leisurely tidied his lesson plans, then looked up, his flawless smile intact.
“What’s that, Mr. ‘Technician’? I’m just inviting a student with stage presence to join a class activity. Isn’t that normal teacher-student interaction?”
“Cut the act.” Lin Feng’s gaze sharpened. “Targeting Meteor Yellow and setting up a ‘rival’ role? I’m the better fit. I know more about magical girls, and I’d nail the lines better than Dongfang Cheng.”
Dan raised a brow, his smile turning playful. “Self-nominating for the role? Didn’t peg you for an aspiring actor.”
His tone cooled. “But my choices have their reasons. That’s none of your business, little logistics researcher.”
Lin Feng scoffed inwardly. Typical arrogance, looking down on tech staff.
“Speaking of—” Dan said casually, “the office is awfully quiet today. Weren’t some teachers supposed to stay late?”
“Maybe they had last-minute business.” Lin Feng’s expression didn’t flicker.
He wasn’t about to admit he’d used fake letters to clear out the other teachers and looped yesterday’s footage on the hallway and office cameras.
“Heh, Mr. Technician’s quite popular,” Dan said with mock admiration, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Always making sure everyone’s conveniently busy. Impressive skills.”
“Likewise.” Lin Feng’s reply was icy. “One warning: I won’t meddle with Hoshino Kirara, but Dongfang Cheng’s not a target. He’s irrelevant. Keep him out of your dirty plans.”
Dan’s smile turned colder, as if he’d heard a hilarious jab.
“Oh? Dirty plans? Coming from you, that’s rich.” He clasped his hands on the desk, his soft voice sharp as a blade. “I almost forgot, Mr. ‘Technician’ is one of us.”
“What’s this? Feeling pity for ‘irrelevant’ people now? Or—”
He narrowed his eyes, dragging out his words. “Are you a bit too concerned about this Dongfang fellow?”
Lin Feng’s face darkened. “I just don’t want unplanned variables messing with Her Majesty’s grand design. Dongfang Cheng’s impulsive and hot-headed. If provoked, he’s unpredictable, which benefits neither of us.”
He locked eyes with Dan, enunciating each word. “Don’t cross the line. Or I can’t guarantee you’ll leave this school in one piece.”
Dan’s smile faded slightly. He held Lin Feng’s gaze for a moment, as if weighing the researcher’s threat.
Finally, he chuckled, grabbed his briefcase, and turned to Lin Feng.
“Lin Feng, your advice is noted.”
“But—teachers have their methods. No need for a caring student like you to worry.”
With that, he walked out without looking back, leaving Lin Feng standing there, brows knit tightly.
The door clicked shut.
The air stilled for a moment, and Lin Feng exhaled slowly.
At least now, he had a justified reason to move against Dan. A Ghost-level cadre provoking a Dragon-level like himself was a serious overstep in the organization. Whether Dan knew he was Dragon-level didn’t matter.