Chapter 5:

First Lesson

Level Up at Love School

***

On the following morning, Svet-sensei greeted us in a classroom.

“Good morning, squad! I hope you’ve grown a bit more accustomed to this world and got some rest!”

As per the system's instructions, we were now attired in school uniforms, which drew my gaze to Sakura sitting beside me.

Like all the other girls, she wore a white long-sleeved shirt adorned with a charming green bow over her chest, matching her green skirt.

The boys' attire, in contrast, was more straightforward—white shirts, red ties, and black jeans, occasionally accompanied by a black suit jacket with green accents. The jacket, however, wasn't mandatory.

Back in our world, school uniforms weren't common, and they usually existed in the realm of anime.

While I marveled at Sakura's appearance, she caught me stealing glances and greeted me with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Kiss! D-did you sleep well?”

In truth, I did. Perhaps forging a friendship with her had eased my soul.

“No chit-chat during my class, dudes and dudettes! But damn, y’all swag is dope! First time seeing school uniforms!”

Svet-sensei couldn’t contain his excitement either. I was starting to like the weird guy.

He began writing something on the blackboard, muttering that what he was about to teach was the most critical lesson in Love School.

‘LOVE’.

Svet-sensei then turned to us and posed a question.

“So! Squad! We’re here to study love! What is love?”

“Baby, don’t hu-“

“Stop it, Plamen!”

A purple-haired boy with eyes the same shade, a pair of headphones dangling around his neck, attempted an ancient reference but was swiftly halted by Svet-sensei.

“Sorry, sorry, I just can’t resist when it comes to music, you know?” He responded with a broad grin on his face.

Maybe I was too preoccupied yesterday, but this morning, I noticed that when I kind of focus on a person, their name is revealed above them.

This person’s name was Plamen, he was our classmate, obviously.

“Well, Plamen, since you’ve already spoken up, tell me what ‘love’ is according to you?”

“Love is evol. Spell it backwards, I’ll show you.”

“Oooo, edgy! Anybody else? Ey yo, the green haired girl?” He pointed at Sakura.

“Oh, yes! Uhm…” She was definitely taken aback by the sudden attention, fiddling with her fingers. “I think that love… can mean something different for each person. For me, it’s something mysterious, intangible… and something you have to fight for.”

Sakura’s words triggered a memory from two years ago.

I was lying on the ground and she was leaning over me, screaming…

“Love is something you have to fight for!”

Drops of thick blood from her nose mixed with her tears fell onto my face.

While lost in the memory of her blood-streaked face, I was jolted awake by Svet-sensei's cool voice.

“Kiss! No dozing off in my class, dude!”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…!”

“So what’s love to you?”

“To me…” I hesitated, my gaze dropping to my desk.

What is love to me, anyway?

I don’t fully grasp it, to be honest. Intangible concepts eluded me.

But…

When I glanced at Sakura sitting right next to me, I knew I didn’t have to understand.

“To me,” I declared proudly, “love is the person that makes me feel warm. Love is the person I embrace every day. Love is a person that I want to spend every second of my life with.”

“Awww, look at that determination! Despite your appearance, you are quite the romantic, aren’t you?”

You tell me anything about appearances?!

“That was very beautiful, Kiss!” Sakura, or… Laska smiled at me again.

I hope she is gradually falling for me in this world, too.

“I am glad to say that all of the three answers we’ve got are actually… true!” Svet-sensei announced with his arms excitedly spread wide. “It does not matter how y’all describe love and what it means to you, because just as Ms. Laska said, it may mean something different to each person. Whether it is something intangible and mysterious, or something concrete in the form of a person, or even if you had unpleasant experience with love and you arrived at conclusion it is the evil of the world. It’s all of that. And much more.”

The teacher spoke in such a captivating manner that I got lost in his words.

“Now, open your books and read the first paragraph on the page no.…”

***

Four hours later, we'd completed our lesson on love. We discussed different forms of love, love's portrayal in various countries, its definitions, and the importance of distinguishing it from other feelings.

It dawned on me—I was indeed attending a place called Love School.

After our break, Svet-sensei led us outside to a playground-like area behind the school. Rows of heart-shaped doors stood side by side, like ordinary doorframes leading to nowhere.

“Alright squad! Welcome to the school’s training ground. Many of your lectures and tests will take place here.”

Tests? What is he talking about?

Then I remembered that I was at a place called Love School.

We were instructed to face the doors; each student had one at their disposal.

“Here’s your assignment: Imagine you’re in a relationship. And quell the situation.”

“What…? What kind of assignment is that?”

Before I could receive an answer, Svet-sensei gave a command, and all the doors swung open, pulling us into... another dimension?

Suddenly, I was surrounded by a breathtaking display of cherry blossoms. I found myself in some kind of a park, with people strolling around, as I sat on a bench.

How did I end up here?

And who are these people? NPCs?

All the individuals were paired up and had that heart shaped sign above their heads. That was a giveaway I didn’t leave Love School. Or… Romancia.

“I’m sorry I’m late!!”

I heard a female voice shouting from the distance and a girl was running my way.

I looked behind me to see who she was rushing to, but when I turned back, she was already in front of me, panting.

“Uhm… may I help you?”

“Did you wait long, Kiss?”

Huh?

The girl looked up at me, her face beaming with a warm smile. She was sweating, trying to catch her breath.

“Are you talking to me…” I spotted her name above her head, “…Brana?”

“Of course! Why are you acting so weird, Kiss? Are you feeling alright?”

I get it. This pink-haired girl with face of a doll is supposed to test me. But how do I discern whether she’s human or an NPC?

No, that’s not even important. I need to focus on clearing this assignment. I have to quell the situation, he said. But there doesn’t seem to be anything amiss here.

“O-oh, don’t worry about me, Brana. So… shall we go?”

I took a wild guess that we were supposed to go somewhere. She nodded and smiled again, while grabbing my arm as if she wanted me to lead her.

But where should we go?

I decided to just head the opposite direction she came from. We wouldn’t be meeting here if our destination was her way.

While we were striding down the road in the sakura park, Brana began reminiscing.

“This is the park we used to play as kids… do you remember those days, Kiss?”

“Uhm… yeah, how could I forget…? So what is your most cherished childhood memory?”

I played along and attempted to gather more information.

“My… most cherished memory…?” She released my arm, and her expression turned melancholy. “Uhm… it’s definitely that time you helped me find this bracelet I got from my mom…”

She showed me a silver bracelet on her left wrist with a tag that spelled ‘Brana’ and continued, “You searched for it for two whole days until you found it buried under the autumn leaves… You made me so happy, Kiss… and now… I want to make you happy.” She halted and clenched her fists.

“Huh…?”

“Kiss!!” She yelled, oblivious to the people around us, “Please, forget about her and let me stand by your side!!”

She looked incredibly nervous and it seemed her legs were shaking a little.

I get it. This is the time where I quell the situation! I need to make her comfortable!

In this test, I am perhaps still shaken from my previous relationship and this girl desperately tries to help me.

I need to open my heart and start seeing her the way she sees me!

I approached her and embraced her, compared to me, tiny body.

“It’s okay, Brana. Let’s forget about everything and love each other forever!”

[Damage: -25 HP.]

What?

“A-are you sure, you want to choose me…?” She asked softly.

“Of course! There’s nobody else besides you!”