Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 70: Yor Date

Yor stood outside Reinhard’s dorm room the next morning with her heart beating faster than it should. She’d never done this before, seeking out someone’s company just because she wanted to.

Just because the thought of not seeing him before she left for three days felt wrong. She knocked before she could second-guess herself.

The door opened moments later as Reinhard appeared with his black hair still slightly messy from sleep. He blinked in surprise before his expression shifted to warmth.

"Yor? Is everything okay?"

"I’m leaving tomorrow to heal the siblings," she said quickly with her words tumbling out. "Three days away. And I wanted to... I thought maybe we could spend today together?"

Her hands twisted in front of her as nervousness cleared in every line of her body. "To thank you for everything. And just... be together."

Reinhard’s smile grew soft. "I’d like that. Give me five minutes to get ready."

He disappeared back into his room as Yor waited in the hallway. Her mind raced through possibilities of what they’d do.

Where would they go?

What would she say?

The freedom to simply spend time with someone without fear was still so new that she didn’t quite know how to navigate it yet. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

When Reinhard emerged fully dressed, he offered his hand. "So where are we going first?"

Yor took his hand without hesitation and smiled. "The Entertainment Department? I heard they have new activities."

"Sure."

They walked through campus together as the morning sun cast long shadows across stone pathways. Other students stared at them holding hands but Yor found she didn’t care anymore.

Let them stare, she had nothing to hide now.

...

The Entertainment Department building buzzed with activity as students crowded around various stations. Yor led Reinhard to a quieter corner where an art instructor was setting up canvas stands and paint supplies.

"Paint something you like." The instructor explained cheerfully. "Anything at all. We’ll display the best ones in the gallery next week."

Yor picked up a brush as the smooth wooden handle felt foreign in her fingers. She’d never painted before, never had the luxury of creating something just for joy instead of necessity.

Reinhard set up his canvas beside hers. "Any ideas what you’ll paint?"

"Maybe." She said with a small mysterious smile.

They worked in comfortable silence for twenty minutes. Yor’s brush moved carefully across the canvas as she built up layers of color.

Blue for sky, green for grass and in the center, five figures standing together.

Reinhard glanced over then chuckled. "Is that us? The club?"

"Yes," Yor admitted as warmth colored her cheeks. "All of you together. Because that’s what I like most now."

"Oh? Well I’m honored." Reinhard said with a grin.

She giggled as she began painting herself in the middle with Reinhard to her right holding her hand. Alice on her left with her arm around Yor’s shoulders. Sirin and Rika and Louis surrounded them all.

And most important of all, everyone was smiling.

"What about you?" Yor asked as she leaned to see his canvas. "What did you paint?"

Reinhard’s work showed a single figure.

A girl with long dark-blue hair looking at the sky with her hands behind her back. But the most striking part was the beautiful smile on her face.

"Is that me?" Yor whispered in surprise and awe.

"It’s how I see you now," Reinhard said simply. "Not the indifferent and isolated girl I first met. The beautiful Yor."

Yor’s eyes stung with sudden tears but she blinked them away quickly. "Thank you."

"I should be saying that instead." Reinhard leaned back. "It was a sight I will never forget."

Yor expression softened before she stood up and pulled him away. They left the painting to dry and headed to another section where music pulsed from speakers. A dance floor had been set up with students already moving to the rhythm.

"Dancing game?" Reinhard suggested with a playful grin. "Think you can keep up?"

Yor raised an eyebrow as a competitive spark that she never knew existed. "My father taught me to dance. I’ll be fine."

The game projected arrows on the floor that lit up in sequence with the music. Players had to step on the correct arrows in rhythm to score points. Yor and Reinhard stood side by side as the music started.

It was easy at first with simple patterns. But the tempo increased as complexity ramped up quickly.

Yor’s feet moved with precision as her training showed through. Each step landed perfectly on beat. Each turn was graceful while beside her, Reinhard kept pace with surprising skill as his movements fluid and confident.

The song ended with both of them slightly breathless and laughing. Their scores were nearly identical, both in the top tier.

"Not bad," Yor admitted with a wide smile.

"You’re amazing," Reinhard countered as he caught her hand again. "Your father taught you well."

Her smile faltered slightly at the mention of her father but didn’t disappear entirely. "He did. Before everything got complicated."

Reinhard didn’t say anything and they played two more rounds.

Other students gathered to watch as impressed by their synchronization. Yor found herself enjoying the attention instead of fearing it. She wasn’t a threat anymore to these people... she was just like everyone else now.

After the third round, they were both slightly tired and sweating. Reinhard gestured toward the door. "Food?"

"Definitely."

They found a small cafe on the edge of campus that served sandwiches and fresh fruit. The outdoor seating area was mostly empty as most students were in classes. Yor and Reinhard claimed a table under a large tree that provided shade from the noon sun.

"What do you want to eat?" Reinhard asked as he browsed the menu.

"Something sweet," Yor said immediately then paused. "Is that weird? I’ve never let myself want things like that before."

"It’s not weird at all." Reinhard ordered them both fruit tarts with cream and hot tea.

When the food arrived, Yor took her first bite then closed her eyes with pleasure. "This is so good."

"You can have sweet things whenever you want now," Reinhard reminded her gently. "You don’t have to deny yourself anymore."

Yor nodded as the concept was still sinking in. No more constant vigilance or suppressing every desire and emotion.

She could just... live.

"Thank you." She said quietly after several minutes of comfortable silence. "For everything you’ve done-"

"Stop." Reinhard reached across the table to take her hand. "You don’t need to keep thanking me. I wanted to help because I care about you."

The simple honesty in his voice made Yor’s chest tighten. "I care about you too. More than I know how to express."

"Then express it by enjoying yourself, no more thanks!"

Yor laughed and decided to do just that. They finished their food slowly, savoring both the taste and the peace.

When the last crumbs were gone, Yor stood with a clear decision on her face.

"Come to my room? I want to talk more. Away from everyone else."

"Of course."

They walked to the dorms as the afternoon sun warmed the air. Yor unlocked her door then ushered Reinhard inside. The soundproof walls created immediate intimacy by cutting off the outside world completely.

She sat on her bed then patted the space beside her. Reinhard joined as their shoulders touched.

"How does it feel after everything to really have control?" Reinhard asked softly.

"Free," Yor breathed as the word came out with reverence. "For the first time in a very long time, I feel free. I can touch people. I can have friends. I can feel happy without worrying it’ll kill someone."

She turned to face him fully. "I couldn’t let myself feel anything real for years. I had to stay numb and distant and empty. But now..." She grabbed Reinhard’s hand with both of hers squeezing tight. "Now I can feel everything. And it doesn’t hurt anyone. I can be angry at injustice. I can be sad about the past. I can be happy about the present. And none of it makes me dangerous."

Reinhard smiled and said. "While I have never been in your exact situation... I do understand, especially after hearing you talk about it."

Yor laughed before nodding with a smile. "Before, I couldn’t believe I deserved anything good. But you and the others showed me differently."

"And it’s something we will never regret." Reinhard said softly. "Regardless of the reason, I’m happy to have met you."

"Me too." Yor moved closer until barely any space remained between them. "I’m going to be gone for three days. Traveling to different cities to heal those siblings. And I wanted to spend today with you because..."

She hesitated as searching for the right words. "Because you’re important to me. More important than anyone else. And I needed you to know that before I left."

The air felt charged as Yor’s confession hung between them. Reinhard’s hand came up to cup her face as his thumb tracing her cheekbone gently.

"You’re important to me too," he said with absolute sincerity. "More than you realize."

And then Reinhard kissed her deeply.