[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-incubus-system":3,"chapter-the-incubus-system-the-incubus-system-chapter-54":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Incubus System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1379902,1827,"Chapter 54. Soft Refusal","the-incubus-system-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>As soon as I left the portal, my feet walked towards my house's entrance while the portal behind me closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I hope I could go to the bathroom without getting caught.' I could imagine Celia's expression if she saw me in this state. I'm sure she would laugh at me if I said I just fell into a dumpster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the door and Celia was already standing in front of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother?\" Celia turned towards me in surprise. From her clothes, it looks like she was just about to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Celia-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before I finished my sentence, she covered her nose and creased her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened to you ?! Why do you smell so bad ?!\" she complained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had a little accident earlier, so I need to take a shower now,\" I replied soberly. I just took a step but she stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! Take off your shoes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and followed her words. I couldn't complain, because she was the one who always cleaned the house. While she took a pair of slippers and put it down in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just go straight to the bathroom, I will clean your shoes.\" Her hand did not come off her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" I said, putting on the slippers. I quite surprised she didn't laugh at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't forget to wash your clothes in the bathroom!\" she warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\" I went into the bathroom and showered until this stink stench disappeared from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After changing my clothes and taking care of my dirty clothes, I walked down the stairs to the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Celia?\" I called out as I swept my gaze around me, but I couldn't find her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is she gone?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small note on the table caught my attention. I took and read it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm going to Alumore College to complete my registration. I've cleaned your shoes and sprayed shoe perfume on it. You have to be careful next time. Celia. '\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My feet walked towards the door and found my shoes were clean. A smile spread across my face, I didn't expect this. Not only didn't laugh at me, but she also helped me to clear up this annoying smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I think she's more mature now,' I thought as I put on my shoes. I locked the door and extended my hand to open the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11.35 AM, Diamond College.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my locker to take my bag and check my cellphone. There was a message on my cellphone and I immediately opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diamond: Meet me at my office at 12.00 PM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me: Okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After replying to her message, I put my cellphone back into my bag. Since I still have a lot of time, I decided to go to the toilet to put on my sweater. Even though I wore a similar t-shirt as my previous one but this was clearly a different t-shirt, I needed to cover it with my sweater before someone noticed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just finished putting my sweater on and was about to turn around, but Larry was already standing beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" I - I can explain everything,\" he stammered. From his expression, I could tell he felt guilty about what happened at the Cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's okay, I understand,\" I replied in a relaxed tone. I knew, whatever he was going to say he couldn't possibly admit he and Emma were demon hunters. Besides I didn't need any explanation from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! You don't understand! I can explain this!\" he insisted. His eyes stared at me filled with seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his reaction, I gave him a chance to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, go ahead,\" I shrugged indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So ... Ehmm ... We-- I mean, Emma and I are just friends,\" he began his explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! And she's not my girlfriend,\" he immediately added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay ...\" Even though I didn't know who his girlfriend was, and doubted his words, but from Emma's status I already knew that she was still single.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah ... Em ... We also don't have any special relationship. I - I planned to introduce her to you, I'm just waiting for the right time,\" he reasoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right time?\" I asked in confusion. I wasn't sure he dared introduce me to Emma and broke the association rules for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes looked around in panic since his own words trapped him. I knew he was trying to find another excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I - I planned to introduce her on your birthday,\" he said without a second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chuckle popped out of my mouth as soon as I heard his reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you planned to introduce her today?\" I could guess he even forgot today is my birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not today but---\" His words stopped and he took out his cellphone to check today's date. After realizing it, he returned his gaze to me with an awkward smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean on your next birthday...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head slowly at his words. It was clearly a cheap lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll wait for it,\" I said casually. I gave him a tap on his shoulder as a sign I wasn't angry while he paused and lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My feet stepped past him, but his voice stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his head and looked at me deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry I can't be honest to you about this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breath escaped my mouth and a smile formed on my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you it's okay.\" Of course, I understood his difficulties because both of us had to hide our identities from the public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really aren't mad at me?\" he asked in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not, but I will be mad if you don't start doing your paper.\" Even though he wasn't badly injured but his MP was low, even without checking with my observation skill I could tell he was tired. He needed to take a rest and that paper was a good excuse to send him home early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, a smile grew on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, buddy! You really are my best friend!\" his trademark dramatic tone returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kay, see ya later,\" I said, turning and leaving. But just as I walked out of the toilet, Emma was already waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy birthday, Ethan!\" she said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her in surprise and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Larry arranged all of this for you. I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I'm Emma.\" She extended her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ethan.\" My confusion started to disappear as I could guess that she was listening to our conversation and came up with this plan to help Larry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Larry ran toward us in a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What--\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Larry, your surprise plan worked,\" she interrupted as she let go of my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Larry quickly took a hint of Emma's intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, yea! Surprise! Hahaha, I bet you believed in my acting earlier!\" he added with a big grin on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the surprise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that they paused awkwardly, their eyes staring at each other because they didn't know what to do or say anymore. Since usually a surprise followed by a cake or a present, but since this was just Emma's spontaneity, they didn't prepare anything and I realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze swept around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is your friend?\" I tried to solve their awkwardness by bringing up another topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has another urgent business,\" said Emma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, I forgot to tell you, he's also not Emma's boyfriend. Because he's annoying,\" Larry added quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma stared at Larry in annoyance since he shouldn't say anything about Theo. While I bit my lips, holding back my laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! I have an idea! How about we hang out for a bit?\" Larry added again, trying to cover up his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma just opened her mouth, I knew she wanted to refuse it since she still had some classes today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I -\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't. I have to go to Miss Diamond's office soon,\" I interrupted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I forgot you are busy now ...\" he said in disappointment. Whereas Emma looked relieved by my answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Emma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you don't mind if we talk again later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Olivia told me a lot about you,\" she said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she smiled sweetly but I caught her means. She implied that Olivia had feelings for me and she didn't want to take me away from her best friend, so she drew a clear line between us from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What that crazy bodyguard said to you?\" said Larry curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, Emma looked at Larry in annoyance at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Opss ... Sorry ...\" Larry said in regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ignored Larry's words and looked at me deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry. I hope you understand what I mean.\" It seems like she already knows my feelings for her from our conversation earlier and refuses as softly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Larry caught what Emma meant, he was silent in awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite her rejection, I remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's only a casual chat, I didn't mean anything to you. We can ask Olivia and Larry to join us.\" Olivia and Emma were best friends, so I already expected this. But of course, I didn't plan to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, I don't mind that,\" she replied simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to go to Miss Diamond's office now.\" I turned to Larry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't forget to do your paper,\" I reminded him once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay,\" he replied simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See ya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1583,"2026-06-05T22:19:02.399Z",1,"novelbin.me","a92c2a57ee412798beaba7d8c1c722f5fdcef14166e8f507d8c03e6650bb618c","the-incubus-system-chapter-55","the-incubus-system-chapter-53",873,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-incubus-system-cover.jpg"]