Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

Chapter 997  Rizzing Rize

As the class continued, and Rudyʼs thoughts were consumed by the upcoming meeting in the staffroom, the classroom door swung open. In walked Eric, his entrance drawing the attention of everyone in the room, including Rudy.

Rudy couldnʼt help but be taken aback by the sight of Eric. He looked vastly different from the friend he remembered from their high school days. Eric now appeared more robust, strong, and confident, with a commanding presence that was hard to ignore. It was as if he had transformed into a more self-assured version of himself.

As Eric approached Rudyʼs desk, they exchanged a brief nod of acknowledgment.

Rudy, understanding the potential implications of his inquiries, decided not to press further on Ericʼs transformation. He had to be cautious, as asking about the change might indeed raise suspicion.

Instead, he focused on the ongoing class and the events of the day, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the subtle and not-so-subtle differences he was encountering in this version of his high school experience. The mysteries of this altered worldline continued to occupy his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the unfolding events.

After the school hours came to an end, the hallways of the high school were deserted, save for the distant echoes of students engaging in their various clubs and daily practices. Rudy, having left the classroom, made his way to the washroom to relieve himself.

Once he was done, he headed toward the staffroom, where he was scheduled to meet Rize. Any other student might have been filled with dread and anxiety at the prospect of visiting the staffroom, as it often meant punishment or additional assignments. However, Rudy walked with a sense of calm confidence. He believed he had done nothing wrong and had every reason to face the meeting with ease.

As he approached the staffroom door, he took a deep breath and knocked gently. When Rizeʼs voice invited him in, he entered with a composed demeanor, ready to address any matter she wished to discuss.

When Rudy entered the staffroom, he couldnʼt help but notice that it was unusually quiet, with none of the other teachers present. His curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, ”Where is everyone, Ms.Rize?”

Rize, who was seated at her desk, looked up and responded curtly, ”Theyʼre all in a meeting.”

Rudy, his inquisitiveness unrelenting, ventured further, ”Oh, I see. Were you not invited to the meeting?”

Her expression darkened, and she retorted, ”Thatʼs none of your concern, Rudy.”

Rize then decided to get to the point and asked, ”Do you know why I called you to the staffroom?”

Rudy shook his head, his brow furrowing in confusion. ”I havenʼt the slightest idea.”

Rizeʼs stern glare fell upon him, and she told him bluntly, ”I called you here because you dared to call me by my name.”

Rudy stood his ground, refusing to back down. ”Names are supposed to be called by names,” he repeated firmly.

”Donʼt act so smart. If you apologize to me, I wonʼt take it to the principalʼs office.”

”I am not going to apologize.”

Rudy remained steadfast, refusing to offer an apology as Rize had demanded. He repeated his assertion, ”You always use your powers and authority to insult and disrespect me in the middle of the class, Ms.Rize.”

Rize, though still displeased with his response, couldnʼt help but feel a pang of guilt. Her stern expression softened, and she fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of unspoken feelings. She couldnʼt bring herself to admit that her actions were motivated by a hidden desire to get Rudyʼs attention. In truth, Rize had developed a habit of calling Rudy out in the middle of her class whenever she noticed him talking with Alice, all under the guise of jealousy.

Rizeʼs glare softened as she went quiet, unable to admit her true intentions. She realized that her actions might have come across as insulting and disrespectful to Rudy, even though that had never been her true intention. In the staffroom, Rudy decided to take an unconventional approach to address the situation. Crouching down to be at the same eye level as Rize, he caught her by surprise. She looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, ”Rudy, what are you doing?”

Rudy gazed into her eyes, his voice calm but determined. ”Rize, I want to ask you something. Do you believe in time travel?”

Rizeʼs brows furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in the conversation. ”Time travel?” she asked. ”What does that have to do with anything we were just talking about?”

Rudy took a deep breath and continued, ”I need you to understand something, Rize. Iʼve time-traveled from the future to the past.”

Rize rolled her eyes in disbelief and scoffed, ”Time travel? Rudy, you canʼt be serious. This is just too far-fetched.”

But Rudy didnʼt waver, and he stayed in the staffroom, determined to make her believe. He explained, ”I know it sounds unbelievable, but itʼs the truth. Iʼve experienced things that couldnʼt have happened in the past. Iʼve seen events play out differently, like our conversation just now. You called me out in the past, but I remember it differently.”

Rizeʼs skepticism remained, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. ”And why would you time travel, Rudy?”

Rudy replied, ”I donʼt know the reason yet, but Iʼm here to figure it out. And I need your help, Rize, to understand the changes that have occurred in this worldline.”

Rize, still skeptical but intrigued by Rudyʼs claims of time travel, decided to challenge him. She wanted a solid proof that he had indeed traveled from the future. With a hint of amusement, she told Rudy, ”All right, if you really are from the future, letʼs see if you can prove it.

Rudy pondered her request, wondering how he could convince her. ”What kind of proof are you looking for?” he asked.

Rize thought for a moment and then said, ”Iʼm going to take a surprise test soon. Guess the date of the test.”

Rudy furrowed his brow, his expression one of genuine uncertainty. ”Why would I remember the date of a test, Rize? Itʼs not something important enough to be remembered.”

Rize fell silent, seemingly contemplating another question. After a few seconds, she asked, ”Alright, how about this? Predict for me, whoʼs going to win the next World Cup?”

Rudy chuckled softly and replied, ”Rize, I was never interested in sports, so I have no idea who won the World Cup.”

Rize let out a weary sigh, her skepticism growing. She scolded Rudy, ”Youʼre wasting my time, Rudy. If you donʼt have a way to prove your claim, you should leave.”

Rudy, with a hint of a mischievous smile, said, ”There is something I know that could prove my claim.”

Still skeptical but amused, Rize asked, ”And what is that, Rudy?”

Rudy leaned in closer and whispered, ”You like me, Rize. Thatʼs why you always call me out in class, to get my attention.”

Rizeʼs eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She was caught off guard by Rudyʼs revelation. For a moment, she didnʼt know how to respond, but the truth in Rudyʼs words left her with a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. Rize stammered, ”Wha... What are you talking about, Rudy?”

The revelation had left Rize utterly embarrassed. Her face turned bright red, and she yelled at Rudy in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. ”Youʼre harassing a teacher, Rudy! Using such improper words!” Her threat, under ordinary circumstances, would have been legitimate, but in this case, it was not.

Rudy simply chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, unfazed by Rizeʼs outburst. He leaned closer to Rize and said with a mischievous grin, ”Well, I know Iʼm right.”

His confidence continued as he recounted an unexpected memory. ”You even kissed me on the lips once, Rize. It was after you had finished your job as a trainee in the school.”

Rizeʼs glare intensified, and for once, she found herself at a loss for words. She couldnʼt comprehend what was happening, torn between wondering if Rudy was telling the truth and grappling with the implications if he truly had time traveled.

Rudy moved his hand towards Rize and gently caressed her face, a wry smile playing on his lips. ”Iʼm glad weʼre both alive,” he said softly.

Their eyes locked, the mood in the room growing more intense. However, their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door opening and a teacher walking into the classroom. They quickly adjusted their positions, concealing the heated atmosphere.

Rudy, breaking the silence, told Rize, ”I need time to remember everything, Rize. I promise Iʼll prove that I truly have time-traveled.”

With that, he left the staffroom, leaving Rize with a flushed face and a fluttering heart, her thoughts in disarray as she grappled with the unexpected revelations and the unspoken emotions that had surfaced during their encounter.