Chapter 176: Reciprocity



After the intense game of truth or dare, the group, now down two members (Mark and Julia), scattered throughout the grand hall. Some headed to the dance floor, while others sought quieter corners to chat about nonsense while sipping alcohol.

‘That was weird,’ thought Luke as he sat in a chair next to Wednesday.

The game had been strange, especially since Wednesday and Enid had teamed up to point out some of his quirks. It seemed like it might escalate into a heated argument, but fortunately, everything ended well.

“Sorry for forcing you to undertake the rigorous task of peeling apples. I won’t make you do it anymore,” said Luke, crossing his arms.

“If you want, I’ll also erase your grandmother’s memory of YouTube,” he added.

Wednesday rolled her eyes. “I don’t mind peeling apples for you. If you want, give me a dozen, and I’ll peel them without complaint. I just wanted to make it clear to Enid and the other gossips that you’re not perfect. I don’t want you to get a big head just because you have three auras,” she explained.

“You’re not perfect either-“

Luke was interrupted by Wednesday before he could continue. “I know, I’m not perfect. I’m not criticizing you for being imperfect. Understand this: imperfection is good. Perfection is boring… like your unpleasant appearance in your female form,” she said with a grimace.

“The only good thing about your female form is your personality,” she added.

“Oh… I see,” said Luke, nodding as he grasped Wednesday’s point. It wasn’t a criticism; in fact, it was a compliment directed at him.

“You’re very mature,” he added. He had misunderstood her initial point and felt a bit embarrassed about it. He was also surprised that Wednesday had so easily admitted she wasn’t perfect either.

“Of course I am. In this relationship, someone has to be, and I don’t see you taking on that role,” replied Wednesday, raising an eyebrow as if the doubt were absurd.

‘I was complimenting you…’ Luke thought but didn’t argue.

“I’ll take you up on the dozen apples offer,” said Luke with a half-smile, shifting the topic. Wednesday’s expression turned to one of resignation but quickly recovered.

“No. Do you know how much glucose is in a dozen apples? Eating that many in one day could spike your blood sugar levels and overload your pancreas,” she replied, showing her scientific side. Besides, she wasn’t about to peel twelve apples a day.

“We’re outcasts. A little glucose isn’t going to kill me. Plus, apples are healthy, aren’t they?” Luke countered.

Wednesday narrowed her eyes. Within seconds, she had the perfect response to dismantle his argument.

“It’s true that the bodies of outcasts have superior capabilities. But that doesn’t mean they’re immune to metabolic diseases or long-term wear and tear. Advanced genetics don’t override basic biology,” she explained.

“All right, all right, you win, Dr. Addams. A dozen is too much. How about… six?” Luke suggested.

“Four,” said Wednesday.

“Five,” Luke negotiated.

“No. Four, or peel them yourself. You can even eat the peel-it’s good for you,” said Wednesday, refusing to budge.

“I’m not eating the peel. Four apples it is, then,” said Luke. At least he’d managed to increase his daily ration from three to four apples.

‘One more apple to peel,’ thought Wednesday. While it could be dull to peel four apples a day -especially since she had to do it perfectly because Luke was unbearably picky about the details-it didn’t bother her as much as she wanted to admit.

There was something strangely satisfying about the task. Not because she enjoyed it in itself, but because it was something she did exclusively for Luke.

Someone who had always been fiercely independent, who never trusted anyone to do anything for him, and who viewed any favor as a debt to be repaid, was now asking her for things out of sheer whim. That wasn’t easy to achieve at the beginning of their relationship.

“If there’s ever something you’d like me to do for you, let me know. It should be reciprocal,” Luke commented, and Wednesday frowned slightly.

“I don’t do favors expecting repayment. I do it because I want to, not because I expect something in return. So don’t turn this into a transaction,” Wednesday said sharply, crossing her arms.

“That’s not what I meant. I don’t think you owe me anything, and I don’t want you to feel like what you do for me has to be repaid. I just thought that if I enjoy these little things you do for me, maybe there’s something you’d want me to do for you. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Like… fulfilling one of your whims. Not out of obligation, but because I care,” Luke explained.

Wednesday’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression began to soften.

“Mm, I get your point. If I want something, I’ll tell you, but you’ll do it because you genuinely want to, not because you feel the need to repay me,” said Wednesday.

“Deal,” Luke replied with a small smile.

At that moment, Eugene approached them, and Luke frowned slightly. He had finally been having an enjoyable conversation with Wednesday, and things were going well-he didn’t want to be interrupted by this odd, bee-obsessed kid.

[Don’t be rude or hurtful] Wednesday said to Luke through their telepathic link.

Luke had to stop himself from gaping at Wednesday. What the hell? Wednesday telling him

not to be rude or hurtful? Was he in some sort of upside-down world?

‘She really does care about her first friend… Well, I guess I can help him out a little,’ Luke thought, looking at Eugene with a neutral expression.

Eugene had been humiliated during the truth-or-dare game. A psychic, outclassed by a bunch of vampires. The other psychics hadn’t laughed, but none of them had liked seeing one of their kind humiliated so easily.

After the game ended, Eugene had tried to socialize, but he ended up not talking to anyone. With no other options, he returned to his only friend, Wednesday. The awkward part was that she was with her boyfriend, and he felt like he was intruding, but he had nowhere else to go.

“Sit down,” Luke said, surprising Eugene with his sudden kindness. “Thanks,” Eugene replied quietly, avoiding direct eye contact with either Luke or Wednesday. “Why the long face? Are you sad because you’re so pathetic that a complete stranger humiliated you?” Wednesday asked.

[What are you doing? Didn’t you tell me not to be rude or hurtful?] Luke asked Wednesday in

confusion.

[Relax, I know what I’m doing] Wednesday replied calmly, as though her reasoning was

obvious.

‘No, you don’t,’ Luke thought to himself.

Wednesday treated Eugene in a way that reminded Luke of how she treated Pugsley. She had defended him a couple of times from bullies, but her interactions with him were cold, filled with biting remarks and apparent indifference. It was her twisted way of showing affection, difficult for an outsider to understand.

The problem was, Luke had noticed that Pugsley struggled with confidence issues. The same likely applied to Eugene-if not worse-since he wasn’t an Addams and didn’t have Pugsley’s

half-mad resilience.

“Why did you come to the party? I know you’re not friends with Ajax, and you don’t hang out with anyone from our grade either,” Luke asked, rescuing Eugene from having to answer

Wednesday’s question.

“I… I don’t know…” Eugene answered after a few seconds, clearly caught off guard by the question. Still, he preferred this over Wednesday’s inquiry.

“Think about it… Was it for friends or… a girl?” Luke asked with a slight smile, resting his hand on Eugene’s shoulder.

“Come on, you can trust us. We won’t tell anyone,” Luke encouraged, trying to get Eugene to open up and share something more personal.

Wednesday looked at Luke, puzzled by what he was doing. She had already devised a plan to help Eugene stop being so pathetic and learn to take care of himself once classes resumed at Nevermore-when she wouldn’t be around to intervene.

“A girl…” Eugene finally admitted.

‘I knew it,’ Luke thought to himself.

“From our psychic class or another group?” Luke asked. He remembered from the show that Eugene had feelings for Enid, which could be problematic…

“From our psychic class… It’s Nao,” Eugene answered, blushing slightly.

Luke remembered Nao Tomori, the Japanese girl who had transferred in. She was at this party,

one of the participants in the truth or dare game, and had witnessed Eugene picking his nose. Not exactly a great impression for someone trying to win her over.

The only positive was that Nao hadn’t laughed like most of the others had. However, her expression had shown a clear mix of disdain and frustration toward Eugene. She was probably upset that, as a psychic, he had allowed himself to be humiliated so easily, tarnishing the

reputation of their class.

“You’re going to regain your dignity tonight, in front of Nao and everyone else,” Luke

declared confidently, a slight smile on his face.

“H-how?” Eugene asked nervously.

“There’s going to be a fighting tournament. One-on-one. Direct elimination,” Luke said, leaning slightly toward Eugene to emphasize his words. “Wednesday and I will be the judges.

Ajax will be the announcer.”

Eugene was startled by this revelation, though it didn’t seem entirely far-fetched considering

there was a dueling area already set up in the grand hall.

“When did you hear about this tournament?” Wednesday asked, narrowing her eyes. “And more importantly, when did I agree to be a judge?”

“When Ajax showed us this place and mentioned the dueling area, he sent me a telepathic message,” Luke explained smoothly. “He said he was organizing the tournament and wanted us to be the judges. You know, because of our… impressive reputation.” Ajax didn’t want Luke and Wednesday participating in the tournament and crushing everyone

in a landslide victory. It wouldn’t be fun and would discourage others from signing up. “And you accepted without consulting me?” Wednesday asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you’d like the idea. Doesn’t it sound fun? We’ll be in a position of power, judging

as a group of teenagers tear each other apart in fierce combat. Plus, there’s nothing quite like watching a good fight,” Luke said with a smile.

The idea was indeed appealing to Wednesday-blood, injuries, and the teenagers who had

been happily dancing moments before now competing ferociously.

“Fine,” she finally agreed.

“When Ajax opens the sign-ups, you have to join, Eugene. You’ll show Nao and everyone else

that you’re not pathetic,” Luke said firmly.

“What? Me? Sign up? I’ll just embarrass myself even more when I’m eliminated in the first round,” Eugene protested, shaking his head several times.

“I know… That’s why I’ll help you. With my guidance, you’ll win. At least the first rounds are guaranteed,” Luke said with a mysterious smile.

At that moment, the music from the dance floor softened, and a loud, enthusiastic shout was

heard.

“Everyone, listen up! The fighting tournament is about to begin! Anyone who wants to participate, come sign up! A great prize awaits the champion!” Ajax announced from a stage,

holding a microphone.

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