They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 485: How Embarrassing!

Chapter 485: How Embarrassing!

"This is your chance to explore what truly speaks to you."

Nnenna closed her eyes and went silent, letting the system’s words settle.

Her mind drifted, reaching back, first to the streets of Lionara, the energy and passion there. Then to the crew she had performed with in the market, how their moves had captured the crowd’s attention... and later during the royal celebration, how she herself had joined in, moving freely, confidently, like the stage was hers.

Those moments weren’t random. They meant something.

She opened her eyes slowly.

"You know... I keep thinking I need to pick something big," she said aloud, more to herself. "Something shocking. Something that would wow people. And dancing always felt too simple... too ordinary."

But even as she said it, a small smile played on her lips.

"Yet no matter how much I push it aside, dancing keeps coming back to me. Maybe it’s not plain. Maybe it’s me. And maybe... it’s time I explore it properly."

"Exactly," the love system replied, sounding almost proud. "You don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks. What matters most is choosing what’s best for you. At the end of the day, it’s your life. You’re the one who has to live with your decisions. And as long as what you’re doing isn’t wrong or harmful, then it’s okay. You shouldn’t feel guilty just because someone else might not understand."

Nnenna nodded slowly, feeling the words sink in like warm sunlight on cold skin. For the first time in a while, she felt less pressure, like maybe she really was allowed to choose for herself.

"Now that we’ve locked down the first talent," the love system continued, "what about the second one?"

Nnenna paused, her fingers tapping lightly against her leg as she thought. Then, a memory sparked, something Carl had mentioned that day she talked about skipping years. His voice echoed in her head.

"Somto specialised in strategy...."

That last word. It hit her differently now.

"Strategy," she said out loud, eyes lighting up a little. "Back in Lionara, we never really saw strategy as a talent... it was more like a skill for commanders or war veterans. It wasn’t even listed as a recognized ability where I came from."

She let out a breath, realizing how much her world had expanded.

"But here..." she smiled a little to herself, "it is considered a talent. And I’ve always been curious about it. Carl made it sound so deep, like a way to see the world differently, like life was a chessboard." She chuckled lightly. "I think I want to explore that part of myself. It might be unexpected, but... it feels right."

The love system didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, it responded, warm and encouraging:

"Then that’s your second choice. A dancer with the mind of a strategist? I like that combination."

"Choosing these two won’t stop me from learning more in the future," Nnenna said to herself with newfound clarity. "No, it won’t. I can always keep growing, keep learning. So I’m okay with these two."

"Awesome," the love system chimed in, clearly pleased. "I’m glad you finally see that. Freedom isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about knowing what you want and letting that guide your steps."

Nnenna nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. She picked up her phone and quickly typed out a message.

[Hi! I’ve finally chosen my two talents to expand on. They are dance and strategy. Sorry it took so long, and for the trouble of having to find teachers on such short notice.]

She hit send and waited, fingers drumming lightly against the edge of her bed. She didn’t have to wait long.

Less than a minute later, the first reply came through.

Somto [Okay.]

Then another immediately after.

Carl [That’s great!]

Nnenna chuckled quietly. Carl’s enthusiasm made up for Somto’s signature short replies. But deep down, she knew Somto was happy for her too, he just had a different way of showing it.

Now, things were finally beginning to move. And this time, it felt right.

The next day was a weekend, which meant no lectures. After another cold and quiet training session with Arthur, a routine that had somehow become their new normal ever since that strange, emotionally charged morning, Nnenna returned to her room, showered, and dressed casually for breakfast.

As she approached the dining hall, the large doors opened just before she came too close to them as usual. The warm scent of breakfast filled the air, but her eyes were already scanning the room, instinctively searching for familiar faces. Her steps slowed, then stopped.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Standing beside Arthur... was Somto.

"Somto!" she shouted, unable to contain herself as she ran straight at him, beaming. Without hesitation, she leaped into his arms.

Somto was clearly caught off guard, but his reflexes didn’t fail him. As a martial arts master, he effortlessly steadied himself and caught her mid air, holding her with ease.

"I see someone missed me," he said with his usual calm tone, a small knowing smile playing at his lips and his gaze sharp as ever.

Nnenna’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. That smile, it was not dazzling like Carl’s or almost invisible like Arthur’s, but something about it always made her heart flutter. It was warm in its own quiet way, grounding and a little too mysterious for her comfort.

"You left for so long!" she said, playfully hitting his chest once before settling into the hug again.

"I was... occupied," Somto replied vaguely. "But I’m here now."

And just like that, her world felt a little more whole again.

Ahem!

King White cleared his throat.

Nnenna’s blush deepened the moment her brain caught up with reality.

Oh no.

The others.

Her head slowly turned, just enough to see King White and his wife seated at the table, watching the scene unfold. Or at least, they had been.