Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

As the trio stepped out of the school gates, Fatty, Mei, and Caleb huddled together, shooting the breeze about the recent mysterious disappearances of students.

"So, guys, did you catch the professor's warning? Missing students and all. Pretty freaky stuff, right?" Fatty scratched his head, looking genuinely concerned.

Mei chimed in, "I've got this theory, you know? What if these disappearances have something to do with those wild demon beasts lurking around? I mean, it makes sense, right?"

Adam raised an eyebrow, "Demon beasts? Seriously? You've been watching too many fantasy movies, Mei."

Mei rolled her eyes, "Hey, don't underestimate the darkness of humanity. We live in a world where a person can feed a little girl to a bear..."

Fatty, ever the conspiracy theorist, jumped in, "Nah, you're both way off. My family's got connections, and let me tell you, there are evil genetic warriors kidnapping students. Heard it straight from my uncle, who heard it from his friend, who heard it from someone important."

Caleb smirked, "Evil genetic warriors? Your uncle's friend's friend? Seriously, Fatty, you're buying into some wild stories."

Fatty crossed his arms, "Look, my family's involved in some shady business, and I've overheard conversations. There are secret organizations in the city, pulling some sketchy stunts. I'm telling you."
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Caleb couldn't resist teasing, "Yeah, secret organizations are planning world dominance. Classic conspiracy theory material."

Fatty shot back, "Laugh all you want, Adam. But when they come knocking on our door, you'll thank me for being paranoid."

Caleb shook his head, "Guys, guys, calm down. Maybe it's not demon beasts or evil genetic warriors. Maybe these students just wanted a vacation or something. Simple as that."

Mei raised an eyebrow, "Vacation? In the middle of the semester? Come on, Adam, even if you can't be that naive."

Caleb shrugged, "Hey, stranger things have happened. I'm just saying, let's not jump to conclusions."

As the moment approached for them to part ways, an unforeseen undercurrent of flirtation seemed to stir between Mei and Caleb. However, Fatty, the third member of their trio, took a bold step and sent a flying kiss on both Mei's and Caleb's cheeks, prompting an immediate reaction.

"Whoa, Fatty! What was that for?" Mei exclaimed, visibly taken aback.

Fatty, with a mischievous grin, responded, "Just spreading some love, my friends. Nothing wrong with a friendly flying kiss, right?"

Caleb with a black line on his face, wiped his cheeks with disgust, "Fuck mate! I don't bend that way!"

Mei chuckled at Adam's reaction. "It's just Fatty being Fatty."

Fatty smirked.

"I think we should head home now," Mei suggested, attempting to change the subject.

As they walked, Fatty playfully teased, "Come on, you two. Admit it, something is brewing on you two..."

Caleb and Mei exchanged awkward glances. "Fatty, we're just friends. No hidden meanings or romantic vibes," Caleb insisted.

Mei chimed in, "Exactly! I see Adam as my close best friend, nothing more. We can be friends without any romantic undertones."

Caleb, ever the rational thinker, decided to present three objective reasons to support his case. "Firstly, we've been friends and had been seatmates for ages. If that doesn't solidify a friendship, what does?"

"Secondly, we have similar interests and hobbies. It's not like we're polar opposites magically attracted to each other. We genuinely enjoy each other's company."

"And thirdly, just look at our dynamic. We bicker like siblings, tease each other relentlessly, and share everything. If that's not a platonic friendship, I don't know what it is."

Mei nodded in agreement, "Caleb's right. We're comfortable with each other, and there's no need to complicate things. We're just two friends trolling through the game called "Life" together."

Fatty, seemingly unconvinced, continued to playfully prod, "Sure, sure. Just friends. But you can't deny there's some chemistry there."

Caleb smirked, "Chemistry? Fatty, the only chemistry we have is arguing over who gets the last slice of pizza. Let's not make it more complicated than it needs to be."

As they finally reached the point of parting ways, the trio bid each other a casual farewell, leaving the unspoken tension lingering in the air. Friends they were, and friends they insisted on remaining, regardless of the playful provocations from Fatty.

...

Caleb turned the doorknob and entered the room. What greeted him was an organized space, with a bookshelf lining one side—a gift from Delvin.

It held books on literature, stories about successful entrepreneurs, and knowledge about marketing and business. Next to the new bookshelf stood his advanced desktop. As Caleb sat on his bed, he felt the day had been unnecessarily long and exhausting.

"Why is that?" he muttered to himself. "Maybe because of Fatty... Always teased me as if I had feelings for her. People make issues out of nothing these days. Can't even be friends with women without assumptions." Caleb sighed.

On the first floor, his parents were nowhere to be seen. When he asked Hui Kui, who was organizing the schedules, he mentioned his parents went on a date.

This surprised Caleb; his parents rarely had time for such activities. "I wonder what sparked this sudden date. Did the spark reignite between them?" he chuckled. Despite the unknown reason, he was overjoyed that his parents were getting closer again.

Delvin's knock echoed through the room, a prelude to his entrance. Without waiting for an invitation, he swung the door open, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Hey, big bro! Heard Mom and Dad went on a date. What's the deal with that?" Delvin's words spilled out, a mixture of curiosity and cheekiness.

Caleb, taken aback by his younger brother's intrusion, shot him a look. "Mind your own business, Delvin. Why are you always so nosy?"

Delvin leaned against the doorframe, undeterred. "Come on, spill the beans! Did they rediscover their lost love, or is it just some random spur-of-the-moment thing?"

Caleb, with an objective stance, retorted, "I don't know, and it's none of your business. Maybe they just wanted some time together without you poking around."

Delvin scoffed, his subjective take evident. "Please, they can't resist my charming presence. I bet I'm the reason they finally decided to have a date night."

Caleb rolled his eyes. "You wish. Now, get out. I've got stuff to do, and your theories about our parents' love life aren't on my agenda."

Delvin, still grinning, exited the room but not without a parting shot. "Just admit it, big bro, you're secretly happy they're on a date. It's like a break from your overprotective duties."

Caleb shook his head, a faint smile betraying his stoic demeanor. "You have a wild imagination, Delvin. Now, let me get back to my 'overprotective duties.'"

As the door closed behind Delvin, Caleb couldn't help but ponder the mystery of his parents' date, a topic that seemed to have sparked both curiosity and speculation within the De Vera household.

"Well, time to fuse some of my active skills," Caleb shook his head and smirked.