Urban LitRPG System-Chapter 87: I want to meet them

Max went to his gym next, the familiar scent of rubber mats and metal greeting him as soon as he stepped inside, seeing Josefina already there smiling at him like she had expected him, he answered with a small smirk instead of words.

While the other women in the gym noticed immediately, exchanging glances, smiling and teasing him about yesterday in low voices, their playful energy obvious but restrained, because every time Josefina glanced their way the teasing faded, their treadmill speed would increase as if any of them wanted to test her patience.

" You can come earlier tomorrow, I will come earlier as well "

Josefina said it while they were training, her voice was light, the smile on her face softer than usual, less competitive, more personal, and Max nodded once, accepting without overthinking, before moving into sparring with her, their distance closing naturally, her movements unusually gentle today, controlled in a way that showed restraint rather than limitation.

Each motion smooth, relaxed, precise, like she was carefully measuring her strength around him, and even as she maintained that effortless technique, she tried her best not to blush, the faint warmth on her face appearing whenever their eyes met, quickly hidden behind focus.

" I want you to introduce me to your other girls " 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Josefina said it mid-spar, the words slipping out between movement and breath, her tone trying to sound casual but missing the mark, because the timing gave her away, and Max’s motion slowed just enough for him to look at her properly, curiosity replacing rhythm.

" Why all of a sudden? "

Max asked while circling her, his eyes steady on her face, not challenging, just wanting the reason behind the sudden question, because Josefina was rarely indirect about what she wanted, which made this hesitation stand out.

" Why? Isn’t it obvious? "

Josefina pouted, the expression appearing before she could stop it, her lips pressing together in a small frustrated curve, and then the blush came harder than before, color spreading across her cheeks as the words stalled in her throat, her movements losing their sharpness for a moment, eyes flicking away and then back to him, like she was annoyed that she had to explain something she felt should already be understood.

Max smiled, the expression slow and knowing, because he was obviously teasing her, letting the tension linger just long enough to see her reaction before he nodded once, giving her the answer without stretching the moment further, and when he glanced at the clock and saw it was already close to eight, he stepped back from the spar, signaling the end of training for the day with that quiet finality he carried.

" I will arrange a dinner soon, or you can come to my apartment tonight "

Max said it over his shoulder as he moved toward the showers, while Josefina followed a step behind, her expression shifting from surprise to something softer, something quietly pleased, though she masked it quickly, turning briefly to gesture the other women in her class to continue their exercises, her authority returning in a single motion before she walked after him, the faint blush she tried to hide refusing to fade.

" I will come to your apartment tonight then "

Josefina said it quickly, the decision forming before she could slow herself down, her steps turning almost playful as she followed Max with visible eagerness, the small bounce in her movement betraying how pleased she was with the outcome.

" Alright, you can come, but now go back to your class, we can’t do it right now "

Max said it without raising his voice, but the firmness was clear, his face carrying a faint smile while his tone stayed strict, drawing a clean line before she could push further, because he had university classes waiting and she was in the middle of teaching, and the audacity of her trying to skip it just to follow him was something he wouldn’t allow, no matter how aroused he was by it.

" But... "

The word slipped out as she slowed, hesitation and reluctance mixing in her expression, her body still angled toward him like she wanted to keep walking.

" No but, there’s time for everything "

Max cut it off calmly, the answer final without sounding harsh, his gaze steady on her for a second longer, enough for her to understand that this wasn’t rejection, just timing, structure returning where impulse tried to take over.

" You’re a bad person, hmmph "

Josefina said it with a smile that ruined the complaint immediately, her lips pouting in exaggerated frustration before she turned back toward her class, the small performance more playful than serious, her steps slowing only once as if she considered looking back again, then choosing not to.

Max took a shower without lingering, the cold water washing away the heat of training from his body, the routine familiar and efficient as he changed and walked out toward his bike.

The bike felt light as usual with his god-tier skill, the machine responding to him like it always did, but when he tried to move it the way he normally did while strapping his helmet, he noticed the difference immediately.

A subtle resistance, a strange softness in the roll that didn’t belong there, and he understood at once that the tires needed to be changed, because pushing past 300+ KPH with nearly two hundred kilos repeatedly left marks even on performance rubber, and to someone like Max, anything slightly off felt obvious.

It’s time to invite them as well, Finn’s parents, they need to help me out.

The thought settled as naturally as a plan already forming, and the bike jumped forward the moment he moved, Max using his God-tier skill without hesitation, control flowing into speed as he slipped out of the parking lot smoothly, traffic parting around him like something expected, his focus sharp as he headed back toward the apartment.

He returned, ate breakfast without delay, the morning shifting from motion to routine again, Machina smiling as she placed a Thai breakfast in front of him, the choice slightly unexpected but practical, the aroma warm and rich, unfamiliar yet filling, and Max accepted it without question, because efficiency mattered more than preference right now.

After eating he saw Jennifer waking up, her movements rushed the moment she stepped out, already hurrying Machina for breakfast while checking the time again and again, the urgency obvious because she was late for the day, and without hesitation she blamed Max for not waking her up.

" What did I do? "

Max asked, genuinely confused, looking at her with a small lift of his brow, his tone more puzzled than defensive.

" Why did you not wake me up? "

Jennifer shot back immediately, her voice sharper than usual, frustration slipping through as she moved around quickly, gathering things without focus.

" I thought you had an alarm set up "

Max replied simply, the answer logical in his mind, delivered without irritation, because he assumed routine worked the way it always did.

" Arghh! "

She growled at him, the reaction completely unlike her usual composure, the tension showing in the way she grabbed her hair and turned back toward the bedroom again, the movement restless, overwhelmed rather than angry.

Max looked at Machina, silently asking the question he didn’t voice, and Machina casually pointed toward the tampon pack on the counter, the explanation immediate, making the sudden shift in Jennifer’s mood make sense without another word.

Even the gentlest one?