Ultimate Spin System: Ero Spin?-Chapter 37 - Arrived

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "YoChat?"

Cindy pulled out her phone and waved it in the air with a cheeky grin. "Yep! You know the app, right? Give me your ID so I can text you or... send you pictures of the disastrous brownies I’ll probably end up baking later."

Lucas let out a small chuckle, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "Sure, hand me your phone."

Taking the phone from her, he quickly typed in his YoChat ID and passed it back. Cindy glanced at the screen, her smile widening as she locked eyes with Lucas again.

"Done! Don’t forget to reply to my texts later, okay? And... be careful on your trip tomorrow, Lucas. I mean it, stay safe."

Lucas nodded sincerely. "Thanks, Cindy. I’ll let you know as soon as I get there."

Cindy gave a playful salute, her fingers pressed against her forehead like a soldier bidding farewell. "Alright, Mr. Lucas. Safe travels!"

With slightly clumsy but light steps, Cindy turned on her heels and walked toward her apartment door. Lucas watched her until she disappeared, then slowly closed his door.

He glanced down at the box of brownies in his hand, the faint smell of chocolate still lingering. With a tired sigh, he walked back to the sofa, placed the box on the coffee table, and slumped down onto the cushions.

A soft ping drew his attention back to his phone. A notification popped up from YoChat:

Cindy: "Don’t forget to eat those brownies! And... stay calm out there, Lucas. You’re stronger than you think. 🫂🍫" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lucas stared at the message for a moment, his lips curling into a faint smile before he set the phone aside. Yet, even as he tried to close his eyes and relax, Maya’s face from their earlier video call crept into his thoughts.

--

The Next Day,

The train trembled softly as it began to pull away from Brightville Station. Outside the window, the city lights slowly faded into the horizon. Lucas glanced at his phone: 5:05 AM. The sky remained dark, and the chill seeped into the nearly empty train car.

He sat by the window, his black hoodie pulled up, shadowing most of his face. His backpack, slightly worn and overstuffed, rested beside him on the empty seat. His fingers tapped against his knee as his mind wandered back to last night’s awkward conversation with Maya over the phone.

"Why does it feel like she’s hiding something?"

A faint vibration from his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. A notification lit up the screen.

Cindy: "Hey hey! Are you on the train already? Don’t skip breakfast, okay? Coffee isn’t breakfast! ☕️🍞"

Lucas allowed a small smile to cross his lips and quickly replied.

Lucas: "Yeah, I’m on the train. Thanks, Cindy."

But just as he was about to set the phone down, another notification popped up, making him squint at the screen.

Cindy: "Oh, by the way... I’ve got a special discount going on for... foot pics. Interested? 🤭✨"

Lucas froze, staring at the message with wide eyes. Did she... really just say that?

Before he could even form a response, another ping followed.

Cindy: "Or... if you’re feeling adventurous, I can grant you exclusive access to my Sweet Cindy Premium Channel. Lots of... special content. 🫣💖"

His face turned crimson instantly. Lucas quickly turned off YoChat notifications and shoved the phone into his jacket pocket, muttering under his breath.

"What the hell, Cindy? I’m literally on a serious trip to Greenville, not... whatever this is."

He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the passing landscape. The sky was beginning to lighten, the edges painted in hues of soft orange and gold as the sun began to rise. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept bouncing between Maya’s mysterious expression and Cindy’s bizarre messages.

---

8:30 AM — First Station Stop

The train came to a slow halt at the first transfer station. Lucas stepped off with hurried strides, scanning the chaotic crowds and directional signs to locate his next platform. The station buzzed with life—commuters rushing in every direction, voices overlapping, the sharp whistles of train conductors slicing through the air.

Lucas found a bench and collapsed onto it, his backpack dropped at his feet. His phone buzzed in his pocket again. Reluctantly, he pulled it out and sighed at the notifications.

Cindy: "Still on the train? Don’t leave me hanging, Lucas! 🥺✨"

Cindy: "If you need... ’entertainment’ during the ride, you know where to find me. 😉💖"

His face flushed, and he quickly closed the app, glancing around nervously to make sure no one was peeking at his screen.

"Cindy... could you not right now? I’ve got enough on my plate already."

---

10:15 AM — Second Station Stop

After what felt like an eternity of navigating crowded corridors and confusing train schedules, Lucas finally boarded his final train bound for Greenville. He collapsed into a seat near the window, the exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders.

The train began moving, the rhythmic clattering of wheels against the tracks filling the silence. Lucas leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery pass by in a blur.

"Why do I feel like something terrible is waiting for me in Greenville? Maya’s voice... her expression... something’s definitely wrong."

His phone buzzed again, but this time, Lucas didn’t even bother checking. He switched off his mobile data entirely, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

"I’ll deal with everything later. Right now, I need to stay focused."

---

12:05 PM — Greenville Station

The train rolled to a stop at Greenville Station. The platform bustled with passengers disembarking, families reuniting, and vendors shouting their offers. Lucas stepped off the train, slinging his backpack onto his shoulder.

The air here was warmer, heavier somehow. His eyes scanned the crowd until they locked onto a familiar figure standing beside a sleek black car.

Maya.

She leaned casually against the vehicle, dressed in a form-fitting black dress that clung to her curves in all the right ways. A beige trench coat rested on her shoulders, effortlessly elegant. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, framing her sharp features.

Lucas felt his throat tighten. Every time he saw Maya, a strange mix of emotions churned in his chest—emotions he couldn’t quite name but knew he shouldn’t feel towards his stepmother.

Maya raised a hand in a small wave, her smile sharp yet faintly warm. "Lucas, Sweet heart. You’ve finally arrived."

Lucas swallowed, gripping the strap of his backpack tighter as he approached her.

"This... is going to be complicated."