Ultimate Spin System: Ero Spin?-Chapter 67 - What a Day

The bus rattled gently as it moved through the streets of Greenville. Lucas sat by the window, his gaze drifting over the familiar sights of his hometown. The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue over the tree-lined streets, the small parks bustling with life, and the rows of quaint houses. It was a view that stirred a pang of nostalgia in his chest, though he quickly buried it beneath his usual indifference.

He leaned his head against the glass, letting the soft vibrations of the bus lull his thoughts. Memories of simpler times crept into his mind—times when life wasn’t as complicated, when betrayal and manipulation hadn’t yet shaped him into the man he was now. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it vanished just as quickly as it came.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the buzz of his phone in his pocket. Lucas frowned and pulled it out, his expression hardening slightly when he saw the name on the screen.

Cindy.

The message preview read:

"Lucas, send me a selfie! I miss your face :)"

Lucas arched a brow, his thumb hovering over the notification before he opened it. The full message continued:

"Come on, don’t be shy! I’m bored, and I want to see you. Pretty please?"

He stared at the screen for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Cindy was... confusing. One moment, she was shy and reserved, blushing at the smallest compliment. The next, she was teasing and bold, throwing playful jabs his way. Then, out of nowhere, she’d shift to being overly cheerful, as if trying to mask something deeper. Her unpredictable nature both intrigued and baffled him.

"What’s with her?" Lucas muttered under his breath, his fingers brushing over the edge of his phone. "Is she messing with me, or is this just who she is?"

He leaned back in his seat, his thoughts drifting to Cindy’s online persona. As an e-girl, she had a playful, almost mischievous image, complete with flirty banter and exaggerated expressions. But Lucas had seen glimpses of something else beneath the surface—a vulnerability that didn’t quite fit with the confident facade she projected.

"Maybe this whole e-girl thing is getting to her head," he thought, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Playing different roles all the time... no wonder she’s all over the place."

The bus jolted slightly as it stopped to pick up new passengers, snapping Lucas out of his thoughts. He glanced back at his phone, the unread message from Cindy still glaring up at him.

He sighed, finally typing out a response.

"What’s with the sudden interest in my face? Didn’t you just see me last week?"

Her reply came almost instantly:

"That was ages ago! Stop making me beg, Lucas. Just send it. You’ll make my day. <3"

Lucas shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him despite himself. "She’s impossible," he muttered, pulling up the camera app.

With a resigned sigh, he took a quick selfie, making sure his expression was neutral—no smirk, no grin, just his usual sharp, calculating gaze. He sent it off without another word, leaning back against the window as the bus continued its journey.

His phone buzzed again almost immediately.

"You look so serious! Lighten up, Mr. Broody. I swear, I’ll get a smile out of you one day."

Lucas stared at the message, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips despite himself. "Good luck with that," he muttered, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

As the bus turned a corner and the familiar Greenville skyline came into view, Lucas allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. Cindy’s words lingered in his mind, her unpredictable nature both frustrating and oddly refreshing. Whatever her intentions were, one thing was certain: she had a way of keeping him on his toes.

*****

Lucas stepped off the bus and began the short walk to his house, hands tucked into his coat pockets as his boots clicked against the pavement. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional car passing by. The neighborhood felt smaller than he remembered, almost claustrophobic in its stillness.

As he walked, his gaze drifted toward the familiar spots from his childhood—the old park where he and his friends used to play, now overgrown and desolate. The corner store that used to buzz with activity, now replaced by a cold, lifeless convenience store. Memories flickered in his mind like fleeting shadows, but something was missing.

He frowned, scanning the area. Where are they? His childhood friends—where had they gone? No familiar faces greeted him, no cheerful waves or nods of recognition.

"Did they move?" he murmured under his breath. "Or are they all working themselves to the bone in one of those factories?" He scoffed at the thought, but the notion lingered. Life had a way of pulling people in different directions, and not everyone escaped Greenville’s grip.

Lucas sighed and walk toward his home. He stepped inside.

The smell hit him before he even stepped inside—a rich, savory aroma that made his stomach rumble. He pushed open the door and was greeted by an unusual sight.

Maya stood in the kitchen doorway, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. She was wearing nothing but an apron, tied snugly around her frame, the straps crossing her bare back. In her hand, she held a ladle, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Welcome home, Lucas," she said sweetly, twirling the ladle in her hand. "I made soup. Want some?"

Lucas blinked, his usual composure momentarily slipping. He quickly regained his demeanor, narrowing his eyes at her with a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Mom, what the hell are you wearing?"

She feigned innocence, tilting her head. "An apron. What else do you wear when cooking? It’s practical, don’t you think?" She turned slightly, the apron swaying just enough to tease but not reveal.

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh. "You’re impossible."

Maya stepped closer, holding the ladle up to him. "Taste it," she said, her tone playful. "You’ve had a long day. You deserve a good meal. And a good mommy!"