After school ended, Rudy went to meet Rize and talked with her for a few minutes before leaving with Alice.
They were passing through the park as a shortcut, but Rudy was busy on his phone while Alice kept glancing at him to seek attention.
"Who are you trying to call again and again?" Alice asked curiously.
"It's Elise's number," Rudy responded.
"Oh? Is she not picking up?"
Rudy put the phone on the speaker and let Alice hear what it said.
[The number you are trying to call does not exist. Please enter the correct number and try again.]
"She got this number after moving from overseas. So the best way for me to know whether she has arrived here is to try calling her. If the call goes through, that would mean she or her relative has bought a sim card for her," Rudy stated calmly.
"Makes sense. Even I want you to meet her soon, so everything ends well."
"Hmm?"
"The only girl you want in your harem is Elise, right? If she joins your harem, you will have no worries in life. You have so many cool powers, so much money, a harem, and the ability to do anything you want," Alice said with a resolute expression on her face.
"Well, yeah. Once Elise was here, all my worries would become non-existent. But keeping that aside, let's talk about you." He wrapped his arm around Alice and asked, "Out of everything I have shown you from my past life, is there anything else different? Except for your birthdate, of course."
Alice shook her head and said, "Not that I can think of, no. We wouldn't have found out about the birthdate if you hadn't mentioned it.
"Yeah. But just to be sure, let's confirm everyone's birthdays."
Rudy stated everyone's birthdate, and sure enough, everyone's birthdays were on the same date as they were in his previous life.
SIGH!
"At least, that's the same. I am curious about what could have caused your birthday to change. Maybe… just maybe, your birthdate was faked in my previous world?" Rudy wondered.
"Why would you jump to that conclusion," Alice groaned. "Even your birthdate is the same as mine."
"Yea…. what?" Rudy stopped on his track and asked, "What did you just say?"
"Your birthday is also the same date as mine, which is also the same as your mother's," Alice repeated calmly.
"What the fuck?! So even I am underage?!"
"Uhh… yeah?"
"To be honest, I did see that coming. This world revolves around me… or rather, around my power. So the anomalies should be related to me. I mean, even if there are other anomalies, I would never know because I would have never noticed other people's lives in my previous world or this world."
"Are you not curious to find out?"
"I am, but… Nah. I feel like I will get my answers eventually. For now, I want to focus on the gambling tournament."
"You kept saying that and ended up adding two new girls to the harem," Alice remarked.
"Maria was always a candidate, although I never expected Lilim. She just feels so… familiar."
"You already said that like ten times now," Alice sighed and held Rudy's hand in her hand. Alice kept glancing at Rudy as they walked but couldn't bring herself to do anything.
"What is it?" Rudy asked. "You are touching me so I can feel what you are feeling. And you are currently feeling anxious. Is there something you want to ask or say?"
He asked politely.
"It's not important, but I was wondering what it would feel like to have a family with you. It has always been my dream to marry you and have your kids. And that dream is now close to becoming a reality, except there are other girls who will also bear your children," she chuckled softly.
"Do you…" Alice paused for a second before continuing, "Do you think everything will be okay?"
"Depends on what you are talking about."
"The girls… do you think everyone would get along?" Alice asked curiously.
"If I am honest, I think the answer is no. I know Rias, Jane, Nyxia, and Niti would get along with each other, like you, Reina, and Angelica. Now there is Maria and Lilim, and I am sure there will be more.
If what Lilim said is true, then once the universe learns of my identity as a Lord, they will approach me with tempting offers. But if you ask me, I just want to live my life in peace. I want to… find the happiness I couldn't find in my previous life."
He said with a distant smile on his face.
Alice chuckled softly and uttered, "You know, I got my answer."
"Hmm?"
"Even if all the girls don't get along with each other, they will surely get along with you. They will love you more and more and fight for your love and attention. I am desperately waiting for the day when all you harem members will live together under one roof."
"That day is not far away. Just let this tournament end. Speaking of which, I am somewhat nervous about tomorrow's match. I am now worth seven billion, and because of my challenge, people might be trying to stop me from winning.
And I expect cheaters too. If I play safe and sound, people might get suspicious of me. And now that I have made so many plans, I am tired of that. It's honestly a pain in the ass to rethink the entire scenario, imagine the possible outcomes, and play according to it."
He groaned with a sigh.
"So… what exactly are you nervous about?" Alice asked with a confused face as she couldn't understand Rudy's reasoning. "Are you afraid that people might find out about your powers?"
"No. I am anxious that I might go all out without caring about anything and finish the tournament in a mere minute."
"How is that even possible?"
"The rules… of VIP underworld gambling tournaments are different from all the tournaments I have played so far. The games are already decided in this one, and the players can't choose any."
