Reborn: The Straightest Man in the Room

As I recalled everything that had happened in my previous life, I couldn't help but clench my fists tightly. Nevertheless, I maintained a clueless expression.

"Why aren't you guys saying anything?" I asked. "You two are friends, right? I'm sure you won't be so petty as to get upset over something as small as this, yeah?"

Jimmy and Connor marched out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

I smirked and sat back down.

Was Jimmy the only one who knew how to act like a tactless, brutally honest guy? I could easily play the same game.

…

That weekend, I went to the campus convenience store with Jimmy. When I saw Regina Johnson, the campus belle, in her staff uniform, I realized what Jimmy was up to.

True enough, after spotting Regina, Jimmy started stumbling toward her. He acted as if he wasn't looking where he was going. However, she abruptly veered into another aisle.

Unable to stop in time, Jimmy collided headfirst into one of the display shelves, sending rows of condiment bottles crashing onto the floor. He'd created a huge mess, drawing the attention of everyone else in the convenience store.

Jimmy also realized he'd caused a spectacle. His eyes flashed with panic. Then, when he spotted me, he reenacted the same scene that I remembered from my previous life. He stuck his hand out toward me, as if I were his lifeline, and waved as hard as he could.

"Don't go, Alex!"

The passersby started eyeing me suspiciously, as if I'd been the one responsible for this.

In my previous life, as a result of Jimmy's reputation for being brutally honest, everyone believed him without much fuss. Even though I'd done my best to defend myself, I was forced to compensate the store with a month's worth of my allowance.

This time, just as I was about to show everyone the video I'd recorded earlier, Regina suddenly appeared. She looked at me in surprise and came over.

But instead of scolding me, she asked in a gentle voice filled with concern, "Are you hurt?"

Meeting her calm, kind eyes, I quickly made myself look flustered and moved. "Thanks for your concern. It's my fault for not seeing that—"

Before I could finish speaking, Jimmy latched onto the idea of being the one showered with Regina's concern. He hurriedly pushed me aside, snapping, "What are you talking about, Alex? I'm the one who crashed into the shelves by accident!"

He turned to Regina, his face red as he scratched his head sheepishly and said, "It's nice to meet you. My name is Jimmy Hudson. Thanks for checking on me. I'm not hurt. I'd love to get to know you better. Can I have your number?"

However, a staff member of the convenience store, whose badge made it clear he was the manager, appeared beside us. With a grim expression, he said, "Please come with me to discuss the appropriate compensation for the damages."

Jimmy froze, his smile stiffening as well.

…

That night, I returned to the dorm with a stack of exam passes for my classmates.

Jimmy marched up to me and questioned me heatedly, "Alex! What did Regina say to you when she followed you out? Where did you two go after that?"

Startled, I thought back to what happened earlier this afternoon. While the store manager held Alex back to demand compensation for the damages, I turned and walked right out of the store.

However, Regina came after me. "Hey, wait!"

After a pause, she said tactfully, "I think you need to watch out for that friend of yours. Also, can I… have your number?"

Stiffening ever so slightly, I thanked her for her warning before politely declining her request and leaving.

To be honest, it felt a little strange to me. Regina and I didn't even know each other. Even in my previous life, I'd only seen her from a distance a few times.

All I knew was that she was the campus belle who studied a different major. Everyone idolized her. She was completely unlike me, who was ostracized by everyone and wandered the hallways alone, always separate from the crowd.

I only remembered that she'd helped me with my luggage on my first day when Jimmy brought it up just before I died.

Snapping back to the present, I brushed Jimmy off with a wave of my hand. Then, with the bashful look of a guy who didn't have much experience with women, I said, "She didn't say much to me."

Jimmy's expression darkened. It was clear he didn't believe me. "You're refusing to tell me?"

"Why would I do that?" I scratched my head and parroted his usual explanation to him. "You know me, man. I'm just your average socially clueless guy. How should I know what the ladies think?"

Jimmy rolled his eyes before snapping, "Fine! Let's drop it. By the way, I got you an iced caramel latte. Drink up."

One look was all I needed to know that he was up to no good again. Still, I pretended to be delighted. "You serious? Thanks, Jimmy."

As he watched intently, I stuck the straw into the cup.