[Age 5: Your father succumbed to his injuries. Naturally, no one would speak up for a man who stole a child's cake in the middle of a car accident. According to Inazuma's laws, since you had no remaining guardians, you were sent to an orphanage.]
[Of course, the so-called orphanage was nothing more than a welfare institution that merely sounded proper. The elderly director, Gui Luo, was mockingly nicknamed "Kindly Gui Luo" by the children. Despite her seemingly gentle exterior, she often abused the children at the orphanage.]
[She would treat the pretty and clever children well, as they were more likely to be adopted and thus earn her a profit. But a child like you—who appeared dumb and slow, and whose father was a criminal—naturally sat at the very bottom of the hierarchy, a target for everyone's bullying.]
[Age 6: You still hadn't learned to speak. Of course, even if you could speak, you had no one to talk to. Some even thought you were a mute.]
[Age 7: You watched as one child after another was brought in, and one after another adopted out, while your name had never once appeared on any adoption list. Your daily work was to handle the dirtiest and most exhausting chores in the orphanage.]
[Age 8: As you grew older, your mind gradually became sharper. While still not quite at the level of your peers, you were no longer as dull as before (Effect of talent [Late Bloomer] activated).]
[The orphanage held weekly "classes" that were more for show than substance. Most of the mischievous kids your age had no interest in these lessons, but you never missed a single one. Dressed in ragged clothes and with a withdrawn personality, you always curled up in a corner of the classroom, ravenously absorbing whatever scraps of knowledge you could.]
[Age 9: Through effort surpassing that of ordinary children, your progress came swiftly. But you knew it still wasn't enough. So you volunteered to clean the library—a task few were willing to do. But for you, it was the happiest job of all.]
[Age 10: In your spare time, you learned as much as you could from that dusty library. You knew deep down that you were long past the ideal age for adoption. No couple would willingly take in a ten-year-old. If things continued this way, you'd likely spend the rest of your life doing menial labor in this grim orphanage.]
[Age 11: However, your thirst for knowledge only made you even more of a misfit. One day, while being bullied, you accidentally touched your assailant—and to your surprise, it sent him into a hallucination. He mistook a nearby tree for you and began violently punching it, blood streaming from his knuckles without him stopping. You seized the chance to escape.]
[That experience revealed to you your special ability: by touching someone's body, you could induce a certain degree of illusion. You named this ability "Mirror Flower, Water Moon" using the words you had learned (Effect of talent [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] activated).]
[Using this power, you were no longer bullied as often. However, you couldn't use the ability frequently—first, because it put a physical strain on your body; second, because excessive use would inevitably raise suspicion.]
[Age 12: You had once considered using illusions to trick prospective adoptive parents into taking you, but that idea was clearly impractical. Your body couldn't yet sustain the illusion long enough. Once it faded, your true self would be exposed. And after all the misfortune you'd endured, you'd begun to understand: the only person you could ever rely on was yourself.]
[Age 13: According to Inazuma's policies, if your grades were good enough to pass the public middle school entrance exam, you could not only enroll for free but also receive financial aid based on performance. This was your only hope of escaping poverty.]
[Of course, "Kindly Gui Luo" would never allow you to take the exam. That woman, with her hypocritical, profit-driven ways, had hardly changed in the past decade. There was no way she'd let go of such a hardworking, unpaid laborer.]
[So you had no choice but to use "Mirror Flower, Water Moon" to make her hallucinate and agree to let you leave the orphanage. It was a gamble—once her illusion broke, she'd never forgive you. If you didn't pass the entrance exam, you'd be left to wander the streets.]
[Still, even wandering the streets was better than staying in that hellish orphanage.]
[You signed up for the exam. Compared to the well-dressed students arriving with their parents, you looked like a beggar. Even when you presented your exam slip, they only reluctantly let you in.]
[Thankfully, years of hard study weren't in vain. Although you lacked formal education, the entrance exam turned out to be surprisingly simple. Seeing the worried faces of other examinees, you felt a sense of pride for the first time in your life.]
[While waiting for your results, you wandered the streets, surviving only on the little food you had taken from the orphanage. Though your appearance resembled that of a beggar, you never once begged. That, you considered your bottom line.]
[Finally, the results were announced—you were accepted with high marks. However, because of your unusual background, the school requested an in-person interview. When shaking hands with the principal, you clearly saw the disgust on his face, but you seized the opportunity to cast "Mirror Flower, Water Moon."]
[The illusion worked. The interview proceeded smoothly. You were successfully enrolled and received financial aid and a scholarship—enough to sustain yourself. At last, you seemed to glimpse a sliver of hope.]
[Inazuma Public Middle School, aside from students like you who worked hard for everything, was mainly filled with the children of the wealthy elite. Even with a new set of clothes, you still felt deeply inferior among them. Unable to blend in, you poured all your energy into studying, just as you always had.]
[There were many noble heirs in your class, but the most eye-catching among them was undoubtedly Kamisato Ayato, eldest son of the Kamisato Clan. Not only was he born into one of Inazuma's three great houses, but he was also an academic standout, an all-round athlete, handsome and kind. He was your complete opposite. Unsurprisingly, he was elected class president by an overwhelming vote.]
[And you, during the election, remained quietly in the corner, like an invisible person. But you didn't mind at all. Compared to your birthdays in the orphanage, your current life already felt like heaven.]
[People who don't fit in often get isolated. Some even gave you nicknames like "bookworm" behind your back, but you didn't care in the slightest.]
[Age 14: One semester quickly passed. During your time at school, you made no friends and barely spoke. You poured all your time into studying. Like the other students from humble backgrounds who got in through good grades, you believed that hard work alone could change your fate.]
[Your efforts paid off. In the first comprehensive exam, you earned the top score in the entire grade, even surpassing the outstanding Kamisato Ayato, who came in second.]
[However, very few looked at you with newfound respect. But to your surprise, one day, Kamisato Ayato actually took the initiative to speak to you. The two of you were worlds apart in status—clouds and mud—yet he extended a friendly hand and hoped to become your friend.]
[You thought perhaps it was because he admired your academic excellence, so you didn't doubt him. Having never known what "friendship" felt like, you were overjoyed that someone so seemingly perfect wanted to befriend you. You accepted without hesitation.]
[Thus, you became part of Kamisato Ayato's "circle." Yes, excellent people naturally attract others to gather around them, forming a "core" like stars orbiting the moon. But you didn't mind being one of those stars. In fact, you felt honored.]
[Moreover, perhaps because of your newfound friendship with Kamisato Ayato, the attitudes of other students toward you began to shift. They no longer ignored you, sometimes even greeted you proactively. Your old nicknames disappeared. Everything seemed to be improving.]
[At Kamisato Ayato's invitation, you joined the Kendo Club. He was the team captain, strong and capable. You had no interest in kendo and didn't want to waste time on other things, but to maintain your friendship with him, you still agreed.]
[However, on the kendo floor, Kamisato Ayato seemed like a completely different person. His strikes were ruthless—even with protective gear, his wooden sword left your entire body aching. But you endured it, not wanting to ruin his mood. Behind the faceguard, you couldn't see the expression on his face when he struck.]
[After the first day's practice, you removed your uniform in the locker room and found yourself covered in bruises. Still, you comforted yourself—Kamisato Ayato probably didn't mean it. Getting injured during kendo practice was normal.]
[Sure enough, when Kamisato Ayato saw you, he was still smiling as always. He said he had a banquet to attend that evening with other noble friends and hoped you could help clean the gear and wooden swords. Looking at the pile of equipment—and remembering you still had homework—you now faced a choice…]
[1. Agree]
[2. Refuse]
As the saying goes, bystanders see clearly while those involved are blinded. Lucas instantly recognized that the simulated version of himself was being PUA-ed by Kamisato Ayato. This was clearly a trap born out of jealousy because his grades had surpassed Ayato's.
Luckily, characters in the simulator differ from real-life counterparts in personality, background, and design. And this simulation's world was quite unlike not just reality, but also past simulations, so it was no surprise the characters were different.
The real Kamisato Ayato surely wouldn't be this nasty.
Otherwise, when Lucas arrived in Inazuma this time, he'd make sure to teach him a lesson.
And snatch his sister right in front of him!
Hmph!
"Refuse!" Lucas didn't even hesitate before choosing. Then he added, "Can I activate Immersive Mode manually?"
[No… What are you trying to do? Kamisato Ayato is a guy.]
Clearly, because eight out of ten previous immersive runs had leaned toward "fanservice," the system assumed Lucas was up to his usual antics again.
"What are you even thinking!" Lucas snapped. "Of course, I just want to beat the bastard up properly. Make me wipe his sword? I'll ram that wooden sword right through him!"
Although powers from reality couldn't be used inside the simulation, Lucas's combat experience remained. Taking on a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old was no issue. Not to mention, the simulated version of himself still had the [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] talent. As long as he could make contact, there was no chance of losing.
[You refused Kamisato Ayato. A trace of disbelief flashed across his face, but then he smiled and said, "It's alright, I won't force you. Please go."]
[He turned and left. You looked at his armor. The most prominent place bore a snow camellia crest—you felt like you'd seen it somewhere before.]
[The next day, when you entered the classroom as usual, you noticed the other students acting strangely. No one greeted you anymore. It felt like you had returned to the past.]
[Returning to your desk, you found it carved with obscene, hateful words. Even your textbooks and reference books had been vandalized beyond repair.]
[You looked around in confusion, only to see everyone treating you as if you were invisible. Even those who met your gaze would quickly look away.]
[To your surprise, Kamisato Ayato was the first to step forward, concern on his face as he asked, "How could this happen? Who did this?"]
[No one answered his question. But from the amusement hidden in his eyes, you suddenly understood everything. Nothing had ever changed.]
[You instinctively wrapped your arms around yourself, hoping someone might stand up for you. It was clear they all knew the truth, yet not one dared to speak a word on your behalf.]
[That noisy classroom resembled a massive sheep pen. Everyone else were white sheep. You alone were the black sheep. And Kamisato Ayato was the butcher hiding the blade. As he entered the pen, all the white sheep chose to distance themselves from the black sheep—thinking that if they sacrificed it, they could preserve their own safety.]
["Stop pretending. We all know you're the one behind this!"]
[Just then, a voice suddenly called out behind you. A girl pointed at Kamisato Ayato, her face filled with righteous indignation: "You're jealous of him, that's why you bullied him like this!"]
[Her name was Shouko. You remembered you hadn't spoken to her before. Like you, she had little presence at school. You never expected her to speak up for you. After all, helping the 'black sheep' could very well turn her into the next one.]
[However, the students ignored not just you, but also Shouko. Kamisato Ayato's expression didn't even change—as if he hadn't heard her at all. Deep down, you knew that under such a "group atmosphere," any effort was bound to be futile.]
["It's fine..." you shook your head in silence. Kamisato Ayato gave a cold chuckle and walked off, ignoring you. The surrounding students returned to their own business as though nothing had happened. Only Shouko came to your side and silently helped you clean up the mess.]
[You didn't even dare say "thank you," afraid that showing appreciation might bring her more trouble. Yet Shouko asked, "Why don't you fight back? If you keep letting it happen, they'll just go further."]
["Fighting back won't change anything," you shook your head and said softly. "It's fine. I just have to endure until graduation... I'm already used to it."]
[Age 15: Shouko wasn't wrong. The price of not resisting was only worsening abuse. When you walked past the playground, soccer balls would suddenly come flying at you. Every time you returned to your seat, you had to check carefully to avoid sitting in ink. And finding thumbtacks in your shoes had become routine.]
[Gradually, it wasn't just Kamisato Ayato—more and more people joined in bullying you. They didn't need a reason. It was simply easier to fit in that way.]
[Everyone else turned a blind eye. Only Shouko still tried to comfort you. The one fortunate thing was that those bullying you didn't turn on Shouko too. At most, they ignored her—just like they had ignored you in the beginning. But now, you felt that being ignored would almost be a blessing.]
[You'd once thought about using [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] to protect yourself, but getting close enough to touch Kamisato Ayato was nearly impossible.]
[Besides, things had gotten to the point where hypnotizing one person wouldn't fix anything.]
[You thought you could keep enduring. But one day, Kamisato Ayato suddenly called you to the rooftop. You didn't expect him to take out a yellowed newspaper—with a photo in the corner that was none other than your father, killed by a truck years ago.]
[He told you he'd recognized you long ago as the son of that "thief." He had even investigated your background and knew you had escaped from an orphanage. If he wanted, he could expose your identity at any time. And with some manipulation, he could get you expelled.]
["Of course, I could also keep your secret," Kamisato Ayato said, pointing toward the edge of the rooftop with a smile. "As long as you jump from here, I won't reveal your identity, and I'll stop bullying you. How about it? Don't worry—at worst, you'll just break a leg."]
[Faced with Kamisato Ayato's pressing demand, your choices are—]
[1. Jump]
[2. Don't jump]
[3. Mutual destruction]
Jumping means death or disability. Even if you revived using the [Try Again] talent, Kamisato Ayato might just find crueler ways to torment you. And without another revive, it would truly be game over.
Not jumping means your forged records from [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] could be exposed. Even if the school turned a blind eye because of your grades, someone of Kamisato Ayato's status would have no trouble getting you expelled.
But if you choose mutual destruction, with the [Try Again] talent, you could resurrect. If you could make it look like an accident, there might be a way out.
"Mutual... destruction!"
After all, it was just a simulator. With no guaranteed win option, Lucas would always choose the path with the highest potential return.
Besides, after enduring for so long, it was time to fight back.
["Alright, I'll jump." You feigned fear and stepped to the edge of the rooftop. Looking down at the students coming and going below, you couldn't help but feel wistful. All you had ever wanted... was just to live like one of them.]
[Without hesitation, you leapt. Kamisato Ayato's face showed a flicker of shock—he hadn't expected you to actually jump. He rushed to the edge and leaned over to look.]
[But just then, you reached up and grabbed his ankle. You hadn't really jumped—you had caught the edge at the last second.]
["What… what are you doing?!" Kamisato Ayato panicked. "Let go!"]
[You sneered. "Let's go to hell together."]
[Truthfully, pulling Kamisato Ayato down from this position wasn't easy. But you activated [Mirror Flower, Water Moon]. In a trance, Kamisato Ayato suddenly stepped forward—as if possessed—and plummeted.]
[You had no energy left to watch what happened to him. Using the talent had drained you. You didn't even have the strength to climb back up.]
[Just then, Shouko appeared before you like a miracle. She reached out a hand and shouted, "Grab on!"]
[In that moment, it felt like hope had returned. You reached out to take her hand—only to grasp at air. Her figure shattered into fragments before your eyes. Without support, you fell.]
[In that weightless descent, you finally realized the truth: "Shouko" was just an illusion created by your subconscious through [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] to protect yourself. All along, in that pen full of white sheep, the black sheep had only ever been—just you.]
[You crashed hard onto the ground, feeling as though every bone in your body had shattered. Your vision blurred with blood, and one of your eyeballs even popped out, rolling across the floor like a glass marble, leaving a trail of red.]
[To your despair, Kamisato Ayato, who had fallen before you, was somehow still alive. But his condition wasn't much better. Both of his lower legs had been completely shattered, and the broken bones had pierced through the flesh, looking grotesque and horrifying.]
[Kamisato Ayato let out a series of shrill screams. For the first time, you saw his face twisted in tearful agony.]
[Amid the waves of screeching, you slowly closed your eyes as consciousness drained from your soul. It was tragic that you hadn't survived, but gratifying that you had inflicted upon him a pain he would never forget for the rest of his life.]
Hey!
It's not over yet!
Lucas clenched his fists. Clearly, his simulated self hadn't yet realized he possessed the [Try Again] ability, which would bring him back to life.
He was truly looking forward to what came next. Based on experience, things were probably about to turn around.
[You didn't know how much time had passed before you slowly opened your eyes. It was pitch black all around, and you seemed to be inside a makeshift box—not very sturdy. You could even see specks of light through the cracks.]
[Wasn't I supposed to be dead…? you wondered, but this wasn't the time to dwell on that. You mustered all your strength and kicked away the wooden board blocking you. Warm sunlight bathed your body as you gasped for air laced with a foul stench. ([Try Again] talent activated!)]
[That's right—you weren't dead! Not only that, your injuries had all vanished, as if that fall had been nothing but a dream.]
[But deep down, you knew it hadn't been a dream. You were in a crude wooden coffin, surrounded by a mass grave. Countless corpses lay buried here, all people like you—nameless, without pasts, and supposedly without futures.]
["Duang!" You heard a dull thud. A wild dog with a vicious glare was slamming into a nearby coffin. These flimsy coffins were often called "dog bumpers," because feral dogs could break them open with their heads, dragging the corpses out to feast. It was said that dogs who tasted human flesh would lose interest in all other food.]
[But the corpse inside that coffin had already rotted. Even the dog seemed hesitant. Suddenly, it lifted its head, bloodshot eyes locking onto you. Saliva dripped from its maw. After a moment's pause, it lunged at you like a beast gone mad.]
[Just as its fangs were about to pierce your throat, you reached out, gripped its neck tightly, and—ignoring everything else—sank your teeth into its throat.]
[The foul, muddy blood poured into your mouth. Starving and crazed, you tore at the dog's flesh without mercy. You were still the black sheep, but this time, faced with a predator, you no longer chose silence or endurance—you struck back.]
[You slowly climbed out of the coffin, drenched in blood and bathed in sunlight. At that moment, you were reborn.]
[Age 16: With the help of [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] and your already stellar grades, you easily gained admission into another private school.]
[In the past, you were overly cautious and missed many opportunities. But now, reborn, you had become far more aggressive. You understood that to defeat the "butchers," you had to be even more ruthless than they were.]
[Age 17: You never returned to your former school, but through various channels, you learned what happened after the rooftop incident.]
[Everyone believed you had died. With no family and your real identity exposed, the school handled your "death" quietly to avoid public backlash.]
[As for Kamisato Ayato, though his fall had been softened by a tree branch and he survived, both of his legs were completely shattered, leaving him permanently disabled.]
[The living always have the power to shape the narrative. In his version of events, you had lured him to the rooftop with a letter and tried to push him off. The two of you struggled and accidentally fell together.]
[Of course, you didn't care. For Kamisato Ayato, merely breaking his legs was far from enough. Your revenge had only just begun.]
[That year, during the school's opening ceremony, you infiltrated the event using [Mirror Flower, Water Moon] to hypnotize a student.]
[Kamisato Ayato, now seated in a wheelchair, gave a speech as the student representative. Despite his condition, he exuded pride and composure, seeming even more dignified than those who stood upright. To everyone else, he remained that flawless, perfect man.]
[After the speech, a cute girl around five or six years old stepped forward holding a bouquet of flowers and presented it to Kamisato Ayato. Having thoroughly investigated his background, you naturally knew—she was his younger sister, Kamisato Ayaka.]
Kamisato Ayaka?
That's odd...
Lucas furrowed his brows. If this was true, then the age difference between the siblings must be nearly ten years.
It seemed this was just another discrepancy between the simulation and reality. Given how much character settings could differ, a slight age inconsistency wasn't anything unusual.
[What surprised you was the way Kamisato Ayato looked at his sister—with unmistakable affection. You knew him too well to be fooled. You could always tell whether his emotions were real or fake.]
[Clearly, he truly adored his sister. As you watched the doting look in his eyes, a bold and sinister idea took root deep within your heart.]
[Age 18: You graduated from the private school with top marks. Many prestigious institutions extended offers to you, but you decisively chose the education track.]
[That's right—you decided to become a teacher. But not to inspire and guide students who bullied the weak. You knew all too well that the laws protecting minors in Inazuma were too lenient. Those who commit evil must be punished—and you would be the executioner.]
[Age 19: You successfully enrolled in the most prestigious teacher training university in Inazuma and began devouring your studies with zeal.]
[Even in college, bullying didn't entirely disappear. It merely lessened somewhat, offering a bit more breathing room. You had always comforted yourself with the belief that everything would get better once you got into university—which, in hindsight, wasn't entirely self-deception.]
[But what about the children who never made it this far?]
[Age 20: Though you were withdrawn and aloof, your outstanding grades and unique demeanor still drew the admiration of many girls. However, you rejected all of them without hesitation. It wasn't that you lacked human emotion, but rather that you knew—if you wanted to fulfill your plan—you couldn't afford to waste any energy on love.]
[At least, not until your "dream" was complete.]
[Age 21: Despite your cold demeanor and numerous rejections, there was one girl who relentlessly pursued you. Her name was Kujou Sara. Though she appeared just as indifferent as you, her feelings burned with an intensity that couldn't be ignored.]
[It was said she had even commissioned many dolls modeled after you to display at home—most of them cylindrical in shape. You could scarcely imagine what she might be doing with them.]
[Kujou Sara wasn't a bad person, but her constant and invasive attention still made you uncomfortable.]
[Just as you were pondering how to make Kujou Sara give up, another girl unexpectedly approached you.]
[She was a senior by one year, the president of the student council, and the dream girl of countless male students—Raiden Ei. You may have rejected many girls, but compared to the number of boys she had turned down, you were a mere drop in the bucket.]
[It turned out Kujou Sara was also a member of the student council. Due to her one-sided love for you, her mental state had recently declined. Upon learning the truth, Raiden Ei came to find you.]
[Entering Immersive Mode]
So sudden?
The scene around Lucas immediately shifted to a corner of the campus.
As he looked at his surroundings, Lucas couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia. The environment was strikingly similar to a university from his former world. It was clear this simulation was based on a modern setting.
"To space out while talking to someone... how rude," came a cold voice in front of him. "How could Vice President Kujou fall for someone like you?"
Lucas looked up. Standing before him was a striking violet-haired beauty, dressed in a long-sleeved blouse and a flowing purple skirt, her hair tied in a simple ponytail.
As expected of Raiden Ei—her attire was as "plain and unadorned" as ever, even in a modern setting.
Of course, even though she wasn't showing much skin, her taut blouse, with buttons seemingly on the verge of bursting, still attested to her impeccable figure.
"Apologies," Lucas replied expressionlessly. "President, may I ask why you're here to see me?"
"Don't play dumb." Raiden Ei narrowed her eyes and said coolly, "You know Kujou Sara likes you, don't you?"
"I do," Lucas nodded. "And I've already made it very clear—I'm not interested."
"Why?" Raiden Ei seemed slightly displeased. "You should know she's an excellent woman. In my view, she's more than worthy of you."
"Oh?" Lucas said flatly. "Could you tell me what's so excellent about her, President?"
"Well…" Raiden Ei frowned. "I can list plenty of things. She's capable, academically outstanding, comes from a good family, is quite attractive, and her bust… ahem, that part's large too. From what I know, you men like that sort of thing, don't you?"
"Large?" Lucas glanced at her, then said, "I don't think she's bigger than you."
If this were reality, of course Lucas wouldn't dare speak so boldly to the Electro Archon.
But this was a modern-world simulation—what, was Raiden Ei going to pull Musou Isshin out of her chest and cleave him on the spot?
"You… you shameless man!" Raiden Ei instinctively covered her chest. "Kujou's only flaw is that her taste in men is terrible."
"Exactly," Lucas shrugged. "So, President, I'd appreciate it if you could tell her it's never going to happen. She should give up."
"I came here specifically to make you accept her," Raiden Ei said, pressing forward. "She's not only my most reliable subordinate but also one of my few true friends. That's why I hope you'll say yes."
"This commanding tone doesn't sound like someone making a request," Lucas sneered. "Still, it's not impossible for me to accept her—if you're willing to agree to one condition."
"Hmph, I knew it." Raiden Ei clicked her tongue. "Speak. What's your condition?"
She figured he probably just wanted to exploit her authority as student council president. If that would help Kujou Sara achieve her wish, she was willing to consider it.
"I've heard you reject every guy who confesses to you," Lucas said, eyes locked on hers. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes… so what?" Raiden Ei replied. "None of them are worth my time."
"In that case, you should still have your first kiss," Lucas smiled. "Give it to me, and I'll agree to go out with Kujou Sara."
Raiden Ei's face flushed slightly as she snapped, "Do you even know what you're saying?"
"Of course I do," Lucas said coolly. "I like doing what others can't. Of course, you're free to turn me down. You don't have to make such a big sacrifice for Kujou Sara, right?"
This was a bluff Lucas had come up with on the spot. There was no way Raiden Ei would agree to such an outrageous condition—she'd definitely drop the whole thing.
To his shock, Raiden Ei's body trembled slightly. Then, gritting her teeth, she muttered, "...Fine. But you only get one minute."
What the hell!?
She actually agreed?
If this were a tabletop RPG, Lucas had clearly rolled a critical success—a natural 1—prompting Raiden Ei to accept a condition she normally never would.
Had he known this, he might've made an even more outrageous demand...