The Perverted Jester of Chaos: Reborn to Clown Around

Chapter 2: Juggling Secrets and Suspicion

"Let me paint you a picture: me, your charming, totally normal, completely innocent high school student, caught between a suspicious childhood friend and the ashes of a self-destructed ninja monster. Fun, right?"

Reina's eyes narrow, still gripping my arm like she's interrogating a suspect.

"Akira. Talk. Now."

---

Here's the thing: I could tell her the truth. That I'm secretly a reincarnated evil dragon god, infinitely more powerful than anything she can imagine, and that Void Stalker was probably sent by a shadowy council bent on world domination or some other generic villain nonsense.

Or, I could do what I always do when backed into a corner: clown my way out of it.

---

"Reina," I say, giving her my best serious face. "Do you believe in…aliens?"

Her expression shifts from angry to confused. "What?"

I nod solemnly. "That thing wasn't from around here. Probably an illegal alien. Literally."

"Akira!" she snaps. "This isn't a joke!"

"I know! I know! It's just…" I scratch the back of my head, pretending to look sheepish. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you the truth."

She crosses her arms. "Try me."

Oh boy.

---

"Fine," I say, sighing dramatically. "You remember that horror movie we watched last week? The one with the demon ninjas?"

Her eyebrow twitches. "What does that have to do with—"

"It was real."

"...What?"

"That thing we just fought? Totally inspired by the movie. Turns out the director was a summoner, and now we've got demon ninjas running around."

Reina stares at me like I've grown a second head. "You are unbelievable."

"Thank you!" I say, flashing a grin.

"That wasn't a compliment!"

---

Reina rubs her temples, clearly trying to process my nonsense. While she's distracted, I quietly gather the leftover traces of the Void Stalker's energy into my hand and crush it into nothing. No evidence, no questions.

"Fine," she finally says. "If you're not going to be honest, at least promise me you'll be careful."

"Always," I say, giving her a thumbs-up.

She sighs. "I don't know how you survive with that brain of yours."

Little does she know, it's not my brain keeping me alive. It's my ridiculously overpowered reincarnated body.

---

Narration Mode Activated

"Let's take a moment to appreciate my brilliance. Reina is still suspicious, sure, but she's not pressing me for answers anymore. Step one of Operation Clown Cover: success!"

Oh, but don't think I'm off the hook just yet.

The Council of Shadows. That name isn't one I've heard in a while. Back in my dragon days, they were a bunch of scheming cowards who wanted to "restore balance" to the multiverse or whatever. They tried to assassinate me twice. Failed both times, obviously.

And now, they're targeting me again.

It's cute, really.

---

By the time Reina and I get back to class, things are relatively normal—or as normal as they can be when you're a walking calamity in disguise.

I slouch in my chair, pretending to pay attention to the teacher's lecture. In reality, I'm replaying the fight in my head.

The Void Stalker wasn't just a random attack. It was a test. They were probing my strength, seeing if I'd reveal my power. And now that I've taken the bait, they'll be back.

---

"But don't worry, dear reader. I've got this under control. Probably."

---

The rest of the school day passes without incident. Well, unless you count the part where I "accidentally" tripped into the girls' locker room during gym class. (Pro tip: if you're going to play the pervert, commit to the role.)

Aya Nakamura, the class rep, caught me before I could escape and promptly hit me over the head with a broom. Worth it.

---

After school, I head to my usual hangout: an old bookstore tucked away in a quiet alley. The place smells like dust and ink, and it's one of the few spots where I can let my guard down.

The owner, a grumpy old man named Mr. Kubo, barely acknowledges me as I walk in. Perfect.

---

I browse the shelves, pretending to look for something interesting while keeping an eye out for anything unusual. The Council of Shadows isn't dumb enough to attack me in public, but you never know.

As I reach for a book on ancient magical artifacts, my hand brushes against another.

"Looking for something specific?"

The voice is soft, almost musical. I glance to my left and see a girl about my age. Long silver hair, bright green eyes, and an air of mystery that screams "important plot character."

"Not really," I say, pulling the book off the shelf. "Just killing time."

She tilts her head, studying me like she's trying to figure out a puzzle. "You're not what you seem, are you?"

Oh, great. Another suspicious person.

---

"I get that a lot," I say, flashing a grin. "What about you? New in town?"

She nods. "Just transferred to your school, actually. My name's Selene."

"Akira," I reply, holding out my hand.

She doesn't take it. Instead, she leans in close, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Be careful, Akira. There are forces in this world that would destroy you if they knew the truth."

---

Narration Mode Activated

Okay, seriously, who is this girl? How does she know anything about me? Is she part of the Council? Or is she just another overpowered reincarnator like me?

Either way, she's trouble. I can feel it.

---

Before I can respond, Selene steps back, giving me a cryptic smile.

"See you at school," she says, disappearing into the rows of bookshelves.

End of Chapter 2