Alex's world had fallen apart like glass shattered on cold concrete. The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound. His girlfriend's false accusation of a crime he did not commit had set a chain of events he couldn't escape. Every familiar face turned cold, judgment hung in the air like poison, and hope dwindled with each passing day.
On that fateful night, alone in a dimly-lit apartment, the weight of despair crushed him. The news, the whispers, the unyielding isolation—it was too much. A final breath, then darkness.
Yet, darkness was not the end.
Suddenly, light flooded his senses. Warmth—a sensation foreign and yet promising. His body felt different, stronger, larger. He opened his eyes to a world untouched by the mistakes of his past. A new life had begun.
This time, he was not Alex anymore.
Present Day - Hachimitsu Academy
The morning sun filtered softly through the expansive glass windows of a palatial estate. Haruka Kurihara stretched his towering frame—nearly seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, muscles sculpted like a warrior from legend. His skin glistened faintly, and as he moved, the subtle ripple of muscle drew glances from several women nearby. Some blushed; others simply stared in silent awe.
Haruka smirked to himself. He had already become aware that this world, although unfamiliar, would have many things to offer—especially to someone like him.
"Seven feet. Definitely the tallest in the entire school," a voice echoed nearby.
He turned to see his economist uncle, Masato Kurihara, smiling with quiet pride.
"Uncle, your lessons on crypto and economics were not wasted. I've made smart investments—tons of coins already accruing value," Haruka said with an easy confidence, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead after an intense early morning workout.
Masato chuckled softly. "You are truly a man for this new era. Combining muscle and mind—that is rare. But remember, Hachimitsu Academy is more than just academics and economics. It is politics, power, and...survival."
Haruka's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm here to live for myself now. No more lies, no more regrets. I'll seize whatever I want. Money, power, pleasure—and maybe even some lessons from that cousin of ours."
"Ah, Mari," Masato said knowingly. "The president of the Underground Student Council. Commanding presence. Her Amazonian figure alone intimidates most."
Haruka grinned, recalling the imposing sight of Mari Kurihara during entrance ceremonies. "She stunned me—but unlike others, I don't intend to bow. I'm walking my own path."
Outside the window, the sprawling grounds of Hachimitsu Academy greeted the day. Soon, Haruka would step into a school notorious for its strict rules, brutal punishments, and fierce social hierarchies. But for now, he was just preparing—physically and mentally—for a world that was both familiar in its opportunities and brutal in its realities.
School Entrance - Hachimitsu Academy
The massive gates opened with a regal creak. Students in pristine uniforms flooded the courtyard. Eyes turned as the unusually tall and muscular Haruka entered, his presence impossible to ignore.
Murmurs spread swiftly.
"Who's that giant?"
"Like a model... or a bodyguard."
Haruka ignored the whispers, adjusting his blazer. His virgin awareness of this new school's dynamics did not diminish his resolve.
At the top of the stairs stood a figure radiating cold authority—Mari Kurihara herself, the Underground Student Council president. Her impeccable posture and athletic build reminded Haruka of a mountain—immovable and commanding.
Recognition flashed between cousins' eyes. Mari's expression was inscrutable, but Haruka detected a flicker of curiosity.