Noon, Tokyo, Sobu High School
Class 3-A, back row by the window
The classroom hummed with the quiet energy of a typical school day, sunlight streaming through the windows and painting the desks with golden warmth. The teacher's voice carried from the front, mingling with the soft scratch of pencils and the occasional rustle of paper.
Ryuo Tenshin, seated in his usual spot by the window, gazed out at Tokyo's vibrant streets, where cherry blossoms occasionally drifted past like a scene from a slice-of-life anime.
In his previous life, Ryuo had been whisked into this world by the classic isekai trope: a run-in with "Truck-kun." Since childhood, he'd lived in Tokyo with his parents, who recently relocated to a quiet countryside town in this anime-mashup world due to work. Ryuo, reluctant to leave Sobu High and eager for independence, stayed behind, juggling school and a part-time job at a nearby konbini.
His eyes drifted to the front, where Shizuka Hiratsuka-sensei lectured with her usual blend of authority and care, her chalk clicking against the blackboard.
Among his classmates were familiar faces from this slice-of-life universe: Yui Yuigahama, her cheerful energy brightening the room as she scribbled notes; Yukino Yukinoshita, poised and precise with her pen; and Takanotsume Komachi, sneaking glances at her phone with a mischievous grin. These were the kind of people who defined Sobu High, their everyday quirks weaving the fabric of this world.
Ryuo's thoughts wandered, reflecting on his eighteen years in this reality. Despite being surrounded by vibrant characters, he'd never crossed into romance, his relationships with girls staying firmly platonic.
Instead, he'd bonded with a crew of male friends, each a distinct archetype of the slice-of-life genre: Hachiman Hikigaya, the sharp-tongued loner with a knack for overanalyzing and a doting sister; Tomoya Okazaki, a former delinquent with a heart of gold and a knack for dramatics; Kyon, the sarcastic everyman who somehow attracted the strangest situations; and Haruki Kitahara, a musically gifted student with a nurturing streak and, of course, a beloved sister.
Ryuo stifled a chuckle. Why do they all have cute sisters, and I'm just… me? The thought was ridiculous, but it lingered.
"Tenshin-kun, don't zone out in my class!"
Hiratsuka-sensei's voice cut through his daydream, her sharp gaze pinning him from the podium. Her reputation as Sobu's "Iron Fist" ensured even the sleepiest students stayed alert.
"Unless you want a one-on-one with my Fist of Love after school, focus!"
"Hai, sensei," Ryuo mumbled, shaking off his thoughts. He glanced at the textbook on his desk, flipping it open only to feel his interest wane.
Reborn into a world like this, and I'm still stuck studying? In his past life, he'd endured kindergarten through high school, only to be swept away by a truck before college. The irony stung.
Hiratsuka-sensei pressed on, her tone firm yet encouraging.
"Let's move to reading comprehension. The university entrance exams are looming, so don't treat this like some carefree festival. Listen up. When tackling these questions, read the passage carefully to grasp its content and core theme."
She paced before the blackboard, her voice steady.
"With the questions in mind, analyze the text's details. Ensure your response is relevant, the information is accurate, the sentences flow smoothly, and the punctuation is correct."
"For questions with point allocations, like three points for an answer, each point matters. The scoring hints at the key elements examiners expect and the word count needed. Half-hearted answers cut your chances in half. Fill the space—even if you're unsure, you might hit the mark."
Hiratsuka-sensei's chalk scratched as she added:
"If you're worried about mistakes, use the text's original phrasing when possible. Excerpt carefully to match the question's intent. Do this, and reading comprehension will be your ace."
She projected a sample test onto the screen, and students flipped through their papers or opened notebooks to take notes.
Ryuo, however, froze as a chime rang in his mind.
---
[Ding! Admonition Detected. "Listen to Advice" System Officially Activated.]
[Complete others' suggestions to master their advised skills and earn rewards. Rewards are random, based on suggestion difficulty.]
[Current Suggestion: Shizuka Hiratsuka's Reading Comprehension Tips]
[Difficulty: Low]
---
Ryuo's eyes widened. As a twice-born soul, he'd read enough light novels to recognize a system. Unlike those orphaned protagonists, he had parents, no sister, and a modest Tokyo apartment.
But a system? This was a game-changer.
"Tenshin-kun!" Hiratsuka-sensei's voice jolted him. "Everyone's reviewing the test papers. Why are you just sitting there? Come solve this question." Her tone softened, concern flickering. "If you're feeling off, tell me."
"I'm fine, Hiratsuka-sensei. I'm coming," Ryuo said, standing and approaching the blackboard.
Hiratsuka-sensei, ever the caring teacher beneath her tough exterior, briefly checked his forehead for a fever before handing him the chalk.
The question read:
"What is the significance of the protagonist's actions in the text, and what rewards might they receive?"
Ryuo took a breath, following Hiratsuka-sensei's advice. He scanned the passage, pulling key phrases and expanding them into a detailed response. His chalk danced across the 1.4-meter by 4-meter blackboard, filling it with a sprawling answer.
While not every word was perfect, he hit the three required points, his sheer effort turning quantity into quality.
Hiratsuka-sensei's eyebrows rose before she nodded. "Well, Tenshin-kun, you've applied what you learned… in your own way. Back to your seat, and let's break down why this works."
As Ryuo stepped off the podium, the system chimed.
---
[Advice Followed Successfully. Congratulations, Host, for Acquiring Skill: 100% Reading Comprehension Mastery]
[Reward: 10,000 Yen]
---
Settling back at his desk, Ryuo glanced at the test paper's reading comprehension section. The answers leaped out at him, as clear as a summer day in Akihabara.
Checking his phone's banking app, he saw his balance jump from 50,000 yen to 60,000 yen. Ten thousand yen could cover a week's worth of konbini bento and bubble tea—a small fortune for a high schooler.
If the heavens are tossing yen my way, I'm not complaining, Ryuo thought, smirking. That konbini job might not survive the week.