The timeline was still far from Tanaka Hajime's hypnosis net unfolding.
Satoru exhaled, relieved. Plenty of time to prepare.
He glanced at Kase Masafumi, flashing a warm smile. Don't worry, pure love warrior's always on time.
Masafumi: "…W-What do you want?"
Sakura watched Satoru go quiet, his face all gentle smiles. She couldn't read him. But after that boyfriend question… Wait! Was Kobayashi-kun actually that curious about her love life? Why'd he ask that?
Her mind spun with guesses. But—no way could she ask!
Her cheeks warmed, but she hid it with a quick bow of her head.
"K-Kobayashi-kun, thirsty?" she blurted. "I'll grab you something."
Satoru almost said no bother, but—free stuff? Why pass? Plus, he was parched. His allowance was so tight, even a soda was a luxury. "Cola," he said, adding, "Coca-Cola, not Pepsi."
"…Got it." Sakura nodded.
A female junior piped up, "Miyajima-senpai, I'll get it for you!"
"No, I'll go…" Sakura said quickly, the air turning awkward and flirty. Her face heated again—she needed fresh air to cool off.
"…Okay," the junior said.
Wow! Her face was so red!
She'd never seen Miyajima-senpai blush like that… Shy Sakura was adorable…
Wait, what was this Kobayashi guy to her?! Making senpai fetch a drink personally?!
Satoru scanned the kendo practice room.
It was decked out like a proper dojo—spacious, well-equipped, legit.
Tch, looks like Japan's capitalist ways have something for our Kagoku socialism to learn from, he thought, smirking. But before he could take it all in—
"Hey, kid!" a gruff voice barked.
Satoru turned.
A stocky guy with a buzzcut, short but built, jabbed a thumb at himself, like he was about to drop a "Super Vegeta" flex. Sure enough: "I'm Kato Go! Kendo club veteran! You—"
You're pretty brave, huh! Kato wanted to jab, but didn't get the chance.
Satoru nodded politely. "Kato-senpai, please take care of me."
"I—"
Kato nearly choked.
What?! This guy's attitude was too good!
To Satoru, greetings were just lip service—newbie or not, no need to act cocky. Besides, Kato gave off decent vibes.
Normal haircut, average face, short but sturdy. No NTR stench anywhere.
A normal guy… in this world?!
"…C'mere! Newbie, as your senpai, I gotta test your strength," Kato said, extending a hand. "No swords yet, so I'm not bullying you with seniority. Let's arm-wrestle. You know the rules, right?"
"Yup," Satoru said.
He followed Kato to a low table, sitting cross-legged. Elbows down, hands clasped tight.
"He says he's not bullying…"
"Everyone knows Kato-senpai's got the strongest arms in the club!"
"Picking on the newbie!"
"Poor Kobayashi-kun, he'll lose confidence and never come back!"
Members whispered, teasing.
Kato, despite the jabs, felt a twinge of guilt. He'd meant to put the new guy in his place, dull his edge. But Satoru seemed so… compliant. Had he misjudged?
Still, a challenge was a challenge. Backing down now would make him look scared.
"Masafumi! Referee!" Kato called.
"Y-Yes!" Kase Masafumi scurried over.
He glanced at Satoru, then quickly looked away when their eyes nearly met, like he was spooked by the contact…
Masafumi counted down: "One! Two! Three! Start!!"
Satoru's scrawny arms didn't scream strength. Against Kato's beefy build, he looked doomed.
No reward for winning, so Satoru wasn't trying hard.
But…
"Hah!" Kato poured everything into it, aiming for a quick win.
Yet, under everyone's eyes, Satoru's right hand didn't budge.
What the—?!
Members exchanged stunned looks. By Kato's rep and build, this should've been a slaughter. So why…?
Even Satoru was puzzled. Huh?
"Kato-senpai, you're not trying?" he asked. Was this guy softer than he looked?
"…"
"No need to hold back. Let's settle it fair and square."
"…"
"…Did you skip lunch or something?"
"…"
Damn it!
Kato mentally retracted his "nice guy" take. This wasn't just sass—this guy was a smug rookie! His chill face screamed tryhard! Kato's own face was purple from effort, all his strength in his wrist!
Even with max power, Satoru looked unbothered.
Unacceptable!
For senpai pride, Kato roared inwardly, pushing past his limits. If he hadn't eaten light at lunch, he might've blown a gasket!
Finally, his persistence paid off—Satoru's hand tilted slightly toward defeat.
Got him!
Before Kato could celebrate, Satoru counterattacked.
Smack! In a flash, Satoru pinned Kato's wrist to the table.
Kato: …Huh?
What just happened?
Victory was right there, and he lost… Wait, Satoru wasn't a rock to lift. He could fight back.
So, with just a little effort, Satoru crushed him that easily?!
Kato stared. Satoru was eyeing his own right hand, curious.
Then it hit him.
Illusion Breaker: Your right hand is slightly beefier than most.
It wasn't a joke—it was real!!
"Didn't know I was this strong…" Satoru said, genuinely surprised.
Kato: !!
He's mocking me! MOCKING ME!!
…
…