The next morning Sato woke up on the couch with back pain.
*Yawn…*
Because Irina wouldn't sleep anywhere except a bed, he had to settle for the living room.
"I hate her so much already…"
As he said this, Irina came from the bedroom and stopped next to the couch, her hair tousled and wild, strands falling messily around her face as if she'd just woken up.
"Bathroom…"
Sato pointed out where the bathroom was and without even thanking him she headed there.
I really can't believe her, after I basically picked her off the street, gave her a place to stay and food, yet she still treats me like this…
Even though she is unbearable, I am sure she will come around, or at least I hope that will happen, I don't have high hopes for this.
After a little while Sato got ready to go to school when, with his hand on the door handle, Irina stopped him, questioning him where he thought he was going.
Sato tried to explain to her that he needed to go to school. It was almost like talking to a wall, but somehow his words reached her.
School… It's not wise to expose ourselves so much, although it can be a good opportunity to scout the area and get accustomed to it., I can even find a better exis with this opportunity.
"Sure, sounds like a good plan."
She was still wearing his clothes, until a burst of purple flames consumed them, setting her ablaze, her robe returning once the flames dissipated.
"My clothes!!"
Sato reached out, but all that remained was the smell of burnt fabric. Without even glancing at him, Irina walked past, heading down the stairs.
After locking the door, Sato rushed to catch up with her but slowed to a halt, Irina raising an eyebrow, curious yet silent.
Is this even worth it? I only accepted her because of the competition, but being treated like trash by a so-called hero, risking my life for what?
Dizzy, he rubbed his face as he went down the stairs. She looked at him like a stranger, uninterested.
Would she care more if I had more mana?
"Tsk…" As Irina clicked her tongue, Sato heard it clearly.
So she doesn't care about me at all. Fine… in that case, I won't despair. I'll prove to you that I'm worthy, no matter what it takes… but that, after school.
"Come on, let's go!"
With that thought, Sato returned to his normal self, leaving Irina confused about what had just happened. A second ago he had been on the brink of breaking, and now he was walking to school as if nothing had happened.
I don't know what just happened, but at least he seems to have a backbone…for a moment, I almost felt challenged by him… what a stupid thought.
The morning breeze brushed against Sato as he hurried to school, people passing by on either side, all unaware that a hundred heroes were now ready to fight at any moment.
Reaching the school grounds, he rushed to class, passing other latecomers.
I wonder if any of them are exis… though I don't even know what that means. I'll have to ask Irina later.
Speaking of Irina, she seemed… cautious. She didn't want to come too close to the school and told me not to look for her until I was done here.
At the end of the hall was Asahi, also running late.
Asahi Tanaka, my childhood friend. When it comes to looks, he has short, messy blond hair, warm brown eyes, and a smile that never seems to leave his face. He's just a little taller than me, and he still brags about it.
Honestly… telling him to be on time is like telling a cat to bark.
From my point of view, he's just a side character in my story. But maybe that's how it works, we're all the main characters in our own lives, while in someone else's, we're just part of the background.
Their eyes locked across the hall, the classroom between them. One thing was clear, a race.
It was 7:59. The bell would be their starting gun.
Asahi crouched like some wannabe athlete, Sato braced himself. Tick. Tack. Tick… eight o'clock. The bell rang.
They bolted. At halfway, Asahi pulled ahead. Sato pushed harder, he couldn't let him win.
In the final stretch they both lunged for the handle… Only to realise…It was on Asahi's side.
From the start, it was an unfair fight.
"It's my victory!" he said, with the kind of pride you'd expect from someone who just won a prize.
"Yes, yes, don't let it get to your head. Now get your butt in your seat."
"Ohh, someone's salty?!"
"No, just frustrated you won by luck."
If that handle hadn't been on his side, I would've had it…
"Is that so? Then let me tell you, my friend, sometimes in life, you have to make your own luck."
"…Meaning?"
"I knew the handle was on my side."
"Are you a doppelgänger or something? The real Asahi isn't that smart."
"Come on, dude, even I have my moments."
"Whatever…"
Well, I guess he's right… in that case, where does my meeting with Irina fit? Right place at the right time…I'd say.
About ten minutes later, the teacher walked into the classroom. His presence instantly brought silence, and the lecture began.
Sato paid no attention to the lecture, his gaze drifting out the window toward the soccer field.
Remembering someone, he turned to Bobby, the successful one in their trio. Star athlete on the soccer team, tall and well-built, with long black hair and sharp looks, Bobby stood out easily.
Looking out the window again, he spotted a strange blue silhouette, wearing a kimono, long white hair swaying gently in the breeze.
Is that another hero?
For a while, Sato kept his eyes on the figure, but soon it vanished from his sight.
I guess he's not here to cause trouble… maybe just wandering around, getting familiar with the area. Maybe that's what Irina is doing too.
Trying to focus on the lesson, Sato dozed off, only to wake up greeted by Asahi with a marker in hand and Bobby standing right beside him.
Those guys…
Running a finger across his cheek, he felt the smear of ink rub off.
"You really needed to do this, huh?"
"It's not our fault you dozed off."
Ignoring them, he sat up and headed to the bathroom to wash his face.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Asahi called out as he followed him.
"I'm heading to practice, good luck."
Bobby excused himself, heading the opposite way down the hall.
As Sato walked he saw how other students were pressed close to the walls, leaving the middle clear for someone to walk through.
It felt like a scene straight out of a high-school drama, the prestigious girl gliding through the hallway, long black hair flowing, every step graceful.
Megumi Saegusa passed by, time slowing as she gave Sato the quickest glance and the faintest smile.
For a heartbeat he was stunned… until reality hit him. He still had ink on his face.
"Damn you, Asahi!"
From behind, Asahi caught up to him.
"What is with me?"
"Nothing…"
Glancing back at Megumi, Asahi noticed a strange blue aura radiating from her.
So she is…
"Sato…"
"What?"
Hmm, that is weird, he seems serious, did something happen?
"It would be better to stay away from her."
To stay away from her…has she done something…I wonder, or… Hmm, my little friend has a crush?
"It's alright, bro. If you're going for the top right from the start, I've got your back. Just remember, you're not the only one in that race, and next to her, we're not even average. We're straight-up mediocre."
Asahi gave him a confused look, taking a moment to process what he meant. When it finally clicked, his cheeks flushed bright red.
"Hey, I didn't mean it like that!"
"Yeah, yeah…"
The rest of the day went by as usual, the final bell signaling the end of classes. On their way home, a conversation caught Sato's interest.
"I heard that another student disappeared today?"
"Again, this is the third one in the last two days…"
Both seem to be concerned. Can't blame them though. Who wouldn't be?
"Hey, Asahi, what do you think?"
His mouth was stuffed with onigiri, without a care in the world.
"Hmm, about what?"
Didn't even hear that…
Sato waved goodbye to Asahi as they went their separate ways, then turned a corner finding Irina waiting, dressed more casually this time.
She is gorgeous as always, if only her personality didn't stink so much.
Sato greeted her, but she ignored him and walked toward the apartment.
He tried to question or compliment her… all useless. Finally, he sped up and blocked her path.
"Do you plan to ignore me forever?! There's so much I don't know. I want answers!"
She stopped, glaring with disdain. Silence. Then, without a word, she raised a hand to his chest.
What is she trying to do?
In the next instant, she shoved him with startling force, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. His feet left the ground, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow.
Suspended in midair, he saw her, hand still outstretched, eyes fixed on him with indifference.
Am I so insignificant to you?
Sato slammed into the rough ground, sliding a few meters before coming to a stop.
The next thing that could be heard was a loud boom, like something heavy had just landed.
There, embedded in the ground, was a spear, and crouched on top of it stood a man.
His eyes locked onto Sato.
"Trouble in paradise?"