Before long, it was time to leave school.
Holding hands with Yaoyorozu Momo, Igarashi Masata walked toward the school gate. Although Masata possessed the soul of an eighteen-year-old, his previous life had been painfully ordinary. He wasn't some hot-blooded delinquent or a shut-in who never left home—but he also hadn't seriously dated anyone. His opportunities to interact with the opposite sex had been few.
And now, walking hand in hand with a blushing kindergarten girl in uniform who was undeniably adorable, Masata's heartbeat couldn't help but speed up.
"Masa-chan~! Mom's here!"
Soon, Masata spotted his energetic mother waving enthusiastically from the crowd outside the school. He trotted over with Momo still in tow.
"Oh my, oh my," Mrs. Igarashi said, squinting with a mischievous smile. "This little girl is so cute. Is she Masata-chan's little girlfriend~?"
Indeed, Yaoyorozu Momo had her hair tied into a simple ponytail. Her small, slightly chubby face was framed by jet-black brows and large, watery eyes, with a tiny mouth tinted a soft pink. Even in her immature childhood features, it was obvious she would grow into a stunning beauty. It was no wonder Mrs. Igarashi couldn't resist teasing her.
Hearing those words, Momo's face flushed even redder. Her eyes shimmered as if covered by a thin layer of mist, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, unable to speak.
"Mom! She's my deskmate—Yaoyorozu Momo!" Masata said quickly, his own face heating up. "Don't let her delicate appearance fool you, she's actually really reliable!"
Unfortunately, his frantic explanation only made it seem like he was hiding something.
"Oh, right," Masata added hastily, changing the subject. "I'm going to Momo's house to play today. I'll call you when I'm done."
Momo also gathered her courage and spoke up politely. "Yes, Auntie. I invited Masata to my house today. He can have dinner with us, and afterward I'll have someone take him home. Please don't worry."
Hearing this, Masata's mother didn't think much of it. After all, Momo's family would certainly look after both children, and there was no reason to worry about their safety.
Still, as she watched them, a thought crossed her mind.
Yaoyorozu…At the company where she and her husband worked, there was a director with the same surname. Was it just a coincidence?
Smiling, she said, "Alright then. I'll head home first. Masata, make sure you stay safe."
"Hehe~!"
"So… this is your house?"
Masata stared at the massive building in front of him, his face twitching uncontrollably. It looked exactly like a European-style manor.
"Yes," Momo replied, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "This house, the surrounding woods, and even the mountain behind it—all of it belongs to my family. Is something wrong, Masata?"
"Is something wrong?" Masata shouted internally. "Of course something's wrong!! Momo, your family definitely owns a mine, right? There has to be a mine!"
"Well… there is a mine," Momo said after thinking for a moment. "But I think it's overseas?"
She looked genuinely puzzled, as if she couldn't understand why this was such a shocking revelation.
Masata was speechless.
Anyone from a normal family background would be stunned by a place like this. Is this the world of rich people? he thought despairingly. I don't envy it at all—absolutely not!!!
"M-Masata, your drool is about to fall!" Momo said with a look of disgust. "That's gross!"
Stepping into the mansion, Masata felt as though his eyes weren't enough. Everything radiated elegance and luxury—the grand hall, the towering doors, arched windows, and carefully carved stonework. White plaster walls paired with pale red roof tiles, flowing corridors, and a living room filled with sunlight from tall windows created a sense of openness and refinement.
The porch and foyer stretched from north to south. Both the living room and bedrooms featured low windows and hexagonal bay windows. From the European-style wardrobes to the classic dark wine cabinets, every detail spoke of meticulous craftsmanship and wealth.
"So… what exactly does your family do?" Masata asked weakly. "This is way too rich."
"I'm not entirely sure," Momo replied casually as she wandered around the house. "I think my parents started a company. They work at Yaoyorozu Group."
Masata froze.
"Isn't that the company where my parents work?!" he cried. "Damn it, this gap—how can it make falling in love feel this blissful?!"
He doubled over dramatically, pretending to burst into tears.
"Ah—ignore that! You didn't hear anything!"
Looking at Momo's stunned expression, and then watching her face slowly turn red, it was obvious she had heard everything.
Just as Masata thought she might run away, Momo—still shy—walked up to him, grabbed his hand tightly, closed her eyes, and declared loudly:
"Masata will always be my good friend!"
A good-person card? Masata thought. No… judging by how shy she looks, she clearly has a good impression of me too. We're basically childhood sweethearts already, right?
His thoughts ran wild, but he still responded warmly. "Same here, Momo. I'll never abandon you either~ Anyway, let's go see the Quirk training grounds."
Momo, finally snapping out of her daze, nodded and led the way.
Big.
That was the only word Masata could think of.
The Quirk training grounds were built in a clearing near the back mountain. At a glance, Masata estimated it covered an area equivalent to two standard soccer fields. The entire structure was circular, divided into two sections—one open-air and one indoor.
The indoor section was capped with a curved ceiling and constructed entirely of steel and glass, giving the whole facility a modern, sci-fi atmosphere.
"The outdoor area is simple—you can test and train your Quirk freely there," Momo explained. "As for the indoor area, it has all kinds of equipment. Treadmills, climbing walls, sandbags… I don't really understand most of it. There are also simulated environments, like cities and mountains. You can explore them later."
At that moment, the protagonist, Igarashi Masata, suffered yet another devastating blow.
The life of the rich was truly unpretentious.
And unbelievably boring.
"So… I don't envy it at all!"
"But your drool is coming out again!"*