Ding-a-ling-a-ling! Ding-a-ling-a-ling!
The cheap plastic alarm clock screamed its monotonous song right beside my ear. Groaning, I slammed a hand down on the snooze button, the silence that followed almost as oppressive as the noise. Another day. Another identical Tuesday. Sunlight, already annoyingly bright, streamed through the gap in my cheap curtains. I dragged myself upright.
The reflection in the bathroom mirror was a familiar sight: messy bedhead, sleep-crusted eyes, and the general aura of someone already defeated by 7 AM. Toothpaste foamed as I scrubbed mechanically. New day, new start… yeah, right. Feels more like hitting replay on the same dull recording. When does the interesting part actually begin?
"Kaito!" Mom's voice, sharp and practical, cut through the steam from the shower running downstairs. "Breakfast! And don't forget your uniform this time! You'll be late!"
"Coming!" I mumbled around the toothbrush, the words garbled. A quick glance confirmed the uniform was, miraculously, draped over my desk chair. Efficiency was key. T-shirt, boxers, pants—yanked on in a blur. Uniform jacket snatched, buttons half-done as I thundered down the stairs, nearly tripping over the last step.
The smell of toast and cheap coffee hit me as I slid into my chair at the kitchen table. Mom placed a plate in front of me, her eyes already scanning me for uniform violations.
"Did you pack everything? Textbooks? Notebook? P.E. kit?"
"Yep," I mumbled, shoveling scrambled eggs into my mouth. "All present and accounted for."
"Good. Focus today. Your father's pulling another late shift at the factory." Her voice held that familiar mix of weariness and expectation. The silence stretched, broken only by the clatter of my fork. I finished the last bite, standing abruptly. "Okay, heading out."
"Be careful!" The automatic call followed me as I jammed my feet into worn sneakers, socks bunched awkwardly inside. The front door slammed behind me, the rusty gate squealing its usual protest as I pushed through.
Chapter 1: The Crosswalk Encounter
Past the identical row houses, the corner konbini with its garish sign, the vacant lot choked with weeds. Tick-tock, tick-tock. My clock snoozed. I reached the main crossing, the pedestrian light became red at the exact time i was gonna cross. Tsk.
As I looked around, a familiar color caught my eye. There, waiting on the opposite curb, That distinct ribbon, the way her bag hung just so… Up close, under the morning sun, she was… majestic. Pale skin, sharp features framed by dark hair, an air of cool detachment. Beautiful? More like intimidatingly perfect. A crazy thought surfaced: Maybe she goes to my new school? Could ask for directions… save me wandering lost…
The light finally flicked green. As the crowd surged forward, I pushed through, reaching her side just as we stepped onto the crosswalk.
"Hey!" My voice came out slightly too loud, too eager. "Ah! Saint Ignatiusu? 一緒に行きましょうか? (Let's go together?) …Wait, was that Japanese?! Why did I suddenly— I don't even STUDY Japanese!!?"
Elis (I'd later learn her name) didn't even turn her head fully. Just a slow, turn of her eyes. beautiful eyes that swept over me—and instantly narrowed. Her lip curled, just slightly. The look was pure, Ugh. Another one. Probably a creep.
Ehhhh?! My confidence sore. "Wait—Do i actually look like a creep, i grab my phone in my pocket as i look at my usual faces nothing seem wrong, as the universe whispered— You're just familiar with your face"
We reached the other side. She finally spoke, "Elis. I suppose." The "nice to meet you" sounded force afterthought, delivered while her expression remained on "creeped out".
"Oh! K-Kaito," I stutter. "Kaito Aizome! My parents swear it's my real name, but they got the idea on Detective conan were Kaito Kuroba showed in the tv." Her only response was a faint, hmph as she started walking.
I followed behind Elis like a lost puppy.
A nearby crow dropped a single cherry blossom petal on Elis as she glided forward, as if nature itself endorsed her beauty. Meanwhile, a pigeon—splatted a white onto my shoulder. Of course. Even the birds hates me, after i go home imma follow my ancestors neets, 'sobs', at the heaven beyond the realm his grandpa, grand grandpa, gran—Violated him as he walk, My samurai grandpa got disappointed on the new era he wants me to follow his job as a samurai. i would never tolerate myself to see my grandchilds to be a brat, oi kid you better learn how to wield a sword, or i will kill you i would never let pass who would stain my ho—tsk tsk tsk as my Soldier grandpa who was a Vice-Captain / Lieutenant in the armies, i will let him join the armies as he follows my movements, NANI?! while they are arguing a fellow grandgrandpa enters the room he was stephen william hawking as the two stop for a second and continues, glad to be young huh.
I've trained my whole life for this moment of humiliation. My ancestors are facepalm in the afterlife.
Elis Headed in her class with the grace of a shoujo manga heroine, her ribbon fluttering. My shoelaces chose that moment to let them loose themselves together—because why not?.
Chapter 2: The Nerve-Wracking Introduction
Left alone, my shoulders slumped. "Great Day, Kaito. At this rate, I'll graduate without them knowing my whole existence"
With an upset face mirroring my internal state, I pushed open the heavy door of Class 1-C—my designated purgatory.
"Alright, settle down class!" The homeroom teacher, a man with kind eyes but a firm voice, clapped his hands. "We have a new transfer student joining us today. Come on in!"
The spotlight hit me the moment I stepped inside. Thirty of eyes, curious, bored, or indifferent, locked onto me. My throat tightened.
"Don't screw this up. Just... say... your... NAME—"
I fall from the floor. Then—
"THUD."
"KAITO AIZOME!"
(The aftermath:)
- Elis' pen snapped in half with a CRACK, ink splattering her notebook
- As everyone started to: "Laugh at me..."
- The teacher slowly removed his glasses, rubbing his temples as if calculating retirement options
"Welcome, Kaito," the teacher smiled warmly. "Glad to have—"
SNAP!
Ink splattered near the window, Elis deskfilled filled with ink
The teacher blinked at the ink dripping onto Elis uniform skirt. "...Right. Let's see..."
A whisper cut through the silence:
"Psst. Over here."
[SPACING BREAK]
I look around as to find elis calling for me.
There sat Elis—
[SPACING BREAK]
Her voice hit my ears at "why are you in the same class as me"
My response:
"Right! I remembered i was in the second class section hahah—" as the teacher said to sit down i can not do anything but to obbey it.
Chapter 3: The—
The morning lessons. and Elis's silent judgment from beside me. When the lunch bell finally rang, its chime was pure. I stand up, swept along by the tide of students flooding into the hallway, the buzz of conversation and locker doors slamming filling the air.
"Oi! Kaito!"
I turned, expecting maybe the teacher or a class rep. Instead, Elis stood there, arms crossed, looking intensely uncomfortable. She was staring fixedly at a point somewhere near my shoes, a faint blush dusting her cheeks that seemed more from annoyance than shyness.
"Uh, hey Elis? Need something?" I asked, confused by her seeking me out.
Her eyes flicked up to mine before looking away again. "The canteen," she stated. "… directions." It sounded like the words physically pained her. She doesn't know where it is?,
"Oh! Yeah, sure," "It's this way. Follow me, i was only following my fellow students because i dont know where it was." I started walking, her gaze firmly fixed on the back of my head.
walking in the crowded hallway. apparently. my eyes caught my attention a girls with a tracksuit running in the field their nice body figure and the way it bounced, as i focus in the same direction my shoulder suddenly bumped with someone.
Oof! A gasp, followed by thesound of books and papers scatters around the hallway!
"Oh crap! Sorry! I'm so sorry!" I blurted, already crouching. A girl sat sprawled on the floor, wincing and rubbing her elbow. A mountain of textbooks and notebooks surrounded her. I reached out a hand instinctively. "Are you okay?! Here, let me help!"
"Ahh… tsk tsk tsk, ouch," she muttered, blinking rapidly. She looked up, pushing strands of hair out of her face, revealing bright, slightly dazed green eyes. A smattering of freckles danced across her nose. "Uhh… yeah, She accepted my hand. "Thanks for the hand! As we started to pickup the books and papers, I'm Elaine! Nice to meetcha!" Her smile was wide, genuine,
"No, it's totally my fault! Rushed around the corner," I said, already gathering her books. "I'm Kaito. Nice to meet you, "Elaine." expression suddenly change,
"Kaito!" Elaine chirped, grabbing an armful of books herself. Then, her gaze look over my shoulder. Her eyes lit up even further. "Oh! Hey! Are you with Kaito?" Before I could react, Elaine goes in front of me.
Elis stood frozen, her expression is cold like she was bothered by something unpleasant.
"Hi! I'm Elaine!" "What's your name? nice to meet you!" She thrust out a hand.
Elis stared at the offered hand. "Elis," she stated, her voice colder.
And then, —Elaine stepped forward and wrapped her in a brief, enthusiastic hug. "Welcome to Ignatius!"
Fwoosh. I swear I saw the temperature drop around Elis. Her eyes widened in pure. For a second, she looked genuinely stunned.
Elaine pulled back and walk away, See you guys later!" With another brilliant smile, she pickup the last of her books and practically skipped down the hallway, leaving a moment of silence.
I stood frozen, Elis remained firm, slowly processing the violation of her personal space. The blush on her cheeks was now fiery red, but this time it was pure, She slowly turned her head towards me,
Oh boy. The canteen suddenly seemed like the least of my worries. Day One, and I was already caught between a glacial tsundere. When did my life stop being boring? And why does it suddenly feel so… dangerous?
Chapter 4: In Another W—
Okay, so Elis and I walked to the canteen. We both ordered the curry bread. Do we actually like the same taste of food?. As soon as we sat down, Everyone was looking. Not subtle glances. Full-on staring. Probably because Elis was with a total clumsy neet like me, Why is she even sitting with me? Shouldn't she be with geniuses or something? I tried to catch her eye, maybe share a "can you believe this?" look. Nope. She starts to eat her curry.
Lunch ended. Elis finished first, stood up, and walk alone back towards the fancy Class A. Left me sitting there with my crumbs and the lingering feeling of being judged by fifty strangers. This weird, prickly feeling started crawling up my neck. My heartsuddenly stop for a second. *Thump-thump-THUMP!* Only when I checked behind me (nobody there, obviously)
i sit into my seat in Class 1-C just as the teacher started teaching about math that looks like hieroglyphics. Down below, Elis was basically looking in another direction somewhere near the window,
"Elis!" the teacher snapped. Nothing. "ELIS!" he yelled, she looks in front and stand up. "Me?" she asked,
"Who else?!" He was getting red. Explain problem seven!"
He threw out some equations. Elis answered Perfect. Teacher grunted. "Correct. Sit." Then his eyes locked onto ME. "KAITO AIZOME! Problem eight! NOW!"
CRAP! My brain emptied faster than a tipped-over garbage can. I hadn't understood a word since "good afternoon." Was I the slacker now? Heart start to beat faster. I stood up. The Teacher stared. Sweat pooled under my arms.
Then... a tiny whisper right by my ear: "Integrate both sides using..."
Desperation, I just blurted it out loud.
Teacher's jaw dropped. "...Correct? Huh. Didn't see that coming." I sit down and thanks Elis later because she was the only one who would help someone like me.
The bell ring. I put my books and stuff into my bag. i look around seeing... Elis step out of the class hallway.
I sprinted, and catch up to her. "Elis! Wait up!" I yelled, catching up. She didn't slow down. Kept this exact, careful distance between us. "Hey, about class, thanks for—"
VROOM! A fancy black car slid up beside us. Guy in a suit popped out, opened the back door. Elis entered. Didn't look back. Didn't wave. Door shut. Car drove off. Left me standing there like a lost puppy. Gloom mode: i walk towards the bus stop. Worst. First day. Ever.
Staring into sky, feeling sorry for myself. Across the street, some kid was playing with his dog. Suddenly—! The dog rope! Tore straight into the road! The kid immediately followed. Then I heard it... the sound of truck! A massive truck, going WAY too fast, heading toward them!
Time stopped. Then went into hyper-speed. My feet moved before my brain could yell "IDIOT!" Pure dumb instinct. I launched myself across the road like a human missile. I push as hard as i could! I dove, throwing myself over and i lost conscious.
KER-SMASH-BANG-CRUNCH!
Then... blackness.
Woke up feeling... floaty Looked down. Huh. That's weird. There's... me? My own body was laying on the road near a totally wrecked stop sign. Not moving. But... weirdly not squished? Not bleeding? The truck had smashed the sign, not me. Did I... just die of HEART ATTACK Right before it hit? EHHHHHH?! IS THIS HEAVEN?! WAIT, IT LOOKS LIKE AN ANIME CUTSCENE!
The road faded. Bright, glowy light everywhere. A figure appeared in the middle of it. A God.
"Kaito Aizome," the God-voice boomed gently. "You died. Tragic accident... Well, kinda. The truck missed you. You basically scared yourself to death. Heart just went OFF! and give up."
Oh. Great. "Well... it's over, I guess? Super lame way to go, though. Died of being a chicken. "Bet my family will be thrilled. Probably relieved. Was kinda dead weight anyway." Sounded bitter even to me.
God-anime-dude chuckled. "Hah! Kaito, your meh attitude is kinda funny. Alright. Second chance. New life. New body. Go live yourself to the full and adventure in this new world."
Hope sparked. "OHH! Does that mean... HAREM? In the new world?!"
The god-dude laughed harder. "Hohoho! Kid, that's up to fate... and your game. But honestly? Starting a harem? With your track record? Good luck! Anyway, off you go!"
"WAIT! I HAVE MORE QUESTIO—"
EHHHHHH?!
The glowy peace vanished. Replaced by WIND SCREAMING IN MY EARS and the gut-dropping terror of FALLING. I SPAWNED IN THE SKY?! MY SECOND LIFE LASTS FIVE SECONDS?! I crossed my arms over my head, curled into a ball. Trees rushed up. SMACK! WHACK! THUD! Then I hit the ground. HARD.
AGHHH! Pain exploded in my side and leg. YEP. BROKEN. SUPER BROKEN. Gasping, I lay in a pile of leaves, hurting everywhere. I Saw movement. A girl peeked out from behind a tree, holding a basket. Looked Worried.
"Whoa! You okay?!" she yelled, voice full of worry. "Can you stand?!"
Tried to push up. My arms felt hopeless. My legs are hopeless. "N-No... I can't move..."
She crouch over, dropped down beside me. Her hands hovered over my hopeless leg. A warm, soft glow came from them. The crazy pain... faded? Whoa. Healing magic? this is like what i use to play! This is another world!
Looked up. She had shiny silver and eyes like deep blue water. Okay... maybe this new world won't totally suck?
Everything hurt, everything was confusing, and I was exhausted. My eyes just... closed. Out like a light
Woke up slowly. Super comfy. Warm. Soft pillow... wait. Pillow? I slowly open my eye. My head was resting on... her lap.
HOLY—! I jerked upright. WHACK! My forehead hit into hers. "OWWW! I'M SO SORRY! DIDN'T MEAN TO HEADBUTT YOU!"
She rubbed her forehead, winced, then laughed. "Haha, it's okay! Are you good? Hurt yourself again?" She leaned closer, those blue eyes reach her hand a heals me. Her silver hair tickled my shoulder. I patted myself down. No more crazy pain! "I feel... normal! Weirdly normal!" The healing magic works!
"Phew!" She smiled, looking genuinely relieved. "Glad you're okay!"