Way to High School!

Turning around to go downstairs, I took a step forward but then came to a halt as a thought came to me.

'Why don't I put my strength to the test?'

I pondered and turned around just to look outside the window.

It may not be necessary to do it right now, but curiosity can sometimes force you to do things that can be done later.

"Now then."

I raised my arm and took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and collected. I commanded,

"Wetherisna!"

In the next second, a pink orb appeared on my palm, and without wasting a second, I hurled it toward the sky.

*Snap*

However, to prevent the racket, I snapped my fingers to create a transparent barrier around the house.

*BOOOOOOOM*

An explosion arose, yet no noise was heard thanks to the barrier.

"That's awesome."

After experiencing the marvelous power that I had obtained, I felt exhilarated.

*Snap*

I turned around, snapping my fingers to remove the barrier, and noticed the school dress in my wardrobe.

A wry smile formed on my face as I wore it and went downstairs,

"You're slow."

"Hmm?"

As soon as I reached the end of the stairs, I noticed Kotori staring at me.

"You know that you're still such a late bloomer, bro?"

Emily, too, began to mock me.

"My bad."

While rubbing the back of my neck, I sighed and paced forward.

I'd received numerous memories from the system about my life with them, so acting familiar with them isn't difficult at all.

"Good morning, Bro."

Setting the table, Shido greeted me with a smile.

I smiled at him, however,

"How many times have I told you to call me by my given name? We're the same age. Please address me by my given name."

I pleaded while sitting on the chair beside Emily.

Shido and I were the same age, but he always called me 'Bro' instead of my name, according to my memories. Yeah, it's not a big deal, but I didn't feel right about it.

"Alright, alright, Aryan. Fine now?"

With a wry smile, Shido replied.

"Yep."

I nodded and began eating breakfast.

Though I felt a little reluctant for some reason, I didn't let them notice it.

As we finished breakfast, I raised my gaze at them, asking,

"Hey, why shouldn't we eat our lunch outside today?"

"Really? That's great!"

Hearing my words, Kotori and Emily gushed in enthusiasm, while Shido lifted his eyebrows, asking,

"Oh, that'll be fantastic. However, why suddenly?"

"What? You don't want to?"

I asked, resting my jawline on my right hand.

"No, bro–I mean, Aryan. Simply saying, it's surprising because you don't often want to eat at a restaurant. In any case, eating lunch outside will be enjoyable."

Hearing his words, I just smile hesitantly, wondering,

'Why doesn't my character here differ at all from my past?'

Anyway, my objective was to restore the previous situation. Although it was a try, it was clear to me that nothing would remain the same.

We soon left our house to go to school.

While everyone was chit-chatting along the way, I, on the other hand, didn't feel like talking at all.

'Schools…no…I hate it…'

I bite my lower lip with a truly awful expression.

Even though I wore the uniform because I knew I needed to go there, thinking and doing are not the same thing. Thinking is simple, but doing is extremely difficult. I was sure that the high school here would be different, but my aversion to school was on another level.

"Well, we'll see you guys after school."

Shido said as he waved goodbye to Kotori and Emily while I rested my head against the wall.

"Huh? What's wrong, Aryan?"

He inquired after observing my actions.

"N-Nothing. Let's go now."

I paced forward, trying to fake a smile.

"Yo!"

"Hmm?"

I stopped dead in my tracks as I noticed a familiar figure coming towards us.

"Tonomachi?"

Shido called out.

"Oh, hi, man. What's up?"

I stood upright and smiled at Tonomachi.

As he approached us, Tonomachi exclaimed with a broad grin, "Who were those girls you two were with? Are you two already dating?"

Tonomachi laughed as he encircled our napes with his arms.

"....."

Due to his idiocy, I was at a loss for words, so I remained silent.

"Just stop it now. Have you not even noticed Kotori and Emily?"

Shido finally made a statement.

"Oh? Were they Kotori and Emily?"

He cocked his head in a bewildered manner.

"Of course, who else?"

Shido pulled his arm away from his neck while yelling in an irritated tone.

"Well, that's OK. In the future, you two will both get girlfriends. As for me,"

"I'd already started dating my sweety," he added as he took his phone out of his pocket and displayed the picture of a virtual girlfriend.

"Seriously, dude?"

Shido's face took on an uninterested look, while I couldn't help but smile because it kind of brought back memories of my Otaku days.

"Anyways, let's go."

I commented and began walking forward. I was nervous, but in an attempt to calm myself, I decided to go to school as a challenge!

Shortly after, we arrived at our school, Raizen High School.

Soon enough, we entered our classroom, 1-A.

I noticed my seat was on the last bench in the third row or a window seat.

Shido's bench was the third row's second-to-last, while Tonomachi's was directly in front of Shido's.

'OK, so my seat looks more like the protagonist's, eh?'

While sitting in my seat, I smiled inwardly.

"Hmph."

"?"

I heard someone snorting at me and sitting beside me on an empty seat.

When I turned my gaze to the right, I noticed a girl staring at me.

She had sparkling green eyes that glistened like an evergreen forest, long blonde hair that reached to her waist, a slender and lovely figure, and skin that was as fair as snow. The Raizen school uniform was on her.

I can tell right away that this girl is a tsundere just by looking at her!

"Who is she?"

Suddenly, I heard Shido's whispers.

"I don't know."

I whispered back.

"You don't? So why is she staring at you like she's mad at you?"

'Because she is a Tsundere.'

I said it inwardly.

"Who knows."

With a fake smile, I replied.

I had no idea why she was staring at me, but as an Otaku, I suppose there was a chance she was related to me in some way, like an old friend I'd forgotten about or something.

"Shido Itsuka."

I noticed a girl stooping towards Shido while calling him.

"Y-yes?"

Shido raised his gaze at her.

I noticed that girl. She looks like a young, attractive female with blue eyes and short, silvery-white hair arranged in a bob cut with three hair clips in the right part of her hair.

'Origami.'

I realized it at a glance. It appeared as if sometimes things stayed the same.

At first, I thought of stepping forward, but then, I thought,

'Let's see what she wants to say first.'

I wasn't a lustful Otaku who would run after any attractive girl. It was the fact that Origami was difficult to ignore, but I had my own set of rules.

"I know you."

She called out.

"What?"

With a perplexed expression, Shido replied.

"I—"

She opened her mouth to say something.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

Unexpectedly, a massive explosion erupted outside.

"What?!"

As we heard it, I shifted my gaze outside the window.

"Hey, Shido! Where are you going?!"

As I heard Tonomachi's scream, I shifted my gaze to the left and noticed Shido running outside.

I was sure he was looking for Emily and Kotori.

Without a doubt, it was the fact that they would be safe.

I couldn't, however, guarantee Shido's safety.

"Tsk."

Not only that, but I noticed the girl beside me running outside.

Sigh.

While I saw all the commotion, I sighed and reached for the window knob beside me.

*Creak* As soon as I opened the window, I jumped outside.

"Oi, Aryan!"

I could hear Tonomachi screaming, but I didn't pay it any attention and grabbed the nearest tree branch and hopped on.

"Hmm…"

I turned my attention to the front and saw a hole growing in the center of the city.

I jumped down from the tree and began running forward, mumbling,

"That's it," as a smile spread across my face, I added,

"Finally, the Spirit has arrived."