Rumor and Haku Past

"There he is."

"Ugh, how annoying. He's so full of himself, but hanging out with a gang?"

"Maybe he's the son of a gang boss? He was with the [Left Blood] yesterday."

"Someone like that on the disciplinary committee? We should protest immediately."

Even though they whispered to each other, I could hear them loud and clear. Their judgmental eyes were fixed on me.

I was having lunch with my schoolmates, but today the buzz about my background spread like wildfire through the First High chat platform. The culprit? It doesn't matter who he is. I don't care because it's half true, and I couldn't care less.

-Crack!

The temperature suddenly dropped, and as always, Miyuki couldn't control her emotions, and her magic spread. But this time, she was angry on my behalf, how cute.

It touched me.

"Don't worry, they're half right anyway..."

"But they're tarnishing your name!"

Miyuki stopped freezing the surroundings and expressed her dissatisfaction with my casual attitude while eating lunch.

"She's right, Haku. I feel like smacking them, but, ugh!"

Erika felt the same way, while Mizuki stared at me and the gossipers with teary eyes. It seems like I'm quite popular.

Leo was equally disgusted, itching to uphold justice. Tatsuya, on the other hand, continued chewing his food but seemed lost in thought.

"Don't worry, they're just kids."

I wasn't that bothered by it.

A day ago, after my gym training session, a young man in his twenties with a pale-sweaty face approached me. He seemed mentally tormented, and my heart sank to the depths of despair. I didn't know him, but this body knew him all too well.

"It's been a while, Haku. You've changed a lot."

"What happened? Ah, it's been about a year, right? Jack...?" I recalled Haku's vague memories from when he was eight years old, specifically after the accident that took both his parents.

Even though the memories were hazy due to system interference...? I could piece together some of Haku's past.

Jack was a young, bald black man of African American descent. His ancestors probably sought refuge in Japan during World War III, and society had long been discriminatory toward their existence.

"Hana is on her deathbed now. I hope you can see her before it's too late."

His lips trembled as he delivered the news, and at that moment, my body reacted strongly. After all, she was the one who saved and raised Haku after that incident.

---

Jack took me 'home' to Osaka.

I strode through the corridors of the worn-out four-story building without hesitation. It hurt because, even though I didn't know her, my heart raced, reminiscent of the time when my mother left.

As I opened the door to the room, I saw many people gathered around the woman lying on the futon. I couldn't shed tears for that unfortunate woman, but my heart ached because Haku had buried this image deep within his heart, considering her like a real family.

She was his savior, and the woman's name was Kobayashi Hana, she is a salaryman in her middle twenties.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"The boss didn't want me to. She knows how hard you've been working. I've managed to gather the money. I think we should proceed with the surgery. I know Hana would hate me for it, but I can't let her go without trying."

I spoke to Jack in the kitchen, amidst a tense atmosphere. I was slightly angry, but I kept a poker face.

The struggle Jack referred to was the immense effort Haku had put in to reach this point. How he ranked second in the written exams at First High, how he managed to graduate middle school in just two years, and how he became the youngest student of his generation at First High.

The system claimed credit for it, but perhaps this could be the true reason.

Ugh, damn pig system!

[Tehe~]

It was all for the sake of a woman named Hana, the shelter she founded for people like Jack. However, because the majority of its inhabitants had foreign blood, this place often faced prejudice, with many considering it a gathering place for gangs.

And now that Hana had reached stage four of breast cancer after I examined her body using [Elemental Sight], I knew she must have been enduring it, pretending to be strong, given her stubborn nature.

They had many labels: beggars, foreigners, parasites. But their famous name was [Left Blood].

[Left Blood] referred to foreign descendants, former soldiers, and immigrants who had moved to Japan during the Third World War. Despite having Japanese citizenship, their existence was often overlooked. If they were lucky enough to possess magical abilities, they could find a place in the military. But for those who didn't, everyday life was a constant struggle.

That's why Haku aimed for success in his career as a magician, which incidentally offered a high average income.

I shook my head, feeling intense nausea and dizziness from the emotional turmoil.

"I'll be right back."

I headed to the restroom. But my real objective was to facilitate buying and selling transactions.

Since I had the system, maybe I could do something about Hana's chronic illness.

[Holy Water of Life]

[Class: S]

[250,000,000 points for four bottles]

[A mysterious potion infused with powerful magic that can cure any disease. The effects will only manifest when the entire bottle has been consumed.

[Press to buy]

Emerging from the restroom, I held a glass bottle adorned with intricate decorations that exuded a sense of luxury. Any art enthusiast would mistake it for a valuable historical artifact.

"Hold onto Hana. Yes, like that..."

It was just Jack and me now, about to feed the "Holy Water of Life." to Hana.

I didn't argue much with him, but Jack couldn't help but feel nervous as I prepared to feed an uncertain substance to someone he loved. Of course, my nerves were multiplied many times over.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Just trust me, bro."

Despite the system's jerky nature, I had personally witnessed its magical powers. So, I was willing to trade any amount of points for another miracle.

"Alright, let's take it slow."

With trembling hands and sweat dripping down my face, I carefully fed the holy water of life to Hana.

As the last drop of the potion disappeared, I watched Hana's parched lips regain their moisture, and her pale skin regained a healthy, youthful glow. Both Jack and I stared at her with anticipation, hoping she would awaken at any moment.

"Haku..."

When her voice echoed through the room, my heart quivered slightly, and I couldn't bring myself to lift my gaze due to nervousness.

A weight settled on my shoulders as I worried that someone would notice Haku's drastic transformation.

What is reality? Who am I? According to the system, my background is merely an orphan. A hand reaches out to me, its once cold skin now warm and vibrant with life. It feels like shit, but what's done is done, this is reality.

"Oh, my god. Hana! Thank you, Lord!"

Jack embraced Hana tightly, continuing to express his gratitude, while I stood by silently, observing the heartfelt embrace between the two.

"Now that Hana is fine, I'll take my leave for now."

After Hana woke up, she needed some rest to readjust, but I promised to return.

"Oh, right. You're still a schoolboy; I almost forgot."

He smiled, though it didn't quite fit, his eyes still red from crying so much.

"Don't worry too much, okay? I'll not inquire or disclose anything about it. Your act for Hana's sake is more than enough for me, I am in-debt with you."

"Yes, but don't worry. I owe her a life, so I'll make sure she's taken care of."

---

A reincarnation.

A hidden wealthy man.

A magician.

A chef.

Former beggars.

Oh, and let's not forget, I'm a ninja too, right?

A pretty boy with a psychopath grin—that's what they called me at school.

I seem to have multiple identities now. It's an unprecedented situation, and honestly, it's quite hilarious to me. To an outsider, it might seem absurd or even exaggerated, but I didn't ask for any of this, for God's sake!

What kind of lunatic who wants to fake their personal data like that?

Anyway, I was currently walking through the corridor leading to the committee room, facing the pitiful or scornful gazes of fellow students.

Damn, I know it's tempting. I want to punch them right in the face, but since they're just hormone-driven teenagers, I hold back my fist.

"Hey, do you enjoy hanging out with Left Blood?"

"Well, well, look at this. It suits you perfectly, a weed-beggar? But I don't think you belong in this school, do you?"

"Hahahaha!"

Morisaki Shun and a few of his friends blocked my path, openly insulting me and laughing.

If I were to tell Jarvis, he would find out who spread the rumor, but I had always been eye-catching from the start, like kicking a naughty kid, so it was only a matter of time before this happened.

Perhaps even the kid of the clan master would eventually discover my background.

Initially, they had assumed I was from a big clan, but as rumors about me, some unsavory, began to circulate, those with grudges no longer held back.

But when I thought about it, this wasn't such a bad thing. I could play the role of a 'former beggar', a mask that concealed my true identity as the owner of Yuki Enterprise. It was somewhat of a blessing, I suppose?

Sighing, I asked, "Yes, then?"

As I observed their expressions, a look of disbelief spread across their faces.

They had probably expected me to deny the rumors. Instead, I casually corrected them.

I glanced at Morisaki and then at each of his friends behind him.

"It appears that you all here are itching to taunt me, and you've done so before. However, my response has been rather calm, without making a fuss. That doesn't mean I care about this pitiful situation, but truthfully, it's becoming annoying."

I sighed again, crossing my arms.

"But here's another truth: I can beat you all up. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't want to associate with someone like me, someone who lives on the streets."

With a smirk, I moved closer to Morisaki with strong momentum. He nervously swallowed his saliva and stumbled backward.

"Stay away, you filthy beggar!"

"Hmm? What are you thinking now? Do you believe that someone like me, who survives on an empty stomach and lives as a modern-day beggar, would back down from such pathetic provocation? Kekeke, what do you think will happen when someone like me is looked down upon by a jerk like you?"

I halted, staring at him with intense eyes. In the end, they all, especially Morisaki, turned pale upon encountering the gaze of a street-hardened stray dog.

I reached out and lightly slapped Morisaki's cheek a few times. "Here's a piece of advice for you kids. Don't mess with someone who isn't afraid of losing anything."

People who are starving will do anything to survive, and when provoked, they can be as volatile as patients in a mental hospital. I lived like that before I was reincarnated.

Morisaki remained motionless, trembling as if he were the victim. Even though I had been the target of their bullying from the beginning, I now felt like the villain.

"Well, should we settle this like we did back then?"

"N-No, I-I can't match your speed..."

"Kekeke, a wise decision."

As my smile grew darker, it turned into the smile of a psychopath. They seemed as if they were about to wet their pants. The students who witnessed this incident were no different.

Their faces were like open books, easily readable: "This pretty boy is insane!" That was a general sentiment.

After finishing my patrol, sweat trickled down my body as I left the fitness center. I had intended to continue my sword training since I was still at a [D-] level, but a girl with ponytails stood in front of me, she put on a light smile.

"Yuki-kun... I apologize for the sudden visit. Do you have a minute?"

"Hmm. Kendo-senpai? I suppose..."

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Hey, what do you think about my writing improvement in the last few chapters? and by the way, is this book ga*? if it is, I will drop this ff.