Haru woke up the next morning feeling… strange.
Not strange like "I'm dying again."
More like someone secretly improved his hardware overnight.
He sat up.
Noticed he didn't wobble as much.
Noticed he wasn't panting from the effort of existing.
"…Wait. Am I… kinda lighter?"
Before he could investigate
DING.
A blue notification slammed into his vision.
[SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE!]
New Features Installed:
• Neuro-Linker Integration: System now syncs with AR input.
• Behavioral Scanning: Detects hostile/friendly intent toward the Host.
• Random Update Reward from update Unlocked: Lower Body Restoration Pill; Heals any physical deformity below the waist
Haru stared.
"…Is my pee pee broken or something?"
The system sparkled innocently, offering no clarification.
Haru walked downstairs, and his mom's eyes widened.
"…Haru, you look a little slimmer after only a week just a week of exercise"
He froze.
She froze.
A silent "what sorcery is this?" passed between them.
"…Puberty?"
"…Probably my diet and exercise finally showing effect?"
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Then softened.
"Haru," she said, kneeling in front of him, "since your memory seems stable… I think you can go back to school today."
She held his shoulders gently but firmly.
"But if anyone bullies you… you tell me. Immediately. Understand?"
Haru nodded seriously.
"I promise, Mom."
She exhaled shakily and grabbed her bag.
"I'm walking you to school."
Haru blinked.
"…Didnt you say You always walked me to school."
"Yes, but today I'll walk you with heightened vigilance."
Haru didn't know what that meant, but it involved her glaring at every child they passed like she was scanning for threats.
Arrival at Umesato Elmentary School
The school building looked… different.
Or maybe he felt different.
Less scared.
More prepared.
More… calm.
His mom stopped at the door of Class 5-B, radiating nervous energy.
"You'll be okay," she whispered.
He smiled.
"I'll be fine, Mom."
She reluctantly let him go.
Classroom
When Haru stepped inside, twenty pairs of third-grade eyes snapped toward him.
Whispers erupted instantly.
"Isn't that Arita?" - Classmate A
"He came back!" - Classmate B
"He looks… less fat??" - Classmate C
"He's still a midget tho." - Red haired Gorilla
"Why is he radiating light?" - Janitor cleaning at the side
"Why does he look… confident??" - Classmate D
Haru stood there, stiff as a lagging avatar.
Yep. This is how social death begins.
Then
Ping.
His Neuro-Linker synced with the System.
A soft overlay scanned the room.
[BEHAVIORAL SCAN ACTIVATED]
The students glowed faintly in different colors, courtesy of his System's questionable mood ring technology:
Dark Pink: yandere desires [system warning: hide host; in red font]
Pink: Crush
Green: Friendly
Yellow: Neutral but confused (most of the class)
Orange: Mild hostility
Red: hostile / public safety threats
Haru gulped.
Three boys near the window glowed red enough to be considered fire hazards.
"Yep… boss mobs."
And Then Her
As the scan completed, Haru's eyes landed on a girl in the middle row.
Bright eyes.
Energetic vibe.
Brown shoulder length hair
Her head bobbing mischievously as she leaned forward.
She perked up immediately when she saw him.
"Haru!"
His heart jolted.
Not romantically
Just in a "who is this smiling gremlin and why is she glowing gold?!" kind of way.
Ping.
[Profile Detected: Chiyuri Kurashima]
Status: Close Childhood Friend
Emotional Indicators: Warm, Worried, Slightly Annoyed at Your Disappearing Act
Hostility Level: 0% (Impossible)
Something warm bloomed in Haru's chest.
He didn't remember her.
But her smile felt familiar.
"Haru, you're back!" Chiyuri chirped.
He stood frozen in the doorway.
…This world might be chaotic.
Terrifying.
Full of tiny boss mobs and unknown elementary trauma.
But at least
He had one bright green ally glowing in his HUB
And thats enough.