The city of Shibuya had grown familiar to Haru.
The parks, the quiet backstreets, even the slight rumble of trains overhead had become part of his morning routine.
He had spent the last three months running almost every day, building stamina, refining his diet, and learning the subtle ways of taking care of his body.
And today… today, the system had decided he was ready for a major milestone.
Haru woke to sunlight streaming through the sliding door of his grandparents' apartment. He yawned, stretched, and immediately noticed something was… different.
He felt lighter. Straighter. More… solid.
PING
[Body Reconstruction Phase Complete]
Haru blinked at the system overlay. His stats flickered across his vision:
BMI Normalized
Muscle Tone Increased
Stamina +3
Jogging Capacity: 3–4 km without collapse
He swung his legs out of bed, noting for the first time in months that standing felt easy. No wobble. No breathlessness. Just… smooth, coordinated motion.
"Wow…" he whispered, flexing his arms. Not huge, but defined enough to see a faint line along his biceps.
"I… I can feel it. I'm… actually stronger."
Grandpa, peeking in from the doorway, gave a whistle.
"Boy, looks like all that running and broccoli worked. You're actually… impressive."
Haru blinked at him. "Thanks… I guess."
As he swung out of bed to check his new form in the mirror, he felt a sudden pop. Something shifted in his legs. His vision tilted downward, and then—smack!
He hit his head on the top shelf.
"OW! WHAT"
His mom, Saya, stormed in.
"HARU! WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Haru staggered, rubbing the crown of his head. "…I… I think I grew?"
Grandpa leaned over from the hallway, squinting.
"Boy, you grew like bamboo!"
He staggered toward the mirror. The system overlay confirmed:
PING
[Significant Growth Surge Activated]
Height +5 cm → 170 cm
Haru froze. 170 cm. Almost as tall as Takumu now. Only slightly shorter.
"…I'm… tall." he muttered. The thought of returning to school like this made his stomach do somersaults.
Haru then video-called Chiyuri, the first person who would likely scream at him for this sudden growth.
"Oh MY GOD, HARU!" Chiyuri shrieked, nearly toppling her chair. "How are you becoming more handsome!? And taller!? Are you secretly taking steroids!?"
Haru flexed his tiny muscles dramatically, grinning sheepishly.
"Hey, don't yell… you'll make me blush!"
Chiyuri's face turned even redder. "STOP SHOWING OFF!"
Takumu appeared in the background of the call, calmly clapping.
"Haru… you look really healthy. I'm glad."
Haru chuckled. "Thanks… I guess all that jogging and broccoli really works."
The call ended in laughter, and Haru felt something he hadn't felt in months: pride. Not arrogance. Not showiness. Just… satisfaction.
Haru and Fuuko's Growing Friendship
Later that morning, Haru laced up his running shoes and took his first post-growth jog through Shibuya's familiar park.
He felt taller, faster, stronger. His mind wandered and suddenly, he spotted her:
Fuuko, sitting on the bench as usual, notebook in hand.
Her light-brown hair caught the sunlight. Her calm brown eyes turned toward him. She glanced down at her legs for a moment and then smiled faintly.
Haru slowed to a walk, careful not to startle her.
"Hey… kurasaki-san," he said softly.
She looked up. "Arita-kun. You… you've become taller." Her voice held a hint of awe.
Haru shrugged. "Yeah… system upgrade." He laughed jokingly. "…Kinda weird seeing me like this."
Fuuko smiled faintly, but there was a shadow in her eyes.
"…You run really well now," she murmured.
Haru blinked. "..." as she saw her sad
She nodded slightly and continued, voice soft. "My prosthetics… they're amazing, I guess. But I can't move like normal legs. I can walk, but running… freely… it's… impossible for me."
"…kurasaki-san… you're… incredible anyway, i told you months ago" he said quietly. "You're strong in ways I can't even imagine.
I… I want to be the kind of person who can protect you. Not pity you. Just… be there if you need me."
Her eyes softened. A blush crept over her cheeks.
"…Thank you, arita-kun," she whispered.
As they continued talking, Fuuko hesitated, then spoke more openly:
"Before I was born, my parents were told I would have a genetic defect.
They… decided to go through with the pregnancy anyway. I was born without legs around my knees.
At infancy, they gave me a neurolinker to monitor my health.
Later, I received prosthetic legs, but… I grew up questioning why they let me live like that.
Sometimes, I resented it."
"Resented being born"
Haru listened quietly, every word sinking into him. He didn't pity her. He didn't ask awkward questions.
He simply… understood.
"You… don't have to explain anything," he said softly. "You're here, you're amazing as you are."
Fuuko's eyes shimmered slightly, and she nodded.
"You run differently now… stronger." She said
Haru grinned, determination sparking in his eyes.
"I have to. Next year, I want to stand in front of the people waiting for me… and not be the kid everyone underestimates."
Fuuko's cheeks flushed lightly. "…You really think about that?"
Haru shrugged. "…Of course. Someone's got to stand tall, right?"
After a few more minutes of conversation, Haru bid her goodbye and started jogging home.
The cold Shibuya air filled his lungs, each breath smooth and easy.
He felt muscles flex and stretch beneath his skin. His body was no longer fragile, no longer a reminder of weakness or failure.
He was taller. Stronger. More confident.
And perhaps most importantly, he had someone to share it with.
Haru glanced back briefly at Fuuko sitting on her bench, notebook in hand, calm and soft, but strong in her own quiet way.
He smiled, a rare, genuine smile.
He was no longer the boy who had arrived broken.
He was becoming someone new.
Someone stronger.
Someone who could stand tall.
literally.
when he returned to his friends