The morning sun stretched across Suginami like golden fingers prying open the city.
Haru yawned, already halfway out of bed, and swung his legs over the side. Something felt… different.
He stood, wobbling slightly, and realized with a half-panicked, half-excited jolt that his head was nearly brushing the top shelf he normally ducked under.
"Wait… what?" he muttered, craning his neck.
A ping flickered in the corner of his vision:
[Significant Growth Surge detected]
[Height +5 cm → 175 cm]
Haru froze. His mind did a rapid double-take. 175 cm!
"Holy Mom!" he called, rushing downstairs.
His mother, Saya, nearly dropped the cup of green tea she was holding.
"Haru… you grew again! How am I supposed to hug you like a baby now?"
Haru scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I… I guess I've… leveled up?"
Haru could only groan. Somehow, between jogging, weight loss, and all the random system enhancements, he'd hit his growth spurt again.
The mirror in the hallway reflected a boy transformed: tall, broadening shoulders, muscles faintly toned from months of running, and a presence that made him look older than his years.
Even a short walk to the neighborhood convenience store became a test of composure.
Teenage girls whispered as he passed, nudging each other. "Who's that, he looks good."
Even mature women glanced in his direction, politely or not so subtly, commenting under their breath about his posture and confident stride.
Haru's cheeks flushed slightly, and he kept his head down, jogging silently.
Chiyuri's voice sounded from the side, catching up to him.
"Haru! Are you seriously strutting down the street like a runway model? You're going to scare everyone!"
Haru snickered. "Hey, I'm just… testing new legs. Wait, no, muscles. Don't look at me like that."
Chiyuri sighed dramatically. "Good. Keep your head up don't trip over your own ego."
While he stretched in the park. Chiyuri's bright, energetic face appeared immediately, her ponytail bouncing as she leaned into the camera.
"Haru! Stop worrying me with your running habits! And now you're huge!"
"I'm… not huge. I'm… efficient," Haru said, trying to sound nonchalant, though his grin betrayed him.
"I'm unstoppable!" Haru joked, flexing a small muscle. Chiyuri screeched. "Stop showing off, you weirdo!"
They spent the next fifteen minutes laughing about old memories.
"Hey why didnt you two invite me to your run"
takumu silently joining them from the side. Hurt that he didnt get invited to the run.
"Hey she just appeared like a wild chii chan" haru protested
Haru's heart felt warm. These two had been with him since he was six; now, four months later, he felt their support and camaraderie more than ever.
Haru jogged with the both of them through the local park later that day. The system, ever eager to monitor progress, occasionally pinged:
[Minor Stamina Boost Applied]
[Fat-Burning Modifier Active]
The city seemed smaller now, though somehow brighter.
He noticed small changes: the way sunlight danced off leaves, the distant laughter of children, even the quiet stares of neighbors.
Teenage girls whispered as he ran past, glancing at his longer, more confident stride.
Mature women commented quietly to friends: "that boy is tall… and that posture!"
Haru tried not to blush, focusing on his breathing and stride. Grandpa's words echoed in his head: "Be careful growing and exercising or you'll need a new wardrobe every week!"
Even mundane errands felt epic. Carrying grocery bags from a small convenience store turned into a comedic struggle.
Chiyuri's teasing comments from the side:
"Do you need me to call a crane, Haru?"
Later that afternoon, Haru returned home, towel draped over his shoulders. His neurolinker pinged with something unexpected.
[Friend Request Received: Kurasaki Fuuko]
Haru blinked. "Fuuko?" he muttered, clicking to open the message.
The text was brief, almost playful:
"We've been talking for months… and you didn't even give me your contact info until now. Don't ignore me, Arita-kun."
Haru chuckled softly. "So she's been keeping tabs on me…" he muttered, a strange warmth in his chest.
He tapped 'accept,' feeling a subtle emotional ping from the system: calm, joyful, compatible.
For the first time, Haru realized just how much of an impact he'd had on someone else.
Even without knowing it fully, Fuuko had trusted him. The thought was… comforting.
Despite the summer break, Haru's routine continued, pushing his body gently but consistently.
Muscles more defined, toned from months of jogging and calisthenics.
Height is now at 175 cm, exactly matching Takumu.
System rewards included:
Stamina +1
Confidence +1
Even now, after three months of hard work, he could jog 3–4 km easily, feeling powerful but not exhausted.
Haru paused under the afternoon sun, glancing over the familiar Suginami skyline.
He thought about Chiyuri and Takumu how they had always been there, supporting him even through his memory loss and hospital stay.
He thought about Fuuko, who had regained her legs thanks to the mysterious gift he had given her.
System pinged:
[Bond Stability: Optimal]
[Emotional Growth: High]
Minor luck boost applied.
Haru smiled softly. Life was quiet, comfortable… and yet, he could feel the anticipation of the coming school year.
By evening, Haru's daily routine drew him out for one final jog. The sunset painted the streets gold, long shadows stretching behind him.
Video call popped up from Chiyuri which he accepted. "Haru! You're running again at sunset? You're going to overheat!"
"I'm… just appreciating the scenery," Haru lied, though he secretly enjoyed the quiet of the city and the way his legs felt lighter and stronger than ever.
Takumu's calm voice joined. "Your stride has improved. Good pacing."
Haru laughed. "Thanks. I'm basically a running machine now!"
Chiyuri groaned. "Stop exaggerating, you goof!"
Later, after the sun dipped completely below the horizon, Haru received a subtle ping from Fuuko via the system. Emotional status: calm blue, high trust.
He smiled to himself. She was okay. She was happy. And he hadn't even met her today. That thought filled him with a quiet satisfaction.
"Good," Haru whispered, stretching on the park bench. "Everything's going according to plan."
Haru's mind drifted to the new school year, two months away.
How would classmates react to his new height, fitness, and confidence?
Would Araya and his old bullies try anything?
How would Fuuko respond when they met again in person?
The thought of those encounters sent a thrill of nervous anticipation through him.
Haru finished his jog, drenched in sweat but completely satisfied.
He stretched, arms over his head, and looked at the horizon. The quiet streets of Suginami glimmered under the last light of day.
Two months. That was all he had before the real test began, the return to school, the reconnection with classmates, the unknown future of friendships and challenges.