Evening – Runcandel Mansion
Keith stood by the window.
"Sign in," he said calmly.
Sign-In Successful.
Reward Obtained: Medical Knowledge – Intermediate
Keith felt the information flow in—diagnosis methods, anatomy, emergency treatment, pharmacology.
"Great Sage," he said.
Analyzing… Optimizing…
The scattered fragments of medical knowledge he had before were reorganized, refined, and expanded.
Medical Knowledge upgraded to: Advanced.
Keith exhaled softly.
"…Good."
He opened the system panel.
Status Panel
Host: Keith Argus Yamamoto
Title: Reborn Person
Age: 14
Bloodline: Human
Strength: Normal
Unique Skills:
Great Sage Predator
Skills:
Business Skill – Advanced Medical Skills – Advanced Cooking – Beginner Baking – Beginner Hacking – Intermediate Finance – Advanced Martial Arts – Intermediate Weapons Mastery – Intermediate
Keith closed the panel.
"Balanced," he murmured.
Satisfied, he decided to go for a walk.
Park – Morning
Sunlight filtered through the trees.
Laughter echoed near the playground.
Keith's eyes softened slightly when he spotted Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki playing nearby.
There was also a boy with them—about their age.
Keith immediately noticed it.
The confidence.
The arrogance.
The way the boy spoke as if he expected to be admired.
Troublesome, Keith thought calmly.
Ran noticed him first.
"Keith!"
Sonoko turned—and her face lit up instantly.
They ran toward him.
Keith bent down and gently patted their heads.
"Good morning, my princesses."
Both girls froze.
Then—
Their faces turned bright red.
"P-PRINCESS?!" Sonoko squeaked.
Ran hid her face behind her hands.
The boy frowned deeply.
"Oi," he said arrogantly, stepping forward. "Who are you?"
Before Keith could respond—
Thump.
Sonoko punched Keith lightly on the head.
"Introduce yourself properly!" she scolded.
"Ow—!" the boy yelped instead, clutching his head in sympathy.
He straightened quickly.
"I'm Kudo Shinichi," he said proudly.
"My parents are Yusaku Kudo and Lisana Kudo."
Keith's eyes flickered—just for a second.
Lisana…?
Not Yukiko?
A ripple of curiosity surfaced.
What happened to Yukiko Kudo?
But Keith didn't ask.
He didn't care enough.
He shook his head lightly and smiled.
"My name is Keith Argus Yamamoto."
That was all.
No boasting.
No pride.
Just fact.
Shinichi waited.
And waited.
…Nothing.
No praise.
No reaction.
Keith had already turned back to Ran and Sonoko.
He took out neatly wrapped packets.
"I made cookies this morning."
He handed two packs to Ran.
"These are for you and Eri Kisaki."
Ran's eyes sparkled.
"Thank you!"
Then Keith gave three packs to Sonoko.
"These are for Tomoko Suzuki, Ayako Suzuki, and one for you."
Sonoko practically glowed.
"Keith, you're the best!"
Keith smiled faintly.
"I'll be going now."
He stepped back and nodded politely.
"Goodbye."
Ran and Sonoko waved enthusiastically.
"Bye, Keith!"
They turned and left together.
Shinichi stood there.
Unacknowledged.
Unpraised.
As if he hadn't existed at all.
He clenched his fists.
"…Huh?"
For the first time in his life—
Someone hadn't cared.
And that, somehow, hurt more than Sonoko's punch.