A/N:
Here's the arranged list for the system level progression:
- Level 1: Novice
- Level 2: Intermediate
- Level 3: Advanced
- Level 4: Expert
- Level 5: Master
******************************************
Class E, first year. Hachiman's classroom.
Hikigaya Hachiman.
Writing his name on the blackboard, Hachiman looked at his classmates seated below and introduced himself:
"Hello everyone, I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. I'm here to introduce myself since I had an issue at the start of the school year. I'm looking forward to getting along with all of you in the coming year."
A week later, Hachiman finally arrived in the classroom, facing the first challenge of interacting with his classmates.
"Hachiman... Hachiman Daibosatsu? Someone actually names their child like that?"
(A/N:"Hachiman Daibosatsu" refers to Hachiman, a Shinto deity in Japanese religion. Hachiman is often referred to as "Hachiman Daibosatsu," which can be translated as "Great Bodhisattva Hachiman." This title reflects the syncretism between Shinto and Buddhist beliefs in Japan.)
"His eyes are so creepy."
"But he looks pretty handsome though."
"Quiet!" There were murmurs in the classroom, and at that moment, Shizuka, the homeroom teacher, spoke up:
"Student Hikigaya was injured while assisting others, which is why he joined the class a week later. Let's strive for good relationships in the times ahead."
"To aid someone else and get hurt in the process, this guy doesn't seem bad after all."
"Hikigaya-san, you've got a kind heart."
Indeed, as Shizuka mentioned that Hachiman got hurt helping someone else, some classmates began to see him in a different light.
Certainly, there were varied reactions.
"Are there really people who help without any ulterior motives? I'm skeptical."
"Sure, act like you're a saint."
"Alright, let's settle down. Class is about to start. Hikigaya, you can take the seat behind Totsuka." After a series of claps, Shizuka gestured to an unoccupied chair.
"I understand. Thanks, Shiz... I mean, Hiratsuka-sensei." Hachiman nearly slipped up by saying "Shizuka-sensei," but he swiftly corrected himself.
Had he actually blurted it out, Shizuka wouldn't have let him off easily.
He reached his seat and set down his schoolbag.
"Hello, classmate."
Just then, a gentle voice reached Hachiman from the front.
Looking up, he found a girl with short silver hair and an adorable face gazing at him with tender, cute eyes.
"Hi, I'm Saika Totsuka. Looking forward to being in your care."
Her voice was soft and delicate, causing Hachiman to unintentionally respond, "I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. Nice to meet you, and please take care of me."
"En," Totsuka Saika responded with a confirming nod, her cheerful smile captivating Hachiman's attention.
Ah, could she be an angel?
Indeed, good deeds bring good rewards. To think that I'd encounter such an adorable girl on the very first day of school.
What's her name again? Oh, right, Saika Totsuka.
What a lovely name.
Saika Totsuka...
Hachiman's expression froze – wait, isn't Saika Totsuka a guy?
Gazing at the charming visage before me – the porcelain complexion and delicate limbs – it's undeniable, she's a stunning young woman.
Just insisting it's a boy when everything points to a girl.
Yet, on closer inspection, Hachiman noticed that despite Saika feminine appearance, there was a slight prominence at the base of the throat, an unmistakable Adam's apple that confirmed the gender.
"Hikigaya-san, you've been absent from class for a week. If you need help understanding anything, feel free to ask me anytime," the gentle voice echoed once more, drawing Hachiman's attention irresistibly.
Ah, what a compassionate person. He probably assume I might struggle to keep up with the coursework and are offering to assist me.
Even though Saika is male, He truly seem like an angel.
Hachiman isn't concerned about academic challenges. The third-level study materials are sufficient to turn him into a prodigy in the eyes of ordinary folks – the sort of achievement one can attain with just a bit of effort to excel at the top of the class.
However, Hachiman wouldn't turn down someone's kindness, so he nodded with a smile and said, "Thank you, Totsuka-san. If there's anything I don't grasp, I'll definitely reach out to you."
Gym class.
This session happened to be a tennis lesson, and as Hachiman arrived on the court, students were already paired up, practicing tennis in twos.
Due to his delayed arrival by a week, most students had already settled on their partners, leaving Hachiman as the odd one out without a teammate.
However, as he glanced at the girls in sports shorts on the court, their fair thighs on display, Hachiman's mood improved slightly.
Finding a spot in a corner with a racket and tennis ball, he decided to practice against the wall. After all, Hachiman followed the same routine as depicted in the Anime/LN.
However, upon reaching the corner with his racket, he discovered that someone was already practicing there.
A towering figure with white hair stood before him, dressed in a peculiar white windbreaker that seemed oddly out of place, giving off an impression of intense heat at first glance.
"Zaimokuza?" Hachiman's mind immediately conjured a name upon witnessing this visually striking attire.
Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, a classmate with a 8th grade syndrome or chuunibyou , often insists he's the reincarnation of General Yoshiki and even associates himself with the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman. In the original story, he's one of the few friends of Hikigaya Hachiman.
After a moment's hesitation, Hachiman approached and suggested, "Hey, I see you're practicing alone. If you're open to it, how about teaming up?"
Startled by Hachiman's sudden voice, Zaimokuza fumbled and missed the ball completely.
Watching this, the corners of Hachiman's lips twitched.
He's a grown person, so why is he so skittish?
"What did you just say to General Yoshiki? I permit you to repeat it."
The moment he spoke, I knew it was eighth-grade syndrome.
Seeing this "chuunibyou" behavior, Hachiman sighed and said, "I asked if you'd like to team up with me."
"Hmph, I'm General Yoshiki. I could never be like..."
"In that case, I'm out of here!" Without a backward glance, Hachiman turned around, ready to leave.
"No, I do want to team up with you!" Witnessing Hachiman about to depart, Zaimokuza dropped the act and promptly clung to his thigh.
"It would've been simpler if you said that from the start."
Seeing Zaimokuza clutching onto his thigh, Hachiman sighed in a somewhat helpless manner. You present yourself as a grown man, so why act so grandiosely? It's a bit off-putting.
With teammates now arranged, Hachiman and Zaimokuza swiftly began their tennis practice.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The sound of tennis balls striking reverberated, and Hachiman's ball was returned with ease. Zaimokuza began talking immediately: "Hmph, what's going on, Hachiman Bodhisattva? My General Yoshiki's skills aren't too shabby!"
"Hey Zaimokuza, can you hit the ball properly? What kind of skill is this?" After hitting back the soft and squishy ball, Hachiman couldn't help but feel speechless.
"You've got some moves there, Hachiman the Great Bodhisattva. But I, General Yoshihira, won't admit defeat either. Watch me execute the Zero-Spin Slice."
In this world, there's an anime called "The Prince of Tennis," and many of its moves have become popular among tennis fans, sparking attempts to replicate them.
From Hachiman's perspective, a lot of the techniques in "The Prince of Tennis" are absurd, with only a handful being realistic enough to imitate.
Even if some of them are replicable, they're not within the reach of a novice like Zaimokuza.
As he effortlessly returned Zaimokuza's so-called "zero-spin slice" ball, a tinge of sadness appeared on Hachiman's face.
However, as he glanced at the new tennis moves that materialized on the virtual screen in his mind, a spark of curiosity flickered in his eyes – could he potentially recreate those techniques?
It appeared there might be an opportunity to practice those moves. If successful, they could come in handy for feigning an aggressive style, right?
"Haha, just as I expected from Hachiman Bodhisattva! Now, try my technique – the Swing Ball!" After hitting the ball back once again, Zaimokuza still exclaimed those middle-school words.
You're supposed to add spin to the ball for a curve, not just wobble it around, you know?
Hachiman rolled his eyes in a deadpan manner. With a gentle swing of the racket, he returned the ball.
However, Hachiman also comprehends Zaimokuza's situation. Due to his chuunibyou tendencies, Zaimokuza is the type who goes unnoticed in class and usually doesn't have anyone to converse with.
Given that there's someone like Hachiman who's capable of communicating, it's only natural that Zaimokuza's mouth wouldn't stay idle.
"Hahaha, that was really something. I'll unleash my full power next."
Observing Zaimokuza in his unguarded state, Hachiman let out a sigh.
Well, might as well regard him as a strange friend.
"Shh~~"
An abrupt whooshing sound sliced through the air behind Hachiman.
A tennis ball hurtled toward the back of his head with remarkable velocity.
"Hachiman, watch out!"
Witnessing the rapidly approaching ball, Zaimokuza cast aside his chuunibyou act and shouted a warning.
In truth, it hardly mattered that he alerted Hachiman – the third-level physique enhancements had not only augmented his physical prowess and stamina, but also significantly sharpened his senses.
His ears twitched subtly as he gauged the ball's trajectory from the rustling of the wind. Anchoring with his left foot, he employed the right one to pivot his waist. Grasping the tennis racket with both hands, he swung it out like a baseball bat.
"Boom!"
Witnessing the ball streaking away faster than its initial approach, he watched as it struck the barbed wire fence on the periphery of the court, ceased its rotation, and tumbled to the ground.
"Wow, a home run! That's impressive!"
Observing Hachiman's impressive shot, Zaimokuza rushed over and fell into his chuunibyou once again: "Cool, as expected of my dear friend Hachiman Bodhisattva of General Yoshiki!"
"It's merely a fluke!" Hachiman nonchalantly shrugged, dismissing Zaimokuza's praise.
At that moment, the two individuals responsible for the errant ball approached to offer their apologies. Among them was Saika, the angelic person he had just encountered.
"I'm really sorry, Hikigaya-san. We accidentally hit the ball into the air earlier, and it nearly hit you," Saika quickly bowed and apologized upon approaching Hachiman.
"It's alright, really. I'm fine, and it wasn't intentional. No harm done," Hachiman responded with a smile, reassuring Saika.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Hachiman, Totsuka-san."
Upon hearing Hachiman's words, a blush colored Saika's face, making them even more adorable. "Then... Hachiman, you can just call me Saika."
"Saika..." Seeing the blush on Saika face, Hachiman found himself growing a little flustered and silently scolded himself.
"He's a guy... he's a guy... he's a guy!"
"By the way, Hachiman, that shot you just pulled off was quite impressive. Have you considered joining the tennis club?"
Recalling the ball Hachiman had struck, Saika's excitement grew. Even without a machine test, Saika was certain that the speed at which Hachiman hit the ball had exceeded 180 kilometers per hour, a level comparable to that of professional athletes.
"Tennis club?" Hachiman pondered for a moment.
It had been a week since school began, and many freshmen had already signed up for their preferred clubs. Naturally, Saika had joined the tennis club.
"I apologize, Saika, but I haven't really considered joining any clubs at the moment." After a moment of contemplation, Hachiman courteously declined Saika's invitation. Despite having activated the tennis module, he wasn't inclined to join the tennis club.
Furthermore, when he reached his second year, he would naturally join Yukino's service club, following the trajectory of the original story. As for his club choice during his first year of high school, he had already settled on one – the kendo club!
"That's alright. If Hachiman ever decides to join the tennis club, feel free to come and let me know anytime," Saika responded to Hachiman's refusal, showing a hint of disappointment but still offering a smile.
"No problem!"
The class continued, and the two exchanged a few words before resuming their tennis practice.
After the physical education class ended, Hachiman and Zaimokuza returned to the classroom together. Despite Hachiman's reluctance to admit it, he and Zaimokuza had developed a friendship of sorts, although much of it stemmed from Zaimokuza's tendency to talk incessantly.
"Hachiman, my best buddy, how about we grab lunch together?"
During lunchtime, Zaimokuza looked at Hachiman with anticipation. As he hadn't been well-received by his classmates and lacked friends to eat with, having someone like Hachiman to converse with was a welcome change. Naturally, he wanted to experience the feeling of having a meal with a friend.
"Well, sure. However, I didn't bring a packed lunch, so I'll have to head to the cafeteria or the canteen to buy something," Hachiman replied. Since he also didn't have any friends to dine with, he nodded in agreement.
"Not an issue. I usually have lunch at the canteen. I've been telling you, their fried noodles and bread are top-notch!" Zaimokuza was visibly excited as he saw Hachiman's agreement. Finally, he had someone to share a meal with, and he eagerly gestured for Hachiman to accompany him towards the cafeteria.
"If we reach power ranking number 10, I will release 2 bonus chapters. So, thanks to those who support this fanfic by giving power stones."
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GOT IT