An unfamiliar ceiling.
But…
"Please take care of me from now on," Aoyama Osamu muttered, sensing he'd wake up here often.
The faint antiseptic smell and distant sports club shouts told him where he was.
The school nurse's office.
"When did you start talking in your sleep?" Ono Mizuki whispered.
Aoyama Osamu didn't rush to explain.
—System, get out here!
The panel appeared before his eyes—visible even with them closed.
—I nearly died, you know that?!
He almost did, but the panel was dead silent.
His resentment deflated like a balloon under a steamroller, leaving him listless.
Calming down, he checked the data.
No change in Strength, Speed, or Vitality.
But his novel materials progressed—
[Fitness Book: 25%]
The pain and insights from running were substantial.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 83%]
[High School Romance Novel: 20%]
First time in the nurse's office, as a fainting patient—progress made sense.
"What time is it?" Aoyama Osamu sat up.
"Bro, you're awake? You okay? I mean, your brain? Everyone thinks you're nuts," Ono Mizuki said, hurrying over.
"Save your extra worry and answer me. Time?"
"Four-thirty. School's out. Nee-chan checked on you but left for her job."
"Text Mihana-nee I'm fine," Aoyama Osamu said. "Don't worry, I'm okay."
"Not until the teacher checks!" Mizuki didn't buy it.
She called the nurse.
The nurse, a young woman with short hair and strikingly refined features, had a cold expression—almost robotic. Her perfectly proportioned chest bore a nameplate: Kuse Oto.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 84%]
[High School Romance Novel: 21%]
—Wait…
"Kuse-sensei, thank you," Mizuki bowed.
"My job," Kuse Oto said, pressing hard into Aoyama Osamu's body. "Pain here?"
"No pain, just a weird pressed feeling."
"Normal for a teenage boy," Kuse Oto said emotionlessly.
…He meant a literal weird feeling, like something in his pocket—not that kind.
Mizuki's look shifted from "idiot" and "crazy" to "pervert" and "creep."
Kuse Oto pressed a few more spots, asking his reactions.
Finally: "You're fine. No running this week. Check in daily at noon. If worried, go to a hospital."
"Sensei, I trust you completely!" Aoyama Osamu swore allegiance.
Kuse Oto nodded and left.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 85%]
[High School Romance Novel: 23%]
"Bro," Mizuki said with disdain.
"I said that because we can't afford a hospital!"
"Hmph."
Since he was fine, Mizuki headed to her club.
At Kaimei High, clubs took roll call before activities—strict, not optional.
"My dear sister, I've decided your club's my first visit," Aoyama Osamu said.
Mizuki eyed him suspiciously.
She didn't say it, but her look needed explaining.
Mizuki was in the choir club. Aoyama Osamu once said, "Choir's as dumb as driving to the gym on weekends."
He knew nothing about choir and never went to a gym—just teasing his sister.
"I'm not the old me," Aoyama Osamu said.
"Brain broken?"
"No, I can barely walk without help, so I'm stuck with your club today!"
Mizuki tsked, but smiled.
She helped him off the bed. They thanked Kuse Oto again and left the nurse's office.
"Can you walk?" Mizuki asked.
"Feels like a car out of gas being pushed," Aoyama Osamu replied.
"You've seen a car?" Mizuki mocked.
Of course—her jab highlighted their poverty.
"Read about them in a novel last night. Reading's useful—now even I know cars exist."
Mizuki smacked his back.
"Careful." She supported him upstairs.
The nurse's office was on the first floor of the club building; music clubs like choir were on the third.
Tokyo hit dusk; an orange beam lit the stairwell corner, like a flashlight's glow. They passed through.
"Why'd you run so fast today?" Mizuki asked.
"Mizuki," Aoyama Osamu said, "not just PE—my life's gonna race at that speed to make you super rich!"
"So I should buy life insurance? After your hospital stay and today, insurers won't sign easily."
"…Your comprehension is terrifyingly twisted."
Mizuki flashed a bright smile.
They reached the third floor, where classrooms were large.
"Bro."
"Hm?"
"More than getting rich, I want us together forever."
The classrooms had great soundproofing, but near the doors, faint sounds leaked—brass band, choir, light music, rock, anime songs…
Despite Japan's low birthrate, Kaimei High's wealth ensured many students, leading to diverse clubs.
Aoyama Osamu noted every detail.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 86%]
[High School Romance Novel: 25%]
"Wearing 100-yen underwear and talking down money?" Aoyama Osamu teased.
"No matter the price, a cute girl's underwear is priceless!" Mizuki shot back.
"As a creep, I bow to you."
That line could go in his novel.
They knocked and entered the choir clubroom.
"Takahashi-senpai, sorry," Mizuki bowed. "My brother insisted on visiting."
"No problem," Takahashi-senpai's voice was gentle but perfunctory, her eyes on Aoyama Osamu.
She smiled. "Aoyama-kun, welcome to choir."
"Sorry to intrude," Aoyama Osamu smiled back.
"Help your brother sit. You're not marked absent today," Takahashi said softly to Mizuki.
"Thanks, Senpai." Mizuki stayed demure at school.
The choir room was a small tiered classroom. Aoyama Osamu sat in the back, holding a club pamphlet from Takahashi Ayaya.
"Continue, everyone."
Takahashi Ayaya played the piano. Choir members stood at their seats, holding black music folders, singing to her conducting.
Before reading the pamphlet, Aoyama Osamu scanned the room.
Between windows, walls held musician portraits; white curtains swayed slightly.
Hm?
Behind one curtain, he saw a figure.
"Ready, sing!"
A girl stood by the window, casually flipping the same pamphlet.
"Tears on distant meadows~"
"Jade in your palm~"
Spring breeze lifted her glossy black hair, the last cherry blossom petals drifting past the window behind her.
[High School Romance Novel: 25%... 26%... 27%...]