The staff room.
Everyone entered the room and closed the door behind them, leaving the echo of their footsteps to fade into the sudden silence following the roar of battle in the corridors. Immediately, Kazu, who had gained experience from surviving in the infirmary, moved and pulled some large furniture to block the door, creating a temporary barricade. Both Kohta and Takashi helped him, together forming a quick fortification that would make any potential threat more difficult to approach.
"Thank you for your help, Senpai."
Kazu said politely, smiling at the two who had helped him. Then he added: "I'm a first-year student, my name is Ishii Kazu. Pleased to meet you, Senpai."
The boy with black hair and the metal bat smiled and said: "Pleased to meet you, Ishii. I'm Kumuro Takashi, a second-year student."
Then the burly man added with a friendly, slightly funny smile: "I'm also a second-year, my name is Hirano Kohta."
Once they introduced themselves, the others' gazes were naturally drawn towards the person who was quietly walking towards the kitchen.
"Kasugano Haruka, a first-year student."
Haru introduced himself with a slight smile, addressing everyone, not just the boys. He added: "And this is my little sister, Kasugano Sora. Pleased to meet you all."
"Ah, I remember you!" Takashi said, smiling in recollection. "You were the new student representative this year… but you seem a bit different now?"
Takashi didn't know the exact reason, but he felt something strange about Haru compared to the time he stood on stage and gave his speech—something he couldn't quite explain.
"It's just your imagination, Senpai."
Haru waved his hand lightly, chuckling a bit. "That's common when seeing someone from a high platform right in front of you."
Takashi thought for a moment, then simply said: "I guess you're right…"
He couldn't help but feel there was some truth to Haru's words, even if he couldn't pinpoint why.
"Does anyone want something to eat? I'm actually very hungry."
Haru said as he headed towards the small room designated as a kitchen, which contained a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and a small stove.
Upon opening the refrigerator, Haru didn't expect much… but he was completely surprised by what he saw.
The refrigerator was filled with various drinks and foods, as if the teachers were accustomed to always keeping some emergency supplies in case they had to work late.
And it wasn't just that; he found several canned goods and dry foods, enough for the entire group and more, forming a pleasant surprise amidst the chaos and destruction they had witnessed just hours before.
Without hesitation, Haru began taking out the various ingredients one by one, carefully placing everything on the table before starting to prepare the food. His movements were precise and smooth, as if each step was pre-calculated, making the process seem almost professional.
Sora sat on a shelf near him, her feet gently swinging in the air as she watched him with eyes bright with curiosity and delight. It wasn't just observation; these were her favorite moments, truly enjoying watching him prepare food for them—not just for her and her brother, but for their mother as well.
Every one of his movements, every stir of the spoons and cutting of ingredients, was for her a source of wonder and pleasure, as if she was seeing a part of his private world unfold before her. In those moments, Sora felt a quiet happiness, as if time had slowed slightly, allowing her to sink into a warm feeling of belonging and reassurance amidst the chaos outside.
"Is… he cooking?"
Kohta asked in a low voice, stroking his large belly with his hands, a look of longing clear on his face. After all that running, exhaustion and hunger completely dominated him, as if his stomach was silently screaming.
"He's really amazing… seems very experienced."
Takashi commented as he watched Haru move between ingredients with clear agility, adding, flipping, and mixing as if with a level of professionalism exceeding their expectations. He added with a light laugh: "I feel a bit guilty towards my mom… but he seems better at cooking than her."
Kazu, sitting beside him, could only nod in agreement while hurriedly wiping his mouth with the back of his hand—he was extremely hungry too and could no longer focus on anything but the upcoming food.
Rei stopped her attempt to intervene, sighing in helplessness as she stared at the boys, who seemed like small puppies constantly commenting on Haru's actions, unsure what to say to them: "You guys…"
"Be quiet! You're so annoying!"
The voice came suddenly, cold and sharp, its source Sora. All the boys turned towards her in surprise, as they hadn't expected this level of anger directed at them. She added firmly: "You're disturbing me while I'm watching Haru cook!"
"Ah… we're sorry."
They said hesitantly, trying to smile awkwardly while looking small before her cold and imposing aura. Her features, even in anger, carried a kind of power that made anyone feel intimidated immediately.
Previously, Sora might have just been a beautiful and cute girl, and people might have simply called her spoiled or a bit annoying.
But now, after her body was enhanced by the system's power, she became about five times stronger than ordinary humans, making this intimidating aura multiply when she was angry.
Everyone was able to respect and feel deterred by that aura, except for those who weren't affected by it, like Haru, who knew how to deal with Sora's strength, and Saeko, who showed no fear at all, even in the face of this imposing aura.
'Eve, use Silver Tickets to upgrade the items I obtained from the starter pack,' Haru commanded in his head, curious to see what would happen by enhancing the items he got from the system.
[Upgrading...]
[...]
[You have acquired Cross Tail]
[You have acquired 100 Years Experience Card x2]
[You have acquired Life Elixir x10]
[Name: Cross Tail]
[Type: Teigu]
[Grade: A+]
[Its durability has increased and become limitless. Additionally, it has gained two properties you can switch between as needed.]
[Sticky Thread: Allows the user to create sticky threads which can be used to immobilize an opponent. Can be freely controlled.]
[Steel Thread: Allows the user to create extremely durable threads which can be used to block attacks or to cut down an opponent. The threads are difficult for the human eye to detect and have enough strength to easily cut through steel.]
[Name: 100 Years Experience Card]
[Type: Item]
[Grade: A+]
[Can grant one hundred years of experience in whatever you desire. It is no longer restricted to abilities you possess and can now grant you experience in carpentry, blacksmithing, marketing, etc. However, it does not work on any supernatural abilities you do not possess.]
[Name: Life Elixir]
[Type: Item]
[Grade: A+]
[Allows the resurrection of the dead within one week of death. Does not work if the soul has been consumed or destroyed.]
...
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