First Day of High School and an Unofficial Date
Date? Well, it was the first day of school, so obviously nothing too wild happened. We headed to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony, listened through some vague orientation on classes, and that wrapped up the schedule. The classroom buzzed with activity after classes ended. Everyone was finally feeling like real high schoolers now. Being in high school was different from middle school—it hit you that you were halfway to being an adult.
As I packed my bag to head home, someone approached.
"Shota! Let's go together!"
It was Umi. This girl... she actually seemed dead set on hanging out with me. All the surrounding students' eyes snapped toward me at once.
"Umi's so aloof with guys... but she smiles at that dude."
"Who's that guy?"
"Childhood friends or something?"
The whispers started up naturally. I felt super uncomfortable in the atmosphere, but Umi didn't seem fazed at all. She just smiled casually, with this air of pride radiating from her. She'd reached the level where she enjoyed the attention. This is a true goddess, I thought to myself in admiration.
"What's up, Umi-chin? Planning to go play with Shota-ppi?"
That's when the black gal... no, Eri Nishikawa, came over and chimed in. By the way, what was with "Shota-ppi"? It wasn't even a cute abbreviation—it was longer than before.
"Yeah."
Umi replied.
"Then lemme join too..."
Eri immediately tried to tag along.
"No."
Umi said it dead serious.
"Ehhh? Why nooo... I wanna get closer to Shota too."
Eri whined in a dissatisfied tone.
"Shota, gimme a sec to hit the bathroom."
Umi immediately dragged Eri off somewhere. If I bolted now... it'd look kinda bad. I decided to just wait.
And our protagonist, Aiueo Sashitsuseo—or Sassis for short—was coolly listening to music on his way home, totally ignoring everything around him. Classic cool guy. The kind of protagonist otakus go nuts for.
Meanwhile, from Umi's perspective.
Umi dragged Eri to the bathroom.
"Umi, you like that guy? Didn't know you were into that type."
Eri grinned.
"I-I don't like him or anything!"
Umi yelled, her face flushing red.
"Hmmm? Really? Then it should be fine if I join. Besides... I kinda like Shota too. Think I'll go after him?"
Eri said with a laugh.
"........"
She didn't like him or anything, so it shouldn't matter. But for some reason, Umi felt a strange pang in her chest.
"He's my prey. Hands off."
Umi declared.
"Whoa, Umi's got some killer vibes!!"
Eri immediately burst into admiration. She seemed to find the whole situation hilarious.
"Carnivore? Total carnivore!"
Eri giggled uncontrollably.
"Anyway, hands off. I'm turning him into my slave."
Umi tried to sound aloof.
"Oh yeah? Then I'll make Shota my prey too."
Eri grinned even more slyly.
"Wh-what?! That's against girl code!!"
Umi shouted in panic.
"Let's compete fair and square, Umi-chin. I'll back off today."
Eri laughed and patted Umi's shoulder.
"Hey!! Stop!!"
Umi tried to block her, but Eri bolted away.
"Jeez..."
Umi sighed deeply and fixed her makeup. Not that it mattered. She just wanted to be in top condition before making her move.
"Still..."
Umi glanced toward the classroom beyond the bathroom.
"He's sneakily popular, huh."
Umi muttered. He'd seemed like your standard quiet guy—no competition expected. It only made her more fired up.
Back to Shota's perspective.
I was fiddling with my phone idly.
Oh, it's here too.
Web novel site. A bit different from the Korean market, but as an otaku, I knew the basics. Popular works got manga adaptations or anime— that's how the industry rolled. Light novels were going online now too.
There was a free serialization section, and after hitting a certain chapter count, you could apply for a paid subscription model. It paid per view. Other platforms used coins, but I skipped those. Tough for a newbie to survive there.
I was reading a top-ranked one. Kinda occupational habit—analyzing what made hits tick. Plus, being an otaku, it was fun anyway.
"Got a feel for it now."
I could sense which tags and combos worked.
This game... specs cost a ton.
Yeah. Leveling up in Psychologic burned through cash. Gear was pricey, and fun stuff outside that cost even more. Normal players did part-time jobs, but... honestly, the pay sucked.
The recommended grind for cash was dungeon farming.
But at this point and spec, I can't even do dungeon runs.
I was a pathetic level 4, no way I could loop dungeons. Later, once I buddy up with Sassis, I could use friend shield for money... but not now.
Since my main gig was what it was, I only knew one way to make bank.
Web novels it is.
Something I'd started at 24 in my old world. Only method I knew.
Didn't need to hit it big. Just enough for gear. Actually, steady living cash was easy without chasing jackpots. Ride the trends.
I had the talent to surf trend waves.
Alright... carve out writing time from free moments.
I mapped out my money plan right then. Someone tapped my shoulder.
It was Umi. Face flushed again. I knew what that meant—she was pissed.
"Ah... sorry. Got focused."
I said to her.
"N-no! It's fine!! Let's go."
Surprisingly, Umi didn't snap. Anyway, Umi and I headed straight out the school gate.
Umi's perspective.
Umi found herself blankly staring at Shota, who was blankly fiddling with his phone.
That focused look... kinda hot.
Umi stared at Shota like she was entranced.
Lashes are surprisingly long. Eyes all sparkly.
Then a deranged thought hit her. She wanted to lick his eyeball. Umi thought it instinctively.
No, what the hell!!! What am I thinking!!!
Umi shook her head. She felt a twinge of self-loathing for such creepy thoughts. Anyway, Umi fixed her expression and tapped Shota's shoulder.
Back to Shota's perspective.
"Whatcha doing on your phone?"
Umi asked.
"Ah... just reading some web novels."
I said. No need to lie.
"Hmmm... you read that stuff?"
Umi smiled. There it was—the insider's curious stare at otaku stuff.
Stop!! Don't look at me like I'm some zoo animal!!!
"Why read it?"
The pure insider question!!!! Yeah!! You wouldn't get it!!
"Ah... wanna be a writer."
I said vaguely.
"Hmmm... a writer?"
Umi's eyes lit up for some reason.
"You even have a real dream... impressive."
Umi said, eyes sparkling a bit.
"Anyway, whatever. Where to?"
I asked the point.
"Hey, Shota. Guys decide that."
Umi said, a little sulky.
"No... you called me."
What thief logic was this? Well... typical Umi.
"No backtalk! You decide, Shota!"
Umi yelled.
"Fine? We walked to the gate together, so let's split here."
You want me to decide? Fine, I'll troll hard.
"No way!! Who splits right after meeting up!!!"
Umi yelled, clearly annoyed. In the end, Umi picked the spot.
High school girls get anxious without a drink in hand. Umi and I got bubble teas to go from a nearby cafe. Man, that part-timer was impressive. Smiling politely all day. Even Korea wasn't that intense. Japanese shops were all like that. As a pure Korean, it felt overwhelming.
*Slurrrrp!*
Umi slurped her bubble tea energetically as we walked.
"........"
Just drinking bubble tea, but it somehow felt erotic. I glanced over. Anyway, bubble tea was tasty.
"Next, shopping for clothes!!"
Umi shouted.
"Clothes?"
Yeah. Porter and reaction guy, huh. I sighed.
"Don't wanna?"
Umi asked.
"Nah, I like it. Love shopping, actually. They call me Shopping Man."
I said. It was my job, after all. If I'd just hung with Umi during break, I wouldn't be dragged like this. But I liked shopping. Preferred going to stores for figures and games. Among asocials, I was the most outdoor one.
"Uhuhuhu... Shopping Man... such a baseless drip... uhuhuhu."
Umi giggled immediately. Her laugh was so loose.
"If it's my last shopping trip ever, not bad."
I muttered bitterly. Die tomorrow, and it'd really be my last day.
"What terminal illness mode all sudden!! Haha! Shota's always spouting nonsense."
Umi burst out laughing again. Anyway, Umi and I headed to the clothing store.
Emoshita City's shopping district had shops for young folks—clothes, accessories lined up. Hot spot for this small mid-sized city. But people called it "Unlucky Harajuku." Well... can't compare to central Tokyo.
"Spring's here, time to grab summer clothes early!!"
Umi charged into the store full of energy. I followed like a pet.
"I'll try some stuff on! Wait by the fitting room!"
Umi grabbed clothes in a frenzy and ducked into the fitting room. I waited outside.
*Rustle...*
*Shh...*
The stereo sounds of her undressing made me blush, but I desperately recited multiplication tables to calm my mind and body.