The train doors slid open with a soft chime.
Yuuya lingered in his seat for a moment, letting the crowd spill out onto the platform first. Only then did he stand, slinging his bag over one shoulder and stepping into the afternoon light.
His phone buzzed lightly in his pocket. Kaori's message was still open on the screen.
Café Lumière
"…Guess that's the place."
He slipped the phone away and left the station. The city swallowed him instantly—honking cars, bustling storefronts, endless streams of people chatting, laughing, rushing. The familiar chaos of everyday life.
Yuuya found himself slowing down not because he was lost. But because his mind was drifting so much had happened in such a short time. It almost didn't feel real.
Not long ago, the original owner of this body had died on a cold street—overweight, lonely, and broken. Bullied for years. Abandoned by his own parents. Ridiculed by everyone around him. A boy who had suffered far more than anyone ever should.
Then his grandfather appeared. The one person who showed him kindness. Who gave him a home. Who believed in him.
Only for that same grandfather to pass away months later.
Yuuya's gaze dropped slightly as he walked. Even now, that loss still ached.
After the funeral, his parents had reappeared like vultures. Not out of guilt or love—they wanted the inheritance. The house. The money. Everything.
But his grandfather had been smarter than them. Everything had been left to Yuuya.
A small, bittersweet smile touched his lips.
Then came the door.
The impossible door hidden inside the old house. The one that connected this world to another entirely.
A world of monsters. Magic. Ancient ruins. Legendary weapons. The Great Sage's cabin. An endless stream of battles, absurd skills, ridiculous titles, and power that grew faster than he could keep up with.
His body had changed. His strength. His appearance. His very presence.
Everything was different now.
Yuuya paused at a crosswalk, watching salarymen hurry past, students laughing in groups, couples window-shopping. Normal life, moving all around him.
"…Huh."
It hit him then—this was the first time he had truly explored the city since taking over this body. Between training, leveling up, hunting monsters, and slipping between worlds, he had barely stopped to breathe.
A quiet warmth settled in his chest.
"…It's nice."
For a while, he simply wandered. He peeked into bookstores, watched a street musician play guitar, lingered in front of a bakery with fresh pastries in the window. The simple act of existing without immediate danger felt strangely refreshing.
Eventually, the navigation on his phone guided him to the right street.
Café Lumière sat on a quiet corner—elegant, upscale, with large glass windows and tasteful outdoor seating. Far more luxurious than he had expected.
Yuuya glanced at the address again. Definitely the right place. He pushed open the door. A soft bell chimed overhead, the café was empty.
Completely empty.
No customers. No chatter. No background music. Just pristine silence well… almost. Several men in sharp black suits stood at strategic points around the room—clearly bodyguards. Their eyes locked onto him immediately, professional and alert.
"…Seriously?"
Yuuya muttered under his breath.
At the far end, near a sunlit window overlooking a small garden, sat Kaori Houjou.
Her long, silky hair caught the golden afternoon light. A delicate teacup rested in front of her. The moment she noticed him, her entire face lit up with a bright, genuine smile.
"Yuuya-kun!"
A couple of the bodyguards blinked in surprise at how excited she sounded. Yuuya stood there for a second, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…Yeah. Hey, Kaori."
Yuuya gave a small nod and began walking slowly toward her table.
His steps were calm and unhurried, but several bodyguards immediately moved to intercept him, their expressions stern and professional.
Before they could get close, Kaori's clear voice cut through the tension.
"He's my guest,"
She said firmly, raising a hand.
"Please show proper kindness and back off. Let him sit across from me."
The bodyguards hesitated for a fraction of a second, then bowed slightly and retreated to their positions around the café.
Yuuya offered them a polite nod as he passed, then pulled out the chair opposite Kaori and sat down.
Kaori's smile softened as she looked at him, a hint of relief and excitement in her eyes.
"Thank you for coming, Yuuya-kun. I know your schedule must be incredibly busy, so I really appreciate you making time for this."
Yuuya leaned back slightly, resting one arm on the table.
"It's no problem. I was curious why you wanted to meet."
She took a small sip of her tea, gathering her thoughts, then met his gaze directly.
"I've been trying to set this up for a while—outside of school or random encounters. After what happened that day… I wanted to thank you properly. And to talk about something important."
Kaori set her cup down gently.
"My full name is Kaori Houjou. I'm the daughter of the chairman of Ousei Academy—one of the most prestigious institutions in Japan, and honestly, one of the top in the world. It's not just a normal school. We have a very special transfer program."
She continued, her voice warm but serious.
"If a student demonstrates genuine selflessness, a kind heart, bravery, and real talent in other areas… the academy can fast-track their transfer from any other school. It's not about money or connections. It's about character and potential."
Kaori's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward a little.
"That's why my father—the chairman has personally welcomed you to Ousei Academy. As thanks for saving me… and for the kindness you showed a complete stranger that day. You will be able to start in two days."
Yuuya blinked, momentarily stunned into silence.
"…Ousei Academy?"
He hadn't expected this. At all Kaori smiled brightly, clearly enjoying his reaction.
"You don't have to decide right this second, but everything is already prepared. Uniform, student ID, schedule—everything. What do you think, Yuuya-kun?"
Yuuya settled into the chair across from Kaori the café was still eerily empty, save for the bodyguards pretending not to watch them.
"...This is still weird."
"What is?"
"The fact you rented out an entire café."
Kaori looked genuinely confused.
"...Is that strange?"
Yuuya stared at her.
"...You know what? Never mind."
As he removed the shoulder bag he'd brought with him and set it on the table, something slid partially out.
A sketchbook.
Kaori's eyes immediately landed on it.
"...You draw?"
Yuuya glanced down.
"Oh."
He hadn't meant to bring attention to it before he could put it away, Kaori leaned forward slightly.
"...Can I see?"
Yuuya hesitated.
Not because the drawings were embarrassing more because nobody had ever really asked before.
"...Sure."
He slid the sketchbook across the table and Kaori opened it carefully. The first few pages contained rough landscape sketches.
Buildings, trees and street scenes then her eyes widened.
"...These are amazing."
Yuuya shrugged.
"I draw sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
Kaori looked up at him.
"These look professional."
Several pages later she found more detailed drawings of characters, fantasy weapons creatures. Even some rough concepts inspired by things Yuuya had seen in the other world.
The more she flipped through it—
The more impressed she became.
"You really drew all of this yourself?"
"Yeah."
"...You're incredible."
Yuuya immediately looked away.
"...Let's not go that far."
Kaori giggled softly; the reaction only made him more embarrassed.
Fortunately—
The conversation shifted.
"So."
Yuuya rested his chin against one hand.
"About the school."
Kaori straightened immediately.
"Ousei Academy?"
"Yeah."
"If I'm actually considering transferring there, I should know more about it first."
Kaori nodded enthusiastically.
"Ousei Academy focuses heavily on academic excellence, but there are also a lot of extracurricular activities."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Sports clubs, student council, art clubs, music clubs, literature clubs, research societies and martial arts clubs."
"...Martial arts?"
Yuuya, interrupts obviously more interested
"Oh yes, more than several."
Kaori smiled.
"Kendo. Archery. Judo. Karate."
Yuuya silently thought about the fact that he could probably outperform every instructor there without even trying.
"...Interesting."
Kaori continued.
"The school is also known for preparing students for the top jobs and professions. There are advanced programs, special research courses, exchange opportunities..."
Yuuya listened carefully.
The more he heard—
The more interested he became he was already returning to school anyway so why not attend somewhere better?
Eventually he folded his arms.
"There is one thing."
Kaori blinked.
"What is it?"
"I'm currently in the middle of a project."
Technically not a lie exploring a monster-filled fantasy forest definitely counted as a project.
"So I wanted to ask..."
"...Would it be possible to delay my arrival by a days?"
Kaori answered instantly.
"Of course."
"...That fast?"
She nodded immediately.
"Four days isn't a problem at all."
Then she smiled a genuinely relieved smile.
"As long as you're willing to accept the offer."
Yuuya blinked for a moment and realized how much she had wanted him to say yes.
"...I see."
At that moment a waitress approached their table.
"Are you ready to order?"
Yuuya glanced at the menu briefly and he barely recognized half the items.
"Just jasmine tea."
"Certainly."
The waitress gave a polite bow before leaving as she walked away, Kaori closed the sketchbook carefully.
Almost reluctantly.
"...Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"When did you learn to draw like this?"
Yuuya froze for half a second because the real answer was complicated. Far more complicated than she could possibly imagine.
So instead—
He smiled slightly.
"A lot has changed recently."
Kaori tilted her head.
Somehow— that answer only made her more curious.
And as the tea arrived and the afternoon passed, the conversation between them continued to grow more natural.
For the first time since they met—
Neither of them seemed eager for the meeting to end.
End of chapter 10.