Okay, đây là bản dịch chương có tiêu đề "Những Mảnh Ghép và Nhịp Điệu Mới":
Chapter: The Pieces and a New Rhythm
Yuuka Hatsumina's life began.
After struggling for a few days with the basics in the small apartment, a new rhythm gradually formed. Mornings for school, afternoons for the part-time job at the ramen shop, evenings for homework and... most importantly... research.
This 16-year-old body still occasionally betrayed me. Running down the school hallway to make it to class on time left me breathless, a stark contrast to 30-year-old Hiroshi's stamina. Carrying things at the ramen shop, though not overly heavy, still left my arms aching. Simple actions like tying my hair or applying makeup (even just Yuuka's very basic cosmetics) were still clumsy. Sometimes, I'd accidentally move too forcefully, causing people to look at me strangely.
"Yuuka, you're stronger than I thought!" a classmate exclaimed when she saw me lift a rather heavy stack of books.
"Ah... um... Maybe... the accident made me... a bit strange..." I had to make excuses again, forcing a wry smile.
But gradually, I got more used to it. The feeling of clothes fabric sliding over my skin, the way my hips and legs moved, even the way I sat comfortably in the uniform skirt... all gradually became less alien. This body, it was becoming "mine" in an unwilling way.
[Body synchronization reaching 81%.] The System informed me again.
81%. Progress. I don't know what 100% will feel like, but at least things were gradually "clicking into place."
After school and my part-time job, once I finished Yuuka's homework (thankfully, my old knowledge was more than enough to handle high school assignments easily, even finding them quite boring), my precious time began: research.
I had two main sources of information: the System and the Internet.
The System:
It was still a blurry interface that appeared in my vision when I "called" it with my consciousness. Emotionless, it only provided data.
System, tell me about the 'Drop Item Phenomenon'.
[Information about the 'Drop Item Phenomenon' is available. Please access the World Information Module.]
I "accessed" it. A long list appeared. A history of major 'Drop' incidents, classification of recovered items (according to the System's own categories), recorded 'entities', mysterious 'machines'.
[Items: Handguns (Various types). Rifles. Shotguns. Grenades (Many types). Daggers (Anomalous properties). Medicine (Composition unknown). Communication devices (Non-functional). Strange metallic cubes (Inexplicable physical properties)....]
[Entities: Entity-A (Resembles a clay doll, harmless). Entity-B (Small spider shape, high speed). Entity-C (Glowing plant, spreads rapidly)....]
[Machines: Machine-A (Emits jamming signals). Machine-B (Alters local environmental temperature). Machine-C (Generates a weak force field)....]
The information was very detailed, but only objective lists and descriptions. No explanation of origin, purpose, or pattern.
System, how do I know when and where Items will Drop?
[Data not available.]
Is there any way to predict Item Drops?
[Data not available. The phenomenon is random and cannot be predicted with current data.]
Who created you? Why do I have you?
[Data regarding the System's origin is not available to the current Master.]
Disappointing. The System was just a broken encyclopedia with limited access. But at least, it confirmed what the police said and provided a more systematic view of the types of items.
The Internet:
This was a richer source of information, but also more chaotic.
I searched using keywords like "Drop Item", "Strange items", "Shibuya phenomenon", "Guns falling from the sky".
Official government news was usually very vague: "The incident in Shibuya has been contained," "Dangerous items have been recovered," "The government is striving to ensure security." Information was very scarce; it seemed they were trying to hide the seriousness of the problem to avoid causing panic.
But on forums and social media, it was a different world. Lively discussions, leaked photos of 'Drop' incidents, low-quality videos of strange creatures. There were all sorts of theories: aliens, failed military experiments, spatial gates opening, even... the will of the Earth getting angry.
"Yesterday I saw something sparkling fall near XYZ Park! I ran over but the police had already cordoned it off!" "My friend who works at an internet cafe saw a small machine appear on the rooftop, it looked like an old music player but emitted a strange sound!" "Does anyone know where to buy 'Drop' guns? Need stock urgently!" (Comments like these sent shivers down my spine).
There were even underground forums where people exchanged information on how to identify potential 'Drop' points, how to collect items, and black market prices. That place was full of greed, danger, and even despair.
I tried to filter the information, cross-referencing it with the System's data and what the police had said. A picture gradually emerged: This is a real phenomenon, global in scale (although I only searched for Japanese information, there were mentions of reports from abroad), involving many types of strange, dangerous items, and being sought after by both the government and criminals.
The incident in Shibuya, where I was injured, was clearly a struggle over a dangerous item between criminal groups.
Yuuka Hatsumina... she was truly unlucky to have been there. I thought to myself.
My double life continued. By day, I was Yuuka Hatsumina, a high school girl a bit weak after an accident, trying to blend in with my friends (though sometimes still awkward with teenage girl topics). In the afternoon, I was Yuuka Hatsumina, a part-time worker at Ichiraku ramen shop, trying to carry hot bowls of noodles and fold gyoza skillfully.
The hours at the ramen shop were some of the rare small joys. The warm smell of broth, the laughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka, their kindness towards the original Yuuka... It made me feel... not completely alone. Mr. Tanaka often teased me about looking "more serious" after the accident, but they just thought I had matured. I also gradually got used to the job; the feeling of manual labor after years of just coding wasn't so bad.
Sometimes, while stacking bowls and chopsticks, a thought suddenly popped into my head.
That magic dagger the System said had anomalous properties... What could it do?
Or when walking on the street, passing by a quiet alley. I automatically looked around, searching for signs of a "Drop."
Vigilance had become ingrained in my subconscious.
I continued Yuuka's normal life, but with a new layer. Beneath, was Hiroshi, gathering information, analyzing, and trying to survive in this world full of surprises. The efforts of this "little girl" were not just to become a normal high schooler, but to equip myself with the necessary knowledge and skills to face the things dropping from somewhere.
Each day that passed was a small step forward. I gradually got used to this body. I gradually understood this world better. I knew that I couldn't live forever in this facade without doing anything. There would come a time when I would have to face dangers.
But for now, I needed to prepare. Gather information. Understand the "Drop Item Phenomenon" better. And find a way to use this System more effectively.
Yuuka Hatsumina's life, an abnormal normal life, continued. Each day was a challenge, but also an opportunity to learn and survive. I, Yuuka, would not just be a victim.