The next day was mostly uneventful.
Well, compared to all the shit that had happened so far, Reiji was happy that there was a day he could consider as 'normal'.
Especially after the recent assignment he had to handle?
For the first time, he actually didn't mind the continuous spiel of information spewed by the teachers during class, though he still didn't pay proper attention unless it was a part he wasn't completely confident in.
As for Hina? Though the talk went well according to Greeny and Airi, she still refused to look at him for whatever reason. It was almost like she was deliberately avoiding him, but that was nothing more than an assumption at this point.
But the greedy pigs made sure that his normal day wasn't completely normal after all....
"Lollipops?"
Reiji pursed his lips at the eager faces of his two pet pigs, fidgeting with excitement on the rooftop.
"....You weren't actually expecting me to make them, did you? And in less than a day?" Reiji said with disbelief.
"So no lollipops?"
"D-Damn....."
His mouth twitched at their anguished expressions as they sank to the floor in dramatic fashion.
"I only came to school for the lollipops...."
"My tongue is p-protesting," Greeny added with despair.
Reiji rubbed his forehead with exasperation and took out two sticks of lollipops from his pocket, throwing one at each of them.
"I didn't make them, so no guarantees on the flavor. I just bought them on the way over," he muttered with amusement.
"YAYYYYYY"
"Reiji-kun is the b-best!"
They quickly unwrapped it and started sucking ferociously, making Reiji grimace with slight disgust.
"Slow down, geez. What's wrong with both of you???"
"Hehe!"
***
After school, the MMA Club was holding their workouts again, so he raced to the sports building. After he felt the visible growth from the regimen planned out for him by the coach, he was eager to continue where he left off.
'....Am I a masochist?'
There was still a little soreness two days later, despite the fact that he exercised regularly. It was definitely no joke, but the temptation of getting proper training was overpowering.
When he got there, Yui was already there somehow, which made no sense to him.
He had pretty much jogged the entire way here.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TIMED ME OUT!" she yelled, her arms crossed with an aggressively adorable pout.
Reiji couldn't help but smile at her since she looked genuinely mad. He rubbed her head slowly and chuckled.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Well, as long as you stop sexually harassing me."
Yui's eyes crescented with happiness when he patted her, but her face fell at the second half of his sentence.
"....If I do that, what's the point of living?"
"....."
At this point, Reiji was starting to think he was the problem.
Airi and Greeny were model students, Yui was the villainess but also a cool and intimidating woman who made people subconsciously admire her.
And now.....
In essence, neither of them had really changed, but he couldn't help but wonder if he needed to do something.
Once the training began, they had to split up again for their respective clubs. Nishimura Sensei perked up as soon as he saw Reiji walk over in his tracksuit.
"Kid, how are you feeling? Is your new routine too tiring? Are you in pain anywhere?"
Reiji felt warm inside at his coach's concern, his eyes softening with appreciation.
"If you really are exhausted, TOO BAD!" Sensei continued, making him blink in confusion, "it's just gonna get worse from now on, so toughen up and don't act like a bitch."
"....I didn't even say anything."
"Good, now start warming up because I'll personally check if any adjustments to the plan need to be made!"
Over the next two hours, he was grilled over an open pit, made to do drills, weightlifting, and cardio before a sparring session when all of his muscles were sore, active, and exhaustion was setting in.
It made his mind more responsive, because he knew that in his state, even a single mistake would lead to his loss in the spar.
Nishimura Sensei fought with him instead of letting the seniors have a go, which was both an honor and a curse.
'Urghhh.... That one's gonna leave a bruise.'
He clenched his teeth as a kick connected to his thigh, making him hobble back to the ropes.
"Hmm, not bad. But you're relying too much on your reflexes and natural instinct. That might work for you 9 out of 10 times because it really is terrifying how athletic you are, but the one time you come across someone trained in martial arts at a high level, they'll simply be able to toy with you. That strength will become a weakness because of the feints and tactics they'll use against you, so you need to limit the use of your instincts and prioritize growing your skills."
Reiji listened attentively, wiping the sweat that had formed on his upper lip. The heavy breathing clouded his concentration, but he pushed through and absorbed the lecture Nishimura Sensei was giving him in the middle of the ring.
"...I don't think I can beat him," one senior whispered on the side.
"Isn't Sensei being a little harsh?"
"Yeah, but that's because of his talent. Imagine how strong he'll be if he really does make those changes!"
".....I don't want to imagine."
***
"Alright class, listen up! Before the final bell rings, I have an important announcement to make!"
Kahawara Sensei slammed his book on the desk to get everybody's attention despite their eagerness to escape from school.
This was the last class on Friday, so no one was mentally present in the room.
"Most of you should know that the mid-term exams will take place after next week, and I expect everyone here to put in their full effort," he announced, intentionally glancing at Reiji, who was staring out of the window as usual.
The happy giggles from the students instantly vanished, replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
"These exams are going to be extremely important. The grade-wide rankings will be posted on the bulletin boards outside, and as always, the Top 10 students will be exempt from school fees for the semester."
This was one of the reasons why Souhei High was so academically successful, despite their heavy focus on their after-school club activities.
Aside from employing accomplished teachers and investing in high-quality resources, they often gave out such awards after the exams and tests that occur throughout the school year.
The fee exemption not only included the tuition fees, but also the cafeteria meals, textbooks, uniforms, and anything else that might otherwise have to be paid for.
For those who had paid in advance, they would get a full refund if they made the rankings.
'Top 10, huh? Should be doable,' Reiji thought as he yawned.
OG Reiji entered the school after passing the entrance exam with the highest marks, and he himself was no slouch when it came to academics. Combined with the fact that he had almost completed high school before transmigrating, it shouldn't be too tough.
But Haruna was panicking internally at the announcement.
'If I could get Top 10, it would help out Granny so much... But I don't think I can ask Hina-tan for help since she said she would have to tutor Riku-tan. We're hanging out together after a while today, so maybe I can ask their plans for the mid-terms later on?'
She bit her nails nervously, a mix of hope and dread washing through her.
*DING-A-LING-RIIINNNNG*
The bell finally rang, releasing the students from the gates of hell. They immediately sprang up, dashing out of class in an attempt to ignore the threat of the upcoming examinations.
Reiji stretched as he stood up.
'That shitty old man... I really did get bruises after all.'
As he was packing his bag, he saw someone walk up to him from the corner of his eye. He turned to see a chubby guy with short dark blue hair approach him with an excited smile.
"Teddy? What's up?" he asked curiously.
Ren was in a different class, so if he was here, it should be because he needed to talk about something.
"Teddy? What?"
"Ah, my bad, ignore it. You need something?" Reiji scratched his cheek with embarrassment.
His predecessor's habit of assigning lazy nicknames was ever-present.
"Er, ok. I wanted to ask you if you were free today!"
"I don't really have plans, why?"
"There's this cool food exhibition at Chiyogasaki Avenue and I thought you might like it. I was gonna invite Yuzuki-san too!"
Reiji tilted his head, trying to remember if there was something like that in the game's plot. The trio in the main cast did go out today, but that was to a park and not some exhibition.
It wasn't a major event though, so he didn't plan on interfering.
"Sure, sounds fun! I think Haruna is gone though," Reiji replied.
The main cast had already left, so it was too late to invite her. Ren looked a little disappointed, but he cheered up.
"That's ok, we'll still have fun!"
Just then, a cheeky voice behind them jumped into the conversation.
"Reiji-kun, are you not going to introduce us?"
Greeny and Airi were standing there with their arms crossed and curious faces.