Though impoverished, it wasn't to the point of utter destitution.
According to his memory, his cheap parents in this world had at least left him an apartment. A Tokyo apartment in Japan—what a windfall by his previous life's standards.
But the old-fashioned neighborhood architecture, the tiny entranceway, and the cramped rooms didn't exactly lift Akihiko's spirits.
At least the air wasn't filled with strange odors, and the place was relatively tidy.
He flopped onto the bed and began to think.
He had crossed over.
No romantic encounters, but he had unexpectedly run into "Ryouka Yotsumoto," meaning he had transmigrated into the world of an NTR doujinshi. Fortunately, the incident was resolved relatively easily, preserving his reputation as a steadfast "pure love warrior." Truly something to celebrate...
Moreover, before crossing over, his backstory could rival Batman's, and now he was still all alone in this world.
Not bad.
He looked at the only full-length mirror in the room.
Reflected in it was the face of "Akihiko Kobayashi."
This was his first time seeing his appearance in this world.
Slender build, around 180 cm tall—unusually tall for a Japanese person. His skin was pale, but not in a healthy, translucent way; it was more of a sickly pallor. His hair was a mess, his eyes dull, with faint dark circles underneath. He looked... severely sleep-deprived.
Turns out this guy was also a night owl. Guess he'd hit the jackpot.
Akihiko chuckled.
Setting aside these "condition" issues, his facial features were surprisingly excellent, giving off a "fin-de-siècle pretty boy" vibe.
What a shame.
Akihiko disappointedly stroked his chin:
"In my past life, I was the Jiangnan Wu Yanzu, the Hangzhou Peng Yuyan."
[Shameless. Beep! The system critiques the host's statement.] A voice resembling Misaka Mikoto's from "Toaru" rang out in Akihiko's mind.
"Ah, it's here."
[The host doesn't seem surprised at all. Beep! The system is dissatisfied that the host didn't scream, "Ahhh! What are you!?"]
"You already called yourself a 'system.' Why would I scream 'ahhh'? But if you want to hear it, here you go: 'Ahhh!'"
[The host's tone is as lifeless as a married man saying, "I'm too tired today, let's do it next time." Beep! The system questions the host's physical condition.]
"Enough joking. What kind of system are you?" Akihiko asked. Since "crossing over" was already a fact, having a system was only natural.
[I am the 2060 model system, Pure Love. The host may call me "Ai-chan." Beep! The system feels it can change its self-designation to "Ai-chan" and begins attempting... Ai-chan has deployed, feeling good.]
"Artificial idiot?"
[The host is the idiot! The Creator personally tested Ai-chan's IQ during production. Ai-chan's IQ minus 80 is just barely enough to be defined as "smart." Beep! Ai-chan proudly puffs out her 36D chest.]
"Creator, meaning...?"
[The supreme existence, the great exemplar, Ai-chan's kami-sama, not someone a mere mortal like you can compare to. Beep! Ai-chan warns the host not to pry too much.]
"So, your function is—"
Akihiko tried muttering the word "interface" like in those web novels, and sure enough, a screen popped up before his eyes.
It was as simple as... a 'TXT' file!?
Two lines were written in size-five Song font.
The first line: 'Acquired Skills'
The second line: 'Swordsmanship Mastery EX', 'Bullshitting LV2'
The description for 'Swordsmanship Mastery EX' read: The wind of pretentiousness always accompanies me.
As for 'Bullshitting LV2', it said: Truth doesn't matter—what matters is whether others believe it.
Straightforward and to the point, really.
Actually, before passing out, Akihiko had heard this system speak, and the 'Swordsmanship Skill' seemed to be the reward for completing a mission related to Ryouka Yotsumoto.
The main reason he hadn't asked whether the system existed was that he wanted to test whether it would never appear if he stubbornly refused to inquire. After all, these days, there were plenty of embarrassing systems around, and sure enough, the one attached to him was no different.
Pathetic.
Not just pathetic...
This damn interface wasn't even as good as a PowerPoint slide—crude at first glance, exuding an aura of 'weakness' from head to toe.
"So, you're not going to assign me any tasks or anything?"
[Ai-chan is all about 'freedom'—any tasks need to be triggered by the host themselves. Beep! Clever Ai-chan patiently guides the silly host.]
"If I don't actively trigger any tasks, then you're completely useless, aren't you?"
[Theoretically, yes. But Ai-chan's functions are incredibly powerful, and the rewards are extremely generous. Ai-chan doesn't think the host can resist the temptation. Beep, Ai-chan tugs at her collar slightly, emphasizing her 36D cleavage as an enticement.]
"Honestly, if it were 'Martial Arts Mastery EX' or 'Study Poses Mastery EX', that might actually be useful. What the hell am I supposed to do with 'Swordsmanship Mastery EX'? I've never even touched a sword in my life." And 'Swordsmanship Mastery'? What's the point of mastering it? To engage in some exhilarating fencing? With whom?
'Bullshitting' is even more absurd—doesn't it all just come down to my acting skills?
[A-Ai-chan is only responsible for preparing rewards. What you get from the loot box depends on the host's luck, s-so obtaining 'Swordsmanship Mastery EX' just means the host is naturally unlucky. Beep! Ai-chan pouts, deeply dissatisfied with the host's blame-shifting behavior.]
"Alright, I'm going to sleep. Don't come out unless I call you!" Akihiko yawned. Though he wasn't sure if he had actually suffered heatstroke earlier, his body was exhausted.
[Hmph, the host really doesn't understand anything. The 'otherworld' nowadays isn't like before. Without us systems by your side, you won't be able to take a single step forward... Hey, hey, don't actually fall asleep! Beep! Ai-chan tries to tug the host's hair but realizes she has no hands, becoming deeply dejected.]
"...Zzz!" Fast asleep.
[Damn it! One day, I'll make you understand just how amazing Ai-chan is! Hmph, Ai-chan swears to make you suffer the pain of 'temporary sadistic love leads to a fiery chase in the crematorium'!!!]
"..."
The communication between the system and its host wasn't a conversation.
It was thought—thoughts that the host could control. In other words, if the host wanted to sleep, they could drown out the system's nagging.
And that's exactly what Akihiko was doing right now.
Still… a high school student, huh?
Half-asleep, Akihiko pondered. In his past life, he had already been an old man. Now, returning to his high school days, maybe he could properly enjoy his youth this time…
…
Yeah, right!
The next day, inside the classroom of Shiraoka High School, Akihiko flipped through books he had borrowed from the library—titles like A General History of China.
Chinese blood, Chinese soul! I gotta find a way back home!!