Akihiko used his free time to read books like A General History of China, only to discover that China's history was almost identical to that of his past life. There was the Xia, Shang, Spring and Autumn periods, the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. There was Shanghai, and there was Jiangnan.
He even managed to borrow a Map of China and found that even the roads and streets matched his memories almost perfectly.
This was strange.
For example, in his past life, he had lived on Laodong Road in Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Jiangnan.
So, in this life, who lived on Laodong Road in Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Jiangnan?
After all, Akihiko had become Japanese now…
"Whoa, Kobayashi, why are you reading this kind of book? Can you even understand it?" A boy leaned over and asked.
From Akihiko's memory, his name was "Anshi Masashi"—a name with flavor, combining two of the foulest things in human history: shit and politics.
He was one of the few friends Akihiko had in class.
With dyed blond hair and an unbuttoned uniform, he exuded an air of rebelliousness.
He snatched the book and flipped through it.
"It's all Chinese characters! Kobayashi, is your Japanese literature grade already this insane? Or… are you just showing off?"
"Shut up." Akihiko unceremoniously yanked the book back.
After transmigrating here, he had achieved a state of "Your Japanese is really good", and his Chinese proficiency hadn't declined either. Maybe he could return to his homeland as a translator someday?
Anshi frowned, staring at Akihiko in confusion before shrugging. He didn't try to take the book again—probably because books didn't align with his carefree, rebellious image.
"Kobayashi! I'm heading to the convenience store to grab a drink. Want me to bring you anything?"
Just as Anshi was about to leave, Ayumu Matsubara, sitting in the front row, turned around and asked.
"No, I'm good," Akihiko replied flatly.
"Alright." Ayumu nodded and left the classroom.
"You and Matsubara… are you close?" Anshi asked.
Before today, he had never seen Ayumu Matsubara strike up a conversation with Akihiko.
"A little."
"Matsubara's still so scrawny… looks like he'd be an easy target for bullying." Anshi grinned, nudging Akihiko with his elbow. "But his childhood friend, Ryouka Yotsumoto, is something else. She's strong, gorgeous, and has a killer body—especially those tits—… Uh, Kobayashi, why are you looking at me like that?"
Anshi noticed Akihiko glaring at him from his seat, his expression downright menacing.
But he didn't stop. After a moment's thought, he continued rambling:
"You're not scared of Yotsumoto, are you? Relax, she's not in our class—she can't hear us… Haha, imagine if we took Matsubara hostage and told Yotsumoto, 'Miss, you wouldn't want…'—just thinking about it gets me hyped… heh~ Just kidding!"
He laughed stupidly at his own fantasy.
Anshi was your average high school boy, his mind filled with dirty thoughts but lacking the courage to act on them. In short, he was all talk.
But this time, the moment he finished talking, wham—Akihiko stood up.
Though slender, Akihiko was taller than Anshi. In one swift motion, he grabbed the latter by the collar.
"You… shut your mouth!"
Dammit, as a pure love warrior, how could he tolerate such degenerate NTR talk from someone right beside him!?
"—Kobayashi, what the hell!?" Anshi yelped, but quickly recovered, struggling against Akihiko's grip.
BANG!
Anshi's rear knocked over Akihiko's desk.
The loud noise drew the attention of the entire class.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Kobayashi and Anshi?"
"I thought they got along…"
Anshi found himself momentarily overpowered by Akihiko. With everyone watching, his pride refused to let him back down.
"You bastard!"
Anshi tried to break free from Akihiko's grip. With a twist of his wrist, he knocked Akihiko's hand away—but in doing so, his own hand slapped Akihiko across the cheek.
The sound was crisp, like a proper slap.
"…Huh?" Anshi himself froze. "Sorry, Kobayashi…"
Fighting was one thing, but hitting the face was against the unwritten rules.
Akihiko's head tilted slightly from the impact. Then, he turned back, eyes sharp—
BOOM!
His fist smashed into Anshi's nose.
"Gah—!"
Anshi lost his balance and landed hard on his butt. "…Ow…"
Before he could react, Akihiko pounced on him like a diving crow.
Another punch.
This time, it landed on Anshi's cheek.
"W-Wait…" Anshi panicked.
Thud!
Personality Correction Fist!
Akihiko cheered internally.
His fist rose again.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Anshi hastily raised his hands in surrender. "I shouldn't have badmouthed Yotsumoto… I shouldn't have… Please, Kobayashi-sama, have mercy! Spare me!"
"…Hmph!"
Hearing this, Akihiko smirked.
Correction successful. Horns severed, reborn as a pure love warrior!
He stood up from Anshi Masashi, straightened his disheveled uniform, and glanced at the trembling boy on the floor before extending a hand.
"Don't say stuff like that again."
"…Y-Yeah…" Anshi gulped and nodded.
Akihiko pulled Anshi to his feet.
Anshi looked at him fearfully, but Akihiko seemed to have already moved on, showing no further interest in the incident.
"Kobayashi?" he tentatively called.
"Yeah?" Akihiko replied as if nothing had happened.
"…Never mind," Anshi said, still shaken.
He thought carefully.
Kobayashi suddenly getting along with Matsubara, him getting beaten up for badmouthing Ryouka Yotsumoto… Putting it all together, the conclusion was obvious—
'Kobayashi has a crush on Ryouka Yotsumoto!?'
Holy shit! But a girl like Ryouka Yotsumoto was way out of their league…
"Kobayashi… you're not into Yotsumoto, are you…?" Anshi whispered.
"Huh!?" Akihiko's menacing glare returned, and he raised his fist. "What kinda crap are you spouting now!?"
Yep, definitely! That reaction was a dead giveaway! Anshi was now certain.
But honestly, who wouldn't like Yotsumoto? A beauty like her…
Still, he had crossed a line by disrespecting his bro's goddess.
"Kobayashi, I really messed up this time. I'll make it up to you—name it, and I'll do it." Anshi slung an arm around Akihiko's shoulder.
"Cut that blond hair. It pisses me off." Akihiko said.
"??" Anshi blinked, then reluctantly nodded. "…Fine! Deal!"
Just like that, the two who had been fighting moments ago were now buddy-buddy again. The girls watching couldn't help but sigh—high school boys were truly mysterious creatures!
—And then, Akihiko and Anshi were called to the faculty office to write apology letters.