Kaito stepped out of the house the next morning with the posture of a warlord marching to claim a new province. In reality, he was a lanky teenager clutching a school bag that smelled faintly of mothballs, uniform still stiff from disuse.
Yui bounced alongside him for the first few blocks, her sailor uniform skirt swishing, twin tails swaying like victory banners. She chattered about a new anime episode, eyes bright.
Kaito nodded solemnly at appropriate intervals. *This one is loyal,* he thought. *Small, fragile, but fierce in spirit. A worthy vassal.*
At the corner, Yui waved goodbye and darted toward her own school gate. Kaito continued alone, the morning sun glaring down like an insolent lesser deity.
The high school loomed ahead—three stories of concrete and glass, buzzing with mortal youth. Students milled about in clusters, laughing, shoving, flirting. To Kaito, it resembled a poorly organized training camp for peasants.
*Behold,* he mused internally, *the Academy of Fools. Where younglings are drilled in the arts of mathematics and… physical education? What madness is this realm?*
Whispers followed him as he passed through the gates.
"Isn't that Kurogane? The shut-in guy?"
"He hasn't shown up in, like, forever."
"Think he got expelled or something?"
Kaito's lips twitched. *Let them gossip. In my old realm, such tongues would be fed to the hounds.*
He located his shoe locker—3-2, class 3-B—and changed into indoor shoes with imperial efficiency. The hallways smelled of floor wax and teenage sweat. Tolerable. Barely.
Homeroom began with the teacher, a balding man named Tanaka-sensei, blinking in surprise. "Kurogane-kun? You're… attending?"
Kaito stood. "I have returned to grace this institution with my presence."
The class tittered.
Tanaka-sensei cleared his throat. "Well… welcome back. See me after class for makeup materials."
Kaito bowed slightly—more regal than respectful—and took his seat by the window. The view: cherry trees, sports field, distant city skyline. Strategic, at least.
First period: Japanese literature. The teacher droned about classical poetry. Kaito flipped open the textbook.
*These 'haiku' are meant to evoke profound emotion with seventeen syllables? Pathetic. In my courts, bards would be executed for such brevity.*
He smirked, earning a curious glance from the girl in front of him.
She turned fully during break. Blonde-dyed hair in a high ponytail, athletic build filling out the uniform blouse nicely, confident smile. Haruka Yamamoto—the class idol, memories supplied.
"Hey, Kurogane-kun," she said, leaning on his desk. "Long time no see. You okay? You kinda vanished."
Her skirt rode up slightly as she shifted weight. Kaito averted his eyes with heroic effort.
"I was… strategizing," he replied. "Now I return stronger."
Haruka laughed, bright and genuine. "You're weird. Cute weird, though. If you need notes, I've got extras."
*Cute. Again.* His eye twitched. *I, who once made emperors kneel, reduced to 'cute weird.' This realm will pay.*
But he accepted the notes. "Your tribute is appreciated."
She blinked, then grinned wider. "Sure thing, Your Highness."
The rest of the morning blurred: math (acceptable tactics training), history (amateurish compared to his own campaigns), English (a barbaric tongue he mastered instantly via lingering mind tricks).
Lunch break found him on the rooftop—classic loner spot, but it offered vantage. He unpacked the bento Sayuri had prepared: rice balls, karaage chicken, pickled vegetables. Simple. Divine.
*This woman,* he thought, biting into perfectly seasoned chicken, *wields sorcery in the kitchen. I must secure her loyalty permanently.*
The door banged open. Haruka again, with two friends. They spotted him and approached.
"Mind if we join?" Haruka asked, not waiting for answer. She plopped down, skirt fluttering. Her friends—generic giggling types—followed.
Kaito inclined his head. "This territory is open to worthy allies."
One friend whispered, "He's totally chuunibyou."
Haruka shushed her, eyes dancing. "So, Kurogane-kun, what made you come back?"
He gazed dramatically at the horizon. "Duty. This household teeters on ruin. I shall provide."
The girls exchanged looks. Haruka tilted her head. "That's… actually kinda mature."
*Mature. Better than cute.*
Afternoon classes dragged. PE was the true trial: changing into shorts and T-shirt, running laps, dodgeball.
Kaito's minor strength buff made him faster, stronger than expected. He dodged balls with battlefield precision, nailed opponents with throws that stopped just short of injury.
The coach blew the whistle. "Kurogane! Nice arm! You should join a club!"
*Join a club? I command legions.*
But the class cheered. Haruka high-fived him after. "You're full of surprises."
Her palm was warm. He held it a fraction too long.
School ended at 3:30. Kaito collected his things, ignoring more whispers. Yui texted: *Good first day, onii-chan? ♡*
He replied with a thumbs-up emoji—modern sorcery he was learning.
Now: the next battlefield.
Burger Baron was a fifteen-minute train ride away, in a busy shopping district. Neon sign, red-and-yellow decor, smell of grease assaulting the air even outside.
Kaito entered, uniform still on. The place was moderately busy—after-school crowd ordering fries and shakes.
A tall woman behind the counter spotted him immediately. Early twenties, long wavy purple-dyed hair, violet contacts, pale skin. Uniform: black polo stretched impressively over a voluptuous chest, short red skirt, striped thigh-high socks for some inexplicable "flair."
She strode over with theatrical flair. "Hail, weary traveler! Thou hast arrived at the grand citadel of Burger Baron! I am Reina Takahashi, shift manager and guardian of the sacred fryers. Speak thy quest!"
Kaito froze.
*What… is this? Is she mocking me? Does this mortal dare imitate the speech of lords?*
He narrowed his eyes. "I seek employment. An audience for the position advertised."
Reina's eyes lit up. "Verily! A new recruit for our noble order! Follow me, brave soul, to the back chamber!"
She spun on her heel, skirt twirling. Kaito followed, internally seething.
*This wench. Purple hair? Contacts? She cosplays at work? I shall uncover if this is jest at my expense.*
The "back chamber" was a tiny office cluttered with schedules and fantasy posters—dragons, elves, a calendar of armored maidens.
Reina sat, gesturing grandly to the opposite chair. "State thy name and prowess, applicant!"
"Kaito Kurogane," he said stiffly. "I require coin to support my domain."
She leaned forward, polo straining. "Excellent! Experience in the culinary arts?"
"None in this… grease alchemy. But I learn swiftly. And my strength is adequate."
Reina clapped. "A natural warrior, I sense! We seek those who can endure the lunch rush hordes and flip patties with haste. Dost thou swear fealty to the Baron?"
Kaito's jaw tightened. *She persists. Mockery confirmed.*
"I… swear to perform duties adequately."
"Splendid!" She slid over a form. "Fill this parchment. Training begins tomorrow eve, if thou art chosen."
He completed it with precise strokes. Handing it back, their fingers brushed. Her skin was soft, nails painted black.
Reina beamed. "Welcome aboard, Sir Kurogane! Together we shall defend this realm from hangry invaders!"
Kaito stood. "We shall see."
Outside, evening air cooled his face.
*That woman. Reina. Either a formidable ally in dramatics… or an enemy to be crushed.*
His phone buzzed—Sayuri: *How was school, sweetie? Dinner's waiting.*
He smiled faintly.
*Two battlefields claimed today. Tomorrow, true conquest begins.*
But as he boarded the train home, one thought lingered.
*Those thigh-highs… treasonously distracting.*