Reina set the remote down after turning off the TV, her expression turning slightly worried as she glanced at Kaito.
"You see why I get concerned," she said softly. "Things like this… they've been appearing in the news more often lately."
Akari looked over at her younger brother, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him for a moment.
"You're not exactly someone who blends into the background, you know," she said with a small sigh. "With that face of yours, you'll attract attention whether you want to or not."
Reina nodded in agreement. "Just be careful when even in the Academy, Kaito."
Kaito scratched the back of his head and gave a light smile. "You two worry too much. I'll be fine."
Akari raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Still… if anything strange happens, call me. Don't try to deal with it alone."
Even if they tried to keep it casual, the concern in both their voices was clear.
Kaito finished the last of his breakfast and stood up from his chair, grabbing his bag from the side.
"I'm heading out," he said casually.
"Wait," Akari said quickly as she stood up as well. "I'll drop you off."
Kaito waved a hand dismissively. "No need. I can go on my own."
Reina frowned slightly. "Kaito…"
"I'm serious, Mom. It's just school I'm not a small child anymore," he replied with a small chuckle.
Akari crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. "After the kind of news we just saw? Yeah, I don't think so."
Reina nodded in agreement. "Your sister's right. Why are you refusing? It's your first day of the second semester, after all. Your sister and I always take turns dropping you off."
She sighed softly, looking at him with clear concern.
"Kaito… you know how things are in this world. Women are naturally stronger than men. And when they awaken… that gap only becomes even bigger."
Akari crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the table.
"Yeah," she added. "Even normal women can overpower most guys. If some thirsty women tries to assualt you how are you gonna fight".
Reina gave a small nod. "That's why we're worried. Just let Akari drop you off, alright?"
Kaito sighed, realizing neither of them looked ready to back down. The concern in their faces made it obvious they weren't going to let it go easily.
"…Fine," he said at last, giving up. "But we're just walking, okay? It's not that far."
Akari smirked slightly. "That was always the plan."
Reina gave a small relieved smile. "Good. Now go before you're late."
Kaito grabbed his bag and headed toward the door, Akari following right behind him. After slipping on their shoes, the two stepped outside into the cool morning air.
The quiet neighborhood streets were already coming to life as people headed to work and school. Kaito walked beside his sister with his hands in his pockets, while Akari kept a watchful eye on their surroundings out of habit.
"Seriously though," Akari said after a moment, glancing at him, "don't wander off alone too much, alright?"
Kaito chuckled lightly. "You worry too much."
Akari rolled her eyes but didn't argue further as the two continued walking toward the school.
As the two walked through the quiet morning streets, Kaito kept a relaxed pace beside his sister, his hands in his pockets.
In front of his eyes, a faint blue screen appeared, invisible to anyone but him.
His System interface silently tracked his movement.
[Daily Activity Progress]
Distance Covered: 1.2 / 10 km
Every step he took, whether walking or running, was quietly counted by the System. It was one of the daily requirements it had set for him—cover ten kilometers each day to steadily improve his body and stamina.
To anyone else, Kaito looked like he was simply walking to school.
But in reality, he was already training with every step he took.
As they continued walking, Kaito glanced at his sister from the corner of his eye.
Akari Aizawa wasn't just any ordinary person. At twenty, she was already an awakened hunter affiliated with a guild. She possessed the power of enhanced physical strength, allowing her to fight monsters head-on. While she wasn't among the top elites yet, she was still far stronger than most ordinary awakeners, enough to handle lower and mid-level dungeons.
Kaito cleared his throat slightly.
"So… how's dungeon work lately?" he asked casually.
Akari glanced at him. "Why the sudden interest?"
Kaito shrugged. "Just curious. What kind of monsters show up in those places?"
Akari thought for a moment before answering.
"Depends on the dungeon rank," she said. "Lower ones usually have goblins, wolves, or small beasts. Mid-tier dungeons start getting things like ogres or larger monsters. The stronger the dungeon, the worse the monsters get."
Kaito nodded slowly, pretending to be simply interested.
"And you can handle them?"
Akari smirked a little.
"Of course I can. I wouldn't be in a guild if I couldn't."
She lightly tapped his head with her finger.
"But you shouldn't worry about that stuff. Focus on school instead."
Kaito only smiled faintly, keeping his real thoughts to himself as they continued walking toward the school.
In this world, an Awakener usually gains only one ability when they awaken. That single power becomes the core of their fighting style and determines the role they play in battle.
Some awakeners gain elemental abilities, such as fire, water, wind, or earth, allowing them to attack or control the battlefield from a distance.
Others awaken support abilities, like healing, barriers, or enhancement, making them valuable for protecting and strengthening their teammates.
There are also physical-type abilities, where the awakener gains immense strength, speed, or durability, allowing them to fight monsters directly in close combat.
And in rare cases, some awakeners receive unique abilities—powers that are unusual and difficult to classify.
Akari was one of the physical-type awakeners. Her ability granted her enhanced strength, letting her overpower monsters much larger than herself. While it wasn't the flashiest power like fire or lightning, it made her a reliable front-line fighter in her guild's dungeon raids.
As they continued walking toward the school, the streets gradually became busier. Small shops were opening, and people were starting their day.
Along the roadside, groups of women were sitting outside cafés and convenience stores, drinking coffee, chatting, or scrolling through their phones.
Kaito noticed something that still felt strange to him, even after living in this world for years.
Just like in his original world, where men would sit by the roadside and make comments about passing women… here the roles were completely reversed.
A few of the women glanced at passing men and whispered among themselves.
"Look at that one… he's kinda cute."
"Too bad he's with someone," another muttered, glancing at Akari beside Kaito.
Some even stared openly without much shame.
Meanwhile, most of the men walking on the street kept their heads down, quietly minding their own business. Many of them looked nervous or avoided drawing attention to themselves.
Some even crossed the street or hurried along, clearly uncomfortable under the gazes of the women around them.
Kaito noticed this and frowned slightly.
Men in this world often behaved like cautious puppies, afraid of attracting the wrong kind of attention.
But when Kaito walked past, things became even more noticeable.
Several women suddenly paused their conversations.
"…Wow."
"Wait… look at that boy."
Their eyes followed him as he walked by. With his handsome face, sharp blue eyes, and neat black hair, he stood out far too easily.
Akari immediately noticed the stares and sighed in annoyance.
"See?" she muttered quietly to him. "This is exactly why Mom and I don't like you walking around alone."