Sigh... Of course the system wants to shove me straight out of my comfort zone with the very first mission.
I mean, I get it—new life, new chance, blah blah… but does it have to be this hard right off the bat?
[Don't say you can't if you haven't even tried.]
Great. Now even the system is lecturing me.Still… it's not wrong. What's the point in giving up before even taking the first step?
— Come on, Akira… this is your shot. Don't screw it up. —Muttering to myself, I take a deep breath and gather whatever courage I've got left.
By the time I reach the entrance to my building, I spot someone in the park.
A girl. Sitting alone on the swing, getting soaked by the rain.She's... beautiful. Long, golden-blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, delicate features that look like they were drawn by an artist, and a slender figure that catches the eye even in this dreary weather.
And yet—she looks completely miserable.
Just watching her like that stings a little.Even someone that stunning can be this lonely?
Nervous energy bubbles up inside me. My heartbeat picks up.I start doing some quick breathing exercises to calm down.
— Inhale… exhale… Inhale… exhale…
I step forward.
With shaky hands, I extend my umbrella above her and speak in the least awkward voice I can manage:
— H-hey... it's not good to stay out here in the rain. Y-you'll catch a cold. I live just over there, so... you can keep my umbrella.
Before she can respond—heck, before I can regret it—I hand her the umbrella and turn on my heel, practically sprinting toward my apartment.
— Damn it, that was awkward as hell... Next time, at least try to act cool, idiot.
By the time I get home, I'm drenched, exhausted, and emotionally drained.But... weirdly proud of myself?
Like a bird retreating to its nest, I drop onto the couch and let out a long breath.
That girl though…There was something oddly familiar about her.
Big caramel eyes. That gentle sadness in her expression.That exact swing set...
Wait.
Wait.
— No way... that was Mahiru Shiina.— The Mahiru Shiina? From The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten?!
Okay, this just got real.
That means this world isn't just any anime-like fantasy—it's that world.And if she exists... who else is out there?
[First, learn to deal with your social problems.]
Yeah, yeah, thanks for the reminder. Way to kill the vibe.
Mahiru Shiina's POV
Today… hasn't been kind to me.
Words that should've never been said echo in my mind.The cold rain might be soaking through my clothes, but none of it hurts as much as the emptiness inside.
I just needed to be alone. To sit. To breathe. To forget.
Why is it so hard to be loved?
Lost in thought, I barely notice the boy approaching me.His steps are hesitant. His aura practically screams discomfort.
And yet—he still walks toward me.
Without saying much, he lifts his umbrella over me and stammers something about not wanting me to get sick.
Then, just like that... he hands me the umbrella and runs off.
...What a strange boy.
But even so, for the first time in a long while…I felt something.
Warmth.Kindness.Like maybe—not everyone in this world wants to hurt me.
He didn't ask anything of me. He didn't linger.He just... helped.
— What a weird boy, she mutters again, with the faintest hint of a smile.— But... maybe we could be good friends.
Akira Kurosawa's POV
Finally back inside, I drop my wet clothes near the door and let the warmth of my apartment wash over me.
Whew.I feel like I just fought a boss battle.
But honestly? That was kind of cool.
And I just met Mahiru Shiina. The Mahiru.This world… it really is something else.
— Wonder if there are Stand Users here too... That'd be wild.
Okay, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to business.
— Hey, system... Did I complete the mission?
[Mission completed. Would you like to open your reward?]
Do I want my reward? Is that even a question?
[Receiving random reward… Congratulations! You've obtained the skill: No Limits. Want to view the description?]
No Limits?Wait. Am I about to become Saitama!?
[No Limits:You have no growth cap. Any action you repeat will result in endless growth.Example: Cook once to gain "Cooking Lv.1". Keep cooking, and your skill can grow without limit.]
...
Oh.
Oh heck yeah.
This is insane! I can get better at anything!Cook, fight, sing, dance—if I grind it, I can master it!
— World domination, here I come...
Caught in a whirlwind of excitement, I laugh to myself like a maniacal villain.And for the first time since waking up in this new life, I feel something that isn't anxiety or fear.
Hope.
Maybe… just maybe…I can really do something with this life.
And even though I didn't notice it then—
That small act, in the rain, with a borrowed umbrella…Might've been the start of something much bigger.