Jahkiro

Akira Hitoshi, a tired salaryman, meets an untimely death when a truck hits him on his walk home. But instead of dying, he wakes up in a new world, finding himself in the body of an eleven-year-old boy named Phyro Nishiki.

In the kingdom of Argenia, magic is a normal part of life, and Akira soon discovers that his new world holds secrets and possibilities he never imagined. As he adjusts to his new life, he must navigate the complexities of his new family, the challenges of growing up again, and the mysterious forces that may be drawn to his incredible potential.

Reincarnated With a Cheat System

Chapter 23 – Knocking on a Closed Door

Klein, Lana, and Yenta arrived at the dormitory, the sun casting an orange glow through the hallway windows. The dorms were quieter now, most students still out finishing their last classes or training.

Klein stopped in front of his shared dorm with Phyro and knocked firmly. "Oi, Phyro. Open up."

He knocked again, louder this time. "Come on, I know you're in there."

Lana crossed her arms. "Is he seriously ignoring us?"

Klein sighed, turning the knob. Locked.

"That's weird," Yenta muttered. "He never locks his door."

Lana frowned. Something about this situation felt off. She wasn't used to Phyro being quiet. He was always running his mouth, making jokes, being annoyingly overconfident. The fact that he was isolating himself felt… wrong.

Klein turned to Yenta. "Go get the dorm manager. He has a key."

Lana, meanwhile, shifted uncomfortably. "What's his deal, anyway? Why's he acting like this?"

Klein exhaled, looking at her with an unreadable expression. "You really don't know?"

Lana raised an eyebrow. "Know what?"

Klein rubbed his temples. "I swear, you're dense sometimes…"

Before Lana could snap at him, Yenta returned with the dorm manager, an older man with a tired look.

"Locked himself in?" the manager grumbled. "Kids these days. Hold on."

He pulled out a set of keys, found the right one, and unlocked the door.

Inside, the room was dim, the curtains drawn to block out the setting sun. Phyro was lying on his bed, face buried in his pillow.

At first, it looked like he was asleep. But when Klein stepped closer, he saw the way Phyro's shoulders were slightly trembling.

Klein's heart sank. He had never seen Phyro like this.

"…Damn," Yenta muttered under his breath.

For a moment, she just stared. Her mind struggled to connect this Phyro—the one curled up in bed, completely silent—with the cocky, carefree Phyro she was used to.

"…Oi," Klein said, walking up to the bed. "You good?"

Klein sighed, sitting on the edge of his own bed across from him. "Listen, man, I get it. Rejection sucks, but—"

Phyro turned his head slightly, just enough for them to see his eyes. They were red and puffy.

"…You really weren't joking," she whispered.

Phyro gave a weak chuckle. "Wow. You finally figured it out. Congrats." His voice was hoarse.

She replayed lunch in her head. The way he asked her out. The way she laughed. The way she brushed it off without even a second thought.

She thought he was just being his usual self. She didn't even consider that he might have been serious.

And now… here he was. Completely broken over it.

"…Damn," Yenta muttered again. "That's rough."

She wasn't the emotional type, but this felt awful.

"Phyro," she started, stepping forward, "I—"

"I'm tired," Phyro muttered, rolling back over. "Just… leave me alone."

For the first time in a long while, she didn't know what to say.

Klein sighed, standing up. "Come on, guys. Let's give him space."

Yenta nodded. But Lana? She didn't move.

Even as Klein and Yenta stepped out, she stood there, staring at the boy she had unknowingly crushed.

"…I'll fix this," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

Then, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.