NXT_MARVEL

Isagi Kawaguchi was just an ordinary guy — until he woke up in the world of Blooming Hearts, his favorite school-life romance anime. But there’s a catch: he’s reincarnated as an extra. A side character so insignificant, his entire screen time in the anime was five seconds.
But Isagi refuses to stay a background character. Fueled by the regrets of his past life — where he wasted his youth buried in books — he’s determined to live life to the fullest this time. And his biggest goal? Winning the heart of May Minase, the sweet and talented girl who captured his heart when he watched the show.
There’s just one problem. Or maybe several.
Rin Kazuki, the perfect protagonist — handsome, brilliant, athletic, and already well on his way to building his dream harem. And May? She’s supposed to fall for Rin.
But Isagi isn’t backing down. From joining clubs to standing out in class, Isagi is ready to fight his way into May’s heart — even if it means taking on the ultimate protagonist himself.
Let the battle for love (and survival) begin!

My Battle for Love in a World Where I’m Just an Extra

The air in the empty classroom grew thick with tension as Rin's words echoed. Isagi froze mid-step, his heart pounding.

"A challenge... with May as the stake?" Isagi's voice was steady, but inside, his mind raced.

Rin leaned against the desk, arms crossed, a sly smile playing on his face. "That's right. You've been getting pretty close to May, haven't you? But I'm not one to just stand back and watch. So let's settle this."

Isagi narrowed his eyes. "Settle what exactly? May's not some prize to be won."

Rin shrugged. "Maybe not. But you can't deny that both of us care about her. So here's the deal: we'll have a competition. If I win, you back off. If you win… well, let's see if you can even handle that."

Isagi clenched his fists. He wanted to reject this outright — May wasn't a trophy. But Rin's confidence grated on him, and more than that, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was a fight he couldn't walk away from.

"What kind of competition?" Isagi asked, his voice low.

Rin's smile widened. "Mid-semester exams. You and me. Whoever scores higher overall wins. It's fair, isn't it?"

Isagi's breath caught. Exams? He hadn't even started preparing. And Rin was known for being one of the top students.

"Dead serious," Rin replied. "Unless you're scared."

Isagi's pride flared. "Fine," he said without hesitation. "I accept your challenge. But if I win, you leave May alone. You stop these games."

They shook hands, the weight of their agreement settling between them.

When Isagi finally returned to the dormitory, his mind was still spinning. May greeted him cheerfully, but one look at his face and her smile faded.

"Isagi? What happened?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

He forced a smile. "Nothing. Just... a long day." He couldn't tell her — not yet.

As they sat down for dinner, his resolve hardened. This wasn't just about exams. This was about protecting May — and his growing feelings for her. He wouldn't lose.

"The Stakes Are Set"