Chapter 11

I really don't know how to thank you!"

Yotsuya Miko bowed deeply. Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were filled with sincere gratitude. It wasn't just lip service—she had truly made up her mind to find some way to repay Ethan Kane.

"There's no need to be so formal," Ethan said, smiling softly. "We're friends, aren't we?"

And with her favorability now at 65%, the system had rewarded him with a generous point bonus. Not bad for a second save.

Life-saving grace… twice now.

Nearby, Yukino Yukinoshita stood in silence, brows slightly furrowed. No matter how sharp she was, she couldn't make sense of what had just happened between the two of them.

Ethan gave her no explanation. He simply nodded a goodbye to Miko and turned toward the school building.

---

"Yukinoshita-san…" Miko glanced at her carefully. "You don't need to take what Ethan-san said so seriously."

Miko had noticed it—how Yukino seemed affected, even if she tried to hide it.

"Hmph. Why should I care what a stranger says?" Yukino's tone was cold as usual, but there was something… defensive about it.

And yet she couldn't help but ask:

"You haven't known that guy for long, have you? Why would you do something so—irrational?"

Yukino's gaze sharpened slightly.

On the bus, in front of everyone, Yotsuya Miko had thrown herself into Ethan's arms without hesitation. From the outside, it looked like the act of a girl overwhelmed by infatuation.

"Ah! That…" Miko's cheeks flushed bright red. "It wasn't like that! I mean… it just happened… I didn't think…"

She was starting to ramble. "I don't know what I'm even saying…"

Great, she thought bitterly. Now I sound even more suspicious.

Yukino watched her for a moment, then sighed.

"It's fine. You clearly have your reasons." She chose not to press further.

Instead, she shifted topics.

"I run a club at school. The Service Club."

"Our mission is to help students solve problems—academic, social, personal. If you ever encounter something you can't handle alone, you're welcome to come see us."

Miko smiled politely.

"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san. I'll keep it in mind."

But deep down, she was already thinking: I doubt your club is equipped to handle invisible monsters.

---

———

Inside the school building, Ethan made his way toward Class 2-J.

Before he reached the classroom, a familiar girl passed him in the hallway.

"Ethan Kane," she said softly. "Hiratsuka-sensei asked you to go to the staff office."

"Got it. Thanks, Kato-san."

He recognized her instantly.

Megumi Kato.

The quiet girl. The unnoticed one. A classmate with such low presence that she could go an entire semester without being remembered.

Kato blinked, clearly surprised.

"…You know my name?"

"Of course. We're classmates. Besides—Kato-san is very cute. It's hard not to remember you."

He wasn't lying.

Her features were delicate. Her build was balanced. Her skin was smooth and bright. She was undeniably cute—just somehow always cloaked in a soft fog that made people overlook her.

"…Me? Cute?"

Megumi touched a lock of her hair absently, her voice as calm as ever.

"Please don't say things that might cause misunderstandings, Ethan-san. I'm just… an ordinary girl no one notices."

"Then I'm lucky to be the first person to notice you."

He extended his hand, offering a warm smile.

"If you'll allow it, I'd like to be your first friend."

Megumi didn't hesitate. She took his hand without pretense, a rare smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Please take care of me, Ethan-kun."

---

[Ding~]

[Treasure Chest Holder Detected: Megumi Kato]

[Extract?]

→ Extract!

---

[S-Rank Treasure Chest: Breath Concealment]

A passive skill that allows the user to completely mask their aura and presence.

Perfect.

A genuine life-saving skill.

After the last few days, Ethan had no illusions about this world being safe. Oddities, spiritual threats—he'd seen enough to know that having an escape tool could mean the difference between life and death.

If fighting didn't work, he needed to be able to hide. And this was the perfect solution.

---

[Ding~]

[Kato Megumi's Favorability: 56% (Ordinary Friend)]

[+100 Points]

Another step forward.

Ethan opened his personal system panel:

> [Host]: Ethan Kane

[Race]: Human

[Skills]: Conqueror's Haki, Sharingan, Spiritual Perception, Breath Concealment

[Points]: 300

Not bad. His growth was steady, and his arsenal more versatile than ever.

---

He arrived at the teacher's office and knocked.

"Come in," a voice called out.

He opened the door.

Behind the desk sat a tall, elegant woman with flowing black hair, curves in all the right places, and a mature air that was both refined and dangerous.

Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Homeroom teacher. Literature instructor. Life counselor.

Also—single, terrifying, and prone to punching her desk through the floor.

She looked up and narrowed her eyes.

"Ethan Kane from Class J, right? Why do I feel like you're thinking something rude right now?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I was just wondering why someone like Hiratsuka-sensei is still single."

Honesty. Always the best policy.

Her fist tightened instantly.

"You brat…!"

Her fist flew forward with frightening speed, cutting the air like a blade. A gust of wind shot past his cheek.

But it stopped an inch from his forehead.

Because even someone as reckless as Hiratsuka wouldn't actually strike a student—especially not a foreign transfer student.

"Oh my~ So angry over a compliment?" Ethan teased, completely unfazed.

"…You little bastard," she muttered, lowering her arm.

He didn't even flinch, she realized. Not even a blink. No fear. No defense. Either he's crazy or… something else entirely.

"Anyway," Ethan said casually, "I meant what I said. A woman as beautiful as you? Japan's men must be blind."

Hiratsuka clicked her tongue. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you flatter me."

But her lips twitched—fighting back a smile.

She cleared her throat.

"Ahem. That's not why I called you in. I wanted to ask about your living arrangements."

---

"It's going well," Ethan replied. "I'm staying in the new residential complex near Hengda Avenue. It's a nice place—quiet, clean, well connected."

Hiratsuka's eyes narrowed. "That's a pretty expensive neighborhood."

"I get a full scholarship," Ethan said, shrugging. "Covers everything easily."

20,000 yen per month, courtesy of Soubu High's international program.

And in this world, that had about the purchasing power of 2,000 USD.

Life was good.

"I see…" Hiratsuka leaned back. "If only the school gave that kind of support to our low-income students…"

She caught herself too late.

"Oops. Forget I said that. Don't go spreading rumors."

"Don't worry, Hiratsuka-sensei," Ethan said with a smirk. "Your secrets are safe with me."

---

End of Chapter 11

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