The first day of school began with the opening ceremony.

Following the teacher's guidance, they headed to the gymnasium.

After finishing the somewhat lengthy speech by the principal and various events, Yuito and the others return to the classroom.

Next up is their first homeroom.

In other words, it's time for introductions.

"Arai Shinya. My hobby is boxing. My combat position is the attacker. I'm a bare-handed fighter type. Since I've been to dungeons with my older brother, I can easily punch and kill weak monsters."

Arai smoothly gives his self-introduction.

The class stirred slightly at the remark, "He has been to a dungeon."

Since "Reimei High School," which Yuito and the others attend, is a school that trains explorers, self-introductions are a bit special. They often include introducing their positions and fighting styles in combat.

However, even in a school that trains explorers, the new students are still children.

Just the fact that he has been in a dungeon gets him a bit of attention.

(I remember when I introduced myself in the first week and said, "I've explored dungeons and even defeated dragons," and everyone laughed... It's a black history...)

Yuito remembered his failure in the first week and felt a heaviness in his chest, like after eating a lot of greasy food.

Yuito had the skill to reach 'S-rank' by the end of the first week.

So, naturally, he had delved into dungeons and fought strong monsters.

However, whether they will believe it is another matter.

A high school student who boasts about having defeated a dragon would naturally be labeled as a "cringe."

(Ah, it's my turn to introduce myself next... I'll just get through it without any issues this time...!!)

Yuito stands up to let the student in front of him take their seat.

"Ah, I'm Akizuki Yuito. My position is attacker, and I use swords and such, but I'm generally good with all kinds of blades. I've also delved into dungeons a few times."

―Alright, I managed to introduce myself without any issues!

The class buzzes at the remark, "He has been into the dungeon a few times," but that's the kind of thing that comes up occasionally. It's within the realm of a safe self-introduction.

Yuito lets out a sigh of relief.

However, breaking through that sense of relief, a "tch!" echoed.

Arai was irritated as he glared at Yuito.

"...You've been in the dungeon a few times... Sounds like a lie."

"Um, I don't have any evidence, but I'm not lying, okay?"

"Then show me your skills with blades. If you're delving into dungeons, you must have fought monsters at least once, right?"

"Even if you tell me to show it..."

He has a sword, but he can't just swing it around here.

He guessed all that was left were scissors and a cutter.

Yuito rummaged through the pencil case and took out a cutter.

"I only have a cutter, though..."

"Isn't it perfect? Even with a cutter... it should be able to cut through this much!!"

Ziing!!

Arai flicked his wrist and threw the eraser at him.

It's a shiny new item.

(I feel a bit hesitant, but...)

Sasasasasa!!

Yuito's hands move at a speed that the eye can't catch.

And then he caught the eraser that flew at him.

When Yuito showed the eraser to the class, it had been cut into the shape of a flower.

"W-Wow!?"

"Hey, isn't it super cute? Should I get one too..."

"What the heck was that stunt just now!?"

"That looks so cool!! I want to film a video!"

The class was delighted watching Yuito's acrobatics.

The applause erupted with a crackling sound.

(I cut it into a flower shape out of habit from training, but I'm glad it was well-received...)

Cutting the thrown object into the specified shape is one of the training exercises that Yuito was taught by his master.

It is training to precisely control the sword's trajectory.

The flower shape is especially difficult. He had trained for many years to cut it into a beautiful shape, so it was ingrained in his body.

"Um, I cut it, but I'll return it to Arai-kun, okay?"

"Tch... I don't need it..."

When he tried to return the eraser to Arai, he turned his face away with a huff.

There's no point in holding onto a cut eraser, but...

Since there's no other choice, he should just try offering it to the girl next to him.

Earlier, she said, "Isn't it super cute" so he was wondering if she could take it.

"Um, would you like to?"

"Eh, really!? Ah, thank you..."

The girl next to him accepted it, her face slightly flushed.

At the same time, a loud clap echoes through the classroom.

The homeroom teacher is attracting attention.

The young teacher with stubble wore a slightly troubled, wry smile.

"Yuito's skills are amazing, but if we don't get a quick self-introduction, we won't have enough time. Please pass it on to the next person."

"Oh, excuse me..."

Following the teacher's instructions, Yuito takes a seat.

After that, the self-introductions continued in the classroom, which was bustling and restless.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

Once the first homeroom is over, it's lunchtime.

Yuito buys bread at the school cafeteria and returns to the classroom.

However, just as he was about to enter the classroom, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

(Huh!? That's right... Kirika-san is here!?)

That day, Yuito remembered the reality of being taken away by the happy couples.

Kirika was sitting in Yuito's seat, chatting with the girl next to her.

He got played!! She took his seat again!!

It was a familiar sight even in the first week.

When lunchtime comes, for some reason, Kirika always occupies Yuito's seat.

(No, I was overwhelmed by the aura of happiness in the first week... but now that we've gotten a bit closer, I can talk to Kirika-san...!!)

The current Yuito is not just a weakling who gets taken advantage of!

Kirika and him are friends who have also chatted on a messaging app.

"I'm sorry. That's my seat, so could you please give it back to me..."

He can at least say that!

Yuito stepped into the classroom to speak with Kirika―.

"Yuito-san♡"

"Eh, Hakari-san?"

When he heard his name called in a cheerful manner and turned around, there was Hakari holding a bento box.

He wonders what makes her happy, she's smiling gently.

"Yuito-san, would you like to have lunch together?"

"Oh, yeah. With pleasure."

"That's great... Actually, I found a nice place. Let's eat there."

"A good place...?"

"It's a quiet place with no one around."

Hakari smiled gently and took Yuito's hand.

Chapter 9: Art Saves the Body