Late at night, on the way home.
One hand was tucked into his pocket, while the other massaged his neck.
"Ughhh..."
Kitahara Sousuke twisted his neck with a satisfied groan. At this moment, his entire body radiated that intoxicating sensation, an exquisite blend of soreness and comfort that followed an intense workout.
The human body's physical capabilities in this world were much stronger than in his previous life. Even extreme training posed no real danger. He didn't need to worry about injuring himself from overexertion. He was still far from reaching the limits of what a human body here could do.
After all, although he hadn't come across any legendary elementary school detectives or Heisei-era Sherlock Holmes types solving police cases online...
Kyogoku Makoto, that absurdly superhuman figure, did exist.
Four hundred consecutive victories. All-Japan Karate Champion. Honestly, none of that mattered much.
What did matter was that this guy could dodge rifle bullets. Even when his vision was obscured and surrounded by police, he could catch a barrage of BB bullets with his bare hands and knock out every officer in an instant.
Then there were other feats, shattering stone pillars with a punch, lifting a runaway minivan using sheer strength.
Back when Sousuke first arrived in this world and hadn't yet met Katou Megumi or anyone else, his future had felt uncertain.
But the moment he saw that monster of a man, he found a new purpose.
"That's right... I'm going to surpass him."
Compared to wealth or power, the allure of master-level martial prowess was far more appealing.
Because, in his previous world, reaching Kyogoku Makoto's level of martial ability was far more difficult than becoming the leader of a small nation or even a billionaire.
That level of skill was something no amount of training could achieve in his old world.
Meanwhile, becoming rich or powerful often just needed a fortunate birth. Maybe, with luck and effort, you could change your fate. But even then, it was only a slim chance.
There was a fundamental difference between impossible and barely possible.
And while Kyogoku Makoto was a one-of-a-kind monster, he wasn't the only powerhouse.
In the televised finals, Sousuke had seen opponents who, though defeated, still managed to land blows on that guy.
These people practiced nothing but karate, nothing beyond the realm of common sense.
And yet they displayed strength and speed that would put Olympic athletes in his past life to shame.
Sousuke guessed that if he made it to the top four level, even if he couldn't dodge rifle bullets like that monster, he might still be able to dodge handgun bullets, those moved at about one-third the speed, right?
Maybe like Ran?
That didn't sound impossible. Probably...
Anyway, common sense in this world was completely different from what he was used to. So this kind of thing barely even counted as weird anymore.
Once school started, he wouldn't have this kind of free time.
So during this break, while Aki Tomoya was wasting time on part-time jobs, Sousuke was fully committed to intense, all-day training.
Push past your limits, and your body naturally grows stronger.
Training was addictive.
And besides his hobby, he had another reason to pursue personal martial mastery.
As he passed by a garbage dump he often used as a shortcut, a chilling, raspy female voice rang out.
"Hey, do you have a younger sister?"
A girl stood there, holding a tattered parasol and cradling a foul-smelling stuffed rabbit. She sat on the reeking pile of garbage in a bizarre pose, wearing frilly Lolita fashion. Her face had an eerie smile as she asked the question.
Her skin was ghostly pale, her lips and nails painted a vivid crimson. Her long silver hair looked tangled and unkempt, her bangs drooping over her eyes so that her expression was unreadable.
"No matter how many times... I can't get used to this chick."
Sousuke's body instinctively tensed, but he kept walking without acknowledging her.
The police in this world were even more incompetent than in the Conan universe.
If you wanted to deal with monsters, you had to become one yourself.
And right now, the one thing he absolutely could not do... was answer that girl's question.
As long as he didn't respond, he would be fine.
---
Sousuke's house was a typical detached home, quiet and neat. His parents worked overseas and rarely came back, so he handled all three meals himself.
This kind of free life had its perks.
Most notably, it meant he wouldn't mind, no, he would love to welcome a new mistress into this house.
"Mom and Dad would probably be thrilled, right?"
"Absolutely. That's right."
"Even if it's just so they can hold a grandson sooner, I've gotta give it my all."
With that serious expression, Sousuke sat cross-legged on the bed, gripping his phone tightly as he typed with unwavering focus.
To be honest, even though he'd been in this world for months, he still didn't fully understand what high school girls in Japan liked.
Replying while doing research was exhausting.
And that stupid app even showed if the other person read your message but didn't reply...
At the same time, on the other end of the chat, Katou Megumi had a faintly troubled look.
This underclassman of hers... was a little too enthusiastic.
Though, having a boy so eager to talk to her for the first time in her life, even Megumi, who had always seen herself as plain and average, felt a little warm inside.
"It's already one in the morning... Good night, Kitahara-kun."
Message sent.
With a slight smile and a peaceful heart, she placed her phone face down on the bedside table and slipped into sleep.
Back at his house, Sousuke let out a long exhale, closed the notebook on his desk, and fell back onto his bed.
He was completely drained.
Seriously, how did people do this every day?
Maybe... maybe he really should thank that creepy Lolita girl. After all, she had given him some pretty solid motivation.
---
April morning.
He forced himself up, battling the urge to sleep in.
After a quick wash, he changed into his new school uniform and headed to the kitchen. From the fridge, he pulled out milk, sliced bread, bacon, eggs, and a tomato to make breakfast.
Before leaving, he measured his height.
Another 0.1 centimeters taller.
He strapped weights to his legs, considering whether it was time to buy heavier ones.
"Feels like I've gotten used to these. They probably aren't doing much anymore."
After putting on his shoes, Sousuke bounced lightly in the yard, muttering to himself.
Then he locked the door and cheerfully set out for school.
Unbeknownst to him, in a nearby house...
"Saki, be careful and try to get along with everyone, okay?"
A middle-aged woman fussed over her daughter's skirt, her face filled with a mother's worry.
Her daughter had changed so much recently that it made her wonder if the girl might end up falling for some sketchy guy.
"I'm off now, Mom."
The girl replied with a forced smile, nerves fluttering in her chest.
As she spoke, she instinctively reached for her pigtails, only to remember they were gone.
Now her hair was long, straight, and black.
She hadn't made a single friend in her three years of middle school due to her shyness.
But now, with contact lenses and a brand-new hairstyle...
"I should be able to make friends this time, right?"
Saki smiled to herself with hope in her heart.
---