NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 3: I hate the Rain
Sigh! How can this be? The system already wants to push me out of my comfort zone with the very first mission...
But wait! I know this chance to live again is amazing and all… but I don't know if I can handle it.
[Don't say you can't if you haven't even tried.]
Yeah, the system's right. What's the point of giving up before even trying?
— Come on, man, this is your chance to do things right! — Trying to psych himself up, Akira manages to find just enough strength to step out of his shell.
As he gets near his apartment building, he sees a stunning girl sitting on a swing in the park.
— What a beautiful girl! — But it's such a shame to see someone so pretty, looking so down, just letting the rain soak her.
Nervous at the thought of a social interaction, Akira starts breathing exercises to calm down.
— Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale... — calming himself a little, Akira takes the first step in his journey.
As he gets closer, he can see the girl's face better. It seems strangely familiar.
Big caramel-colored eyes, long blonde hair, and a figure that highlights all her feminine charm — like a model.
Getting closer, Akira places his umbrella over the girl and, a little anxious, says:
— H-hey, it's not good for you to stay in the rain… you'll catch a cold. Y-you can keep my umbrella. I live just next door...
Without saying another word, Akira quickly hands over the umbrella and runs toward his building to avoid getting wetter.
— Damn! Next time, I need to be more prepared for something like this — still feeling a bit of the anxiety from facing, even briefly, his social issues.
This isn't good for my heart... I need the warmth of my room to recover.
Like a bird returning to the safety of its nest, Akira retreats to his sanctuary — his home.
— But… that girl looked a lot like a character from an anime I watched...
Connecting the dots and remembering the all-too-familiar scene, Akira reaches a conclusion:
— That was Mahiru Shiina! So I got reincarnated in The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten!?
Well... knowing that is kinda exciting, but I might need to adjust my plans for the future!
[First, learn to deal with your social problems.]
No need to rub it in, system!
---
Mahiru Shiina's POV
Today has been a rough day for me. Just remembering what she said…
Maybe because of her difficult situation with her mother, Mahiru Shiina now finds herself swinging in the rain.
The cold, the discomfort — none of it compared to the pain of not being loved by her own parents.
— Sigh... — a weak sigh escapes her lips.
Cute girls shouldn't have to go through this. Shouldn't she be smiling? Or anywhere but here?
But to her, things aren't that simple.
As she's lost in thought, a boy around her age walks up to her.
Looking at him, she can tell — more than anything — that his face screamed discomfort.
Even so, he stepped out of his comfort zone and insisted on giving her his umbrella... then ran off right after.
— What a strange boy... — Despite the odd approach, Mahiru liked what he did for her.
He's kind of... different. But even so, he cared about me...
Feeling a warmth in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time, Mahiru smiles gently.
— So this is what it feels like... when someone cares for you? When was the last time...?
Looking at the boy — who hadn't even told her his name — Mahiru concludes:
— Maybe we could be good friends.
---
Akira Kurosawa's POV
After taking the elevator and entering his apartment, Akira finally feels at ease.
Nothing beats being at home! But even so... he never expected to be in a world where anime characters from his past life existed.
— I wonder if there are Stand users here? That'd be awesome. Maybe I'd have one that fits me...
Okay, putting JoJo aside, Akira asks the system:
— Did I comple—
[Mission completed. Would you like to open your reward?]
What kind of question is that? Of course I would!
[Receiving random reward… Congratulations! You've received the skill: No Limits. Want to see the description?]
Of course I want to! But wait… No Limits? Am I about to beat everyone with one punch!?
[No Limits:
You have no growth cap. That means any action you do repeatedly will generate growth.
Example: cook once to gain the skill "Cook Lv. 1." Cook every day to raise the skill — with no limit!]
Oh heck yeah! Who cares about early bosses? I can be the best in the world! Wait… not just cooking — I can be the best at anything! Hahaha!
Lost in his daydreams thanks to his new skill, Akira doesn't even realize…
He's already starting to change.