I Won't Be a Loser

In the quiet residential area, the location of the postbox was still quite prominent.

In his previous life, Haruto often sent letters to his family in Itomori, so he had some recollection of where postboxes were typically located. However, this time, he was accompanied by Sekai Saionji, who wasn't familiar with the area, and together they arrived at a nearby postbox.

Although it was a postbox, the ones in Koishikawa weren't the usual red ones. Instead, for aesthetic purposes, they were decorated with pink sakura patterns, making them look very girly.

"Is this letter for your family?"

Just as Haruto was about to drop the envelope into the box, Sekai Saionji, standing beside him, curiously asked.

"My family? Oh, right… I still need to send something to Mitsuha and the others. I completely forgot. I'll need to go back to my apartment and prepare another letter for them," Haruto muttered to himself.

Her comment reminded him of the promise he'd made to his younger sister—to send them some local Tokyo specialties. However, in the whirlwind of settling into his new place, the task had slipped his mind. He made a mental note to send another letter later.

Sekai, having overheard his murmuring, realized this particular letter wasn't meant for his family.

"Then… is it for your girlfriend?"

Haruto slid his manuscript into the postbox, then turned to glance at Sekai. Throughout their walk, he'd begun to understand that this world was subtly different from the one he remembered in various ways.

The girl beside him, for instance, seemed to be just an ordinary, innocent high schooler. The absurd notion that she might be a threat to him was something he'd clearly overthought.

Besides, Moreover, as long as you treat a girl seriously and don't waver and make her feel insecure, there is no way such a cruel ending as "Bloody End" will happen.

"No, it's not for a girlfriend. I've never had a girlfriend. This letter is for a submission."

"A submission?"

"To a magazine," Haruto explained. "If they accept and publish my work, I'll earn some money. My family supports me coming to Tokyo to study, but they can only provide some initial help with living expenses. The rest, I have to manage on my own. So, to make ends meet, I'm submitting articles to magazines."

Haruto answered the curious girl's question straightforwardly, explaining his reasoning from the perspective of someone older and more experienced.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Sekai's eyes widened in surprise and admiration. Having never had to worry about living expenses herself, she knew some boys worked part-time jobs to support themselves. But this was the first time she'd heard of someone submitting to magazines for income.

In a society that deeply respected writers and intellectuals, even a magazine submission seemed like an impressive feat to Sekai.

Moreover, haruto's calm and composed demeanor as he spoke only made him seem more mature—qualities rare for boys his age. Her gaze toward him subtly changed.

"So… does that make you a writer, Miyamizu-kun? A young writer!"

"I wouldn't call myself a writer. To claim that title, I'd need to publish my own book first. Submitting to magazines is something anyone can try, even you, Miss Sekai."

"Me? Could I really do that?"

"It's simple. Just write about whatever you want and send it in. At worst, they'll reject it," Kensuke replied plainly.

His straightforward answer made Saionji Sekai's originally expectant expression suddenly become discouraged.

"Getting rejected sounds like it'd be a huge blow. Maybe I'll pass…"

Seeing her hesitation, Haruto didn't press further. Everyone had their own perspectives, and he had no interest in forcing someone to change their mind.

After dropping off his manuscript, Sekai began leading Kensuke on a tour of the neighborhood.

"This area is mostly residential, so you won't find many stores around here. But there are a few 24-hour convenience stores. For shopping, head east toward Horisaka—that's the commercial district. You'll find clothing stores, salons, and restaurants there…"

Listening to her description of the area stirred a mix of feelings in Haruto. The last time he'd been here, no one had offered to show him around. He'd had to figure everything out on his own.

It was only after joining some community events that he'd started meeting people and gradually becoming familiar with the area.

"If you're interested in local scenery and culture, head south. There's the Koishikawa Shrine, a branch of the Chiyoda Grand Shrine. It's a great alternative if you can't visit the main shrine. Further south is the famous Koishikawa Korakuen, an ancient garden with a rich history!"

Glancing southward, Haruto recalled his own visit to Koishikawa Korakuen. He'd gone during Green Day when entry was free—a month after he'd first arrived in Tokyo.

But it was then that he learned that elementary and middle school students could visit the garden for free on weekdays.

"If I have the time, I'll definitely visit."

Haruto smiled as he responded to Sekai, his gaze sweeping over the streets that felt both familiar and slightly alien. His expression held a trace of complexity.

Sekai, who had been quietly observing him, noticed the subtle emotions on his face. There was something profound, a depth of feelings and a tinge of weariness she couldn't quite grasp. Without realizing it, she felt drawn to him, unconsciously closing the distance between them.

"Earlier, Miyamizu-kun said… you don't have a girlfriend?"

"Hmm? A girlfriend… No, I don't."

"Really~? I feel like you're even better-looking than most idols I see in magazines. You must be really popular with the girls, right?"

Her probing question was only one step away from directly asking, Why don't you have a girlfriend?

Sekai leaned in closer, her slightly shorter frame bringing her face almost level with Haruto's. Her expression was careful yet curious, her tone playful yet sincere. Haruto could sense an unusual atmosphere building between them. His pulse quickened, and it felt as if his hormones had been thrown into overdrive.

Unlike his previous frail self, weakened by indulgence, his body now seemed to be waking up, energized by the girl's proximity and her lively demeanor.

However, Haruto wasn't some inexperienced virgin incapable of keeping his composure. 

He looked at the girl beside him, her gaze steady yet hiding something unspoken beneath the surface. He was mildly surprised but kept his expression calm.

"What about you, Miss Sekai? I imagine you're quite popular with the boys. Cheerful personality, adorable looks… Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Eh?"

Sekai froze for a moment, clearly not expecting the question to turn back on her.

"I… don't," she admitted, her voice a bit softer.

"I see."

Haruto shifted the conversation with a nonchalant tone, as if he wasn't overly interested in pursuing the subject further.

"But!" Sekai suddenly exclaimed, her voice carrying a slight edge of nervousness. "I do have a type I like…"

She glanced at Haruto, who seemed oblivious to her growing tension, his calm and indifferent demeanor almost frustrating. A pang of guilt flickered in her chest as she remembered why she was there in the first place: to gather information for Setsuna.

Yet, that guilt was quickly swept away by a surge of emotion—an impulsive, overwhelming feeling that drowned out her rationality. Like a flood bursting through a dam, her thoughts spilled out unbidden.

"Someone like Miyamizu—no, like Haruto!"

Haruto blinked, caught off guard. He stared at the girl beside him, her face flushed crimson. He hadn't expected her to be so direct.

Meanwhile, just around the corner and out of sight, another figure watched from the shadows.

Having grown curious, Setsuna Kiyoura had left her apartment to follow the pair. She leaned silently against the wall, her usual indifferent gaze fixed on the two of them. But her hands betrayed her emotions, clutching tightly at the sleeves of her sweater.