Failing to secure hands-on training from Zastin was, of course, disappointing. But Haruno couldn't help but feel there might be a reason behind the rejection—something tied to fate or perhaps a future opportunity waiting to reveal itself. For now, however, there was no shortcut. All he could do was fall back on old-fashioned effort, starting with a simple morning jog around the neighborhood. It wasn't glamorous or flashy, but it was something—and after the chaos of recent events, the consistency was oddly comforting.
Having spent much of his previous life bedridden due to terminal illness, just being able to run like this was a blessing in itself. Even before awakening his strange "power of love," Haruno had occasionally done light jogging. While he'd never been the type to join sports clubs or compete seriously, his reflexes and baseline stamina weren't bad. That said, ever since gaining his abilities, the overwhelming energy coursing through him often pushed his body past its natural limits—causing intense muscle fatigue afterward. It was powerful, yes, but taxing, like revving a car engine far beyond its redline.
Still, the morning air was cool and refreshing. For now, just feeling the wind against his skin, hearing the birds chirp, and watching the sleepy world awaken was enough. It grounded him.
He'd woken up earlier than usual, greeted—unsurprisingly—by the sight of a very naked Lala sleeping beside him. On her other side was Ryouko, equally asleep but dressed in nothing more than a thin, alluring set of underwear that wouldn't be out of place in a risqué anime scene. Haruno had to tread carefully, holding his breath and tiptoeing out of the room while suppressing the immediate nosebleed reaction threatening to explode.
Unfortunately, he didn't make it very far. Just as he was tying his running shoes, Ryouko stirred awake and gave him a sleepy smile. "Good luck out there," she said warmly. "I'll get started on breakfast."
It was a small gesture—but for Haruno, it somehow made the jog feel even more worthwhile.
"This kind of scene really makes me feel like I've woken up in an anime world," Haruno murmured, taking a deep breath as he gazed at the familiar sight—a quiet bridge and a gently flowing river, just like the ones he'd seen countless times in visual novels, games, and anime.
A shallow, gently flowing river sparkled under the soft morning sunlight, its clear water weaving between smooth stones and grassy banks. The river wasn't too wide—just enough for a pair of kids to skip rocks across it. A simple concrete bridge arched over the water, with rusted railings and faded paint that hinted at years of quiet use. On either side, cherry blossom trees or tall summer grass swayed gently in the breeze, and the distant sound of cicadas or birds often filled the air. It was the kind of peaceful, nostalgic spot where childhood memories were made—where confessions happened, friends met after school, or characters walked alone deep in thought.
Then there was Haruno, soaking in the refreshing morning air and the nostalgic scenery that made up his new life. He took his time stretching on the wide grassy riverbank, enjoying how peaceful and real it all felt. It was the kind of tranquil spot that could easily host casual joggers, secret confessions, or introspective monologues—the kind of place he'd seen countless times in anime.
"This bridge... It looks so familiar," Haruno muttered as he twisted his torso gently, arms raised over his head. "I know I've seen it before. But from where?" The shape, the angle, even the rust-colored railings stirred something in the back of his mind, but the memory stayed just out of reach.
Just as he was about to give up on recalling it, a cheerful voice cut through the calm morning air.
"Let's push forward! Let's push forward! Let's push forward! It's a wonderful day!"
It was loud, spirited, and oddly nostalgic—like the theme song of an energetic protagonist. Haruno instinctively turned toward the sound and was met with a surreal sight. A girl, seemingly his age, was jogging along the river path. But this was no ordinary morning run. With a car tire strapped to her waist by a thick rope, she dashed forward effortlessly, her movements smooth and powerful, barely hindered by the weight dragging behind her.
Even from a distance, her long red hair—tied back into a high ponytail—gleamed in the sunlight. Her outfit was a throwback: a gym shirt and classic Japanese bloomers that felt straight out of a 90s anime. Dust trailed behind her as her pace remained unwavering, and before long, she was nearly out of sight.
Haruno stood frozen, eyes wide, his body still halfway through a stretch. He didn't need to see her face. That silhouette, that voice, that energy—it was unmistakable.
"Ahaha… what is she doing here?" Haruno chuckled in disbelief, wiping a small bead of sweat from his temple. "She's not even from To Love-Ru… That's Kazuko Kawakami, right? From Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai." The recognition came as a spark in his memory, crystal clear and sharp. "The anime adaptation was only one cour—just twelve episodes—but the visual novel series? That one was massive. Main routes, side stories, sequels... there had to be five or six titles in total."
He slowed his pace as he mulled it over. "Kazuko… I remember her arc. She trained so hard to become the assistant instructor at the Kawakami Temple, but didn't make the cut. Then she ran away, and that's when she got confessed to by three guys—including the MC. That run she did… it's just like in her route. That's how I recognized her so fast."
Haruno's heart began to race—not from running, but from a realization. "Wait a second… If she's here, then that means this world… it's not just To Love-Ru, is it? This Earth… it has characters from other anime and eroge too?" The implications struck him like a lightning bolt. "That means… the number of potential heroines in this world is basically unlimited!"
Excitement surged through him like a rush of sugar. "And if Kazuko's here… then the rest might be too. Momoyo. Miyako. Yukie. Chris." His mind raced through the possibilities like a kid in an otaku candy store.
Then a more grounded realization dawned. "If Kazuko's training around here… then that temple might exist too. Kawakami Temple." He grinned as he broke into a light jog, heading back toward his apartment. "I've got to check this online after school. Maybe I can find a martial arts dojo, and who knows… maybe the school from that anime exists too."
Haruno's pace quickened. His future just became a lot more exciting.
"Ah, also then that temple must exist too!" Haruno's eyes lit up with sudden clarity, the idea clicking perfectly into place. Not only could he find a proper martial arts training ground at last, but he might also stumble upon more heroines fated to cross his path—perhaps even another soulmate waiting just beyond the dojo gates.
After returning to his apartment, Haruno found breakfast already prepared—just as Ryouko had promised. After taking a refreshing shower and finishing the simple yet comforting meal, he took a moment to relax before getting ready for school. But before leaving, curiosity got the better of him. He sat down and did a quick search on his phone, typing in the names of various fictional schools from the anime and eroge he remembered.
To his surprise, only two familiar names popped up in the results: Kawakami Academy, from Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai, and Totsuki Culinary Academy, the elite cooking school from Shokugeki no Soma. Both were institutions with unique characteristics—one focused on martial arts, the other on extreme culinary excellence. Neither were the kind of place you'd consider "ordinary," especially when compared to his current school, Sainan High.
"I wonder why these schools exist on the same Earth as Sainan High…" Haruno murmured to himself. It felt deliberate, as if each school served a specific purpose in this world—not just for the sake of romance, but to help him grow in unexpected ways. Maybe his wishes were shaping this world more than he realized.
Author Note :
100 Heroines: 6 chapters per week, with each chapter ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 words. I may drop to 5 chapters if I'm busy.
You can read 10 chapter at patr*on.com/Iam_HaremLover123