6 a.m. the next morning.
Makoto was in the kitchen making breakfast.
He had already decided how he was going to spend "today."
Yukino's task reward was a multiplied increase in progress speed, while Ichika's reward was a boost in harvest capacity.
And the system had just given him a badge called "Old Geezer Comeback Badge."
This meant that the rules for his training during the time loop were simple: as long as it didn't kill him, he'd push himself to the limit—worst case, he'd just reset and start over.
Just as he finished breakfast, Yukino sent a greeting message: "Good morning, Fushimi-kun."
Since she had promised to say hello every day, Yukino wasn't going to go back on her word.
Once Mayu woke up, Makoto brought breakfast over to her place.
Since yesterday was her first time experiencing an emergency wash-up—and also her first time encountering Makoto's "tangible hand"—she was surely still feeling shy this morning.
Luckily, Makoto was good at lightening the mood. Over the course of breakfast, Mayu gradually returned to her usual self.
Though every now and then, she'd zone out while staring at Makoto's fingers.
So slender, so dexterous.
No wonder I surrendered the defeat CG so quickly.
Mayu's thoughts were running wild again.
Makoto pretended not to notice.
He'd already seen her apartment layout during the last time loop, but back then, she had just gotten out of the shower and was still wearing underwear.
Yesterday was different—there was a kind of beauty with absolutely nothing hidden.
In plain terms: full view secured.
Once she left for school, Makoto returned to his house and decisively initiated the time loop.
[Host has initiated the time loop. One trial card was consumed. No points deducted.]
[Note 1: Tasks cannot be triggered during a time loop.]
[Note 2: Host can freely end or restart this day.]
[Note 3: As the host has completed the beginner task, any target's memory may be preserved during the time loop.]
Oh?
A new feature?
Compared to when he first transmigrated and was forced into the loop, Makoto was in a great mood this time.
He started with aerobic exercises at home, and only when the music teacher arranged by Mrs. Yukinoshita contacted him did he shower and head out.
He spent the whole morning studying.
At lunch, he received quite a few messages.
From Ichika, from Itsuki, and from Yumiko.
He replied to them all.
The last one came from Yukino.
Yukino: [I just ran into Ichika-san. She said you didn't come to school today.]
Makoto: [I'm busy with something important.]
Yukino: [What important thing?]
Makoto: [I'm busy with something important.]
Yukino: [?]
Makoto smirked: [I've been dropping hints, haven't I? When we're discussing serious matters, I'd appreciate it if you'd use the proper title for me.]
Yukino didn't reply.
Makoto remained calm as ever and continued typing: [Or are you planning to go back on your word?]
Two minutes later, Yukino finally responded: [Big Brother.]
She even added an angry panda sticker afterward.
Clearly, she'd been struggling internally.
Makoto: [Text messages are meaningless.]
Yukino: [What do you mean?]
That simple line made Makoto picture her furious little face.
But he wasn't fazed by this kind of thing.
He immediately called her.
Three seconds later, Yukino picked up. "What do you mean?" Her voice held absolutely no attempt to hide her anger.
Makoto: "When discussing serious matters, please use the appropriate form of address."
He instantly heard Yukino take a deep breath.
The next moment, her voice came cold and sharp: "Do you think this is funny?"
"Does my tone sound like I'm joking?" Makoto replied seriously.
Yukino ignored him.
Makoto suddenly asked, "Have you been studying film production on your own recently?"
This time, Yukino responded, her voice clearly uneasy. "You figured it out again?"
Makoto didn't answer. "How about this—I'll compile some of my own experience and send it to you. It should help."
Yukino's voice remained cold: "And the price?"
Makoto replied, "There's no need for one. If you want to improve, I'll help. I've spent a long time researching this field. With my help, your efficiency will be much higher."
"That simple?"
"That simple."
There was silence on the other end for a while, before Yukino finally spoke, sounding incredibly embarrassed: "You win, Fushimi."
Then, even more bashfully, she softly said, "Big Brother."
Makoto: "Hahaha, you're so cute, bro."
Yukino: "Fushimi, you're so dead!"
The call ended.
Makoto happily returned to his studies.
That afternoon, after finishing his lessons, he made a trip to the supermarket.
He needed to buy ingredients to have dinner with Mayu.
As he was leaving the supermarket, he happened to run into Nino, who was also out shopping.
The girl looked pleasantly surprised. "What a coincidence."
"Yeah, it really is." Makoto naturally followed up with a question, "You girls are five sisters—why are you the only one out shopping?"
Nino puffed out her full chest and smiled with confidence and pride.
"If they had come with me, they would've only gotten in my way."
Makoto said, "I see. So your housekeeping skills are maxed out."
Everyone likes compliments, but Nino had something more pressing on her mind. "By the way, how come you just called me by my name?"
"If you don't like it, I can change that."
"That's not what I meant. I'm just curious. We haven't even met that many times, have we?"
Seeing her puzzled expression, Makoto replied straightforwardly, "Because I want to become friends with all five of you as soon as possible."
Nino was taken aback. "Why's that?"
"Think about it. If I become friends with all five of you early on, then if I accidentally make one of you mad later, I can ask the other four for help."
"That's even a thing?"
Nino couldn't help but laugh. "I mean, you seem like a decent guy, but if that kind of situation really happened, I definitely wouldn't help you."
Makoto put on a thoughtful expression. "In other words, I haven't offered you enough benefits yet. Let me think."
"…That's not the issue."
As they were chatting, a loud engine roar suddenly came from behind.
Both Makoto and Nino turned to look. Two flashy motorcycles were speeding down the street, their riders shouting excitedly.
From the sound and sight of it, it was clear they were just some thrill-seeking punks with too much free time.
One of the bikes zoomed past dangerously close to Makoto, nearly brushing against him.
If he had taken just two steps outward, he would've definitely been hit.
Their reckless behavior was outrageous. Many pedestrians around were startled and yelled out angry comments.
Nino, pale from the scare, looked at Makoto. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Makoto gestured to reassure her.
Nino breathed a sigh of relief and glared in the direction the motorcycles disappeared.
"Those guys are the worst! I've seen people like that on the news before. If they don't care about their lives, they should go race somewhere deserted!"
Makoto explained, "It's precisely because it's crowded here. Seeing everyone get scared gives them a sense of satisfaction."
Nino was still fuming. "Idiots. Good thing you didn't get hit."
Makoto also looked in the direction the bikes had gone.
He was someone who held grudges.
Even if he got injured in a time loop, he could just reset and be fully healed again.
But the thing was...
He didn't come into this time loop just to get bullied—
He came to be king.
So over the next few days, he made sure to "coincidentally" run into Nino at the same spot—and those two reckless bikers as well.
By the eighth day of the time loop, Makoto could predict their moves with 100% accuracy.
He chatted casually with Nino, all while keeping track of the time.
As the familiar engine roars approached, followed by the gasps of the crowd, Makoto leapt into the air and delivered a flying kick.
A perfect hit—right into the biker who almost hit him before.
That strike pierced the stars!
The rider was sent flying, crashing hard into the pavement and tumbling several times. The motorcycle also slid several meters after tipping over—thankfully missing all the pedestrians.
The other biker, who had been laughing just moments ago, was no longer laughing.
He stopped, looked back at his fallen friend who wasn't getting up anytime soon—
Then immediately gunned the throttle.
And fled.
Brotherhood in the heart. When in trouble, phone calls go unanswered.
As for Nino, who had witnessed everything from the sidelines—she was completely stunned.
A few young guys nearby were also speechless for a moment. Once they recovered, they shouted in excitement,
"Holy crap! That was a Leo Flying Kick!"
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