Chapter 2: Chapter 1: An Ally or Foe?
Harumi walked to his classroom in a daze. Too occupied because of the scenarios that flashed through his mind as fast as he discarded them. He considered aliens, extra-dimensional deities, a natural phenomenon and even the possibility of an illusion.
In the end, he couldn't come up with a conclusion due to lack of information. He arrived at his classroom and sat down. He rested his elbows on the desk and intertwined his hands in front of his mouth, taking the Gendo pose.
'Okay. It seems I'll need to take my training a lot more serious. An event seems to be starting...'. To be honest, Harumi, although he looked hard working, is an incredible procrastinator. Just because he was brought to another world doesn't change his habits immediately.
He started the first two weeks full of motivation to improve. The third week, his enthusiasm dropped and he used medium amounts of efforts with a few moments of intense motivation. His fourth week made him just maintaining his body and only working with his aura.
Really, he couldn't think of a reason why he was transmigrated. He wasn't protagonist material at all. He was lazy, not talented, not good looking and doesn't have a good personality. He was the type to hold grudges, not the all forgiving MC.
'Well, there's no use in asking these questions. I can't do anything about it as I am right now. The only thing I have is physical ability a bit above the human limit'. He sighed and decided to do much more intense training. More intense than the last training plan.
He started thinking up a more intense training routine but he was interrupted. Rather, distracted by an interesting sight. A mop of blond hair was peeking through the door of the classroom. "The hell is he doing...?".
The blond hair of course belonged to Shoudo. When he saw Harumi staring at Shoudo curiously, Shoudo signalled Harumi to follow him. Harumi was still worried about the ring, but for now his curiosity won out.
He went out and followed Shoudo to a nearby stairwell that led to the roof. Shoudo was waiting there with a very worried expression. Harumi was so tempted to ask, "Why do you look so constipated? Did you kill somebody? If so, wrap it in barbed wire and dump it in the ocean".
But that wasn't something he should say to somebody he barely knew. He was pretty sure this morning was the first time they even talked. Instead of dark humor, he went straight to the point. "So why did you call me out?".
He suddenly looked determined and bowed while holding out a beaten up black stick. 'Wait, that's my umbrella...', he realized that Shoudo was worried about the umbrella and if he would be angry about a destroyed umbrella. Before Harumi could speak, Shoudo started.
"I'm sorry for destroying your umbrella. I got into a fight and one of the bastards attacks me with a pipe so I instinctively blocked it with your umbrella. It was my incompetence that caused this so I won't make excuses. I will definitely pay you back".
Shoudo spoke these words at high speeds. It almost didn't register in Harumi's brains before he came up with a single sentence. 'This guy would make a really good protagonist'. Then he took the umbrella and threw it into a nearby garbage can.
'Though a bit too earnest'. He turned back to Shoudo and patted the guys shoulder. "It wasn't even 1,000 yen so you don't need to worry about it. You don't need to pay me back". Shoudo stopped his bowing and looked at Harumi.
"Yoshiharu-san... Thank you. But, it wouldn't do for me to not return your goodwill". Harumi had a wry smile on his face, 'Goodwill? It was just an umbrella though. I guess this world really does run on anime logic'.
"Thus, I'll do this. I, Koryuuin Shoudo, will help you if anybody try to find trouble with you". Harumi's smile became more strained. 'Well, this really isn't what I expected. I don't really need a bodyguard'.
"You know, instead of becoming my bodyguard, why don't you just be my friend? I haven't been able to befriend anybody. Also, you don't need to be so formal. It's not like you're a knight". Shoudo looked surprised.
"A friend?". He echoed, still surprised. Harumi couldn't hold it in and said, "Yeah, a friend? You know what it is?". He half smiled, half smirked. "Uh, I know what a friend is... But, are you sure that's enough?".
Harumi ran speculations inside his mind. Shoudo had blond hair, green eyes and was taller than most. People from thought of him as a foreigner. People avoided him, what more with his reputation as a delinquent. From what he could piece from rumors, he was always somewhat violent.
Yet, from interactions with him, he seemed to be an earnest guy. He also seemed to have his own moral code. He was definitely an interesting character and he honestly wanted to find out his backstory. But that won't happen in just one day.
Requesting to be friends is weird. He's probably thinking about what Harumi want from him. Well, it's something that makes an impression at least. But Harumi needs to have an ally and Shoudo seemed to be the type that would be involved in these types of events.
But just in case, to make sure. He had to confirm. "Anyway, the morning had terrible weather didn't it?". Shoudo seemed confused at the topic change. Harumi continued. "Thankfully, the clouds cleared up and showed the sky and... well. Never mind that. I hope it keeps being this clear".
Shoudo eyes widened in shock. "Wait, Yoshiharu-san, can you see it too?". Harumi smiled brightly at Shoudo. "You mean the giant ring in the sky? That seems to be losing light?". Shoudo nodded his head rapidly. "Nope".
Shoudo face faulted. 'Wow, this world is really anime. Actually, I haven't seen many face faults in recent anime huh. I haven't even watched the anime of this world...'. Harumi knelt down and patted Shoudo's back. "I'm kidding of course. I don't know what that ring is, but we'll have to discuss what we know-"
Right at that moment, the bell rung, signalling the beginning of first period. "-At lunchtime then. We'll discuss it on the roof. Come on, let's go". Harumi pulled Shoudo back to his feet and started walking back to the classroom.
(Later)
"So, what do you know about that thing?". At lunchtime, Harumi and Shoudo went to the rooftop and started their discussion about the giant ring in the sky. They quickly ate, and Shoudo immediately asked Harumi.
"Well, to be honest. Nothing. Other than speculation that is". Shoudo seemed a bit frustrated at that, and asked, "Well, what can you tell me?". Harumi took a sip of his canned coffee and answered, "Well, it might be a timer or a weapon. Either way, you can't really do anything about it".
This made Shoudo more frustrated. "What do you mean we can't do anything?". Harumi looked up to the sky and sighed, "Exactly what it means. If it's a weapon, then a weapon that large is way out of our league. We're just highschoolers after all".
"Then why don't we tell the police-". "-That a giant ring is in the sky and it might destroy the world? You'll be put into a straitjacket faster than you can say "I'm not crazy"". Shoudo scratched his head. His face was getting red.
"There is something I know though". Harumi said to Shoudos curiosity. "What is it?". "It's that since someone other than me sees it, that I'm not crazy. Then, there is also the possibility that someone that can also see it might now what the hell it is".
Harumi smiled. "This situation is really interesting you know. Although it stresses me out too-". "Hey, Yoshiharu-san. You know that girl?". Although Harumi was a bit displeased at getting interrupted, he still looked at where Shoudo pointed.
There stood a girl that was... another interest for Harumi. She had long black hair tied into a ponytail. She was above average in looks yet was avoided by students because of her weird behaviour in her younger years. She was a second year student. He suspected that she knew about the ring.
She smiled at Harumi, but there was something else. A suspicion in her eye. As if she just needed a bit of information to confirm something. 'Very well then. I don't know if seeing the ring is a bad thing or not. So I guess I'll keep it a secret for a bit'.
"Hello, Yamamoto Kaede-senpai". She put a hand to her cheek and I half expected her to say "Ara ara~". Instead, she said "My, am I interrupting?". Harumi nodded to Shoudo and looked back at her with a smile. "Not at all, we were just finished talking about The Ring".
Her eyes narrowed and her body tensed. "The Ring?". Harumi nodded. 'Bingo, I knew she could see the ring and jugdging by her expression she knows more about it than me'. Without missing a beat, Harumi replied. "Yes, the Ring. You know, the horror movie?".
She seemed surprised. "Oh, the movie? I thoug-". She stopped herself and looked at us. "Never mind".
The bell rung, signifying the end of lunchtime. "Oh, we should hurry back to class. Well then, later senpai".
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone