"Part-Time Pursuits"

While walking back home, I reflected on the spar earlier. My abilities are really a cheat. Imagine, I only started training this morning, and I can somewhat hold my own against Zastin's speed and strength. Even if it's because I pushed my body to the limit, it's still an amazing feat.

Speaking of my body, I feel like so many of my bones are crushed. Even though I know they can regenerate and I'm not too worried, it still hurts like hell. That damn Zastin, he's really ruthless.

If it wasn't me, he could have killed his opponent. Zastin is strong, and I know many in the galaxy are on par with him, so I need to catch up soon. Even if I know that no one really died in the series, it's still good to be prepared.

Oh, by the way, the sword is amazing. It can respond to my thoughts. Just like the ring, I can make it show the blade by just thinking of it to turn it on and off.

"I'm home!" I announced as I arrived.

"Welcome home!" Mikan greeted, coming from the living room.

I went to the living room to ask Mikan something. "Ah, Mi-cha-" I cut off what I was about to say and instead asked, "Why are you just in a towel, Lala?" 

"Oh, it's because Peke is resting," Lala answered.

"Peke?" I asked.

"It's my multi-purpose costume robot that I created!" Lala explained.

"Ah, okay. Anyway, you should get some real clothes soon. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the vi-" Before I could finish what I was about to say, Mi-chan cut me off and said, "Yuu-nii," while glaring at me.

I raised my hands in surrender and said, "How about we all go out this Sunday? It's been a while, yes?" I suggested.

"Sunday, huh? That may be for the best," Mikan said.

"Anyway, Mi-chan, can you grab me some clothes again? I'm going straight to the bathroom to take a bath," I said as I excused myself and headed to the bathroom.

Soaking my body in the bathtub, I sighed, "Ah... this is heaven," while enjoying the water. I heard Mikan say, "Here's your clothes, Yuu-nii."

"Thanks, Mi-chan. I'm counting on you again tomorrow!" I replied.

"Yes, yes," Mikan said nonchalantly before exiting the bathroom.

After taking a bath, I went straight to my room and dived headfirst onto the bed, collapsing in exhaustion.

Waking up at 4 am again, I brewed coffee and let it cool down in the living room. After stretching in the yard, I finished my coffee. I headed out for a run, making my way to the park. There, I went through my usual routine, similar to what I did last time. For now, let's call it my morning routine.

Arriving home, I announced, "I'm home!" and sure enough, Mikan greeted me back.

I didn't bother her this time and headed straight to the bath. Since I didn't bring any clothes, I walked out of the bath with just a towel wrapped around me and headed to my room.

After wearing my uniform, I made my way to the dining room, where Mikan was putting breakfast on the table.

"By the way, Yuu-nii, what were you doing so early in the morning?" Mikan asked.

"That? I was just working out. Anyway, where's Rito?" I replied and then asked.

"Probably with Lara in his room again. He'll be down on his own," Mikan replied.

"Again? Well, let's leave it at that and adjust," I said as I continued eating.

I finished eating shortly after and said, "I'll be going now, Mikan."

"Okay!" Mikan replied.

As I passed through the gate of our house, I heard Rito shouting something like "MORNING MY ASS!"

'It seems he's awake now,' I thought as I headed out.

****

Dozing off in the classroom as I waited for the class to start, I saw Rito enter the room. As he made his way to his seat, I greeted him, "Morning, Rits. Had fun last night?" I teased.

"Nothing happened!" Rito retorted.

"You're making your big bro jealous, Rits," I said.

"Then you marry her, Nii," Rito replied.

"You shouldn't say stuff like that, Rits. Lala is a sweet girl. Seriously, take care of her, okay?" I told him.

"Sigh, whatever, Nii," Rito said as he sighed and took his seat.

'He acts like that, but I'm sure after what I said, he's now thinking about Lala. I know, because he's kind,' I thought to myself as I looked in front of the classroom, and then the door opened.

The old bald teacher with round glasses said, "It's rather sudden, but we have a new transfer student." Then he gestured, "Come on in."

"Okay!" an energetic girl exclaimed.

'She's fast,' I thought.

Lala said, "Yoo-hoo, Rito!" then added, "I'm a student of this school too!" while flashing a peace sign.

"La-Lala!!" Rito screamed quietly. 'I wonder how that works.'

****

It's lunchtime, and as soon as the break starts, Rito drags Lala away, probably to the roof. Meanwhile, I'm looking at a trio eating lunch together. As I make up my mind, I stand up and head over to them.

"Um, Sairenji-san?" I call out to Saikenji as I stand in front of them. The trio consists of Haruna Sairenji, Risa Momioka, and Mio Sawada.

"Yuu-san?" Sairenji said.

"Oh ho, when did you start to call Yuuki-san by name, Haruna?" Momioka asks Sairenji with a teasing tone. Momioka is the girl with above shoulder-length dirty blond-colored hair and dark brown eyes.

Sawada joins in the fun by giving Haruna a look. Sawada has dark brown hair in two pigtails, light brown eyes, and wears glasses.

"I-It's not like that," Sairenji said with a quiet voice and slight embarrassment.

"Um, that'd be my fault," I said, catching their attention.

"Oh really?" Momioka asks.

"You see, I don't want to be mistaken for Rito. We're both Yuuki, you know," I explained.

"I see," Sawada said.

"So feel free to call me Yuu as well, Momioka-san, Sawada-san. I'd prefer it like that," I said.

"So, Yuu-san, what business do you have with Haruna?" Momioka asked.

"Oh, right. Sairenji-san, do you happen to have a friend with a part-time job?" I said and asked while looking at Sairenji.

"Oh, oh," Sawada said as she raised her hand and added, "I have one! Do you want to apply for one, Yuu-san?" Sawada asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for one. Can you recommend one for me, Sawada-san?" I asked Sawada.

"Sure! I think there's a new branch of where I'm working at that just opened, however," Sawada said, then paused.

"However?" I asked.

"It's a maid cafe, so boys are only allowed to work in the kitchen," she explained.

"I'm fine with that. I have quite some experience in cooking," I answered. 'With my photographic memory, I won't have a problem memorizing the process and executing it,' I thought to myself.

"Let's exchange info, Yuu-san, then I'll send you the location," Sawada asked me.

"Sure, thanks. By the way, it's going to be a pain to find one by myself," I said.

"Just say you're lazy, Yuu-san," Momioka retorted at what I said.

I laughed warily as I scratched the back of my head in response to her statement.

"A part-time job, huh?" Momioka started to mumble about part-time jobs.

After exchanging info with Sawada, I attempted to excuse myself, but Momioka stopped me. "Wait!" she said in a panic.

"Yes?" I asked.

"It sounds fun. I want to apply too. Can we exchange info and go together, Yuu-san?" Momioka asked.

"Sure, here," I said as I extended my phone.

"I have nothing to do in the afternoon anyway," she said to herself.

After exchanging info, I said, "I plan to go this Saturday after lunch. I'll contact you then." Then, I bid them goodbye and went to the cafeteria to eat.

Third Person (POV)

As Risa took her seat and was about to eat again, she felt the gaze of her friends.

"What? He's good-looking and seems like a nice guy," Risa explained.

"So, that's the type of guy you're into, huh?" Mio said.

"Good for you, Risa," Saikenji said, rooting for her.

Shrugging it off, Risa began to eat her lunch.

****

As the class concluded, the bald teacher called out to Sairenji, stating that as the class representative, she would be showing Lala around the school club activities.

Approaching Lala, Sairenji introduced herself. "I'm Haruna Sairenji."

"Hello!" Lala responded.

As they went out, I saw Rito following them, so I followed him back. I stayed a few steps back from him but didn't really bother to hide my presence.

"He's too focused on spying on them he didn't even notice me following him, hilarious," I thought, amusing myself with the situation.

This continued until his head was hit by a baseball, then the ball went in front of Lala.

"What's that?" Lala asked.

"Ah, that's the baseball club's," Sairenji explained.

Then Lala said, "Hey! Let me try!" and ran off to the field.

As she hit the ball with such strength and precision, she sent the ball into outer space. Then I went beside Sairenji and said, "Lala-san is really something, huh?"

"Huh? Yuu-san? What are you doing here?" she asked.

I didn't answer and just pointed at Rito.

"Yuuki-kun?" she said, and thought, 'What is he doing here?'

As Rito staggered because of the hit, Lala approached him and gave him a bat, urging him to take her place. Unknown to Rito, it was a special bat.

Looking at Rito getting into position, I said, "Rito's been spying on you two, and I thought that it was rather amusing, so I followed him and here we are," explaining myself.

"Why though?" Sairenji asked.

"I don't know, maybe he's worried about Lala or..." I paused at my sentence then looked at her and continued, "he's worried that Lala will cause you trouble," I said with a chuckle.

"What do you—" a loud sound echoed, interrupting what she was about to say, and we both looked at the field and found Rito flying off holding a bat with what seemed like a rocket attached to it.

"And there he goes," I said, then looked back at Sairenji and asked, "Are you about to say something, Sairenji-san?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing," she said, but she thought, 'What was that about? Yuuki-kun?' as she looked at where Rito had been sent flying.

Then we heard an energetic voice not far from us.

"Kyah! Rito's so cool! Ah, that was fun!" Lala said as she approached us, then turned to Sairenji and added, "Let's go to the next one, Haruna!"

"Then let's go to the girls' tennis club where I'm affiliated," she answered, then looked at me and bid goodbye. "Then we'll be going now, Yuu-san," she said.

"Bye, bye, Yuu!" Lala bid her goodbye as well.

"Yes, take care!" I replied.

With nothing else to do, I headed straight back home.

*************************************************

Narrator here!

Let me clarify something.

"I'll only be Updating Chapters when I'm Free, Thanks!"