Chapter 20：Day Off After Returning

"Welcome back, Yuko-chan, Kuramoto-kun."

The first face we saw after passing through the portal was the Principal.

Well, we were sent back to his office.

Yuko bowed to her father and to the person next to him.

Right, there's another person in this room. He looks like a student and I feel like I saw him back at the Opening Ceremony.

"Welcome back Sugawara-san and Kuramoto-san. It seems it's really true. You're the Supporter the Principal prepared for us."

The guy started. He's extremely handsome and I couldn't help but feel inferior. But the air around him looks friendly except for his body build.

Hismuscles are buffed like a bodybuilder. It's not as exaggerated as those who compete for bodybuilding though. If I can compare it to someone, he and Caila have the same build. Their muscles are compact. I don't even want to look at my muscles. The difference is wide enough that if I did look, I might grow another complex.

"Ah. I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself, I am Takahashi Raiden, it's nice meeting you."

He smiled and held out his hand for a handshake.

Since he is being this friendly, I took it.

"Likewise. Uhm, what's the occasion?"

I looked at the Principal to ask but I could already guess why he is here. To see me, right?

"He's your next Hero to support. It will be a week from now. He wanted to meet you first. The other students are skeptical about having a support so he's representing everyone to measure your worth."

The Principal explained.

"Father! Can't we take a rest first?"

When Yuko heardd the Principal's answer, she couldn't  help but raise a complaint. She probably didn't like the idea of him meeting me right after we went back from the Otherworld. Since it's still a week from now, there's a lot of time to do that. However, he still chose to meet me here.

"You're right. I'm being rude here. Now that I met him, this is enough for now. I'll be taking my leave."

Takahashi's voice turned low and he looked apologetic enough. After bowing to us, he left the room like he said.

"What do you think about him, Kuramoto-kun?"

After he left the room, the Principal turned to me and asked.

"He's straightforward and friendly enough. But I feel like he's hiding something."

Right. I don't know if it's my clarity working here but the way he carries himself, there's some sort of hidden agenda. Is his reason for meeting me the truth? I don't know. I might need prolonged exposure with him until I can be sure.

"He might look friendly, Dai-kun but beware. He's a different person inside."

Yuko commented. She already removed her armor, revealing her uniform underneath. Now, she looks like a beautiful and elegant high school girl. She looks better this way. 

"Un. I'll keep that in mind."

I nodded at Yuko and that made her smile. She then took my hand and pulled me with her towards the door.

"Alright. You two should rest first. Come back later to report what happened."

"Wait. Shouldn't we report first?"

I stopped her by gripping her hand tight. Yuko then looked at me and realized that she have to convey the changes that happened in her Otherworld.

"Ah. Sorry, Dai-kun. You're right. I got too used at reporting after resting."

"What is it? Did something happen?"

Upon hearing what she said, the Principal's eyes turned serious.

His Clairvoyance hasn't detected those Corrupted Individuals?

"Father, the Invading World has started corrupting the denizens of that world. We encountered one and it revealed that every country was already encroached by them."

"I see. I predicted this but to think it was already at this time."

Eh? If he already predicted it, why didn't he tell her? What is he waiting for? This Principal, he might be keeping more information but what's his reason?

"We only accidentally found out. Maybe having Dai-kun there changed the course of events."

No, not really. There's no way I changed the course of events. Even without me there, the route they will take will be the same. I'm just a minor support.

"Kuramoto-kun? You're right. I haven't factored his presence. I should re-evaluate and recalculate my predictions. You two can take a rest now."

The Principal nodded as if he's really trying to see if I was the cause that even his expression became more serious than normal.

Is it really because of me? This reaction...

Without looking at us again, the Principal went to the hidden space and down to where the Pocket Dimension is. He will surely do his predictions inside it. Wise choice.

Ah. Right. I should ask to train there again, I really need to grow stronger. To not feel that helplessness from before.

Now's the time to use this enhanced clarity. What did I do that changed Yuko's decision?

After arriving, I just went along Yuko to that city to meet those nobles and the King.

Then we were given that carriage.

Ah. The ambush. Yuko used her Foresight to formulate a strategy. I used my Psyche Boost on her to replenish her reserves.

I see. If I was not there, Yuko wouldn't risk fighting them like that.

"What are you thinking about, Dai-kun?"

My thoughts were cut off with her words

Haa. I might've really changed the course of events.

"I'm thinking about how I changed the course of events like what you said."

"I see. You denied it first but you fell deep in thought on the actions you took there."

This girl. She saw through me again. Am I this easy to read? 

"No, I didn't see through you. That's just a normal thought process. Stop thinking deeply about every little thing, Dai-kun."

She pulled me again after reading my mind. Haa. I guess I'll stop. But where will we go? To class?

After getting out of the Principal's Office, Yuko brought me to the dormitory. We spent 5 days in that world, so it's currently Saturday if my math is correct.

"Huh? Wait Yuko, that's the Girls' Dormitory. I can't go there."

"Don't worry. I can make an excuse to let the manager give you a pass."

Yuko answered and gave me another of her beautiful smile.

This girl. She still wants me to stay with her. I'm not going to say no, of course. Next week I will be going to another world without her. I want to spend the remaining days with her, without her acting as the Hero.

"If you say so… but is it fine to be seen with you here?"

She smiled meaningfully at my question and continued pulling me inside the Girls' Dormitory. After making an excuse to the manager, we're now at the Elevator. Only now did she decide to answer my question.

"It's fine. They're all training somewhere. It's Saturday. It's part of the Heroes' schedule. Since I just got back from the Otherworld, I got a day to relax. And that applies to you too. Today is our day off!"

"I see. Then, I won't ask anymore, Yuko."

After saying that, I turned to hug her which immediately made her flustered. Ever since earlier, she's the one pulling me on her whim. I'm the man here, I shouldn't let her do everything.

"Dai-kun…"

Yuko called out my name once she recovered and hugged me back. That lasted until we reached her floor.

I found out that only the Heroes reside in these dorms so each of them has their own room. And yeah that included me. It's been 5 days since I saw that room of mine and my luggage hasn't been arranged yet. I planned to do that on the night of the 1st day but I was sent with Yuko to the Otherworld.

I should go there later and look.

Opening the door to her room, Yuko invited me in.

After I entered,  she closed the door immediately. There's now only the two of us in her room, just like that night at Zerina's manor.

I observed the surroundings and saw that her room was neat and orderly. Though it didn't look as girly, you wouldn't find anything not in order.

"You're wondering why I brought you here, right?"

Eh? Aren't we going to rest? So there's a reason.

Here I was getting excited by myself.

Ah. Wait. I should make a straight face. She might think I'm a pervert.

"Yes."

"Hmm, I just want to cook for you, Dai-kun."

Eh? I thought it would be an important matter.

I guess this is also important for her. And I won't say no for a meal made by my fiance.

"Then, can I help?"

"No. Just wait here and help yourself be comfortable. I'll be in the kitchen."

After telling me to make myself comfortable, Yuko happily walked into her kitchen while humming a cheerful tune.

The room wasn't that big which meant I could see her from where I was. She put on an apron while continue humming happily as she prepared ingredients.

Now that I think of it, she's acting like a housewife now. This is in stark contrast to how she acted as the Hero. This girl, she's only showing this to me. I'm this special for her.

While waiting for her, I used the time to check the changes on me. The World Energy I accumulated was still inside me as well as the Support Character System. Opening my status screen I checked what changed after we traveled back here on Earth.

[Level 2 Support Character System (7%)

Ability: Level 1 Adaptability ( 5%)

Contained Energy: Psyche Energy (0%), World Energy (100%)

Strength: 1.4(3.9)

Endurance: 1.7(4.2)

Intelligence: 3.1(3.2)

Supported List: Sugawara Yuko (1/2)

Support Bonus: Level 1 Psyche Boost

Number of Supported Individuals: 1

Current Stats Bonus: 5% of the average stats of Supported Individuals

Skills:

Psyche Boost (0 charges left)

Knight Skill (2/2)

- Level 1 Movement Skill : Flash Step

- Level 1 Special Skill : Energy Shield (6%)

Wizard Spell (1/2)

- Level 1 Wind Spell : Air Bullets

Masteries

- Level 2 Basic Sword Mastery (11%)

Pledges

-Ongoing Pledge: 0

-Completed Pledge: 1

-Completed Pledge Bonus: (Tap to Open)

Status: +1 Strength & Endurance(Hero's Party)]

The system bonus was gone. It came from 'The World' after all. And since Yuko is still here with me, the Party bonus is still active. I wonder if it got cut off for her Party Members there.

Somehow I could understand the numerical stats now. The base stat should be 1 which corresponds to an average human. So, 1.4 means my strength is 1.4 times stronger than an average human. The number inside the parenthesis is my actual stat after all the bonuses were added. So right now my strength is 4 times stronger.

If I calculate the 5% bonus stats from average stats of Supported Individuals, then that amounts to 1.5.

Ah. Somehow, Yuko's numerical stats lay before my eyes. Even if I didn't ask her, 1.5 meant her current Strength and Endurance are both 30.

As expected of a Hero. If she put more strength at hugging me, I might break. That's a scary thought.

Good thing she can control it.

Yuko's Awakening gives a whopping 15 strength and endurance. Even if that's just temporary, that means my strength gets a 15 times boost. That's an awesome skill. And the bonus must be higher for her. I won't ask how high. The numerical stats are considered as one's own privacy. Unless it was shared by the person itself, one shouldn't ask.

So in conclusion, I only grew a bit stronger? I'm still a weak-ass support character. I'll try to increase my strength in that next world.  At least 15 times!

As if it was that easy.

After a few minutes of waiting, I smelled the mouth-watering aroma of Yuko's homemade cooking. She called me to her table and we ate it together for a satisfying meal.

Ah. I got myself a good wife who's a part-time Hero.

I really should ask the Principal to train inside that Pocket Dimension. And maybe ask about my doubts. I need to grow stronger. Just that Smoke Giant was enough to shit my pants in helplessness. Even a Great-class can massacre me easily if I didn't have the bonuses from Yuko and 'The World'.

I know that there's still a lot to do but for the rest of the day, I will be spending it with this beautiful girl. She deserved it a rest like this.