'So, Tatsuya, what's that sword on your waist?'
'It's a... katana...'
'Hey, hey, why did you suddenly transfer into this school?'
'Umm... Social reasons?'
I was surrounded by girls and boys. They were asking me lots of questions that I wasn't able to keep up with all of them. Not only that, I felt insecure. I mean, sure I've been the Lord of a village and met lots of people but this many at once.
Ai, how many people are trying to talk to me?
«I believe there is 23.»
Ah, and there are 32 students in a class. That's more than half. It's lunch break. After this, I have...
«Magic Theory and Ancient Runes.»
Amazing. It kind of feels weird and annoying that I have to worry about lessons now. After I turned thirteen, I never really had to worry about school and the like. Even though I was smart in my original world, my knowledge can only get me far when it comes to Magic Theory and Ancient Runes. That's why... I'll have Ai help me!
Firstly, I need to go to the lunch hall. Though with this amount of people around me, I don't think I'll be able to get out any time soon.
'Move.'
A voice said. Lots of the students on the stairs made a pathway. There was one student who came through. It was a girl. Her hair was long and black. Her eyes shone despite them being so dark. The girl's lips were soft and slightly pink.
'A-Arima-san...'
One person said.
Gah! This girl is Arima?! Fuck, I don't ever remember 3D Japanese girls being so beautiful. Wait, does this make me a pedo?! No, it wouldn't since this is a different world. I nervously smiled.
'Kimihiko-san, Vermillion-sensei told me to get you and take you to the faculty room. Follow me.'
'Uh, ah, okay.'
I stood up and followed Arima out of the classroom. We continued walking through the hallway. After a minute or so, I looked up. A large sign was there and it said, "Cafeteria." Eh, this isn't the faculty room.
'Umm... Arima-san...'
'Kumiko.'
'Sorry?'
'Call me Kumiko. That's my given name after all.'
Kumiko, huh. That fits her alright.
'Well, Kumiko-san–'
'Just Kumiko. No honorifics.'
The girl interrupted. We stopped in front of the large sign. I pointed up at it while talking to her.
'Kumiko, this isn't the faculty room.'
Kumiko turned to me with an ignorant look.
'Yeah, I know. You're hungry, aren't you, Tatsuya?'
T-Tatsuya? Wait, why am I acting all innocent?! There have been plenty of beautiful girls who've called me by my first name! Like my sister... Ah, shit, she's not beautiful. Anyways, girls like Avera. But she's a hag.
Now that I think about it, this is the first normal girl that's called me by my first name.
'Tatsuya?'
'A-ah, yeah! Thanks, Kumiko. I really wanted to get out of there.'
She smiled at me. We got some food and sat at a table. Kumiko got a whole meal, while I got two melon bread. I took the plastic wrapper off of one of the melon bread and took a bite into it. The sweetness struck instantly. It felt so good to eat. It's been a while since I've had one.
'So, Tatsuya, what are you?'
I took another bite into my melon bread.
'What exactly?'
'Are you a Reincarnator, Summoned, or Recasted?'
Oh, she's asking how I got into this world. Avera told me that Reincarnators are rare. Apparently, I was the first one she saw in her 5000+ years of living. Meaning that saying Summoned is the best choice.
Recasted means that the Otherworlder was randomly brought into this world without a summoner or dying.
'I'm Summoned.'
For a second, Kumiko's eyes seemed to change.
'No, you're not.'
The way she reacted after her eyes changed slightly. Don't tell me... she has one of those, doesn't she? Her one probably detects whenever someone is lying in front of her.
'I'm a Reincarnator.'
She looked at me for a couple of seconds, then smiled while giving a thumbs up.
'Correct!'
Hey, Ai, is she under the influence of the system like me and the average people?
«She is.»
If so, then how does she have one?
What Kumiko has is a Singularity, probably. Singularities are abilities a person gets once they surpass Level 100. Once you surpass Level 100, you're no longer assisted by the system and you keep all of your skills while also gaining a Singularity. (Avera told me that.) Singularities are unique abilities that only one person can gain. For example, Avera's Singularity is Transfiguration.
My guess is that she has some sort of passive Pseudo-Singularity. Even if she has a Pseudo-Singularity, that in itself is terrifying. I'm being kind of rude, but I'll Appraise her. I took another bite out of my melon bread.
(Appraisal.)
«Request denied.»
'Huh?!'
I shouted out loud by accident. Kumiko looked at me with a quizzical look. I mouthed "sorry," and she continued to eat.
Oi, Ai, what do you mean by "request denied?"
«The Status Skill, Appraisal, has been locked by the individual, Avera Dracula Scarlet.»
Oh. So Appraisal is one of the skills that she sealed. Well, that just makes things more of a mystery.
'Ah, Kumiko.'
'Yes?'
She looked up at me.
'What year were you brought here?'
I'm a bit bored now that I have nothing to do while eating and not talking would be a bit awkward, especially since she invited me.
'When I came here–'
She swallowed some meat.
'–it was 2035.'
From her looks, it seems like she's around 15 or 16. I wonder if...
'So, were you a shut-in NEET?'
I asked, with a cheeky smile. Kumiko shook. She started to shiver and looked at me, nervously.
'I was...'
She said. From her reaction, I can tell that she isn't lying, though it seemed like she wanted to keep it a secret. I'll tell her then.
'Don't be ashamed. I was too.'
Suddenly, her eyes started to light up.
'Really?! What games did you play the most?!'
I felt pressured.
'Umm... FPS, Otome and RPG mostly...'
'Same!'
Kumiko picked up her lunch and sat next to me. Her expression only showed delight and relief. She moved in closer.
'I played COD and–'
We had a long chat before we went off to Magic Theory. It was nice talking to someone who's similar to me. It was a new experience. Talking to another shut-in NEET.