And for the first time, I felt I was not alone in my suffering. Haruto Sato, with all his flaws, might be a reflection of myself... and that made me feel more understanding, even though I didn't want to admit it.
Time continued to pass. I didn't stop trying... kept learning, kept training my body, and kept trying to become stronger with every strength I had.
As my first year at the Academy came to an end, I made an inevitable decision: I would not return home. The dormitory of the Fortress City Academy had become a more comfortable place for me, more like home than the place I was raised.
Asyla, on the other hand, chose to go home. Hearing that, I felt surprised. For me, that place was not home... not anymore. Home should be a place where you feel comfortable, a place you miss, a place that makes you happy when you return.
But there was no happiness or comfort waiting for me there. Only coldness, emptiness, and a sense of being unwanted. I could never call that place home again.
The Academy dormitory, though simple, had become a warmer, friendlier place. Here, at least, I could be myself, far from the shadows that haunted me at home.
During the long school break, I chose to stay in the dormitory. Days passed quietly, where I could enjoy freedom from family pressure and find a little peace in the simplicity of life here.
Strangely, I realized that Haruto Sato also did not return to the Sato Family Residence. There was something connecting us... an unspoken bond... even though we had never exchanged a word. Perhaps, in our solitude, we shared the same fate, being rejected by our own families.
But Haruto began to change. During the break, Haruto's behavior became increasingly strange, more difficult to understand. Even so, I didn't care much. After all, Haruto had always been an odd child... Haruto was someone who seemed comfortable in the chaos of his own life.
Then, the rumors began to circulate. Whispers in the corners of the dormitory, hidden conversations that slowly revealed an unpleasant truth: Haruto Sato had been cast out by his family. The Sato family, once one of the most respected, had finally given up on Haruto.
They were fed up with Haruto's behavior... the problems he always brought, the rudeness that never faded, and the rumors of harassment he had committed against women. The Sato family could no longer tolerate what they considered a disgrace.
Hearing this, I felt empty. I knew Haruto was not a good person. I knew Haruto caused a lot of trouble, and his rude behavior was often unforgivable.
But should Haruto be cast aside like that? Should Haruto lose everything just because he was not an Anomaly or an Abnormal? Was that what made Haruto worthless in the eyes of the Sato Family?
I began to feel deep sympathy for Haruto. Although Haruto was disgusting and cruel, I understood that pain... the pain of being rejected by those who were supposed to love you.
We were both born into large families, yet both failed to meet their expectations. And for that, we were cast aside, ignored, and deemed useless.
The long break ended, and we returned to our routines at the academy. The days that should have been ordinary changed when Ms. Lina Greft announced something shocking.
"Haruto Sato is happy," she said. I was stunned, trying to understand how a boy always surrounded by chaos could feel happiness. Curiosity began to creep into my mind. What happened to Haruto? How could Haruto be happy amidst all that?
Then came the practice match lesson, and I was paired with Asyla. For a moment, my body froze in fear. Did Ms. Lina want to humiliate me? Did Ms. Lina want to see me crumble in front of my own sister?
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
A Shaman from the Uzumaki Clan in the World of Naruto
A man named Reiji from Earth, who is a shaman from Japan and comes from a famous family of shamans. Reiji is a talented and very powerful shaman. However, Reiji then disappears when facing the resurrected Yamata no Orochi, who attempts to kill people.
Instead of ending up in heaven or hell, Reiji finds himself in a room. In that room, there are various children with red hair. Seeing this, Reiji is confused and astonished.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" asks a girl next to Reiji.
"What? Who are you? No, who are all of you?" Reiji instead questions back, staring in wonder.
"What do you mean? Aren't we all Uzumaki?" the girl replies with a puzzled expression.
"... Oh damn," Reiji mutters quietly.]
[Note: 239+ latest chapters have been added! For Just 3$ You Get Access To Chapters Way Ahead,
Now you can access the chapters before Webnovel And Scribblehub by following,
Just become a patron on Patreon:
Patreon.com/Alex_Fabianoki]