The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the living room. The faint hum of the television filled the quiet air, blending with the occasional rustling of fabric as Rito shifted on the couch. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere.
Despite the ambitious plans he had made for his summer vacation—jogging, training, improving himself—he found himself simply existing in the comfort of his home.
Not that he minded.
Mikan sat beside him, her slender fingers wrapped around a cushion as she idly watched a cooking show. Her expression remained neutral, but the way her eyes followed the chef's movements revealed her focus. Rito glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, observing how effortlessly she carried herself.
Mikan had always been responsible beyond her years. Whether it was managing the household chores or keeping him in check, she did everything with an ease that made him feel... inadequate.
He exhaled softly, leaning against the couch.
"Maybe taking today slow isn't such a bad thing."
The scent of breakfast still lingered in the air, a faint trace of warmth and familiarity. It was moments like these—where there was no rush, no urgency—that reminded Rito just how much he had taken for granted in his previous life.
Mikan turned to him, her golden-brown eyes reflecting the soft glow of the television. "You were really motivated yesterday," she mused. "What happened?"
Rito blinks before offering a small smile. "I still am. Just… pacing myself."
Mikan hummed in response, unconvinced but not pushing further. Instead, she returned her gaze to the screen, where the chef expertly diced vegetables with effortless precision.
Rito found himself watching too, though his focus wasn't on the food.
Rather, he was reflecting on the subtle differences between this world and the one he had known before.
The Mikan from the anime had always been cute, responsible, and caring. But the Mikan sitting beside him now...
She was real.
Her beauty wasn't just something to be captured through animation. The way her hair caught the light, the softness of her expression when she was lost in thought, the way her lips parted slightly whenever she was focused—every detail was something that the anime could never fully portray.
She wasn't just the ideal little sister.
She was a person.
And that realisation made all the difference.
Determined to not waste the entire day, Rito grabbed a book and began reading.
It was strange how the words seemed clearer now and how concepts he once struggled with made more sense. His mind absorbed the information faster than before, as if something had fundamentally changed within him.
"The system must be affecting my ability to learn."
He flipped through the pages, occasionally glancing at Mikan, who had shifted her position to sit more comfortably. A part of him wondered if she had always been this relaxed around him.
Maybe it was because he had been sick a few days ago, and she had been the one taking care of him.
Maybe it was because, deep down, she trusted him.
The thought lingered, but he pushed it aside, focusing on his studies.
It wasn't long before his hands moved on their own, reaching for the notebook beside him to jot down his thoughts. Without realising it, he had already begun structuring his plans for the rest of the vacation—jogging, training, and even testing out different sports.
Eventually, he found himself helping Mikan with household chores.
It started with something simple—helping her cut vegetables for dinner. His hands moved with a level of precision that surprised even him. The knife sliced through the ingredients with ease, the steady rhythm of his movements drawing Mikan's attention.
She paused, watching him for a moment before speaking.
"Since when were you this good?"
Rito looked up, blinking. He hadn't even realised what he was doing.
"I don't know," he admitted. "It just felt natural."
Mikan narrowed her eyes slightly before shaking her head with a small smile. "Well, I won't complain if you're going to be more helpful from now on."
Rito chuckled. "I'll try."
For a while, they worked in comfortable silence. The faint clinking of dishes, the rustling of ingredients being prepared—it all felt strangely peaceful.
Rito had spent so much time worrying about his situation, about the future he was now a part of. But here, in this moment, he allowed himself to simply exist.
To appreciate the life he had been given.
And as he watched Mikan move about the kitchen with practiced ease, he realised something.
Even if this world was filled with chaos, misunderstandings, and ridiculous situations...
There was one thing he wouldn't take for granted.
The people around him.
And the small, quiet moments like these.
The sun had barely begun its ascent, casting a soft orange glow over the cityscape. A gentle breeze drifted through the streets, carrying the scent of morning dew and fresh earth. It was early—earlier than Rito had ever bothered waking up before—but today marked a change.
Today, he would begin his training.
Stepping out of the house, he took a deep breath, letting the cool morning air fill his lungs. His body still felt somewhat sluggish, not yet accustomed to the idea of voluntarily exercising so early, but he had already committed to this.
If he wanted to be different from the old Rito, he had to act differently.
The streets of Sainan City were surprisingly tranquil at this hour. The usual hustle and bustle of students rushing to school, office workers scurrying to catch their trains, and the occasional chaos brought by extraterrestrial visitors had yet to begin.
Instead, the neighborhood felt… peaceful.
As Rito jogged past rows of houses, he took in the small, charming details that he had never fully appreciated before. The neatly trimmed hedges in front of suburban homes, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby bakery, the occasional sound of water splashing as an elderly man watered his garden.
Everything felt more real than the anime had ever portrayed.
The world of To Love-Ru had always been colorful and exaggerated in his mind, filled with absurd ecchi situations and comedic accidents. But experiencing it firsthand, he realized there was a hidden beauty in the mundane—one that the original Rito had likely never paid attention to.
Sainan's Cityscape
As he made his way toward the main streets, the city slowly began to wake up.
The convenience stores were already open, their automatic doors sliding apart to welcome early customers. A lone salaryman walked out with a steaming can of coffee in hand, stifling a yawn as he prepared for another day of work.
Near the school district, the pedestrian bridge stood empty, a stark contrast to the usual crowd of students that would soon fill it. Rito slowed his pace as he crossed it, pausing for a moment to look out at the city skyline.
It was beautiful.
The soft golden light of the sunrise reflected off the glass windows of towering buildings, creating a mesmerizing glow. The streets, though still mostly quiet, were starting to come alive—shops opening, bicycles weaving through the roads, and the distant sound of cars rumbling to life.
"This is my world now," he thought, gripping the railing.
The weight of his reincarnation still felt surreal at times, but moments like this—where he could see, hear, and feel everything firsthand—reminded him that this was no longer just an anime.
It was his reality.
By the time he returned to his jogging route, his body had warmed up, making the movement feel more natural. He picked up his pace, pushing himself slightly harder than before.
Even though his [Basic Martial Arts (Lv. 1)] and [Ken-jutsu (Lv. 2)] provided him with better coordination, his stamina was still at a beginner's level. His legs were already starting to feel the burn, but he forced himself to keep going.
If he wanted to get stronger, he couldn't afford to slack off.
Reaching the small park near his house, he decided to add some body exercises to his routine. Stretching, push-ups, squats—it wasn't much, but it was a start. His muscles ached in protest, but he welcomed the discomfort.
It meant he was improving.
"Step by step. One day at a time."
With that thought in mind, he finished his workout and began the slow walk back home, sweat clinging to his skin but satisfaction filling his chest.
As Rito stepped through the front door, the familiar aroma of breakfast greeted him.
Mikan, already dressed and lively as ever, stood in the kitchen, preparing food with practiced ease. The sound of eggs sizzling on the pan, the light clinking of utensils, and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables filled the space with warmth.
She turned her head slightly, noticing him enter. "You're back early," she remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Rito wiped his forehead with a towel, still catching his breath. "I left early," he replied, making his way to the dining table.
Mikan glanced at his slightly disheveled appearance before smirking. "So, you're actually serious about this whole 'training' thing?"
He nodded, stretching his arms. "I figured it's about time I do something useful with myself."
Mikan let out a small chuckle before turning back to the stove. "Well, just don't overdo it. You always had a habit of tripping over yourself, remember?"
Rito winced. "I'll have you know, I've improved a lot."
"Oh? Is that why you almost walked into the doorframe just now?"
He turned his head slightly, realizing he had indeed been just a few inches away from smashing into the door.
"…That was just a fluke."
Mikan giggled, shaking her head as she plated the food. "Sure, sure. Anyway, wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Rito sighed, shaking his head as he made his way to the bathroom.
Despite her teasing, he couldn't help but feel grateful.
For the quiet moments.
For the warmth of home.
For the life he had been given a second chance at.
And for the first time in a while, he looked forward to what the day would bring.
Skill Review:
After finishing his morning jog and workout, Rito took a moment to check his Growth System. The progress he made in just a short time surprised him.
[Skills Acquired & Leveled Up]
🔹 [Running (Lv. 1)] – Developed through regular jogging. Increases stamina and movement efficiency over time.
🔹 [Physical Endurance (Lv. 1)] – Gained from pushing his body beyond its limits. Reduces fatigue and enhances recovery rate.
🔹 [Observation (Lv. 1)] – Unlocked after analyzing his surroundings in detail. Improves perception and allows better environmental awareness.
🔹 [Cooking (Lv. 3)] – Improved from assisting Mikan. His cutting and preparation skills are now at a high school prodigy level.
🔹 [Planning (Lv. 2)] – Level increased due to actively structuring his training routine. Enhances strategic thinking and organization.
🔹 [Study Enhancement (Lv. 3)] – Leveled up from daily reading and writing practice. Increases comprehension speed and memory retention.