The cursor blinked on the screen, the weight of his newly written chapters lingering in Rito's mind. He exhaled deeply, stretching his arms above his head.
"Two chapters down... but still far from finished."
Even with his [Writing (Lv. 3)] and [Planning (Lv. 3)] skills supporting him, writing remained mentally draining. The words flowed smoothly, yet creativity wasn't something that could be forced indefinitely.
"I'll review these later. For now, I should focus on something else."
With that thought, he shut his laptop and got up. The rest of the day was still ahead.
The clatter of utensils and the warm aroma of food filled the house. Rito walked into the kitchen, drawn by the familiar scent. Mikan stood by the counter, focused on preparing the ingredients with quick, efficient movements.
"Morning," he greeted.
She glanced at him. "Done with your work?"
"For now."
Mikan gave a slight nod and resumed cutting vegetables.
Rito stepped closer, rolling up his sleeves. "Need any help?"
Mikan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Offering to help again?"
He clicked his tongue. "I've been helping out for a while now. Why do you sound so surprised?"
Mikan smirked. "Because before, you were hopeless in the kitchen."
"Well, not anymore," Rito replied confidently.
[Cooking Skill Activated]
Performing Cooking-Related Tasks (Low Difficulty) ➝ +20 EXPUsing Knife Skills for Food Preparation (Low Difficulty) ➝ +25 EXP
Since his [Cooking (Lv. 3)] skill had reached Level 3, simple tasks barely gave him experience anymore. However, every little bit counted.
Mikan handed him a cutting board. "Alright, just cut these evenly."
"Easy."
Thanks to his [Cooking (Lv. 3)] and [Personal Observation (Lv. 2)] skills, his knife movements were precise. The blade glided effortlessly through the ingredients, producing even, symmetrical slices.
Mikan, expecting at least some mistakes, blinked in surprise.
"Huh… you're actually doing it properly."
Rito smirked. "Told you, I've improved."
She nodded absentmindedly, watching him work. "Guess I'll have to admit you're not completely useless after all."
"Hey, that's just rude."
Mikan only chuckled.
After finishing breakfast, Rito helped wash the dishes—something he had been doing recently to contribute around the house.
[Dishwashing Skill Activated]
Cleaning Dishes Efficiently (Low Difficulty) ➝ +10 EXP
Maintaining Kitchen Cleanliness (Low Difficulty) ➝ +10 EXP
"Even the smallest tasks have value. Everything builds up over time."
With the kitchen now spotless, Rito dried his hands with a towel and leaned against the counter, his mind shifting to something else.
As he stood there, a thought naturally surfaced in his mind.
"Lala."
She hadn't been in his thoughts much lately, but now that he was actively improving himself, he finally realised how insane her intelligence was.
"She learnt an entire high school curriculum in just a few months... without any system, just pure genius."
Even with his [Study Enhancement (Lv. 3)] skill, he doubted he could match that feat.
"She's really something else."
Instead of discouragement, a different emotion filled him—admiration.
"If she can do that without any help, then I should at least try my best."
With renewed determination, Rito clenched his fists.
"I may not be a genius like Lala, but I have my own strengths. And I'll use them to get stronger."
+++++
After completing his morning training routine, Rito felt a restless energy urging him to explore beyond his usual paths. The sun had just begun its ascent, casting a gentle warmth over the city. Drawn by an inexplicable pull, he found himself wandering towards a secluded hilltop shrine he hadn't visited in years.
The shrine exuded an aura of serene antiquity. Stone steps, weathered by time, led up to a traditional torii gate, its once-vibrant vermilion hue now softened by the elements. Wooden ema plaques, bearing the heartfelt wishes of countless visitors, swayed gently in the morning breeze.
As Rito ascended the steps, he was greeted by the sight of a young woman sweeping the shrine's entrance. She possessed thigh-length light brown hair tied at the bottom with different-colored ribbons, complemented by two black-white cylinder clips adorning her shoulder-length strands. Her brown eyes reflected both warmth and a depth of wisdom beyond her years. Dressed in the traditional attire of a shrine maiden, she emanated a calming presence.
Noticing Rito's approach, she offered a gentle smile. "Good morning. It's rare to see visitors this early."
Rito returned the smile, feeling an unspoken connection. "Good morning. I felt compelled to visit today, though I'm not sure why."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Perhaps the spirits guided you here."
Before Rito could respond, a sudden dizziness overcame him. The world around him blurred, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness.
—In the Depths of His Mind—
Rito found himself standing in a vast, golden expanse, weightless and surrounded by an ethereal glow. Before him stood a towering figure, draped in celestial robes, exuding an overwhelming divine presence.
"Welcome, Rito Yuuki," the figure intoned, their voice resonating through the void.
Rito's mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "Who... who are you?"
The figure's multitude of golden eyes seemed to pierce through his very soul. "I am a deity overseeing the threads of fate. Due to an ancient cosmic mishap, you were destined to face a hundred rejections in matters of the heart."
Rito's eyes widened in disbelief. "A hundred rejections? But... I've never even confessed to anyone."
The deity nodded solemnly. "Indeed. The curse prevented you from confessing, ensuring your heart remained untouched by reciprocated affection."
Memories of failed attempts to confess to Haruna flashed before Rito's eyes—each interrupted by unforeseen events. Realization dawned upon him.
"However," the deity continued, "upon your reincarnation, the curse was lifted. To amend this cosmic error, I bestow upon you a gift."
A warm light enveloped Rito, and a system notification appeared before him.
🔹 New Skill Acquired! 🔹 [Fated Bonds (Lv. 1)] – Allows the user to sense individuals with whom they share a deep, destined connection. This does not guarantee immediate affection but fosters the potential for natural romantic development.
Before Rito could fully grasp the implications, the deity raised a hand. "Additionally, to aid you in the challenges ahead, I shall awaken latent abilities within you."
Another notification materialized.
🔹 New Skill Acquired! 🔹 [Mystic Affinity (Lv. 1)] – Grants the user an innate connection to magical energies, enhancing the ability to perceive and interact with mystical forces.
As the light intensified, the deity's voice echoed, "Embrace your destiny, Rito Yuuki."
—Back at the Shrine—
Rito's eyes fluttered open, his vision slowly focusing on the concerned face of the shrine maiden.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly, her brow furrowed with worry.
He nodded slowly, the weight of the experience settling in. "I... I think so."
She offered a reassuring smile. "I'm glad. My name is Yuri Mariya, a Hime-Miko serving this shrine."
Rito's heart skipped a beat. The name resonated with him, though he couldn't place why. "I'm Rito Yuuki. It's a pleasure to meet you."
As they exchanged pleasantries, a soft golden glow briefly surrounded Yuri, visible only to Rito. His newly acquired skill, [Fated Bonds], had activated, signaling a destined connection.
Suppressing his surprise, Rito engaged in conversation with Yuri, discussing the shrine's history and her role as a Hime-Miko. Unbeknownst to him, subtle changes were occurring within his body—a transformation that would grant him abilities beyond those of ordinary humans, setting the stage for challenges and revelations yet to come.