Chapter 1.2
01. Visitor from Another World1
1-2. The Boy, Naota Hiraki
(Tn: warning cringe scene ahead, please don't throw your phone)
Now, let's talk about the boy—
The boy's name was Naota Hiraki.
I'll repeat it: Na-o-ta, Hi-ra-ki.
At first glance, it might seem like an ordinary common name. But Naota genuinely despised this name. He was thoroughly fed up with it.
Because it meant "having given up."
It was a tragedy.
A few years ago, his legal name had been changed at the family registry.
It was due to those "adult circumstances." His original surname was detached, and changed to a different one, imported from elsewhere.
Up until then, things had been fine. Naota was, for the most part, satisfied with his life.
His face was by no means on the unattractive side, and his grades were decent.
Being fast on his feet and skilled in sports, he was popular with the girls.
He had received so much chocolate on Valentine's Day that he had lost count of it, and the number of times he had been confessed to, including the "unofficial" ones, couldn't be counted on his fingers.
Truly, during those times, the whole world seemed to shine brightly.
But all of that was now past history. Ever since that one day when his name was changed, everything had changed completely.
Because he had "given up."
"Hey, Hiraki! That kind of attitude is called 'having given up'!"
For example, one day he forgets his homework and receives a scolding from his homeroom teacher.
"Naota Hiraki, of all people!?"
If someone were to make a remark like that, the entire class would erupt into laughter. Even the homeroom teacher, who should have been in a position to provide a follow-up, couldn't help but burst out laughing. And from then on...
"Neeeee, Hiraki~! Don't just give up~"
Such phrases had become the standard greetings from his classmates to Naota. If he tried to retort in any way, he would only be bombarded with the same lines again and end up defeated.
Every time this happened, even those on the sidelines would join in, making it a staple topic of humor. It had gotten to the point where Naota just didn't know what to do anymore.
Gradually, his standing weakened, and he was quickly ousted from his position as the most popular and top student in the class. As time passed and he entered junior high, the situation showed no signs of improvement.
In fact, while his male friends around him were growing taller and taller, Naota's stature remained among the shortest in his grade. Making His Sports results were becoming less satisfactory, and to add insult to injury, his grades were also stagnating.
By that point, it was a free fall. He felt like he couldn't do anything about it anymore.
He quit his club activities, stopped studying, and began spending his days in a daze, engrossed in games and two-dimensional worlds out of sheer inertia. And before he knew it, he had lost everything. The glory of days gone by was now nothing but a distant memory.
He had once pitied the fight for being at the bottom of the school hierarchy, but now, it has become a common ranking for him. (Tn: it's called karma dude)
How did it all come to this? It wasn't supposed to be like this.
As he walked home from school, he couldn't help but sigh and hang his head at the reality that had strayed so far from the school life he had once envisioned. Eventually, it became Naota's daily routine. Sadly, it was all part of his unremarkable youth in the world he originally came from.
—But that was all just until a moment ago. After all, he had somehow, against all odds, realized the dream of being transported to another world.
(Tn: i hope he's got another trauma)
And once again, we return to the present. Although some time has passed since then, in the same spot, there was still Naota, trembling with joy.
Naturally, Naota, who had just been transported to this world, was penniless and have no one to rely. In other words, he was completely destitute, unable to even afford a meal or a place to sleep for the night.
But such matters didn't bother him in the least. In the face of this once-in-a-lifetime turning point, these were trivial problems.
Setting aside every immediate concern, Naota's imagination was working at a dizzying pace, contemplating what lay ahead. Now, what should he do from here? Where should he start?
After all, there were mountains of events he wanted to experience. There were countless nights when he couldn't fall asleep, lost in his fantasies of what would happen if such developments actually occurred.
But above all, of course, he had to start with finding a heroine. And not just any, but a proper pure-hearted one. For example, Naota began to expand his imagination in this direction.
(Tn: as i thought.... Go get r*ped by goblin)
First and foremost, empathy was indispensable. Empathy was one of the crucial qualities that a heroine could never do without. Without it, one could never truly embody the role of a heroine. And under no circumstances would he accept someone with a yandere disposition.
Next, he preferred an innocent girl. Someone who usually had a slightly childlike side, puffed up her cheeks when teased, and would get sulky, but those gestures were just so incredibly cute.
Additionally, there should be an overall appearance that didn't quite match her actual age. Yet, she saw herself as someone capable and responsible, so sometimes her words would seem a bit forced, but that made her even more endearing. Oh, and she was terribly bad at lying.
Well, that's roughly the gist of it. There were various minor options like being able to cook, having very long hair that reached down to her waist, and maintaining it properly, but those were just details.
If she meets all these criteria, with everything in its proper place, there's really nothing more to say.
And so, spurred on by the encounter with this yet unseen girl, Naota's adventure begins. There's really no problem. The scenarios he'll face from now on are pretty much worked out.
There might be some slight variations, but after joining up with the heroine, the next step will likely be registering as an adventurer at the guild. There, he'll meet his future companions. Maybe initially, they won't get along, and they might even clash.
But as they overcome numerous challenges together, a solid bond will form. Before he knows it, he'll be surrounded by many companions. And these aren't just superficial or calculated relationships. Every single one of them genuinely recognizes each other's strengths. And always at the center of them is none other than Naota.
Certainly, in the future, Naota will face numerous trials. He'll protect the city and its citizens from swarms of encroaching monsters, rescue the king and princess from the evil organization plotting to overthrow the nation. And eventually, he'll confront and unravel the mystery of why he was summoned to this world and the great secret hidden within it.
Undoubtedly, it won't be an easy journey. There may be moments when he's pushed to the point of wanting to give up, faced with incredibly tough situations.
But it's alright. Because he's not alone.
He has comrades he can trust from the bottom of his heart.
No matter what difficulties arise, it's a piece of cake when you're not alone. That's just the way it is. So there's really nothing to be afraid of.
"Alright!"
With most of these calculations in place, Naota clenches his fist tightly. Then, facing the sun, which seems to be slightly south, he declares that this is the starting point of his new life and adventure.
Perhaps his mind was so full of such mental simulations that Naota didn't notice until that moment.
"Um, excuse me. Can I have a moment right now?"
"If, just for a moment... Huh, can you hear me?"
"Hello~?"
It was in this manner that an unfamiliar girl, seeming a bit hesitant, approached him from behind.
No matter how many times she tried to talk to him, all that came back were mumblings that sounded like mantras. She observed Naota, who was lost in thought, while tiptoeing closer, and with a puzzled tilt of her head, she seemed to wonder what he could possibly be thinking. Occasionally, she even grinned with a completely relaxed expression. It was a mystery what could be occupying his mind so much. Finally, the girl, unable to hold back any longer, took a deep breath and raised her voice.
"Can I have a moment right nowwwww!?"
"Uwaaaaaaaah!?"
And thus, Naota's scream echoed through the streets once again.
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