The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

And so, Saten Ruiko skillfully picked through the items, and Inoue Eika skillfully took them. Gradually, they even developed a kind of tacit understanding; seeing Saten Ruiko's every move, he knew what to do next.

Finally, Inoue Eika took a bunch of things, swiped her card, and left. She then led Saten Ruiko back to the dormitory.

"Hey, Saten-san. Do you often cook at home?" Inoue Eika asked curiously, especially since she was so skilled at it—and she was only thirteen years old!

"No! My mom does all the cooking at home, I only cook occasionally. I just help her out often because I don't want her to work too hard!" Saten Ruiko said with a relaxed smile, a happy and proud smile appearing on her face when she talked about her family.

Looking at Saten Ruiko's smiling face, Inoue Hideka was somewhat lost in thought. What a kind girl! Beautiful, cheerful, lively, strong, and filial! Ruiko is truly a wonderful girl!

"Hey! Inoue-kun!" Saten Ruiko stopped and said to Inoue Eika with a sly smile on her face.

"What's wrong, Saten-kun?" Inoue Eika asked Saten Ruiko with a puzzled look as she continued walking forward.

"You're going to run into a telephone pole!" Saten Ruiko said with a big smile.

"Bang!" "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Inoue Eika had been looking at Saten Ruiko and hadn't noticed what was in front of her. Her face slammed straight into a telephone pole, and her nose started bleeding.

Inoue Hideka only trained the strength of her body, but not the strength of her face. This hit was no small matter!

“Saten-san~~” Inoue Eika looked at Saten Ruiko, covering her nose, with a wronged expression. You did this on purpose, didn’t you?

"What rude thing were you thinking about just now, Inoue-san?" Saten Ruiko still had a sly look on her face. She had just seen Inoue Eika staring at her intently, which was rude for a girl.

"Huh? What! Saten-san is so stingy!" Inoue Eika didn't say anything after hearing Ruiko's words. She took out a tissue from her pocket, covered her nose, and continued walking forward.

You can't exactly say, "I think you're cute, young lady!" That would be even more rude, especially since they've only just met.

Inoue Hideka lived on the 8th floor. The two took the elevator up and arrived at the door of 803. Inoue Hideka took out her key and suddenly hesitated.

I was so excited about being able to eat a meal cooked by Saten Ruiko that I forgot my dorm room was a complete mess.

For Inoue Hideka, who is incapable of housework, the best he can do to keep himself clean is to wash himself thoroughly every day, so there is no odor in the dormitory, but he is helpless in any other way.

"What's wrong, Inoue-kun?" Saten Ruiko asked, puzzled, seeing that Inoue Eika had taken out the key but was hesitant to open the door.

Chapter Eleven: Dinner wasn't so good!

Inoue Hideka was sweating profusely and filled with regret. He could now imagine the disdainful look Saten Ruiko would give him.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released; he had no time to regret it now. He was ready to risk everything!

"Click!" Inoue Hideka opened the door and walked in first, saying as she went, "Ahem, the dorm is a bit messy. I've been quite busy lately, please don't mind!"

Inside the room, what came into Saten Ruiko's view was—

Shoes were scattered all over the floor, and all sorts of extracurricular books, some open and some not, lay haphazardly on the ground. There were even some winter clothes spread out in a crooked and messy way, like a carpet!

Various sheets of drawing paper were scattered across the table, stacked one on top of the other, with crumpled scraps of paper lying underneath. Several unfamiliar pens were haphazardly stuck in a water glass. The desk lamp, perhaps feeling the table was too crowded, had moved to the windowsill for refuge.

There was only enough space on the bed for one person to lie down; the rest of the bed was occupied by blankets, clothes, pajamas, and the like. Underneath the clothes on the side of the bed, you could vaguely see what looked like alcohol swabs or something similar.

There was a low table for eating next to the bed. On the table were the lunch boxes and plastic bags that Inoue Hideka had left over from lunch and previous meals in the dormitory, as well as some empty beer cans.

What Saten Ruiko found most unbelievable was the three large sandbags hanging from the ceiling; she had no idea what they were for.

Inoue Hideka helplessly covered one eye, unable to bear looking at it.

Fortunately, he always throws his clothes directly into the washing machine after showering, waiting until he has accumulated enough to wash all at once. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing if someone saw his underwear and socks.

It's awkward right now.

Actually, it wasn't entirely his fault. Things were already chaotic when he transmigrated. He just added the sandbags and the mess on the table. Inoue Eika swears that the rest had nothing to do with him.

"Huh? Hehe..." She laughed awkwardly. She hadn't noticed before because she lived alone, but now she realized that it seemed like even finding a place to sit was difficult.

Pull out the chair in front of the table, and then scatter the papers on the table in a mess.

"Saten-kun, why don't you sit down for a bit? I'll tidy up the room a little."

That's what he said, but he really didn't know how to tidy up such a messy room; in his opinion, there was simply no way to start.

"No need, I'll tidy up your room for you. I always tidy up my brother's room when we're at home. Honestly, why are all boys like this? Also! It's wrong for minors to drink alcohol, Inoue-kun!"

As if she could see right through Inoue Eika, Saten Ruiko complained while taking action.

Inoue Hideka wanted to help, but fearing she might make things worse, she simply sat on the chair that had just been pulled out and quietly watched Saten Ruiko's busy figure.

With her chin resting on her hand on the table, Inoue Hideka drifted into thought again.

For some reason, a warm smile appeared on his face.

Half an hour later, the all-around housekeeper, Saten Ruiko, finally finished cleaning up, breathed a sigh of relief, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Inoue Hideka snapped out of her daze and her eyes lit up when she looked at the drastically changed room. It was as if she had been transported to a completely different place, with a brand-new light shining everywhere!

He quickly got up, grabbed a drink from the refrigerator, and handed it to Saten Ruiko.

"Amazing! Saten-kun! But thank you for your hard work, I'm so sorry to have asked you to do something so troublesome!"

"It's nothing. Isn't it normal for classmates to help each other?" Saten Ruiko smiled, took the drink from Inoue Eika's hand, opened it, and gulped it down.

"Even if you want to express your gratitude, you should at least show some sincerity! Do you think you can just fob me off with a bottle of soda?" Saten Ruiko teased after finishing her drink.

“Yes, that’s true!” Inoue Hideka thought about it and agreed, so she asked, “So, Saten-san, is there anything you want? You can name anything! As long as I can do it.”

"Huh? Really? But I haven't thought of anything yet. I'll let you know when I do. Okay, let's hurry up and cook, it'll be too late soon!"

Saten Ruiko picked up the ingredients placed at the door and turned to enter the kitchen.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Inoue Eika felt a little guilty. As a man, he couldn't do anything to help. Seeing the girl working so hard all by herself, he felt like he was living off her. He asked reluctantly.

"Is there anything you can do to help?" Although it was very impolite, Saten Ruiko still teased Inoue Hideka with a sarcastic smile.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Inoue Hideka was immediately embarrassed, as there was really nothing he could do to help!

He awkwardly left the kitchen and sat quietly in a chair, waiting for his meal.

With nothing to do, Inoue Hideka picked up a piece of drawing paper and began to sketch on it.

The rubbing of the pen tip against the paper makes a scratching sound, and gradually the lines on the paper begin to become fuller.

The scene is set in a classroom, and the camera is zoomed in, showing only a corner of the classroom.

The students in the classroom were all whispering to each other, except for one boy who had his head down and a girl who was standing there with her hands on the table, saying something.

The girl's face was full of stubbornness and strength, and there was a hint of worry in her beautiful big eyes.

Inoue Hideka drew the scene that happened in the classroom today, where Saten Ruiko stood up for him.

It was drawn without me even realizing it. Inoue Hideka doesn't know why either; maybe she was just too bored.

"Inoue-kun, could you please bring me my bowl? We'll be eating soon."

Just then, Saten Ruiko's voice came from the kitchen, and Inoue Hideka quickly put down her paintbrush and got up to go to the kitchen.

Saten Ruiko made a simple curry rice dish, simple yet delicious.

The rich aroma of the rice made Inoue Hideka's mouth water; she could feel her stomach churning with excitement. Touma had made curry rice before, but he never felt anything like it. This girl, the perfect wife!

Sitting at the dining table, Inoue Hideka looked at the curry rice placed only in front of her and asked in a puzzled tone, "Saten-kun, aren't you eating?"

Saten Ruiko sat in the chair at the table, smiling at Inoue Eika, and said, "I already ate with Hatsuharu before I came back, so you can eat by yourself. Hehe!"

Saten Ruiko seems to love to laugh; she's rarely seen looking downcast or expressionless, and is almost always smiling.

"Oh! I see! What a pity, I had to eat such delicious food all by myself! But thank you, Saten-san!"

"It's nothing! I can eat it every day, so you can eat without worry!" After saying that, Saten Ruiko stopped paying attention to Inoue Eika and curiously looked at the sandbags that were so conspicuous in the room, like a landmark: "Speaking of which, Inoue-kun, what are these sandbags for?"

Glug!

It's so delicious, I can't stop eating it!

Hearing Saten Ruiko's words, Inoue Eika reluctantly put down her chopsticks, swallowed the last of her rice, and then said, "Ah! That's for my training! Because I'm a Level 0, I have to strengthen my physical training, at least to have the ability to protect myself!"

"Oh, I see! So Inoue-san is also a Level 0! You're really working hard! I'm a Level 0 too! But I believe that one day I'll also have my own abilities, so don't be discouraged, Inoue-san!"

When Saten Ruiko heard Inoue Hideka's words, a fleeting look of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her spirits and encouraged Inoue Hideka.

Ah, of course I know you're level 0. I know everything, whether it's from your past life or what you said during your self-introduction today.

I also know the expectations, confusion, and resentment you hide deep inside.

Looking at Saten Ruiko's expression, Inoue Hideka thought to himself.

"Saten-kun, it's great that you have this confidence! However, I believe that ability is not everything. Even without ability, even if you are a powerless person, there are things you can do on your own. Relying too much on ability will only make you lose your way in life!"

Inoue Hideka said this, hoping that the girl could see the error of her ways and stop being obsessed with her abilities, but instead she fell into a coma in the later Imagine Breaker.

"Really? You did it all by yourself?"

Saten Ruiko seemed lost in thought, burying her face in her arms on the table.

Huh? What's this...?

Seeing the drawing paper on the table, Saten Ruiko remembered that she had just put it away, and curiously picked it up to examine it.

Oh no, I forgot to put it away! Inoue Hideka, who was frantically shoveling rice into her mouth, changed her expression when she saw Saten Ruiko's actions.

Chapter Twelve: That Painting from That Day!

Looking at the image projected on the paper, Saten Ruiko froze, then her face flushed slightly as if she had thought of something.

"Ah~~ I don't know what I was thinking at the time, I just suddenly stood up. Thinking about what I said back then, it's really a bit embarrassing!" Saten Ruiko scratched her head awkwardly and said embarrassedly.

"No way! Saten-kun was so handsome back then! I almost fell for you! Haha!" Inoue Hideka breathed a sigh of relief that Saten Ruiko hadn't misunderstood, relieved that she hadn't been mistaken for a pervert. She laughed heartily and said jokingly.

"Inoue-kun, really! There's a limit to jokes! Be careful I don't take it seriously!" Saten Ruiko said, her face slightly red, but she still spoke frankly.

She wasn't a shy girl by nature, unlike some awkward kids who would blush and flirt wildly if teased a little.

"Haha, I was wrong! I won't joke like that next time!" Inoue Eika was still laughing happily, finding it surprisingly relaxing to joke with Saten Ruiko. "By the way, if Saten-san doesn't mind, this painting is yours! Consider it a thank you gift for speaking up for me!"

Looking at the drawing of herself, the exquisite lines depicting her figure conveyed the artist's dedication, as if it were painted specifically for her. Saten Ruiko exclaimed, "Your drawing skills are truly amazing! I feel like I look better in your drawing than in real life!" At this point, Saten Ruiko blushed. "Then I'll reluctantly accept it!"

Hehe! Inoue Eika looked at Saten Ruiko, who was blushing for the first time, and smiled in a slightly lewd way, "Saten-san has her cute side too!"

"Uh-Uh-Uh-Uh-Uh!" Sensing the teasing in Inoue Eika's words, Saten Ruiko's face turned even redder. "It's getting late, I have to go!"

As she spoke, she put the painting in her hand into the bag she had brought, stood up and was about to leave. Although she said she was leaving, her panicked appearance made it seem more like she was running away.

Inoue Eika glanced at the sky outside. The sun had already set, and night was gradually seeping into the Academy City. She quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and stood up.

"It's already dark, let me take you home. If I let the girl who cleaned my room and cooked for me go home alone at night, I'll be seen as a scumbag!"

"Are you sending me back just because you're afraid of being seen as a scumbag?" Saten Ruiko thought to herself.

Of course, Saten Ruiko was also a little worried that she might encounter delinquents if she went back at this time. After all, it wasn't the first time she had encountered delinquents, although she had always managed to escape unscathed. So she didn't refuse.