Haruki Aizawa, who was currently looking for a way to sharpen his skills, didn't hesitate for a second. He had wiped the floor with the thugs who were bothering Anon Chihaya, and that was how they had first met.

  It had been quite a while since Haruki first crossed paths with Anon, so he hadn't expected to run into her randomly on the street like this.

  "I never really got the chance to thank you properly for st time," Anon said with a bright smile. "How about I treat you to dinner right now?"

  "No thanks, I already bought something," Haruki replied, shaking his head and holding up his convenience store bag.

  "Oh, I see..." Anon's expression fell for a moment, but she quickly bounced back, her eyes sparking with a new idea. "In that case, Haruki, would you be interested in starting a band with me?"

  "A band?"

  The sudden shift in topic caught Haruki off guard.

  "Yeah! Since I transferred back to high school here, I've heard that being in a band is the 'in' thing right now. Everyone looks up to girls in bands! So, I figured I'd start one and get some of that spotlight for myself!" Anon didn't even try to hide her shallow motives. "You're so good at fighting, Haruki, I bet pying an instrument would be a piece of cake for you!"

  "I don't know how to py anything."

  "You can learn! I'll teach you!"

  "I..."

  Haruki was a bit overwhelmed by her persistence. However, after thinking it over, he didn't turn her down.

  He realized that mastering an instrument could actually be a form of training. The complexity of a musical instrument required perfect coordination of the senses and incredible manual dexterity. Furthermore, music itself was a unique form of 'fluctuation'—a complex, yered vibration.

  Music was composed of countless notes combined in specific rhythms to create melodies. It was, in many ways, the perfect medium to practice his Sense of Fluctuation.

  With that in mind, Haruki agreed to Anon's request, and the two headed to a nearby practice studio.

  "Alright, Haruki! Pick whatever you want to learn, and I'll show you the ropes!" Anon said, brimming with unearned confidence.

  In reality, she was a total novice herself—the type who knew a little bit of everything but had mastered nothing.

  Haruki chose the guitar, just like Anon. He picked up a sheet of music, scanned it for a few seconds, and then began to py.

  Even though it was his first time touching the instrument, his physical coordination and reaction speed were off the charts. Simply by mechanically following the notes, he pyed with the proficiency of someone who had practiced for years.

  But more than that, Haruki had his Sense of Fluctuation.

  As he pyed, he began to feel the vibrations of the strings and the resonance of the notes. He stopped looking at the sheet music entirely, letting his intuition guide his fingers. Within minutes, a moving, professional-grade melody filled the room.

  "What... how...?"

  Anon stood there, completely stunned.

  She had expected him to be a complete beginner. She figured that even though she was just 'Bronze' rank herself, she could at least teach him the basics. Instead, she realized he wasn't just a pro—he was a legend. Compared to Haruki, she was nothing but a "keyboard warrior" who was all talk and no skill.

  However, after her initial shock wore off, her eyes lit up with pure excitement.

  She didn't actually care about the "art" of music; she just wanted to stand out. She wanted to look cool. She knew her own skills wouldn't get her very far, but with Haruki by her side, she could see herself reaching the top!

  She lunged forward and grabbed Haruki's hands, her eyes beaming. "Please, Haruki! Stay in a band with me for the rest of our lives!"

  "..."

  Haruki was speechless at her intensity. Still, since he had confirmed that music helped him refine his perception of fluctuations, he didn't see the harm in humoring her.

  After agreeing to join her band, Anon—now practically vibrating with joy—exchanged contact info with Haruki and promised to call him as soon as she found more members.

  Haruki didn't mind her enthusiasm. To him, the band was just another tool for his swordsmanship. If it helped him understand vibrations better, it wasn't a waste of time.

  After parting ways with Anon, Haruki headed straight back to his apartment. As soon as he opened the door, a familiar face greeted him.

  "Welcome home."

  It was Sakiko Toyokawa. When she saw Haruki, a genuine smile touched her lips.

  "Where have you been?" Haruki asked, somewhat surprised. "You vanished for days."

  "I was just... settling some things from my past," Sakiko said, her expression stiffening slightly as if she didn't want to dwell on the subject. "Regardless, that won't happen again. From today on, I'll be here."

  "Fair enough." Haruki didn't push for details. He held up his bag. "I bought a convenience store bento. Do you want to share?"

  Sakiko gave him a look of mock disappointment. "Don't you think saying that to your 'maid' is a bit insulting?" She walked over, took the bento, and tossed it into the fridge. "I'll take that for my lunch tomorrow. For tonight, you're eating my cooking."

  "Fine by me."

  As Haruki watched Sakiko tie her apron and head into the kitchen, he thought back to the conversation he had with Yukino and Hachiman about what makes "good cooking."

  In a way, Sakiko was the living proof of their theories. When he first took this fallen heiress in, she didn't even know how to hold a knife. She had nearly destroyed his kitchen trying to fry an egg.

  But over time, her skills had skyrocketed. Now, her cooking was fwless. More importantly, you could feel the heart she put into it. She cooked specifically for the person eating the meal, which made it taste better than anything from a five-star restaurant.

  By now, Haruki had grown used to her presence. For a man whose only goal was the peak of swordsmanship, Sakiko Toyokawa was one of the few things in his life that actually mattered to him outside of his bde.

  While waiting for dinner, Haruki focused on his meditation. But suddenly, his System, which had been silent since his return, chimed with a notification.

  [New Mission World Unlocked]

  [World: Bck Bullet]

  [Main Mission: Eliminate the Stage IV Gastrea, Aldebaran]

  [Countdown to Mission Start: 3 Days]

  "Oh?"

  He had barely settled back into his world, and already a new mission was starting with only three days to prepare.

  Most people would feel exhausted by the constant life-and-death struggle, wishing for a longer break. But Haruki wasn't most people. The moment he saw the notification, a surge of adrenaline hit him.

  A tougher challenge meant a better chance to evolve. To a man obsessed with the sword, this was a gift. Of course, he wasn't in a rush. Since he had three days, he decided to put it out of his mind for now and enjoy the peace while it sted.

  With Sakiko back, Haruki's life returned to its orderly routine. The next morning, she handed him a freshly packed lunch before rushing off to her part-time jobs delivering milk and newspapers.

  Haruki knew how hard-working—borderline obsessive—Sakiko was, so he didn't comment on it. He took his lunch and headed to Sobu High.

  Ever since Yui Yuigahama had first visited the Service Club, she acted like she had discovered a new world. She started showing up every single day.

  Haruki didn't mind her. Even though she talked constantly, he could simply "mute" his hearing and stay immersed in his meditation.

  Hachiman didn't mind either, mostly because Yui didn't seem interested in him and didn't force him into awkward conversations.

  The only one suffering was Yukino Yukinoshita.

  Since Yui couldn't get a word out of Haruki and didn't want to bother Hachiman, her only target was Yukino. Yukino was the type who struggled to reject genuine kindness. Facing the bubbly, well-meaning Yui, Yukino looked like a cornered cat—unable to hiss, yet unable to escape.

  The atmosphere of the Service Club had definitely changed. It wasn't silent anymore.

  Haruki, however, treated the club like a job. He arrived on time and left the second the bell rang. He had something more important to do: he needed Miko Yotsuya to use her "Sight" to help him find powerful spirits.

  He needed to hunt "Evil Spirits" to fuel the power of his inner demon.

  That afternoon, he went to Miko's school to pick her up. This immediately caused a stir, as Miko's best friend, Hana Yurikawa, assumed they were going on a date. She gave them a "knowing" thumbs-up and disappeared.

  Haruki noticed that Miko looked more exhausted than usual.

  Word had spread that Haruki Aizawa and Miko Yotsuya were a couple. Between her friend's teasing and her brother Kyousuke telling their mother, Miko's life had become a social nightmare. Her mother had even cooked "celebratory red bean rice" for her, much to her embarrassment.

  To Miko, Haruki was almost scarier than the ghosts. He was relentless.

  However, just as they were about to head out, Haruki's Sense of Fluctuation spiked. Someone was following them.

  He sensed someone small—about the size of a middle schooler—with twin tails, wearing the same high school uniform as Miko. He didn't alert her yet, but he began tracking the stalker's "rhythm" to figure out their motive.

  After observing for a moment, Haruki realized the target wasn't him; it was Miko. The girl seemed to be waiting for a moment to catch Miko alone.

  Curious, Haruki decided to create that opportunity.

  He pretended to have an errand and left Miko standing at a street corner. In reality, he leaped onto the roof of a nearby building, using his perception to keep a lock on her location.

  A few moments ter, the girl in twin tails made her move.

  "Um, excuse me... are you Miko Yotsuya?"

  Miko, who was waiting for Haruki to return, turned around to see a tiny girl who looked like a primary schooler but was wearing her school's uniform.

  Wary, Miko asked, "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

  "I'm Yuria Niguredo."

  "Hello, Yuria... is there something you need?"

  Yuria looked Miko straight in the eye, her voice trembling slightly with a mix of excitement and fear. "You... you can see them, can't you?"

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  Hey there author here !

  So I am here to address something

  So if you felt confused as to why this chapter didn't connect well with previous one you're actually correct !

  Because there was a chapter between chapter 37 and 38 but it had content that I as an author don't want to transte .

  If you've read what I transted or wrote myself you would find out I don't actually make that kind of content and that's also a part of why I changed some covers , so don't except me to transte it or write it .

  And as always thanks for you're support and love you've shown this fanfic ??

  Honestly every single new comment every single power stone and every single view motivates me more and more to continue transting this fanfic .

  I know I am not the best author or transtor but I try to improve.

  Oh and if you want to read advanced chapters early you can visit my and try to support me anyway you can The name is M7md sol .

  And that all I wanted to say thank you all for the support .

  ***********************************************

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