Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Utaha had made up her mind to play the female lead, so Yukino naturally selected the other one.

She felt Kato Megumi was the perfect fit.

According to the script, a girl who had passed away years ago remained by her best friend's side as a ghost. Throughout the story, she gently encouraged her grieving friend to move forward.

Although Yukino hadn't fully figured out the depths of Kato Megumi's abilities, her consistently warm and amicable demeanor made her seem like the ideal candidate.

When Yukino proposed this, Kato Megumi didn't refuse. She simply nodded and said she would do her best.

With that, the group got to work.

Haru had originally planned to start filming today, but after careful consideration, Yukino decided to delay it by a few more days.

"Even though I was prepared, I only now realize how much of a hassle filming actually is."

As she spoke, she flipped through her notebook, which was already filled with notes.

One half contained a list of filming equipment—cameras, boom mics, stabilizers, and so on.

The other half listed key points she wanted to focus on during the shoot.

Haru didn't interfere at all. This script was meant as practice for Yukino, after all.

"The female lead first sees her ghostly friend in a park. We should start by choosing the right location."

No one objected to Yukino's suggestion.

Haru, naturally, became the only male character in the script, a pure plot device to push the story forward.

As for romance? That was out of the question—Yukino wouldn't allow him to shoot any romantic scenes with other girls.

The room buzzed with activity as everyone focused on their tasks.

Yukino and Utaha were both deeply engrossed in their preparations. Yui and two other girls whispered among themselves, discussing the filming equipment.

The only ones who seemed completely at ease were Haru and Kato Megumi.

The seemingly ordinary girl casually flipped through her script while still having time to play on her phone.

Utaha, sitting beside her, noticed this out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but ask, "You don't seem nervous at all."

"You're just too tense, Senpai."

Kato Megumi's gentle tone perfectly matched her ghostly character in the script.

"Tense, huh? Maybe."

 Utaha glanced toward Yukino, who was seated across the room and bit her lips lightly.

Regret crept into her thoughts.

Haru had made it clear he was only playing a supporting role, which meant Yukino held complete creative control as the director.

I walked right into her hands. The next few days might be rough.

She sighed.

Then, Kato Megumi spoke again, her voice soft. "You don't have to be so tense, Senpai."

Utaha assumed it was just a casual reassurance, so she didn't respond.

But Kato Megumi's next words caught her off guard.

"Yukinoshita-san is strict but fair. I don't think she would use this opportunity to make things difficult for you."

Her voice grew even softer.

"I was just wondering… maybe she's intentionally trying to ignite your fighting spirit."

 Utaha blinked in surprise. "That's impossible. She has no reason to do that."

Kato Megumi shook her head and didn't say anything else.

She was just an ordinary high school girl, while Yukino and Utaha were some of the most admired girls at school.

Both had outstanding grades and stunning looks, making them rare beauties.

Perhaps Yukinoshita-san is offering Senpai a stage, wanting to see if this equally talented girl can truly shine.

Kato Megumi didn't voice her thoughts—she figured Utaha wouldn't believe her anyway.

She lifted her head and, to her surprise, found Yukino looking right at her.

Their eyes met.

Yukino shifted her gaze away nonchalantly.

She didn't say anything, yet it felt like she had said everything.

She's still wary of me.

Kato Megumi understood the message loud and clear.

3:30 PM

Yukino suggested taking the "two female leads" to scout for a filming location.

She had no intention of bringing Haru along, and he, understanding her intentions, didn't ask to join.

Yukino wanted to use this opportunity to test how much she had grown over the years.

If her childhood friend were around, his natural tendency to help would kick in the moment she encountered difficulties.

And that wouldn't make her progress feel entirely fair.

She had deliberately lured Utaha in—not because of the latter's talent or to give her a stage—

But because she wanted to step onto that same stage and measure their abilities against each other.

If Utaha was truly that exceptional, then having a worthy peer as a rival would make things much more interesting.

As for bringing Kato Megumi along?

Yukino simply didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone with Haru.

If things go as expected, she might be a rival of the same kind.

.....

Sunday Afternoon

Inside a training facility in Tokyo—

Senior Oyamai sat on the ground, gasping for breath. His clothes were drenched in sweat, and his arms were throbbing from the strain.

Just moments ago, he had gone all out in a sparring session, only to be effortlessly taken down by Haru.

Since neither of them had any plans that day, they had decided to find a place to train together.

But Oyama-senpai never expected today's Haru to be even tougher than before.

Previously, sparring with him felt like fighting a boss battle.

Now? It felt like the boss had leveled up mid-fight…

Oyama rubbed his sore, reddened arms and grumbled, "Did you install steel plates in your body or something? Amamiya, this is completely unfair."

Haru didn't reply.

Because just now, in the middle of their sparring session—

His [Physical Fitness] skill had evolved.

Your (Physical Fitness) Skill Has Reached Max Level—Now Upgraded to (Steel Body).

[Steel Body Lv1: (169/100000)]

So Level 10 was the max for basic skills?

Wanting to test this new development, Haru deliberately continued sparring.

As a result, his poor senior opponent was quickly beaten to his knees.

His strength, agility, explosive power, and reflexes had all improved dramatically.

Most importantly, the senior had started off in a serious combat stance—

But as the match progressed, his expressions shifted from focus to grimacing in pain.

Haru clenched and unclenched his fists.

Even after all that sparring, there wasn't the slightest soreness in his arms—let alone any pain.

That was definitely not normal.

"Oi, why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you actually do have steel plates hidden under your skin?" His senior's voice called out again.

Amamiya Yuu chuckled and shook his head. "Why would I do something that ridiculous?"

"Then today, you—"

"Senpai, you know about strike conditioning, right?"

"Hah? You actually trained in that? I've seen videos online—it's basically self-torture."

"It was just on a whim. So I practiced it a bit."

Hearing how nonchalantly Haru responded, the senior didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"I'm done for today—my hands are killing me. Next time we spar, I'm bringing protective gear."

"Senpai, you worked hard. I'll treat you to dinner."

"No need. Sparring with you helps me improve too—this is a win-win."

After parting ways, Haru hurried home.

Instead of taking a shower right away, he went to his workout room.

With no protective gear, he started throwing punches at a heavy sandbag.

He began with light test hits, gradually increasing his strength—until he was going all out.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The room echoed with the relentless pounding of fists against the bag.

The sandbag—like a cheap sportswear brand—was starting to fall apart at the seams.

Haru looked at his hands.

Perfectly intact.

Not even a hint of redness.

He moved to the living room, picked up a fruit knife, and gently dragged the blade across the back of his hand.

Nothing.

No cut.

No pain.

For some reason, a voice popped into his head:

"Metapod, use Harden!"

He was, of course, excited about his enhanced physical abilities.

But it seemed he had also unlocked a passive ability…

"This might make future sparring with Senpai a bit inconvenient. If this skill levels up further, even with protective gear, he might refuse to fight me…"

He hadn't even gained enough experience points today, and now his "character design" was getting out of hand.

Letting his senior take repeated beatings just to grind XP—he wasn't heartless enough for that.

As Haru cleaned up the ruined sandbag, he considered what would happen if he punched a wall at full force.

At this rate, he might end up in Baki the Grappler territory.

He Had Really Become a Superhuman.

That night, Haru texted Yukinoshita, asking about her preparations.

She was probably busy—no reply yet.

He made a quick call to himself, then changed his outfit.

A gray hoodie with the hood up.

A black leather jacket over it.

Before heading out, he paused for a moment—

Then grabbed a mask from his figurine cabinet.

When the taxi driver saw his getup, he hesitated for a second but didn't ask any questions.

Haru was headed to Kabukicho—to farm some XP.

He had passed through there with his parents before. Trash littered the streets.

People filming, live-streaming, getting drunk and fighting—it was a mess.

Women standing around, waiting for "charitable donations" from kind strangers.

He didn't bother avoiding security cameras.

Changing clothes was just to avoid being recognized by acquaintances.

And—

There was another reason.