Life quietly passed by in a cycle of training and learning.
Before Haizaki Shogo knew it, the weekend had arrived—tomorrow was Saturday, the day he had invited Shimizu Rena to watch a basketball game together.
Early in the morning, Shogo, neatly dressed in fresh casual clothes and sporting large sunglasses, stepped out the door.
He stopped by a convenience store and bought a large bag of snacks: energy bars, chocolate, popcorn, and Rena's favorite, lemon water. Embarrassed under the curious gaze of a pretty cashier, he quickly made his escape.
Downtown, at the sports arena.
Shimizu Rena stood at the entrance in a flowing white dress, strikingly beautiful. Yet, hidden in her gentle features was a subtle sharpness.
Passersby couldn't help but throw curious and admiring glances at the girl waiting at the arena doors.
Shogo, in a casual white shirt with silver-gray hair, quietly approached her from behind, his voice rough as he spoke.
"Miss, would you care to join me to watch the game?"
"I'm sorry, I'm waiting for someone!"
The firm rejection made Shogo instantly realize he had overstepped.
A girl like this needed to be treated with care. Teasing her could very well bring divine punishment.
"Ahem! Rena-chan, it's me."
The girl turned, her face lighting up like a blooming flower. A flicker of shyness passed before she smiled broadly and warmly.
"Shogo-kun, you're here."
Rena's freshness and simplicity instantly calmed Shogo's restless heart.
No arrogance, no heavy makeup, no clingy demeanor—only elegance and bright, shining eyes.
"You're my rose, Rena-chan. You're my flower."
The cheesy compliment slipped out of Shogo, but instead of embarrassment, it drew laughter from Rena.
As the game's start approached, Shogo led Rena into the arena.
They found a good spot in the stands and sat down.
Handing over some of the snacks, Shogo said with pride,
"Here, all yours. Chocolate, strawberries, and the lemon water you like."
"Thank you, Shogo-kun!"
Rena's face lit up with delight, radiating pure joy.
The atmosphere was relaxed, the interaction intimate, and Shogo felt a little addicted to the feeling.
Soon, the game began, and the two of them quietly munched on energy bars while watching.
"Shogo-kun, are both teams strong?"
"Yeah, they're decent. Kyoto University and Osaka University, both top-tier teams, roughly in the top eight nationally."
"I see… then, Shogo-kun, which team do you support?"
"Me? I support both."
"Why?"
"Because I like neither, and dislike neither."
Their voices—light and crisp from Rena, low and steady from Shogo—created a natural rhythm in the stands.
At halftime, Shogo didn't forget his purpose.
He began subtly engaging Rena in conversation.
"Rena-chan, which team do you think is stronger?"
"I think Kyoto in white is amazing—their aura is intimidating. Osaka in green isn't bad either; they seem very unified, like a pack."
Shogo didn't answer immediately, instead contemplating the strengths of the two teams from his own perspective.
Then he asked again.
"Rena-chan, who do you think will win? If you guess right, there's a prize for you—a little gift."
"Really, Shogo-kun?"
"Yeah!"
"I think Kyoto's number 11 is like a tiger… but the rest are like sheep. Osaka looks like a pack of wolves. I'll pick Osaka to win, Shogo-kun."
"Osaka? Alright! If you're right, I'll give you a gift. If wrong, you owe me a small gift."
"Got it, Shogo-kun."
As they continued watching, Shogo's mind worked rapidly. His own prediction matched Rena's—but to verify certain things, he had to test the opposite.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
Why did Rena use tigers, wolves, and sheep to describe these players?
Frowning, he casually asked,
"Rena-chan, then what would I be compared to them?"
Rena turned, staring at him for a few seconds, a hint of shyness flickering at her brow, then looked away.
After a moment, her soft voice came.
"Shogo-kun… you're like an ancient beast, greedy as a taotie."
"Taotie?"
Shogo said nothing, eyes back on the court, but in his mind, he silently repeated: Taotie… Taotie… Taotie.
In his mental interface, two special skills flashed brightly:
Special Skill 1: Pillage
Description: "Steal" another's skill and convert it into your own style and rhythm, disrupting the opponent's flow and preventing them from using the same technique again.
Special Skill 2: Devour (Advanced Soul Fusion Skill)
Description: "Devour" another's skill, permanently transforming it into your own ability. Each devour consumes 1 point of devour energy.
Was Rena's description merely a coincidence… or…?
Shogo's eyes stayed on the court, but his peripheral vision tracked the impossibly beautiful girl beside him.
Could this be talent?
Or a woman's sixth sense?
Shimizu Rena's unique perceptive ability?
Could it be the legendary human vomeronasal organ reawakening, long thought diminished?
A shiver ran through Shogo, a mix of awe and disbelief—he felt as though he had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.
Boom!
The final whistle blew.
The wolf-like Osaka team defeated the lone tiger Kyoto team. Rena's prediction was correct—she earned her gift from Shogo.
Seeing the girl in a white dress, eyes wide, hand outstretched for her reward, Shogo felt a sudden urge to retreat.
Reluctantly, he placed his large hand over hers.
"Here, the gift's reserved. I'll give it to you when it's ready."
Rena retracted her hand and made a playful peace sign.
Victory and joy radiated from her.
Holding her hand, Shogo followed the crowd out of the arena, silently lost in thought.
Her talent is clear… how should I help her develop it?
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