After passing the exam, he talked with Midoriya and Uraraka, giving them some encouragement.
Ryujin: You definitely won't pass. Just jump into the water and die already.
He raised his thumb with a sly smile that was somehow oddly charming.
Ryujin: "I know you guys will pass anyway. Since you're main characters, I'm just giving a little encouragement."
Ryujin: Just kidding... I know you'll pass for sure. Just teasing a little bit.
Both Midoriya and Uraraka were stunned, slumping their shoulders simultaneously as if on cue, especially Midoriya, who looked paler than anyone.
Ryujin: ...Anyway, I gotta go now.
He said briefly, then walked away indifferently, leaving behind a strange atmosphere hanging in the air.
.
Meanwhile, the UA teachers were all attentively watching the live broadcast of the students' exam status on the screens.
??? : Hmm~~ This year's kids are pretty strong, aren't they, everyone~?
The cheerful voice, too lively to be human, came from a small white rat in a suit...
Director Nezu said with a full smile.
All teachers: We agree, sir.
Suddenly, one teacher's eyes stopped on the screen showing a young boy running after robots, fighting in a unique style.
Snipes: That kid... it's him from last year.
He turned to Aizawa standing nearby.
Snipes: Didn't expect he'd come to take the exam here.
Before Aizawa could say anything, Nezu interrupted.
Nezu: Of course... I forced him to come myself.
Nezu sipped his coffee lightly, then continued with a calm but sly expression.
Nezu: There are two reasons why he has to study at UA...
He paused a moment before explaining.
Nezu: The first reason is his ability. I had Aizawa test him personally when he fought a second-year student last year. Aizawa tried to erase his Quirk... but he couldn't.
Whispers broke out among the teachers immediately. Nezu continued with an even tone.
Nezu: "His parents have no history of having Quirks during their tests. No matter how many times he fired, he never showed any sign of fatigue from using his Quirk. It's as if the weapons he uses don't require his energy to operate..."
Aizawa stared at the screen again, watching Ryujin run through the field like a hunting dog in human form.
Nezu: "The second reason... I don't want that ability to go to waste.
No, rather... I want to give him another chance."
Nezu: The Predator robots we put in the exam field are downgraded versions without long-range weapons.
But their movement and attacks remain highly dangerous. We only put one in per field to prevent excessive injury to students.
Many teachers nodded in understanding.
At the same time, Snipes raised his hand and asked curiously.
Snipes: So... is Field B special compared to the others?
He pointed at the screen showing Ryujin.
Now, several Predator robots were fiercely surrounding him, but Ryujin was handling them effortlessly.
Vlad King: That kid's pretty strong!
The large white-haired teacher looked at the screen with shining eyes, clearly wanting that student in his class.
Nezu sipped his coffee again, then said quietly but clearly.
Nezu: Yeah~~ I designed the exam field like that just for him.
At that moment, Aizawa glanced at Midnight, who was hugging herself tightly, her face flushed with excessive excitement.
Aizawa (thinking): ...What the heck is she thinking?
He sighed heavily, imagining what Ryujin would say if he heard what Nezu just said.
Ryujin (in Aizawa's mind): Sadistic brat!! Damn it!!!
That made Aizawa crack a slight smile before returning to watch the screen attentively.
.
.
Cut to evening time, in Ryoujin's room.
Inside the room, only soft orange sunlight filtered through thin curtains. He sat quietly on the bed, staring at the floating status screen with sad eyes.
The gentle sound of wind brushing against the window, along with distant traffic noise from the street below, became a background so quiet it felt like it swallowed the entire room.
["Congratulations to the Player for passing the exam, and from now on"]
["There will be no more side missions for the Player, only main missions and World missions."]
["One week from now, the hardcore mode will begin. Players, please prepare well. You can check the hardcore mode instructions in the system guide."]
He let out a big sigh. His hand gripped the phone tightly on his lap. It felt... empty.
Ryoujin: One week, huh...
He murmured.
Even if there was time left, he knew well that from now on, nothing would ever be the same.
It felt like everything was about to get serious, leaving no room to breathe.
Suddenly, his phone rang. The ringtone faintly cut through the wind. On the screen appeared her name — Momo.
He hesitated for a moment... then smiled slightly and answered the call.
Ryoujin: Hey.
Her sweet, soft voice replied immediately, with a cheerful tone that made his heart feel lighter.
I talked with her... much longer than I expected. Some nonsense, some serious, but never once did I feel bored.
In the end, I invited her to go to the aquarium tomorrow at 9 a.m. She answered with a slightly surprised voice, but full of happiness.
I found myself smiling without realizing it...
My heart was beating strangely again.
Ryoujin: Am I... falling in love?
I laughed softly, shaking my head a little at myself.
Ryoujin: Damn it...
.
.
.
.
The next day — 9:00 AM, in front of Momo's house
Yesterday, after hanging up, I told her I'd pick her up right at her doorstep...
And that's why I'm standing here now — in front of the YaoYorozu mansion.
I just got a new motorcycle, a black Honda CB150R. It looks fierce, shiny, and clean as if it just came out of the showroom. I really like the design — simple, cool, and just enough.
Of course, I don't have a driver's license yet, but hey — the system sold it to me for 3,000 coins.
That's okay... for this kind of convenience.
Today I dressed my own way — black jeans, a white long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up a bit, sunglasses hanging on my collar. It's a semi-formal look that's not too formal.
I stood looking at the mansion in front of me. It still looked big and solemn as always.
Just standing here, you could feel the power of the YaoYorozu family radiating without trying.
I mean, their wealth.
I used to bring Momo here several times back in middle school, and one day I even met her family...
Her mom seemed kind and quite fond of me.
But her dad...
Momo's dad: "If you hurt my daughter... you're dead!"
Looks like I'm not his favorite guy.
I sighed softly before walking up to press the doorbell button with a monitor camera built in.
The screen lit up, showing the image of a middle-aged man dressed neatly — the family's butler.
Butler: "May I know whom you're here to see?"
He spoke in a gentle tone.
Ryoujin: "I'm here to see Momo."
I replied politely.
Butler: "Please wait for the young lady a moment."
He disappeared from the screen, and shortly after, the automatic iron gate slowly slid open silently.
Then she appeared...
A young woman walked out wearing a simple, elegant cream-colored dress. Her long black hair was loosely tied with a ribbon. She smiled at me shyly but still looked graceful as always.
The moment I saw her, I felt like my breath stopped for a moment. My heart started pounding off-beat.
My face flushed hot. My ears... turned clearly red.
I slightly turned my face away, afraid she'd see the crazy expression I had now.
But inside — it was more chaotic than ever.
Yeah, the first time I saw her picture, my heart melted too.
Ryoujin's thoughts:
Oh god...
Why is she this beautiful?
Damn it... I'd gladly die right here if I could see her up close like this every day.
Ryoujin: "This alone is worth being reborn into this world..."
Momo came closer, tilting her head slightly in curiosity. Her face carried that gentle smile that always made me smile back.
Momo: "Is something wrong? Is there something on my face?"
I was dazed for a moment. It took me longer than I expected to pull myself together.
My lips slipped out what was on my mind without any filter.
Ryoujin: "...You look really beautiful today."
The moment I said it, I widened my eyes.
Ryoujin: "Shit, I actually said it out loud!"
Momo paused a bit, then her cheeks turned a clear pink. She lightly hit my arm and laughed shyly.
I smiled widely without realizing it... my heart was soaring.
I handed her the helmet, joking in an exaggerated, cool way.
Ryoujin: "Hop on, Princess Momo~ This knight will take you on an adventure in the ocean!"
Momo: "What are you talking about..."
She laughed, hit my arm again, but took the helmet anyway.
She climbed onto the motorcycle and sat behind me, gently wrapping her arms around my waist.
That touch made me freeze for a moment — her chest pressed lightly against my back unintentionally.
Ryoujin (thinking): "She's bigger than I thought..."
Ryoujin (chiding himself): "Damn it... don't think like that, you perv. She's only 15! Calm down... calm down."
I took a deep breath to calm myself and twisted the key to start the engine.
We rode the motorcycle to a famous aquarium in town.
The sound of simulated waves from the speakers and the faint sea breeze from the decorated exterior made everything feel strangely relaxing.
I turned off the engine, parked by the roadside, and looked at the girl who had been riding behind me all along.
Ryoujin: "We've arrived, Miss Momo."
I teased.
She laughed softly, carefully took off her helmet. Her long silky hair swayed perfectly like a movie scene.
I don't know why...
But today felt more special than usual.
Even though I'd taken her to malls, to our favorite ramen shop, and for walks before,
but coming here... just the two of us...
felt special somehow.
Or maybe... I was really starting to fall for her?
We walked around the aquarium.
The sound of simulated waves and hundreds of fish swimming behind the big glass tanks made the whole atmosphere feel frozen in time.
But for some reason... I kept staring at her all day.
And strangely enough — she was staring back at me too.
We stopped to take a selfie in front of the shark tank.
Momo smiled so cutely, I wanted to freeze time right there.
After a while, I nervously reached out to hold her hand.
That first touch made my heart pound so hard, it felt like it might explode.
She didn't pull away...
She didn't say anything, just let us hold hands like it was nothing.
But I knew... for us, it wasn't nothing at all.
Sweat started to seep down my back — I tried to keep my face normal, but inside I was a mess.
Momo's face turned red all the way to her ears. She lowered her eyes to avoid mine but was screaming inside.
Momo (thinking): "No way... I'm holding hands with Kazuma..."
It was almost noon.
I turned to ask her.
Ryoujin: "Momo, want to get something to eat?"
Momo: "Hmm, sure."
She smiled and answered right away.
We sat at a restaurant not far from the aquarium.
The food tasted average, not bad.
But it was the most delicious meal I'd had all year because I was eating it with someone I liked.
After that, we went back to explore the last zone of the aquarium.
Time passed until evening...
Ryoujin: "Hey Momo... I want to take you somewhere. Are you interested?"
Momo: "Hmm? Sure. Where are you taking me?"
I smiled and laughed a little, teasing her without giving a straight answer.
Ryoujin: "You'll find out soon enough... Princess."
Not long after, I brought her to Tagoba Beach — a secret place not many people knew about.
It used to be a messy, trash-covered shore, but after some cleanup, it became a magical spot.
We ran and wandered around aimlessly.
Momo's laughter floated in the wind, the soft evening sun touched her face as she looked at me...
That smile... melted my heart.
Ryoujin: "Momo..."
Momo: "Hmm?"
Ryoujin: "Thank you for being with me all this time."
She paused a bit, tilting her head in confusion.
I gathered my courage, held her hand tighter, and continued.
Ryoujin: "Over the past year, you've shown me that... you're truly one of a kind."
Ryoujin: "Now I'm sure I really like you."
Ryoujin: "Momo... please be my girlfriend."
At that moment, it felt like time stopped.
I held my breath, praying in my heart...
Until I heard the answer that changed my entire world.
Momo: "Okay!!"
Momo rushed into a tight hug. The faint scent from her made my heart beat even faster.
Momo: "We're officially a couple now..."
I didn't hesitate... leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
Under the evening sun — we kissed deeply.
It wasn't just the first kiss, but the kiss of all the feelings we'd kept throughout the year.
Not long after... Momo whispered softly.
Momo: "From now on... can I call you Ryou?"
I smiled and whispered back.
Ryoujin: "Of course, my Princess Momo..."
On the way home, I handed her one earbud.
I played some soft music.
We sat together listening without saying a single word.
But that alone... was enough for the most special day of my life.