Chapter 1: I, the Transmigrator, the Art School Dropout
"Naoto! What are you doing on the rooftop! Get down here right now!"
"Teacher Matsuzaki! Don't mind me! Let me jump from here, as long as I jump, I can go home!"
"If you want to go home, just ask for leave! Why jump off a building! Are you sick or something?!"
At this moment, a large crowd of onlookers gathered on the playground.
For Yamamoto Naoto, who was standing on the rooftop, ready to leap, everyone not only didn't show panic, but seemed exceptionally happy.
The reason was that this was already the tenth time Yamamoto Naoto had prepared to jump off a building this month. For the students, this was already commonplace.
"Hey, do you think that guy will succeed in jumping today?"
"I think it's unlikely, after all, it's already the tenth time this month."
"I bet he'll succeed today."
"Has anyone seen Kuriko?"
"She probably went to the restroom."
So, why did Yamamoto Naoto want to jump off a building?
Of course, we have to start from last month.
Yamamoto Naoto, his original name is unknown. In fact, he is a transmigrator from China.
That's right, the China which produces all kinds of 'Cultivators', 'Chosen Ones', and 'Sons of Destiny'.
And one thing is even more absurd—he was also an art school dropout. One could say he was like a certain little mustache who almost conquered the world…
However, the reason for his failure was a bit ridiculous.
The original exam question was a sketch, but this guy stubbornly drew it as a manga, and its absurdity made even the teachers grading the papers feel it was a bit too much.
After learning of his failure, Yamamoto Naoto was lying on his bed, playing dead, when suddenly the world spun, and he directly arrived in Japan, becoming the current Yamamoto Naoto.
Speaking of which, it's quite absurd.
If it were just transmigration, that would be fine. Which chuunibyou teenager in the new era hasn't thought about such a thing?
However, you tell him that becoming a high school student is one thing, but what does it mean becoming an orphan, and that both of his parents are dead? What does it mean that besides him, there's also a younger sister at home?
Having a sister and a house, with both parents dead, sounds like a protagonist's template. But for Naoto, it was simply too painful. Compared to his current life, he'd rather go home and listen to his parents nag.
So, after referencing the methods of his predecessors, Naoto resolutely decided to jump from a high place. Doing so still had at least a 30% chance of returning to his old home.
"Goodbye, this world. I'm going home."
"No!!!"
Seeing Naoto close his eyes, intending to jump, Teacher Matsuzaki felt his life was about to end along with Naoto's.
He had worked hard for over a decade as a homeroom teacher, and now a student was preparing to commit suicide under his watch. Wasn't this a joke?!
However, at this moment, a delicate small hand, at some unknown time, had already appeared behind Naoto.
Just like a cat owner grabbing their feline master, Naoto was directly dragged back by the scruff of his neck.
"I said, you've caused enough trouble, haven't you? Come back with me obediently."
Behind Naoto, a pink-haired girl wearing glasses was staring at Naoto with an icy gaze.
The girl had no expression at all at this moment, but Naoto could fully feel her anger.
And seeing the girl behind him, Naoto immediately cowered like a mouse seeing a cat.
"Ku-Kuriko?! Weren't you going to the restroom?!"
"With such a big commotion, it would be strange if I could still calmly use the restroom, okay."
But in reality, Kuriko was actually still in the restroom just a second ago. She knew Naoto was jumping because she had a premonition that Naoto was causing trouble again.
Kuriko Saiki, Yamamoto Naoto's childhood friend.
The two have been neighbors since they were three years old and have known each other for over a decade now.
And Kuriko also has a secret that no one knows—that is, she is a psychic, basically a god.
This matter, besides Kuriko's parents, only Naoto knows about it.
Even his stupid younger sister at home hasn't noticed this.
Therefore, Naoto also became one of Kuriko's few trusted friends.
"Teacher, this idiot has caused you trouble."
Not long after, Kuriko had already dragged Naoto down from the rooftop and apologized to Teacher Matsuzaki, who had almost had a heart attack.
"It's alright, it's alright. It's a good thing you, Kuriko, are here, otherwise, no one would be able to control this guy."
Matsuzaki looked at Naoto, who was looking glum at the moment, and ultimately said nothing.
In Matsuzaki's eyes, the original Naoto should have been a serious and diligent good student.
He only became like this after his parents passed away a year ago.
Thinking about it, it makes sense. Which child could remain completely normal after both parents died? That would be the scariest thing. It's already very good that Naoto has Kuriko to keep him in line.
"Um, Kuriko. It's almost time for school to end, so why don't you take this guy home first."
At this moment, even if Matsuzaki had a bigger heart, he didn't dare to let these two stay at school any longer, so he could only let Kuriko take him home first.
Kuriko didn't refuse, she just dragged Naoto and walked out of the school.
After leaving the school, Kuriko also let go of Naoto's hand, and the two walked side by side towards home.
(Why did you do this today?)
(I don't want to stay in this world anymore, how's that for a reason?)
(If you die, what about Reika?)
(I don't know...)
(You really are a rotten person.)
(Maybe, say what you want.)
(Although I don't know what you ultimately want to do, I don't want to clean up your corpse. Remember, even if you die, I can still pull you back!)
(Nagging!)
Along the way, although the two didn't say a word aloud, under Kuriko's telepathy, they actually completed a series of conversations.
"I'm going home first, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
The two at this moment were like ordinary childhood friends, bidding each other farewell.
Yamamoto Naoto pushed open the door to his empty home and sat on the sofa like a dead fish.
Because Naoto's sister's school is boarding, she only comes home once a week. Recently, however, her sister has been staying at her school, refusing to come back. So, at present, he lives alone in this house.
The house left by his parents still had thirty years of mortgage payments. Outstanding, such kind parents…
The remaining money was only about 300,000 Japanese Yen. Besides the mortgage, he also had to cover his own and his sister's living expenses.
Such immense pressure was also the reason Naoto wanted to escape.
300,000 Japanese Yen sounds like a lot, but in Japan, he would probably go bankrupt in at most three months.
Now, only one path lay before him: to work desperately to earn money.
He truly didn't want to suddenly go from being a student to a working dog in the future.
[Strongest Manga Artist System loading—]
[Detecting suitable host, system automatically updating—]
[Welcome user to System No. 10086. This system humbly serves you, dedicated to helping you become the strongest manga artist of this century.]
Just as Naoto was in despair, suddenly, a light blue screen appeared before his eyes.
"What is this?"
Looking at the screen that appeared before him, Naoto felt as if he were dreaming.
"System?! Does this mean I'm about to take off?!"