Chapter 60: Kaze o Matta Hi
"So hot…"
The 2D world of Onichichi was smack in the middle of summer vacation—the two hottest months of the year. Even with mana flowing through me, I still had zero resistance to extreme heat or cold. When the hell would I reach those wuxia novel levels where grandmasters laugh at scorching summers and freezing winters?
"Kouichi, are you feeling hot?"
Nao didn't seem bothered by the heat at all. She gently pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed the sweat from my forehead. I was seriously jealous of her constitution.
Finally, the bus arrived. I practically dove on board. Air conditioning! It wasn't super effective under the blazing sun, but still—blessed shade.
"Nao, I forgot to ask—why are you in a tennis uniform?"
She was wearing her full tennis kit. Come to think of it, the first time we met—when she was locked up—she'd been in the exact same outfit.
"After lunch I have to head to school for regular tennis club practice."
"Oh, right. Hey… can I come watch?"
"Eh? Kouichi-kun wants to come too? Um… normally the girls' tennis club doesn't allow male visitors, but if I beg the captain, it should be fine. Do you like tennis, Kouichi-kun?"
"Of course! How could I not like something Nao loves? Tennis is such an elegant yet intense sport."
My knowledge of ball sports came entirely from manga. Tennis = Prince of Tennis. Soccer = Captain Tsubasa. Baseball = Touch. And basketball? Ha—you think I'm gonna say it's Slam Dunk or Kuroko's Basketball? Nope. Ro-Kyu-Bu!! all the way.
Yesterday I'd already completed the full "H-mana charge" ritual with Nao, automatically inheriting her strongest skill: tennis. I dumped three points of permanent mana into reinforcement, skyrocketing my level. Gotta say—Nao's tennis was legitimately good. Baseline rating of 5.0. That's already pro territory, way past amateur.
Tennis levels go up to 7.0, with half-steps like 1.5, 4.5, etc. Top amateurs max out around 4.5. Active national/provincial players usually sit at 5.0–5.5. Only a handful hit 6.0. World-class is straight 7.0. Nao being a high-schooler with 5.0 was impressive. Three points of mana later? I was at 6.0. The absolute cap for reinforcement or training alone—there's no 6.5 between 6.0 and 7.0. You need accumulated match experience for the final jump.
Hearing that I liked tennis—and actually knew what I was talking about—Nao lit up. More shared topics! We dove straight into discussing techniques, spins, footwork. Thanks to the copied skill, I didn't just know the motions—I had the full theoretical package too. Reinforced on top of that, I answered everything fluently.
The conversation slowly flipped: she started asking me for advice.
Since the skill came from her, I knew every single one of her strengths and weaknesses inside out. I pointed things out so clearly that Nao got that rare "one conversation with you beats ten years of reading"
Her affection meter was already MAXED. The way she looked at me now? Pure melted sugar. If affection was battle power, hers would've shattered the scale. Chatting with the person you like about something you both love—time vanishes. We almost missed our stop. Only the driver's call snapped us out of it.
"Whew, we're a bit late, but that's actually good. Way fewer people eating."
Nao led me straight to a familiar table. The server brought menus.
"Kouichi, what do you want?"
"Hm… let's go with the restaurant specials."
"Got it. Then I'll order: tuna sashimi, some light sushi…"
"Nao-senpai."
Nao looked up from checking boxes. Across the restaurant: Ran Maeda and Sana Kuranaka waving.
"Wow, what a coincidence! Running into you two again."
Truly, no such thing as too many coincidences. Same as yesterday at the shaved-ice place. Only this time they'd arrived first and were almost done.
Ran hurried over, eyes sparkling when she saw me.
"Hoshino-senpai! You're here too!"
"Mhm~ Nao-senpai, I get it now. Are you and Kouichi… dating?"
Sana—2D version of the infamous scandal king—held up her family DVD camcorder, looking way too excited. I didn't bother hiding it.
"Yeah. Nao's my girlfriend."
"Really?!"
Ran and Sana spoke in perfect sync.
Nao smiled, pure happiness radiating.
"Yes."
Sana was mostly shocked. Ran looked… a little disappointed for a split second. But she recovered fast.
"Congratulations to both senpais, then!"
I grinned.
"Thanks. You didn't bring your guitar today?"
"Nope. Guitar's too big. Carrying it everywhere is such a hassle."
"I see. Wait—is that a harmonica in your pocket?"
Since I was sitting, I could see something poking out of Ran's skirt pocket. Super familiar. Instant nostalgia hit. I'd always said I knew a bit about music for a reason. My dad never went to music school, couldn't even read sheet music, but he taught himself harmonica so well that it was how he stood out among all the guys chasing Mom and won her over.
Growing up around that, I naturally picked it up too. Later I studied music theory on my own. By thirteen I was pretty damn good—better than him in some ways. Then something happened… I quit. Years passed, the knot in my heart untied, but I never bought another one.
Harmonicas are mostly personal hobbies. Rarely used in formal performances. So seeing one here surprised me.
"You mean this? It was a gift from my dad back in kindergarten. It's what made me fall in love with music and instruments. But compared to guitar, even though I'm more familiar with it… my skill is pretty limited. I've never gotten really good."
"Can I take a look?"
"Of course!"
"Maeda, Kuranaka—don't just stand there. Sit across from us. Want anything?"
"No need, Nao-senpai. We already ate. We're stuffed."
I took the harmonica. Suzuki Tombo—same famous Japanese brand that exists in the real world too. I'd known the name forever but never owned one. Years since I last played… yet the moment it touched my lips, zero awkwardness.
I started blowing softly.
"Kaze o Matta Hi."
A classic anime piano piece, but it works perfectly on chromatic harmonica. Main melody slow, mournful. Counter-rhythm tight, frantic piano stabs that scream desperate parting. One of the most iconic tracks in the original soundtrack. Its beautiful, flowing piano has been quoted endlessly in pure music, light music, and new-age forums completely unrelated to ACG—proof it transcends the story and still moves people on its own. True boundary-breaking emotion.
The three girls talking nearby went dead silent. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating. I lost myself in it, unconsciously letting faint mana leak from my forehead into the notes. The music's natural quality plus that subtle mana aura… in the sweltering summer heat, it felt like a real cool breeze swept through. Like everyone had been pulled into a dream world—neither happy nor sad. Just… existing.
The piece ended.
Long silence.
Then—someone started clapping. It spread like a wave. Thunderous applause.
"Wahhh… so moving! I've heard people say music can make sounds visible… mountains and flowing water, little bridges and withered vines… but I never felt it before. Just now—I really felt like I was standing in a wilderness, all kinds of winds rushing over me."
"Uuu… Senpai, Ran's super touched! Please write this piece down for us too!"
Sana and Ran—closest to me—were both teary-eyed, staring like I'd performed a miracle. I got embarrassed.
"Sorry for showing off. And sorry, Maeda—I used your harmonica without asking."
Ran shook her cute little head like a rattle.
"No problem at all! Ran feels super honored!"
I blinked.
"'…the say'?"
Ran's face went scarlet.
"Ran has a verbal tic… please don't tease, senpai."
"Haha, sorry. Here—your harmonica back. Nao, ask when the food's coming. I'm starving flat here."
"Senpai…"
Ran pouted at me while taking it back.
Right then the server arrived with trays, set them down, and smiled.
"Dear customers, the boss said: thanks to you for bringing such touching music to everyone here and to him personally. This meal is on the house. Please enjoy—no need to hold back."
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