What Naoki didn't realize was that from behind a hidden stone crevice in the higher cave wall, there was a pair of green eyes full of curiosity that had been observing his every move since he fell.
Even when Naoki brought the Peach to his mouth and bit into it, the person hiding didn't try to stop him.
On the other hand, without any hesitation or more precisely, driven by desperation and burning ambition, Naoki devoured the Peach completely.
It tasted sweet, almost like an ordinary peach, but with a slight tingling sensation on his tongue. He swallowed, waiting with his heart pounding hard.
"..."
A few seconds passed. Then ten seconds. There was no explosion of energy, no light enveloping his body, no sensation of power flowing abundantly.
"It didn't work?"
Disappointment struck him like a sledgehammer. It turned out that even though Naoki was a Reincarnator, he was still no different from billions of other men in this world who tried their luck only to end up as ordinary humans.
In fact, it wasn't just him who was disappointed. From behind her hiding place, the person with green eyes also let out a small sigh that was almost inaudible, showing similar emotion behind her beautiful face.
(The miracle I hoped for didn't happen. If thought about logically, it does make sense. Several decades have passed since the beginning of Mato's appearance. Who knows how many ambitious, desperate, or simply curious men have ever tasted Peaches—legally or illegally.)
(The result is always the same, never changing: not a single one of them succeeded in awakening power.)
The person thought with a little sadness, though still captivated by the man's courage and determination.
Even so, this failure didn't completely eliminate her interest in Naoki.
But suddenly...
"Huh?"
From lips coated with glossy lip balm behind the darkness, a cute exclamation slipped out, full of innocent astonishment.
What she witnessed in the next few seconds overturned all common sense and data ever collected about Peaches. This wasn't just a small change. It wasn't an exaggeration to call it an unprecedented miracle.
"..."
Meanwhile, Naoki's disappointment was suddenly swept away, replaced by a wave of immeasurable joy, even stronger than he had imagined.
Not a dramatic explosion, but a deep sensation, permeating every cell of his body. He could feel his body being strengthened, as if the limits of a normal human's physicality that had been shackling him all this time shattered into pieces.
The fatigue and pain from the earlier fight faded quickly, replaced by a feeling of lightness, strength flowing through his muscles, and heightened sensory clarity.
This increase in physical fitness was just the basic effect of something far greater awakening within his soul.
"Ha... Ha Ha Ha.... HA HA HA HA....!"
In overflowing euphoria, unable to contain himself, Naoki laughed heartily.
His voice echoed inside the cave, full of relief, victory, and wild joy, resembling the laughter of Uchiha clan antagonists who had just obtained new power.
His laughter suddenly stopped when a soft voice, full of genuine admiration, was heard nearby.
"Congratulations. You've become the only man in history who successfully awakened a Peach Blessing."
"Who?!"
Naoki started, reflexively turning toward the source of the voice.
He saw a young woman standing gracefully on a flat rock.
The woman was very beautiful, with smooth and elegant facial features. Her hair was short blonde, but with the top of her head white, creating a unique and attractive contrast. Her emerald-green eyes radiated intelligence and warmth. Her figure was slender yet looked strong, with beautiful body curves.
The woman wore the formal uniform of the Anti-Demon Corps: a dark blue militia tunic that fit her body, a hat with elegant red accents, white gloves, short pants that showed off her long legs, and thigh-high boots. A single earring with a feather ornament hung from her right ear, swaying gently following her steps.
"Hello. It seems your mood is very good." Greeted the blonde-white-haired woman with a gentle smile.
That smile was completely different from the condescending, indifferent, or superior attitude usually shown by women at Kaminoge High School toward men.
"I am the commander of the Sixth Unit of the Anti-Demon Corps, Izumo Tenka."
Then, Tenka jumped down from the rock with light and elegant movements, approaching Naoki.
Tenka stepped closer, shortening the distance until her perfume's scent was caught by Naoki. She began observing the young man up close without changing her cheerful expression, her eyes tracing every inch.
This behavior made Naoki nervous despite knowing Tenka's personality couldn't possibly know anything bad about him.
"No need to be nervous. I won't eat you~" Tenka said in a teasing tone, as if she could read his tension.
She then politely stepped back a few paces, giving a more comfortable distance for Naoki, then continued in a more casual tone, explaining her motive.
"I came to this area after sensing a human entering Mato abnormally."
"I see. In other words, you came to rescue me."
"Mm. You could say that."
The smile never left Tenka's beautiful face. She didn't avert her gaze from Naoki in the slightest.
"Ne~ now it's my turn to ask."
Tenka suddenly changed her expression to be more curious and slightly mischievous. She tilted her head slightly, and her innocent emerald-green eyes gaze directly targeted Naoki's groin area as if asking something ordinary.
"Are you really a man?"
The question just slipped out, leaving Naoki stunned for a moment before his reaction exploded.
"What?! Izumo-san! Do I look like a woman in your eyes?!!" His protesting voice rose due to a combination of shock, confusion, and a bit of offended sentiment.
Having his masculinity questioned directly by a woman, especially one he just met, was insulting to any man.
Tenka instead giggled at his reaction.
"I'm not wrong to think that way." She said while shrugging casually, her smile widening. "After all, it's common knowledge that only women can awaken abilities after eating Peaches. You're the first exception."
She folded her arms in front of her chest. "And in this era, it's not uncommon to find tomboy women with masculine appearances or attitudes. So, it's only natural that I'd doubt your gender a bit when seeing this anomaly. Oh, by the way, just call me Tenka. No need to be too formal~"
Naoki took a breath, trying to calm himself. "Alright, Tenka-san—"
"No need for the '-san' honorific." Tenka interrupted gently but firmly.
"Alright, Tenka." Naoki adjusted. But his annoyance was still there. "You still don't believe I'm a man? Do you want further proof? Should I take off my pants here to prove it?"
Tenka just laughed lightly and waved her hand, her face remaining calm without any signs of embarrassment or blushing. Her calm reaction actually somewhat disappointed Naoki; he might have expected a slightly more 'normal' reaction from a girl.
"No need to go that far, though your offer... is interesting." Tenka said in a playful tone, a thin smile gracing her lips. "The Adam's apple on your neck is more than enough proof. I was just joking a bit~ But the fact that you, a man, successfully awakened a Peach Blessing... this is very, very serious, Naoki-kun."
Her tone changed, becoming deeper and full of consideration, though her friendly smile didn't completely disappear.
[Support me by reading the paid version. Benefits: access to more chapters.
Click here: patre*n.com/LoveFanfiction
For donations from generous benefactors who are Crazy rich: paypal.me/andicand]