The morning air in front of Sobu High's gate was filled with the liveliness of new and returning students gathered.
But all eyes were drawn to one unusual sight: Hayato Hayama, the popular handsome guy, carrying a beautiful pink-haired girl who appeared weak and trembling, while beside him walked a silver-haired woman with a deadly and elegant aura.
"Eh~ Hayama-kun has two beautiful girls? And his right hand… is that a tattoo?"
"Such a chuunibyou, huh?"
The whispers sounded like a buzz of bees in Hayato's ears. But he ignored them. His priority now was Lala, who stubbornly refused to be healed.
"Are you sure you don't want me to use the concept of 'recovery'?" he asked once more.
"No!" Lala answered with determination. "This is my memory… I want to feel this."
Hayato sighed. "Alright."
They approached the announcement board. Struggling because he was still carrying Lala, Hayato looked for his name. Luckily, all three of them were placed in the same class: 2-F.
Lilith smiled, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. "Hayato, I can feel strong waves of desire from the men here. Envy, curiosity, lust… so lively."
"Better we ignore them," Hayato answered shortly.
Suddenly, a strange inner voice entered his head.
{Lucky I'm not late. I need to see where my class is.}
The voice sounded breathless, like someone who had just run. Hayato looked, and in the crowd, he saw a young man with a pendant around his neck—Raku Ichijou.
[Why can I hear the protagonist's inner voice? SERA, can you explain?]
The SERA hologram appeared, visible only to party members. "Sorry, Host. It seems there's a… system error. I can't fix this. But on the bright side, Host can hear protagonists' thoughts outside the canon script. Useful if they have hidden plans or if there are other reincarnators."
A virtual school map appeared, and SERA used a virtual pointer stick. "Current Inner Voice range is 500 meters. Can be expanded to a planet, even the entire universe if Host wishes. But not recommended—the mental noise could drive you insane."
Hayato narrowed his eyes. [Can you turn it off? And… does this inner voice also leak to their heroines?]
"Unfortunately, it cannot be turned off. And about leaking to heroines…" SERA cleared her throat virtually. "I haven't found that function in the system. Might be safe."
Then SERA winked. "Well then, I'll rest first." She disappeared.
Lilith and Lala exchanged glances. They heard that internal conversation clearly. SERA was lying—something was being hidden. But they would ask later.
Hayato slowly set Lala down. "You can walk normally, right? We have to go to the assembly hall."
Lala nodded, though her steps were still a bit unsteady. "I'm fine."
Lilith immediately grabbed Hayato's left arm, and Lala held his right hand. They walked like a small, conspicuous formation.
{Tch. Look at that guy. Just started school and already being affectionate with two mysterious beautiful women.}
That cynical inner voice clearly came from Hachiman Hikigaya, who stood not far from them, his face flat as usual and his gaze like a dead fish.
[Hikigaya's voice. Alright, just ignore it.]
They entered the school's large, luxurious assembly hall. Students were gathered, a low hum of voices audible.
Hayato noticed a brown-haired young man rushing through the gate, then running to the announcement board. Rito Yuuki. His eyes sparkled as he saw his name in the same class as Haruna Sairenji.
{I'm in the same class as Haruna! But why is it so hard to confess my feelings…}
Hayato shook his head. Protagonists and their love problems…
Sobu's assembly hall was spacious and grand. Students gathered, some looking nervous. Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped onto the stage, taking the microphone.
"Welcome, new students and those who have moved up a grade. Today is the opening ceremony. Don't think you can relax here. Study seriously."
She paused for a moment. "Now, a greeting from our principal, Hahari Hanazono."
An adult woman with long pink hair and striking green eyes stepped onto the stage. Her style was elegant, her formal attire slightly open at the chest, showing confidence and… strong charisma. Hayato frowned. Her face… was familiar. And her hair… the same as Lala's?
Lilith chuckled softly. "Lala, you look like her. A coincidence?"
Lala tilted her head. "Ehh? My mother's hair is pink too, but her eyes are pink, not green."
Hahari looked at the crowd of students with a cold yet elegant gaze. "Welcome. I am Hahari Hanazono, principal of Sobu High. This school has complete facilities: laboratories, health center, sports fields meeting international standards. The cafeteria serves a different menu every day, free for all students."
Her voice suddenly became sharper. "I do not tolerate bad grades… and also bad behavior towards my daughter, Hikari."
Among the crowd, Hikari Hanazono—a student with pink hair and green eyes like her mother—felt nervous. Her mother was too overprotective.
As she spoke, a system window appeared before Hayato.
[System: Due to there being 3 protagonists (Raku, Rito, Hikigaya) in this school, thought wave interference has occurred. The system will filter so that only 1 dominant protagonist's inner voice is heard when the Host is in class or meeting directly.]
At least that was a relief.
The ceremony ended. As they walked out of the hall, Hiratsuka approached. "Lilith, Lala. Follow me. And you, Hayama."
Her eyes focused on the Command Seal on Hayato's hand. "You should remove that tattoo."
Hayato scratched his head. "Umm, Sensei… it's permanent. Real."
"Hah?! Since when did you become a chuunibyou?" Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes.
"This is serious, Sensei," Hayato answered, sounding somewhat desperate.
Hiratsuka sighed. "I'll deal with this later. Come on, you two."
Lala and Lilith followed Hiratsuka, leaving Hayato alone to head to class 2-F.
---
When Hayato opened the door to class 2-F, he was greeted by a sight both familiar and strange.
There were Hikigaya, Yukino, Yui, Saki, Yumiko, and others—characters from Oregairu who were now his classmates.
He greeted them with the fake smile he usually used as the popular Hayama. "Good morning."
Before he could find a seat, three of his old friends—Tobe, Yamato, and Ooka—approached him.
"Yo, Hayato!" greeted Tobe. "How'd you get two hot girls after not seeing you for a while?"
Ooka examined the Command Seal. "And the tattoo on your hand… looks like one I saw in a game."
Yamato just observed. "You've changed a lot."
Hayato sighed. "A lot happened. Sorry, I'll focus on the future. Might not hang out much, but we're still friends. About this tattoo… I can't talk about it. It's useless to remove."
They fell silent. "Why?" asked Tobe.
"Because…" Hayato's voice was soft, sounding tired. "My head hurts thinking about the possibilities that will happen in the future."
{Huh. Words like a protagonist who found enlightenment. Chuunibyou, but lucky to get two beautiful girls. His friend group disbanded. I'm sure there'll be interesting drama.}
Hikigaya's cynical inner voice.
[I don't care. Lucky I didn't go crazy because of this world. The human world looks normal, peaceful. But in the lower layers… the underworld, full of conflict between three factions: Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils. Not to mention Trihexa, the Evie race, and this absurd multiverse. Lastly, that old man Zelretch… must be watching me while drinking tea.]
Hayato's inner lament leaked out.
Yukino, Yuigahama, Yumiko, Saki, Minami, Hina—all of them heard a strange voice in their heads. Not an auditory voice, but a thought voice.
And they looked at Hayato and Hikigaya—the only ones who might be thinking weirdly—their lips weren't moving.
Yukino narrowed her eyes. Multiverse? Race wars? Zelretch? That sounded like high-level chuunibyou talk. But… why so clear?
Ebina actually got excited. Zelretch? From the Nasuverse? So Hayama-kun is involved with magic?
Yumiko approached Hayato, her face a mix of anger and confusion. "Is that what you meant yesterday? Those two girls… are they really your fiancées?"
"Yes," Hayato answered calmly. "Lala and Lilith. I've met Lala's father. He agreed."
"EEEEHHH?!" The whole class shouted.
{Now even the parents agree. Have they reached the intimate stage?} Hikigaya's inner lament.
Yumiko wanted to protest further, but the door opened. Hiratsuka entered. "Everyone, sit down. I'm your homeroom teacher. We have two transfer students."
Lala and Lilith entered. Lala walked somewhat shakily, Lilith elegantly.
Lala smiled brightly. "Hello! My name is Lala Satalin Deviluke. I'm an alien, and Hayato's fiancée!"
[Oh god, she's being blunt right away! Lucky her tail is hidden.]
Lilith nodded. "Lilith. That's enough. Oh, and I'm his fiancée too."
The class fell silent again. Hiratsuka looked sharply at Hayato. "After break, you come with me to the staff room."
Hayato sighed. "Yes, Sensei."
They walked to the empty desks behind Hayato. Hiratsuka began discussing class representative elections.
"Who wants to nominate themselves? Can vote or self-nominate."
Minami Sagami raised her hand confidently. "Me! Entrust it to me!"
{Huh. Class representative. An invisible burden. Gets a position, but has to attend meetings, meet teachers, handle attendance, be involved during school festivals… troublesome.}
Hikigaya's inner voice sounded lazy when he heard about becoming class representative.
[Pfft. Absolutely right. Better to be at home.]
Their thoughts were again heard.
Minami suddenly hesitated. Yukino thought that was realistic. Yuigahama agreed it was troublesome. Yumiko was relieved she didn't nominate herself. Ebina was still thinking about Zelretch with Hayato. Lala wondered, is it really that troublesome? Lilith just laughed seeing their reactions.
Hiratsuka was annoyed. "Minami-san, are you sure?"
"Per… perhaps it's better if someone else…" answered Minami.
Hiratsuka was irritated. The choice fell to Hayato (8 votes), Hikigaya (6 votes), and Minami (2 votes).
{Hey, why me?}
[Damn, why me? I already have a lot of tasks—keeping the world from going chaotic!]
Hiratsuka smiled with satisfaction. "Class Representative: Hayato Hayama. Vice Representative: Hikigaya Hachiman. No objections."
{I refuse.}
[Me too.]
Hikigaya raised his hand, but Hiratsuka cut him off. "Not accepted."
The bell rang. "Hayama, follow me," ordered Hiratsuka.
---
In the staff room, Hiratsuka sat with a sharp gaze. "Hayama, you're still a high school student. Even though engaged, already doing intimate things? Not to mention the tattoo on your hand."
"Sorry, Sensei. But this tattoo is real. It's called a Command Seal. Sensei knows Fate Grand Order?"
"Of course. But you're not Ritsuka Fujimaru. I don't believe in magic."
Hayato raised his right hand. Suddenly, the chair Hiratsuka was sitting on lifted a few centimeters off the floor. Hiratsuka was startled, tried to step on the floor, but her feet were dangling. After a few seconds, it lowered slowly.
"Supernatural power is real, Sensei," said Hayato, his voice serious. "I don't care if you believe it or not. But be careful. If Sensei gets involved in their conflicts… you could die without knowing why."
He bowed. "I'll take my leave now, I want to have lunch."
Hiratsuka was silent, digesting the event.
---
In the classroom, Yui approached Lala. "Hello! I'm Yui Yuigahama!"
Lala smiled. "Hello! I'm Lala."
"Are you sick? You're walking unsteadily."
"Ah, that's because this morning the three of us showered together."
The class fell silent again. Hikigaya immediately left.
{Just as I suspected. I don't want to hear more. This world is unfair.}
Lilith laughed hearing that, their reactions looked funny.
When Hayato returned, he brought food from his inventory. Yumiko approached, her face red. "You… seriously did intimate things this morning?"
Lilith teased. "Ara~ Jealous?"
"I'm not jealous!"
Hayato massaged his temples. "I'll eat first."
Hayato, Lala, and Lilith ate together. Afterwards, Hiratsuka entered again, distributing duty schedules. Coincidentally, Hayato and Hikigaya were assigned duty together that day.
{So troublesome.}
[Just finish it quickly, I want to go home.]
After class ended, Hayato finished his duty with Hikigaya who hardly spoke. Outside, Lala and Lilith were already waiting.
"Long wait?" asked Hayato.
"No," answered Lilith.
Lala took out a strange gun-shaped device from her inventory. "I made something! Pyon-Pyon Warp-kun! Using Arc of Embodiment. We can go home directly!"
Hayato felt horrified. "Lala… we can teleport normally…"
"Relax! It's safe!" Lala aimed the pistol at Hayato.
BZZZT!
No strange sensation. But when Hayato opened his eyes, what he saw wasn't the street in front of his house.
A bright blue sky, but in the distance, tall buildings with futuristic designs.
The air felt different. The technology around him was far more advanced than the Japan he knew.
"SERA… where is this? The future?" asked Hayato, his voice tense.
SERA appeared with a hologram blinking red in panic. "HOST! EMERGENCY! WE ARE NOT IN THE FUTURE! WE ARE—"
"Not in the future? Then where?!" shouted Hayato, his heart pounding.
"INFINITE STRATOS! THE WORLD OF INFINITE STRATOS!"
First day of school. Only a few hours in the "normal" world. And now… thrown into a mecha world.
Hayato was silent for a moment, his brain processing. A world where only women can pilot mechanized combat armor, IS. A world with Ichika Orimura's harem.
Then, from the depths of his soul, a mental scream exploded, directed at the entity he knew was definitely observing:
"ZELRETCH!! I NEED YOUR HELP NOW!! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND I GET THROWN INTO ANOTHER WORLD?!"
Somewhere between dimensions, an old wizard choked on his tea, then burst out laughing. "Wow, this one is more chaotic than I expected! Lala, her inventions are truly unpredictable!"