Highschool DxD-Dream of Perfection

Chapter 20

(09:00 PM)

The evening sky was painted in hues of deep indigo, the last traces of sunset fading into a cool, quiet night. Streetlights cast soft pools of light on the pavement as Yuto made his way home, carrying two large grocery bags, the plastic handles digging into his palms. Inside the bags were groceries Yuki had reminded him to pick up. His muscles ached from hours of training, but he wore a soft, contented smile, the kind that only comes after a productive day.

As he approached the front door, he paused, noticing the familiar light in the kitchen window—a warm glow against the dark. Yuto raised his hand and knocked three times in a clear, distinct rhythm that echoed through the quiet evening.

After a few seconds, he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps and then the click of the lock turning. Yuto opened the door and stepped inside, catching the scent of spices and herbs in the air. His mother stood at the kitchen counter, expertly slicing meat with a practiced hand, her face calm and focused.

"I brought the groceries," he announced, setting the bags down.

Without looking up, she replied, "Put them on the table." Her voice was flat but precise, her focus fully on the task at hand. Yuto's smile grew a little softer, a hint of playful mischief in his gaze.

"Are you still mad about it?" he asked, his voice light and teasing.

She didn't miss a beat, her voice steady. "Mad? Why would I be mad? I'm not mad." Her tone was dismissive, but there was a tension in her shoulders that Yuto couldn't help but notice.

He chuckled, setting the bags down and walking over. Leaning his head over her shoulder, he rested it there, a gentle weight. "Come on, Mom, don't be so stubborn. It's been two days already."

His mother tilted her head to look at him, her cheeks puffed in a small, stubborn pout that made her look almost childlike—a stark contrast to the demeanor expected of a woman her age. "I told you, I'm not mad," she huffed, though a slight flush crept up her cheeks, betraying the irritation simmering beneath the surface.

Yuto grinned, noting the slight twitch of her lips and her attempts at nonchalance. "Alright, alright. Since you're not mad, I guess I don't need to give you the gift I planned as an apology."

She froze, her expression shifting in a flash from indifference to barely-contained curiosity. "A gift? What kind of gift?"

"Oh, just something small," he replied casually, shrugging. "You know, like teaching someone how to finally control their mana to enhance themselves."

Her eyes widened, a glimmer of excitement breaking through as her gaze softened. "Really?" she whispered, her voice almost reverent, and her eyes flickered with hues of color in her excitement.

Yuto smirked, enjoying the anticipation he'd built. "Of course," he said with exaggerated calm. "But since you're not mad, I don't have to, do I?"

Her face fell, lips pulling into a small pout as she turned back to the stove. "Fine, I'm mad," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Hmm? You just told me you weren't mad," he said, raising an eyebrow, the tease still in his voice.

With a final sigh, she turned away, pretending to focus on the stove, her pride still faintly bruised.

Yuto's POV

It's been a little over a month since I got back home, and it's mostly been quiet. I fall into a routine—waking up at 5 a.m., breakfast, warm-up, then straight into three hours of rigorous physical training. Sometimes, it's simple push-ups and sit-ups and the like while under a gravity spell, other times sparring, although i still don't have a sparring partner so it is always shadow spar. I'm still a novice at gravity magic, so it takes time to set up the gravity magic, requiring incantation and preparation. However, I am slowly getting there; one day I will be calling a meteor from the sky like a certain blind swordsman.

After physical training, I take a few hours to read, studying grimoires, totems, or anything I can get my hands on. Then, it's back to gravity training for another few hours before I head home, usually around 9 or 10 p.m. Mom's been making my meals, though I help out when I can—after all, I'm only thirteen, not some 41-year-old man. I can't make decent food. Definetly not because i was lazy; no, one would be called lazy when they are wasting time doing nothing productive which i am definitely not..

Yuto sat cross-legged in the living room, his breathing slow and measured, his face calm as he meditated. Inwardly, he was peering at the system screen in his mind's eye, a habit he developed after getting caught staring at empty air a few times.

"Status," he thought, and a screen materialized before him, vivid and clear.

[System of Perfection]

Name: Tsuki Yuto

Race: Human

Level: 11+1

0/650 to upgrade => 0/700 to upgrade

Talent: 3.62

Perk :

[NEW] Supernatural Charm (Basic)

Skills:

Everyday Household Job, Level 2 (Advanced)

Mana Manipulation, Level 16 (Master)

Physical Enhancement, Level 16 (Master)

Hand to Hand Combat, Level 17 (Master)

Acting, Level 25 (Master)

Enchanted Senses, Level 5 (Master)

Presence: Level 13 (Master)

Swordsmanship, Level 3 (Master)

Marksmanship, Level 1 (Master)

Elemental Magic, Level 16 (Master)

Limit Breaker, Level 9 (Master)

Power Level: 52.3

High Class: 25→ 40

Ultimate Class: 50→ 75

Perfection Points: 784-650=134

Remark: Tsuki Yuto, or better known as Arcana Anomaly, is an abomination among humans, whose race and age are being questioned by the supernatural world, some believing him to be from another race, some a human with a longinus sacred gear.

With a calm gaze, he looks at his status as he upgrades his status, only to notice a second later that a new section of the system has just been added. "There are Perks now?"

[Ding]

[Yes, the host has gotten his first Perk, so the Perk window is unlocked.]

"What does this do?, and how is it different from skills?"

[Skills show mastery of his skills, while Perk shows bloodline, inhale ability, sacred gear, etc.]

[It does not level up like skills; instead, it ranks up]

[Ranging from lowest to highest being. (Basic) (Advanced) (Master) (Grandmaster) (???)]

"Seems simple enough; now, can you explain the supernatural charm for me?"

[Supernatural charm: aura that captivates and draws people in effortlessly, often leaving others enchanted or unable to resist their influence.] This person might exude a magnetic charisma that affects people on a deeper, almost mystical level, compelling them to trust, admire, or even feel a strong attraction without understanding why. Effect: +10% on charm status, it becomes easier to persuade other people.

Seeing this, Yuto thought, "Neat, but not useful," with a shake of his head as he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he came face to face with the beautiful face of his mother, staring right at his face. Her face was a few inches away from him. He did not panic, for he sensed her coming into the room, staring right at him while sitting on the couch. 

With a raised eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

Hearing it snaps Yuki back to reality as she instantly backs away, with a panicked expression she hurriedly says to Yuto. 'I was just waiting for you to wake up, to say food is ready, but you were medidating, so I sat beside you, and then I noticed that you...'

He put his palm in her direction and said to Yuki with a radiant smile. 'Let's just eat; I am hungry.' With that, he got up and walked towards the kitchen. While Yuki stood there in the living room, staring at his back.

(Few minutes ago)

"Will he really refuse to teach me?" Yuki thought, her expression clouded as she prepared dinner. After about five minutes, with most of the cooking done, she set a timer on the stove and walked toward the living room, determined to confront him. But when she reached the doorway, she found Yuto deep in meditation.

Seeing him like this, Yuki stopped in her tracks. Quietly, she sank onto the couch beside him, careful not to disturb his meditation. She leaned back against the cushion, staring at the ceiling for a moment before, bored, she turned her gaze to Yuto.

His face had a blend of handsomeness and boyish charm that would easily draw attention anywhere he went. For thirteen, he was tall, already reaching 5'3". As she watched him, a thought crossed her mind: he looked different somehow—though she couldn't pinpoint what had changed. Had he become more handsome? . But in just a few minutes? Or is her mind playing a trick on her?

Almost without realizing it, she leaned closer, studying his features with quiet fascination. Just as she was lost in thought, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Startled, Yuki panicked, scrambling to come up with an excuse. But before she could say anything, Yuto raised his hand, signaling for her to stay silent, and said, "Let's just eat; I'm hungry." Then he stood up and headed toward the kitchen. A mix of relief and mild irritation washed over her as she sank back into the couch.

Ten minutes later, as she ate, it struck her that she hadn't even asked him whether he would teach her or not. But remembering the flustered moment, she decided with a small huff to wait until tomorrow.

As they ate, Yuki glanced over at Yuto. "So, um... have you thought about going to school?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Yuto looked back at her, one eyebrow raised. "School? Why would I need to go to school?"

Yuki did not know what to say to his question. She could think of a few excuses, like socializing and learning, but that's it; they are all excuses in the end. From what she learned from the month she spent together with him, he would not listen to her unless she had a valid point, which she did not have. So she continued eating her food, pretending that she did not ask. Seeing this, Yuto decided to change the topic. 'Since tomorrow is Sunday, do you want to go to the Zoo?'

Yuki raises her head, her ears perking up. 'Yeah, let's go; we could also go shopping; on the way, you need clothes; 3 sets of clothes are too few; also, we could also go to an amusement park...'

Yuto interrupts her with a raised hand and a smile. 'I don't need more clothes; I already have enough. About the amusement park, yeah, let's go after the zoo,' said Yuto, his voice calm and soft.

Yuki pouts again as tears well up in her eyes. Seeing this, Yuto quietly sighs in his mind, wondering why he did the prank. After the prank, Yuto teased Yuki quite a bit for two weeks, treating her as if she were a baby. Doing small favors like taking small petty revenge like giving someone a nightmare, tripping them, teaching her things that she would have learned weeks in advance that she had to make up later, and giving her money, which he got by inserting fake memories into a filthy rich tycoon. Which, as a consequence, caused her to start acting childish towards him.

He does not blame her; heck, if he suddenly had a super strong son or daughter, he would do much worse things, like manipulating him/her to steal money. Mind fuck his way to the top of the social pyramid. Now that he thinks about it, if he did not get kidnapped by Shadow Veil, in his teenage years he would probably go ballistic, dating a few girls simultaneously, getting a nice mansion, and the like. Thinking of this, he became slightly thankful to Shadow Velvet for making him not waste time on stupid things. He silently decided to reduce the revenge, instead of killing them in a million cuts, he would kill them in nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine cuts. 

(Author: Did I read too many Chinese novels recently?)

Yuto, as if he did not see her tears, just smiled at her, with no sign of giving in. She continued for a second before stopping. After which, as if she did not care anymore, she dug into the food with renewed vigor.

The next day, Yuto and Yuki strolled through the zoo, the soft autumn sun casting a warm glow over the grounds. Yuki walked with excitement, pointing at each animal exhibit they passed, her eyes wide with a childlike wonder. Meanwhile, Yuto chuckled beside her, enjoying the sight of his mother acting so childish.

As they reached the big cat section, Yuki leaned in close to the enclosure, eyes glued to a tiger lazily stretched out under a tree. "Look at him, Yuto!" she exclaimed. "Except for its size, it looks exactly like a kitten."

Yuto raised an eyebrow. "You know, if it wasn't for that glass, you'd probably be his snack."

Yuki nudged him playfully, though a smirk played on her lips. "So you will let your old mother die?"

"Of course not," Yuto replied, laughing. He tugged her along to the next exhibit, a group of playful otters splashing around in their pond.

After a few hours at the zoo, they decided to grab a snack before heading over to the amusement park. Yuki insisted they try the animal-themed ice creams, and Yuto, despite his protests, found himself eating a cone shaped like a lion's face.

The amusement park was bustling with energy. Laughter and the cheerful music of carnival games filled the air. Yuki's eyes sparkled as they moved from ride to ride, and Yuto was surprisingly patient with her, allowing her to drag him from the rollercoaster to the bumper cars without complaint.

After a few hours of racing around the park, Yuto took a break, watching his mom try her luck at a ring-toss game. His gaze drifted as he took in the sights, only to be interrupted by a voice calling his name.

"Yuto!"

Startled, he turned to see a girl with glasses standing in front of him. She looked about his age, maybe a bit older, her expression both curious and familiar. She wore a casual outfit, a satchel over her shoulder, and her short brown hair framed her face neatly.

"Uh, do I know you?" He asked, blinking in surprise.

She laughed softly. "Forgot me already? I'm Kana, from class 5A. Ring any bells?"

Yuto's face lit up with recognition. "Kana from 5A! I remember now—those glasses! I just didn't recognize you at first."

She smiled, adjusting her glasses. "You know, there were a lot of rumors about you when you suddenly disappeared. Some people thought you went abroad to study; others even said you'd been... kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?" Yuto echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Kana leaned in a little, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Yep, you were the talk of the school for months." She looked him over thoughtfully. "You've changed quite a bit in the past four years; you've gotten taller and handsome."

Yuto just smiled in response. "Did I? I always thought I was pretty handsome back then."

Kana chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. "Yeah, you were."

While they were talking, a voice called out, "Kana."

From behind Kana, a boy around fifteen approached, holding a pair of oversized cotton candies in his hands.

Kana glanced back at the boy, a brief frown crossing her face before she quickly regained her composure. Turning to Yuto, she said, "This is my friend, Kirito." She then introduced Yuto to the newcomer. "And this is my childhood friend, Yuto."

At the word "friend," Kirito's eyes seemed to dim for a split second, though he covered it with a cheerful smile as he greeted Yuto. "Hello, Yuto, nice to meet you."

Yuto returned the greeting with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you too, Kirito," he replied, his gaze lingering just a moment on Kirito, as if he were sizing him up. Kana, seemingly unaware, was already glancing off at something in the distance, her fingers lightly gripping her small bag.

They exchanged small talk, sharing stories from school and talking about a few local events coming up, but the air held an undercurrent of tension that Yuto couldn't quite place. Kana kept her eyes darting between Yuto and Kirito, her smile occasionally faltering.

After a few minutes, they decided to part ways.

"Bye, Kana, bye, Kirito," Yuto said as he turned to walk toward his mother, who was still trying her luck at ring-toss game stall, looking determined but no closer to winning.

Just as Yuto started to leave, Kana called out, "Wait!" He stopped and turned to face her. "Let's exchange contact info," she suggested with a slight smile, almost hopeful.

But Yuto shook his head lightly. "Let's save that for next time. Your boyfriend's waiting—you don't want to make him jealous, right?"

Her smile faded, and her shoulders slumped a little. "No, no, he's not my boyfriend; we're just..."

But before she could finish, he turned and walked back toward his mother, leaving her looking a little crestfallen. Kirito stepped up beside her, quietly offering one of the cotton candies he'd been holding. She accepted it with a half-hearted smile, her gaze still lingering on Yuto's retreating figure.