🟧 Ren's POV:

At night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I sat alone on the wooden roof above our lodgings, staring at the stars scattered over the dark city.

It had been a long time since I came to this world… how long exactly? I don't remember. Maybe five months. Maybe more.

I had been summoned here, just like in the stories… but the story didn't go the way I expected.

At first I tried to adapt to the people of this city.

But I failed—miserably.

I ended up in prison because of my own naivety. That's not something a leader does.

My chances of getting out were small. Sure, I could've smashed my way out…but then I would've become a wanted criminal.

That's when I met Takeru-dono.

The first time I saw him was inside the cell… he looked lost, sarcastic, maybe a little helpless.

But there was something different in his eyes.

Something that said, "I don't belong here — but I'll figure this place out my own way."

He was unlike anyone I'd ever met. Not just because he's Japanese… but because, after a long time, I finally felt I could trust someone.

I saw a special companion in him. In fact… I pictured him as my leader.

Yes… Takeru-dono… my leader.

But…

Every time I think about that, something stirs inside me.

I've always… wanted to be the leader.

Back in Japan — at school, in clubs, at camps — I always tried.

And I always failed.

People laughed at my plans. They ignored my ideas. They overlooked me completely.

And now… the same story repeats itself even in this world.

I don't hate Takeru — on the contrary. I respect him.

I think he's clever in his own way…

But the idea of standing behind him?

I can't accept it.

I want to be the leader — at least once.

And not disappoint those who put faith in me.

Is that too much to ask?

I let out a long sigh and went back to sleep.

Maybe tomorrow will bring a new chance to prove myself.

Days passed: hammers danced, sweat slid, and wood creaked under saws and nails.

As usual I moved between work sites — carrying stones, correcting angles, lifting boards, watching the details.

Some people smiled at me. Some called my name. Others asked trivial questions like, "Ren, can you count how many nails we have left?" or "Ren, is this iron bar any good?"

I smiled. Yes—this is my burden now.

And amid all that… I overheard something important:

"Did you hear? The bank's almost finished! Next week they'll start the Hunter Test in Osmara!"

The beginning of adventure — the start of the life I've been searching for.

I looked over at Takeru-dono from afar…

He was struggling to secure a wooden plank — in the wrong place, too.

I smiled.

He doesn't care. He never cared about adventure.

But there's something in him that makes me want to compete… despite everything.

Maybe one day we'll stand on the same ground and compare how far we've come.

And I… I'll be the leader then.

Not behind him — but in front.

I won't be the shadow anymore.

I returned to my work, a quiet fire burning in my chest.

---

🟧 Takeru's POV:

Back to work at the site again… same planks, same stones, same repeated orders as if people forgot how to say anything new.

Me? I was doing what needed to be done. Nothing more.

I lifted. I moved. I smiled when I felt eyes on me.

Sometimes I'd sneak behind the wooden barrier just to breathe a little peace.

And of course, I collected EXP points.

Yes — every task, every stone I lifted, every sack of cement I dragged… gave me one point. Two. Sometimes three if it nearly broke my back.

It sounds small — but it adds up.

I hadn't spent a single point yet.

Not because I'm stingy or cautious… but simply because I have no idea how I'm supposed to use them.

The "Factory" skill lets me create anything — yeah, I've heard that.

But "anything" is a vague word.

Should I make tools? A weapon? A more comfortable bed?

Should I make… bread? A shield? a coffee machine?

[Suggestion: Build a flying broomstick and ride away on it.]

"Thanks. That's incredibly helpful."

For now, I'd rather just gather points quietly.

Not because I'm planning something big…

But because I'm not planning anything at all.

I'm just… waiting for something to happen. Anything.

Something that'll make me need those points — something that'll force me to choose.

Until then? I'll carry stones, gather points… and pretend to be a diligent worker.

[+2 EXP Points]

Construction was nearing its end, and the atmosphere began to change.

Less noise. More fatigue.

And more talk about "what comes next."

Some planned to return to their cities.

Some would look for other work.

Others… didn't know what to do.

That night, while I was stargazing by the dorm, Ren came to me.

"Takeru-dono… care to walk with me for a bit?"

His voice was different — less energetic, more… steady.

We walked to the edge of the site, where only the creak of wood and the whisper of the wind could be heard.

He was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke:

"Have I ever told you… about my family?"

I shook my head. He never had.

"I lived with my grandfather. I don't remember my parents — they died young. And my grandfather… he passed away shortly before I was summoned to this world."

His eyes were fixed on the ground, his hands behind his back the way he always does when he's nervous.

"Six years ago I was twelve — in middle school.

I always tried to be the leader — in activities, on trips, anything.

But no one ever trusted me. They said I lacked charisma. That I was too intense. That I was… a failure."

He paused. Then he smiled — a smile you couldn't tell if it was pain or sarcasm.

"But… there was one girl who believed in me."

He looked up at the sky.

"She was a classmate. She had that 'eighth-grade syndrome' — she thought she was a sorceress.

She used to talk about fantasy worlds and gave me titles like 'Commander of the Sixth Division.'

Everyone laughed at her… except me.

I saw something in her — something pure. Something genuine.

And she… she was the only one who truly believed I could be a leader."

He breathed in, looked at the sky, and said:

"She had a chronic illness… and she died."

He stopped walking.

"After she died… I didn't want to forget her.

So I began to imitate her.

I started acting like her.

And I became… the person you see today."

I looked at him. In that moment he wasn't the noble fighter, or the quick-punch martial artist, or the overly dramatic oddball.

He was just a boy who lost the only person who believed in him.

I whispered softly, "I see now…"

He smiled again — more genuinely than ever:

"I'm not telling you this so you'll pity me. I just… wanted you to know.

Maybe because… you're the first person I felt could understand me, without laughing."

He fell silent. Then I said:

"I don't laugh at people, Ren… I only laugh at their attempts to escape reality.

And you… you didn't run away. You were honest with yourself."

He lowered his head slightly, then said, "Thank you, Takeru-dono."

We walked back to the dorm without saying much more.

But in his silence he said a lot.

And within me… I felt I was finally starting to understand Ren Kurosawa for the first time.