The 'Item Box' That Only I Can Use Is Bugged (Patreon)

Chapter 12: Tinkering With The Box

"…So tired."

As soon as Okinaga got home, he collapsed face-first onto his bed. 

Physically, he wasn't that exhausted, but mentally, he felt drained.

Visiting Nakuru's house was nice, but the Hinobe family bombarded him with questions. It felt like a press conference, and he realized how tiring it could be to answer rapid-fire questions.

(Well, I made my first real friend in this world.)

He hadn't expected his first friend to be a girl, but Nakuru was a wonderful person, and he wanted to keep hanging out with her.

"…Martial arts, huh?"

He rolled over, staring at the ceiling. 

On his way home, Nakuru and Shuichiro had invited him to join their martial arts training again. 

Nakuru insisted that she would enjoy the training more and be more motivated if Okinaga joined. 

He didn't want to disappoint the innocent angel, but he couldn't decide about extracurricular activities on his own.

(Maybe I should talk to my parents.)

It would help him build stamina, and he always admired the idea of enjoying sports with friends. 

Unlike other sports, this didn't seem like it involved competitions, so he wouldn't worry about letting others down. 

It seemed perfect.

He decided to talk to his parents about the day's events during dinner. 

His mother, Aoi, was understandably concerned about the dangers of martial arts, but his father, Yuji, surprisingly agreed easily.

"But isn't martial arts dangerous?" Aoi asked.

"Any sport has its risks," Yuji replied. "Even in swimming, you can cramp up, drown, and if no one notices, you could die. The same goes for soccer, gymnastics, and other sports. Building physical strength involves pushing your body, which can lead to injuries or illness."

As an athlete, Yuji's words carried weight.

"But sports are beneficial. They help you grow physically and mentally. So if Okinaga wants to do it, I support him."

"You're right, it's Okinaga's life. But shouldn't we visit and see for ourselves first? I'd like to talk to their parents too," Aoi said.

Aoi's concern was natural. 

She wanted to ensure everything was safe for her only son.

"Good idea. I'm free tomorrow afternoon, so if it's convenient for them, we can visit."

Having exchanged phone numbers, Okinaga passed the contact information to Yuji, who called the Hinobe family after dinner. 

They arranged to visit the next afternoon.

With plans set, Okinaga decided to review the day's spoils in his room.

"I got a lot of wild herbs today. Horsetails, mugwort, and dandelions are classic. They make great tempura."

These herbs were a staple when he was broke in his previous life. 

He also collected wild leeks and watercress, which were highly valued in high-end restaurants. 

Selling them could be profitable.

(No, that sounds shady. Better not.)

Living within one's means was best. 

Stretching too far could lead to trouble. 

He closed his inventory list and focused on the table.

(――――〝Use〟)

Concentrating on a specific item, he activated his ability. 

Instantly, a plate with a pudding and a paper spoon appeared on the table. 

The pudding was still in its cup, and the spoon was wrapped in a clear bag.

Previously, he had to select items through the list, but now he could use his ability by merely thinking about it. 

He could even select multiple items at once.

"Okay, that's done. Next..."

He focused on the pudding in the cup and the spoon in the bag.

(――――〝Retrieve〟)

The cup disappeared, leaving the pudding on the plate, and the bag around the spoon vanished, revealing the spoon itself.

He discovered that he could "retrieve" just the outer layer or the content, which he called "Partial Retrieval." 

However, he couldn't retrieve just the content unless it was initially stored in the item box.

(As long as I can use it, who cares about the details.)

What mattered was that he could access items as needed. 

Complex theories weren't necessary for a power akin to a bug. 

Accepting it made things easier.

"I have some time before bed. Let's see if there are other convenient features to try out."

Though he claimed not to need theories, he enjoyed uncovering hidden functionalities. 

So, until sleep overcame him, Okinaga continued tinkering with his "Item Box."