Just Another Reincarnation

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
"...98, 99, 100! Ready or not, here I come!" I announced after finishing my countdown.
Then, I looked around while checking my surroundings for any presence, and to my surprise, someone actually tried to outsmart me and hide nearby the gathering point.
Feigning ignorance, I made it seem like I was going in the opposite direction from the person I detected. Then, when I was sure they can't see me, I made a sharp turn and circled the meeting spot. Once I got behind them, I finally got a clear view of the smartass in question. It was Yui.
With an evil smile, I approached her from behind, and when I was mere centimeters away, I exclaimed, "Boo! I got you!" causing the girl to scream and jump like a cat sprayed with water.
Unable to contain myself, I started laughing, causing the girl to pout.
"Mou!! If you knew I was there, why did you pretend like you saw nothing!?" she exclaimed, slightly upset.
"Because this was far more entertaining," I replied. "Lok at it as your punishment for trying to outsmart me. Now, I need to find the rest. See you!" I added.
Then, as a part of my revenge, I went after Saruyama, receiving, "Why do you always find me so fast!?" the moment I pretended to stumble upon him, followed by Shu, Chisaki, Rito, and Raku.
There was still one person missing, but no matter how much I searched within the boundaries we sat for the game, I couldn't find her, causing me to worry quite a bit.
"Did you guys see Chitoge? I can't find her anywhere within the limits we set." I asked after returning to the starting point of the game where everyone found stayed.
"Ho? Did the unbeatable Arthur find a worthy opponent?~" Saruyama asked with a shit-eating grin.
"If she was there, I would have found her," I replied with a deadpan. "You aren't in a position to laugh, considering I always find you first or second," I added.
"I knew you did it on purpose!!!" he exclaimed angrily, pointing a finger.
"So? Do you guys know where she is?" I asked again, ignoring Saruyama.
They looked at each other, but no one seemed to know anything.
"Let's split up and search for her. I will go alone. You guys should go in pairs." I proposed.
After forming the pairs, we went in different directions while calling out her name.
"Seriously..?" I muttered to myself after around fifteen minutes of wandering around, the reason being the presence I suddenly felt.
Deciding not to waste time, I swiftly directed my steps towards the presence. There, I found Chitoge scared and stuck on a tree while a big stray dog kept barking at her from the ground.
Seeing her shaking with closed eyes and barely holding back tears while holding the tree branch as if her life depended on it wasn't a pleasing sight.
What made me even more annoyed was what the dog was barking, as I had no problem understanding it thanks to The Orb. The animals of this world are a lot smarter than humans think. I have noticed it on many occasions. Dogs treat us as partners or masters, whereas cats think they own everything. Everyone sees that, but I get to hear them talking as well.
"Oy. Get the hell out of there," I said to the dog, my voice stone cold.
It briefly turned back to look at me and was about to bark when its survival instincts seemed to kick in. The dog lowered its ears while its tail visibly dropped. Soon after, it ran away while whimpering.
"It's alright! You can come down! The dog is gone!" I called to Chitoge, my voice now gentle and reassuring.
In response, she stopped shaking, opened her teary eyes, and while looking at me, asked, "Really..?".
"Yeah," I replied in confirmation.
She quickly went down the tree and nearly tackled me, saying, "It was so scary..."
"I know," I replied, patting her back.
After that, we went to our usual meeting place as she held my hand, refusing to let go.
***
I am not sure how my being here will influence the future, but because most of them will forget about these vacations, I have no reason to worry about becoming a part of the big mess called Raku's future love life against my will.
Kosaki has already developed a crush on Raku, and he likes her as well, so as the 'big brother' of the group, I should help them out. If the gangs try to start a war at that time, I will beat them up. I am not playing favorites since Chitoge thinks about him as a friend only, and Yui treats him like a younger brother. There is still Marika, but I never interacted with her, as Raku usually went to meet her on the days I stayed home.
To sum it up, this time, there will be only two keys and one medallion unless I get my own.
As far as I know, both Yui and Chitoge developed a crush on me so they may give me one. Chitoge focused on me since the moment we met, likely due to my appearance, as a Caucasian-looking child stands out among Japanese children like a sore thumb. However, her crush started developing only once the storm caught us on the Tenku Plateau, and it cemented when I scared that dog away.
I am not exactly sure about Yui. I guess that's because I am more mature than other kids. I also helped her out more than once, like that time with race.
While wondering about such things, I entered the secret base. Only Rito, Raku, Chitoge, Yui, Kosaki, Shu, and Saruyama knew about it at the moment, so I wasn't surprised when I saw the girls and Raku gathered around a book inside the hideout.
"What are you reading?" I inquired.
"My favorite book," Chitoge replied. "I got it from my mom," she added.
After approaching them, I asked, "Can I have a look?"
"Of course!" Chitoge replied with a smile and handed me the book.
I took a glance at the cover and all its pages, after which I handed it back to Chitoge, saying, "Here."
She looked at me confused, and asked, "You are not going to read it?"
"Oh right. This is the first time you witnessed his memorizing skills." Raku commented before I got the chance to explain.
"Memorizing skills?" Yui inquired.
"Yeah. Arthur can remember with perfect clarity everything he saw. Believe me. We checked it more than once." Raku explained.
"So, you managed to read it that fast?" Chitoge inquired.
"Yeah," I said. "I can already say that the author used "Romeo and Juliet" as their inspiration," I added.
""Romeo and Juliet"?" Raku asked a bit confused.
"It's a famous love story from Europe," I replied. "The title of this book, "Zawsze in Love", means Eternally in Love, but there seems to be a mistake as I see no reason to mix two different languages," I added.
"You are right. I couldn't understand the title, so I asked my mom what it meant. She told me that the first word is a polish word, and it means eternal." Chitoge commented.
This time it was Raku's turn to get surprised. "You even know foreign languages?" he asked.
"I just memorized a few dictionaries." I lied as easily as I breathed.
"I envy that ability of yours so much..." Raku said with a weary expression, while all three girls nodded, even Kisaki, that stayed silent so far.
After that, we talked about the book until Rito, Shu, and Saruyama came as well. Then we played for a few hours and returned to our respective homes ending yet another day of my second childhood.
***
We had a lot of fun during these holidays, but everything comes to an end sooner or later.
Today is the last day of the vacation, which means soon Chitoge and Yui will have to return to their homes, effectively splitting our group.
While Kosaki lives in the same city, she will be attending a different school from Raku, so if I do nothing, they will meet again only in high school.
I already decided to help them, so that's not a concern.
What troubles me is that Chitoge asked me to come to a place at the Tenku Plateau, so I am pretty sure I will receive the medallion from her. The inspiration for it is the book Chitoge got from her mom, as the pair in the book made a promise and sealed their love with an ornamental padlock and key set.
I don't have a problem with receiving the medallion, but I am sure Chitoge will want us to make some kind of a promise.
I already came to terms with the fact that people I will interact with and likely marry will be mentally younger than me by a lot, but I still feel uncomfortable about receiving a love confession from a five-year-old.
Right now, I can see her only as a little sister, so if she asks me to promise to marry her, I will either have to lie or make her cry. There is a good chance she will forget, but if she doesn't, I will have to follow through with it, as I hate lying.
Let's just hope she forgets...

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
After getting to the meeting place a little earlier than I was supposed to, I found two children there. It was Raku and Kosaki, and as I previously expected, she was confessing to him.
Both of them were visibly embarrassed, making the whole ordeal look even more adorable from the outside.
I will just stay hidden until Chitoge comes here. I don't want to break this moment for them.
Then, something unexpected happened. Namely, Kosaki gave Raku a medallion with a keyhole, very similar to the one in the original story. Or rather, it was the same medallion.
I thought Chitoge was the one that gave it to him.
My confusion didn't last long, as a few minutes after Kosaki and Raku left, Chitoge appeared, holding another medallion with a keyhole. However, it was a mix of black and gold instead of golden and silver like Raku's.
Perhaps she talked with Kosaki and got a medallion for her as well?
They are friends, after all.
She kept looking at it with a big smile and sparkling eyes while rubbing it like a treasure from time to time.
Deciding not to make her wait any longer, I left my hiding spot and started approaching in a way that made me easy to see.
She instantly hid the medallion with one hand behind her back and another waving at me.
"Was there something important you wanted to tell me?" I asked, pretending not to know why she called me here. "If it was something simple, you would say it while everyone was around," I added, deciding to broach the subject without fooling around.
"Nn. I wanted to give you something!" Chitoge said with a radiant smile and slight blush. "Here! Please take it!" she added, giving me the medallion.
I thought she would confess first.
"What is this? It looks similar to that lock from your book," I inquired.
"Since I am leaving and I don't know when we will meet again, I wanted to give you something to remind you about me," Chitoge answered.
"You thought about it yourself?" I asked.
Hearing that, she averted her gaze while her blushing intensified slightly. So she did not.
"I asked Yui for help," Chitoge replied.
So it's her doing. Maybe that's why there are two medallions. She told both girls that would be a good idea.
"Is that so? I got it from you, so it doesn't matter. Is there anything else?" I inquired.
I could reject her, saying there is no need for a medallion with my memory instead of going deeper and deeper into this mess, but I would feel horrible if I made a little girl cry.
"Yes, I want it to be a symbol of a promise," Chitoge said, looking at me and smiling sweetly.
That's too adorable. Too much sugar for one day.
"What kind of promise?" I asked. "If it's just about not forgetting each other, you do not need to worry. You know how good I am at memorizing things," I added.
Suddenly, her complexion started becoming redder and redder, nearly matching her ribbon, as she stuttered, "I l-like y-y-you! So... w-when we meet again... let's marry!"
Then, she averted her gaze and only kept glancing at me, keeping her hands behind her back.
I am tempting fate, but... let's agree. I would hate to see her cry.
"Sure. If you don't change your mind until then." I replied with a gentle smile.
"Really!?! Yay!!!" Chitoge exclaimed with a radiant smile, then she jumped at me due to the rush of happiness and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, after which she ran away.
"You can come out, you peeping tom!" I said, directing my gaze towards a nearby rock.
"Eh!?! You knew I was here!?!" Yui exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah. The whole time," I replied. "Seriously, Yui, first you give her this kind of advice, and then you come over to watch?" I questioned.
"I couldn't possibly refuse her! She is like a younger sister and a friend to me." Yui explained.
"You also want to say something, or did you come over just to peep?" I asked.
"Let's get married," Yui said with a warm smile.
"*Sigh* I refuse!" I said, putting on my best Jojo impression.
"What?! You want to make a girl cry?" Yui asked, teary-eyed.
These crocodile tears. You want to mess with me, but too bad. I won't give you that chance.
"I won't fall for such cheap tricks," I replied. "You realize that the person you called your sister and friend moments ago asked me for the same, right?" I added.
"Love is war! There is no such thing as friends when it comes to war." Yui said, seemingly proud of herself.
"You know, if you were more sincere instead of putting on this act, I wouldn't mind agreeing," I said. "After all, it would be up to you who marries me. First come, first serve," I added.
I waited for a moment, then turned back and started moving towards my home.
"I am already tired so I will go home. Bye." I said while leaving.
"Wait..." Yui muttered while grabbing my shirt from behind. "I was serious. I like you as much as Chitoge, if not more," she added.
"I see. Then my answer is the same," I replied. "If you don't change your mind until we are old enough, come back, and we will decide at that time," I added and started moving towards my home, this time uninterrupted.
I need some rest...
***
With the end of the summer break, the time kids could spend playing was cut down a lot. That included everyone left in our little group except me. I did not need to spend time studying, so I used it to increase my amount of training instead, making it seem like I was sleeping for most of the day.
I also started drawing again, deciding it was time to pick up my old hobby as a form of recreation, and the results were far better than I expected.
My drawing skill quickly jumped from Lvl: 1, Grade: A to Grade: SSS once I started putting in the effort.
It was a result of my increased dexterity and perfect memory, which allowed me to draw many times faster and more precisely than in my previous life, finishing a portrait on a B2 sheet of paper in under 30 minutes.
It prompted me to go to the Library to see what books about drawing it held, as I was curious about what lay ahead. After all, from Lvl: 2, the skill would likely develop into something more supernatural, like illusions.
My current guess is that it will allow me to imbue the drawings with emotions, allowing anyone to feel what I intended instead of interpreting it themselves.
"Could you prepare me the books and other media about drawing?" I asked Einlion after entering the Library and approaching his counter.
In the past, I would get stunned by its splendor each time I entered it, but now I am already used to it. Truly humans can adapt to anything.
"I would say you already have enough things to learn. Why start another one?" Einlion asked.
"Don't worry. It's for recreational purposes." I explained, and soon after, he got me what I asked.
"Thanks," I said and took everything to the reading section of the Library.
After immersing myself in reading for a few hours, I learned that my theory was partially correct.
To reach the next existential level in drawing, one must learn how to imbue his creation with not just emotions but also their will. It works like infusing your attacks with your will to make them stronger, albeit you add emotions or even memories to the mix. I do it every time I use Origin, so while a pencil isn't as responsive, I won't have to start from scratch.
There are methods of imbuing the finished drawing with a particular set of emotions, but it is considered a separate skill, often a type of magic, not to mention that's just cheating.
Deciding it's better to test it out instead of staying here and only reading, I went back to the training room. There, I pulled out a B2 format sheet of paper and started drawing while thinking about the summer break.
It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I came to truly love playing with the small groups of friends I made. All of them were mentally twenty years younger and could have been my children if I had any in my past life, but they were also unusually mature, intelligent, and caring for their age. In a few years, I will be able to proudly call them my friends as the age gap will get more and more insignificant as time flies.
With such thoughts in mind, I drew a group portrait of all eight with the secret hideout in the background and got so immersed that I could feel time flying, only once I was finished.
The result was... stunning. I honestly wasn't sure what else I could call it.
The number of details was comparable to an 8k picture. Despite being drawn with a pencil, the portrait looked as if it was in color. It was exuding the happiness and warmth of the summer.
"I am going to hang it in my room..." I muttered, not caring about the consequences it will have.

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
A week ago, after Raku finally caught up to me and Yui, he tried to avoid eating the chili pepper by saying that the race didn't count since Yui didn't run on her own.
Unfortunately for him, none of us were having it. We reminded him that there was no rule saying one person can't carry another, and he was the one that decided on the punishment.
In the end, he ate the pepper, and after several minutes of 'suffering'
he was ready to play some video games with me, while Yui went back to her father, as she wasn't interested in them.
Today, was nearly the same. Everyone else went home or decided to play with other kids, resulting in me and Raku playing games alone.
"Young master, your father is calling for you," said Ryuu while suddenly opening the door to Raku's room.
He was a tall, muscular man and one of the yakuza serving under Raku's father. He had sanpaku eyes and a scar around his left eye, dark brown hair, and a mustache. His attire consisted of a light purple kimono, exposing his right shoulder and the dragon tattoo on it, with a dark purple belt around his waist. (A/N: Sanpaku eyes are eyes in which either the white space above or below the iris is revealed.)
"Don't call me that!!! It's embarrassing!!!" Raku exclaimed, hearing the embarrassing term.
I feel the same when they call me boss... But they don't care...
"I can't, young master. I have to show proper respect to the future master of the Shuei-Gumi. Your father is waiting for you in the main hall." Ryu said and immediately left the room.
"Can Arthur go with me?" Raku inquired after a moment of silence.
Ryuu looked at me for a moment and said, "That shouldn't be a problem."
"Let's go then, Arthur. It seems that my father wants me to meet someone." Raku said while stopping the game and standing up.
I am pretty sure I know who it is, but let's check it anyway.
"Do you know who it may be?"
"No idea. Probably one of his friends brought their kid." Raku said while placing both hands behind his head and setting off after Ryuu.
"I see," I replied casually.
Raku's house was a big, traditional Japanese mansion surrounded by a green wall, with one big ornately decorated gate, with a big sign above it with their clan's name. Roof tiles, similar to the walls, were green and the whole building appeared to be constructed out of wood.
After walking through the veritable maze of corridors, we arrived in front of the doors leading to the place where Raku's father waited for us. There, sitting at the low table, were three people. On one side was Raku's father, a man in his forties with black, already greying hair and bushy eyebrows in a black kimono with white trims.
On the opposite side was a blond caucasian man and a young girl, based on her hair color, his daughter. Even while sitting, it was possible to discern the fact he was tall. He wore a white suit with a purple tie and shirt underneath, while his blond hair reached his neck. He had dark blond, slightly thick eyebrows, and blue eyes.
The girl was wearing a simple white one-piece dress and a red ribbon on her head, tying her long hair in a loose ponytail in such a way that it resembled rabbit ears.
Well, good luck Raku. She will cause you quite a lot of trouble in the future.
The moment I thought that she turned my way, causing an unnatural shudder to run down my back.
My instinct is telling me I just jinxed myself.
Disregarding the bad premonition, at least for now, I followed Raku in his greeting. "Good afternoon," we said while bowing slightly.
"Oh, you are finally here, Raku? And it seems that your friend is with you as well. Hahaha, that's great. This is my friend Adelt from America, and this is his daughter, Chitoge. Since we want to talk about business and reminisce, could you take Chitoge with you? She seems bored." said Raku's father, a man named Issei Ichijo.
"It seems that your son and his friend are well mannered despite their age. My daughter is much more lively, but it's my fault since I am too lenient, hahaha." Adelt said and laughed.
"Hahaha, thank you but it's not all thanks to me. From what my son told me, it seems that his friend, Arthur, has a good influence on him and the other children. Can you believe it? They are even calling him boss, hahaha." Raku's father replied and laughed.
"By the way, whose son is that? He doesn't look like a half-Japanese. Someone from Europe?" Adelt inquired while scrutinizing me.
"Let's not make them wait any longer. Take Chitoge with you and go play somewhere." Issei Ichijo said as if wanting to get us out of the room.
Did he investigate my origin by any chance? Too bad. There is nothing to find out.
"Ok, dad," Raku replied, and the three of us left the room.
"So your name is Chitoge? Nice to meet you. You can call me Arthur." I said as we slowly meandered the hallways.
"Nn." she nodded. "Nice to meet you," she added.
"I am Raku. So, what do you want to play?" he asked.
"Hmmm, I don't know," she replied after a moment. "Do you know a good place to play?" Chitoge asked.
"How about Tegu Plateau?" I proposed. We already went there today, but I can't think of a better place nearby.
"Yeah, that place should be good," Raku confirmed. "And we can find there more people to play with," he added.
"Let's go then," I said, and the three of us set out for our usual playing spot.
***
"So you are living in a mansion not far from here?" I asked Chitoge once we got to our playing spot.
"Yes! My mom bought it. She is amazing!" she replied cheerfully.
"That's great. If you live this close, we can play often." I said.
"So? What now? I was hoping to find more people to play with here, but it seems everyone went home already." Raku commented.
I looked at Chitoge and said, "Do you mind if we show you around today? I can show you my best hiding spots and the ones you should avoid." I proposed.
"Okey!" she replied cheerfully, but at that moment...
*Ramble*
"Ah!!" Chitoge yelped and squatted down, covering her head in fright.
Soon after, I felt raindrops, one by one, hitting my body until it turned into a downpour.
I quickly put my hand into a small backpack and used it as a cover for my Inventory, from which I pulled out an umbrella and opened it, covering the three of us from the rain.
"Are you alright?" I asked Chitoge while extending my hand since Raku seemed fine.
She looked back at me, her eyes teary and her body trembling.
Being this adorable is against the rules... She looks like a scared rabbit.
"You always have what we need in that backpack of yours. Did you steal it from Doraemon or what?" Raku asked jokingly.
"I just like to be prepared," I replied while shrugging. "This was supposed to be a surprise, but I guess I will show it to the two of you first," I added.
"What do you want to show us at a time like this?" Raku asked. "We need to go home," he added.
"Don't worry. Follow me." I said and started leading the way towards my side project, Raku right behind me, and Chitoge still holding my hand.
Soon, we arrived, and what the two of them saw was a pile of giant rocks covered in vegetation.
I brought them here at night when no one was looking. Then, I stacked them on each other in a way that would create a cave of sorts inside and covered in vegetation. Then I waterproofed the inside, adding a single small pool, and stabilized the whole construction to make it safe for others. I haven't learned earth magic but my control, imagination, and power of will were strong enough to substitute. All I needed was to merge the stones into one and make it denser in certain sections.
"Let's go inside," I said while approaching the pile of stones and revealing an entrance covered in shrubs.
"Since when a place like this is on Tenku Plateau?" Raku asked incredulously.
"Would you believe If I said I made it myself?" I asked jokingly, but Raku seemed to consider my question seriously.
"Yeah. You are strange enough for it to be possible," he replied, scratching his head. "Not like I mind it," he added with a smile.
Then, we entered inside, covering the entrance in shrubs again.
The inside was a spherical room with a radius of around two meters. The ceiling was only 1.5 meters above the ground, but for kids, it was more than enough. The floor was mostly even, with some protuberances big enough to sit on. There was a small pool on the left side of the entrance, where water from the ceiling kept pouring in through a small hole. There were also some window-like openings on the walls, through which it was possible to see bushes and other plants hiding them from the outside.
"Wow!" Raku exclaimed. "This place is amazing!" he added.
"Yeah. I wanted to make it our secret hideout. Only for the closest friends." I explained, then turned towards Chitoge and said with a big smile, "Which means now you have to become one of our close friends."
She blushed so hard that her face nearly matched her ribbon, then she lowered her gaze and nodded without saying anything.
We stayed there until it stopped raining, and then everyone returned home.

Chapter 12: Fate is a fickle mistress