Regarding the Matter of Beautiful Girls Relentlessly Seeking My Body (Experience Points)
A beautiful girl stands on the side of a one-lane road, slightly removed from the main street, facing two other beautiful girls. Yura-chan is surrounded by a white aura, while Amagasaki-san and Himi-san are enveloped in pink and blue auras, respectively. All three of them have serious expressions. The atmosphere is tense, like a balloon on the verge of bursting.
“No matter how strong Yura-rin is, a two-on-one fight isn’t looking good for her, right?”
“Two-on-one? What are you talking about? I have Tatsuya-kun with me. The two of us together won’t lose to anyone!”
Uh, please don’t count me in. I’m a non-combatant. I’m not even wearing battle gear or holding a weapon. If I get involved, I’ll be prosecuted under international humanitarian law.
“You’re making a huge mistake if you think I’m the same as before. ‘Illusion Sword: Thunder Lightning!’”
—Bzzt! Crackle-crackle-crackle!
At Yura-chan’s chant, a broad sword appeared in her right hand with a fierce buzzing sound. It was a sword of lightning, as if it lacked physical substance.
“Didn’t think I’d ever end up on the receiving end of that sword… Himi-rin, I’m counting on your support!”
“Understood! ‘Turtle’s Protection: Tortue Shield,’ ‘Fang of the Beast King: Lion Claw,’ ‘Swift Rabbit: Lapin Pierrot!’”
As Himi-san chanted, both she and Amagasaki-san were wrapped in glowing light. It seemed like some kind of buff in a game.
“You really think that’s enough to keep up with me…? ‘Illusion Sword: Ice Freeze!’”
—Crack! Creak!
This time, a translucent ice sword appeared in Yura-chan’s left hand. Dual wielding. While Amagasaki-san and Himi-san had focused on overall enhancement, Yura-chan had gone all-in on offensive power. In terms of sheer coolness, Yura-chan definitely had the edge.
Smirking provocatively, she addressed the two.
“I’ll let you have the first move.”
“Tch! You better not underestimate us too much!”
In an instant, a pink flash erupted. The sheer force of Amagasaki-san’s charge shattered the asphalt as she accelerated toward Yura-chan. At some point, she had drawn a short spear, which she thrust toward Yura-chan.
“Hope you don’t mind a little injury!”
However—
“Useless!”
—Clang!
“What?!”
The ice sword’s blade caught the short spear perfectly. A godlike feat of precision. Just how fast did her reflexes have to be to pull that off?
While Yura-chan parried Amagasaki-san’s attack with her left sword, Himi-san, who had slipped behind her, launched an assault. In both of her hands were weapons resembling claws, three on each side—likely called “claws” in combat terms. She moved like a four-legged beast, aiming for Yura-chan from a low stance.
“Pierce!”
“Too slow!”
—Crackle!
Without even turning around, Yura-chan swung her right hand, sending a flash of lightning toward Himi-san. Himi-san barely managed to block it, but the force sent her flying back violently.
She tumbled backward to create distance, while Amagasaki-san did the same.
Even though it was two against one, Yura-chan wasn’t at a disadvantage at all. In fact, she looked superior.
“Was Yura-rin always this strong…?”
“She’s definitely leveled up.”
Cold sweat dripped down Amagasaki-san’s face, while Himi-san, though expressionless, gritted her teeth.
Then, their gazes shifted from Yura-chan to me.
“Yeah… I bet it’s because of that ‘Super XP Guy’ over there.”
“They’ve been doing naughty training together. Not fair.”
“Yura-rin seems pretty obsessed with that boy…”
“Hostage strategy.”
It seemed like Amagasaki-san and Himi-san had given up on a straightforward fight and were opting for trickier tactics. Please don’t.
Realizing their intent, Yura-chan roared.
“If you lay a hand on my Tatsuya-kun, I won’t forgive you!!!”
A scream of fury. Her white hair bristled in anger. The aura surrounding her grew even more intense.
“Yura-rin! Calm down! You’re being possessed!”
“No use. She can’t hear us.”
“If you try to take what’s mine… I’ll kill you all!!!”
…If possible, I really wanted to be on Yura-chan’s side. But, most likely, Amagasaki-san and Himi-san were in the right. Yura-chan was being possessed by something, losing her sanity.
Because Yura-chan would never, ever say “I’ll kill you” to her friends.
I stepped closer to her trembling, furious form.
“Yura-chan.”
“Tatsuya-kun!? Get back! I’ll handle these two…”
“Thank you, but it’s okay now. I really enjoyed our time together.”
“Tatsuya… kun?”
I gently embraced Yura-chan from behind, softly placing my hands over hers.
“Ah…♡ N-not now… ahh…♡♡♡”
She didn’t push me away. Instead, she trembled, barely able to stand, struggling against the pleasure. Holding her delicate, shaking body tightly, I gently stroked her smooth hands.
“Ah… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Mmm… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Tatsuya-kun, Tatsuya… kun ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Later… eh ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ When we get back home, let’s do lots of… things, okay? ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡”
I was presented with a very appealing proposal, but I couldn’t possibly accept it. As if seeking revenge for what I usually endure, I pressed my mouth against Yura-chan’s neck.
“Chomp—”
“Aaaahhhhhh! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ I—I love thaaaat ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ So… sooo gooood ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Aaahhh ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡”
Unable to withstand the overwhelming pleasure, Yura-chan dropped the sword she had been holding in both hands. The sword that slipped from her grasp shattered into pieces upon hitting the ground and then vanished.
“Amagasaki-san! Himi-san! Now’s the time—exorcise it!!”
I turned my gaze toward Amagasaki-san and Himi-san. Amagasaki-san’s face was slightly flushed, while Himi-san looked on with an intrigued expression, intently observing us.
“S-Super XP-kun, you’re being quite bold, aren’t you…?”
“The pleasure that made even Yurarin, who has grown so strong, collapse at the waist… Incredible. I want to experience that too.”
“What are you all looking at!? Don’t you have a way to exorcise it!? Hurry up already!”
At my second call, Amagasaki-san and Himi-san snapped back to their senses.
“Himi Rin! Angel’s Gospel: Angel Howling!!”
“Understood!”
Himi-san pulled out something resembling a beautifully decorated handbell. Its handle was silver, the bell part gold, and it had pure white angelic wings attached—a whimsical, fairy-tale-like object.
“Here I go~”
Himi-san rushed over to us and swung the bell down onto Yura-chan’s head, who I was restraining.
“Agh!”
――KLANG―――――――…………………………
A sound so pure and cleansing, as if purifying the soul, resonated through the pale blue sky of early spring.
Upon hearing this beautiful sound, Yura-chan began to writhe in agony.
“…………Ah…………Aaaahhhhhhh, uuuwaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!”
A black mist-like substance began seeping out of Yura-chan’s body. This was likely the malevolent spirit known as the Wandering Will-o’-the-Wisp.
Yura-chan lost consciousness and slumped forward, her head drooping. Then, after a moment, she raised her face again.
“Huh…? Me…? Why am I…?”
Seeing Yura-chan’s face return to normal, Amagasaki-san let out a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, the light is back in her eyes—welcome back, Yurarin.”
“Welcome back, Leader.”
“Mochika-chan, Rin-chan… me…”
Yura-chan, seemingly back to her senses, looked alternately at the two of them—and then…
“Wha…? Eh… ♡…………Ah… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Wait… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Just wait a moment, wait, wait, wait! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Ah, ah, ah… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡”
Yura-chan suddenly began trembling. I caught her as she collapsed into me.
“Yura-chan, Yura-chan!? Could it be that the ‘Wandering Will-o’-the-Wisp’ hasn’t fully left yet!?”
“N-No… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ That’s not… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ It’s not thaaaat… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ T-T-This is sooo unbearable!! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡”
“Are you okay!? Yura-chaaan!! Yura-chaaaaaan!!”
“Tatsuya, kyuuu… ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Let go of mmmeeeeeee!! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡”
Yura-chan lost consciousness again and slumped forward, her head drooping.
“No way! Amagasaki-san, Himi-san! Yura-chan, Yura-chaaan!!”
I looked to the two of them for help, but they shot me exasperated glances.
“Um… You should probably let go of her hand…”
“My hand?”
I looked at my own hands. There I was, gripping tightly onto Yura-chan’s soft hand from behind without realizing it.
“…Ah.”
“Super XP-kun, you’re such a sadist…”
“You’re a devil.”
“No, no, it’s not like that! I didn’t mean to!”
Anyway, it seemed that Yura-chan’s ‘Wandering Will-o’-the-Wisp’ had been successfully exorcised.
.
.
.
.
.
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Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond
Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!
Why Learn Japanese?
Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:
- Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
- Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
- Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.
Now, let’s look at the best tools to help you achieve your goals.
1. Duolingo
- Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
- Key Features:
- Free with optional premium upgrades.
- Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
- Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
- Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
- Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.
2. Rosetta Stone
- Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
- Key Features:
- Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
- Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
- Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
- Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.
3. Memrise
- Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
- Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
- Audio and video clips from native speakers.
- Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.
4. Anki
- Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
- Key Features:
- Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
- Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
- Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
- Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
- Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.
5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
- Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
- Key Features:
- Completely free online resource.
- Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
- Clear explanations with practical examples.
- Available as a mobile app for offline access.
- Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.
6. HelloTalk
- Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
- Text, voice, and video chat options.
- Built-in correction tools and translation features.
- Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.
7. Kanji Recognizer
- Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
- Key Features:
- Free app available on Android and iOS.
- Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
- Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
- Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
- Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.
Tips for Maximizing Your Learning
To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
- Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
- Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
- Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
- Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
- Speaking: HelloTalk.
- Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
- Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.
Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!
