— Man... this is way worse than I thought.
After checking my rewards, I finally took a look around this new life of mine—and let me tell you, it's a mess.
On the surface, things don't seem so bad. The apartment I live in? Way too fancy for a high school student. Sleek, modern design. Clean lines. Expensive furniture. If this were a video tour on YouTube, I'd probably comment something like: "Rich kid vibes."
Turns out, Akira's parents were doing pretty well financially before... well, everything happened.
And now I'm alone in all this space.
— There's no way I can keep living like this on a part-time job…
I walked around the place, trying to get used to it. Kitchen with marble counters. A balcony with a view of the city. Even the shower has those fancy light settings that change the color of the water stream.
— I love this place. No way I'm giving it up.
Maybe it's selfish. Maybe I'm just clinging to something that reminds me of comfort. But deep down, I want to make it work.
Even if it means grinding like crazy to afford it.
But there's another issue that's hitting harder than any money problem.
School.
Just the thought of going back makes my stomach twist.
Sure, I already did high school once in my past life… barely. I was more of a ghost than a student. And now, I have to do it all over again? New classmates. New expectations. New everything.
— What if someone realizes I'm not the same Akira?
— What if they think I'm weird? Or worse, start picking on me?
Social anxiety isn't something I just left behind in my past life. It's still here—loud, heavy, and always whispering worst-case scenarios in my ear.
It's not that I don't want friends. I just don't know how to let people in.
I've always been better at pushing them away before they get close enough to hurt me.
— Yeah… this is gonna be the hardest part.
[The Host seems overwhelmed.Daily Mission: Try to be a better person.Start with something simple: go for a walk.Reward: ¥1,000.]
— Way to ruin the moment…
Still, getting paid just to stretch my legs? That's a deal I can live with.
I grab a bottle of water and head out, locking the door behind me.
The elevator takes me down to the quiet lobby. Once I step outside, the cool air hits my face—a soft breeze brushing against my hair, as if the world itself is telling me to slow down.
The neighborhood is calm. Trees line the sidewalks, and there's a park not far from here. Birds chirp in the distance. For once, there's no rush. No pressure. Just silence... and space to breathe.
— Yeah. Getting out really helps.
It's not like my problems vanished—but they feel… quieter. Like someone turned the volume down on my anxiety.
As I walk, I feel my shoulders relax for the first time since waking up in this world.
[¥1,000 has been deposited to your account.]
— Huh. That was easy.
A question pops into my head.
— "Hey, system… where exactly is this money going?"
[All funds are automatically transferred to your bank account.]
Nice. No red tape. No strings. Just instant cash.
But even with money in the bank, school still looms like a thundercloud above my head.
— Overthinking won't help. Let's take it one step at a time.
My stomach growls—loudly.
— Okay, maybe step one should be food.
I change direction and head to the nearest convenience store. On the way there, tiny raindrops begin to fall, dotting the pavement.
— Seriously? Now it rains?
Thankfully, I'm close to the store. I jog the rest of the way and duck inside just as the drizzle turns into full-on rain.
The smell of warm noodles fills the air. A familiar kind of comfort.
I wander down the aisles, picking up a quick meal and a cheap umbrella.
It's quiet here. Just the hum of refrigerators and the occasional beeping from the register. Nobody else around.
Then, something hits me.
— Wait a minute… shouldn't I be in school right now?
Of course.
On top of all my problems, now I've got attendance issues to deal with. Great. Just great.
— Well, not much I could've done about it today… I was literally reincarnated.
I pay for my stuff, step back outside, and start walking home, umbrella in hand. The rain taps softly against the canopy above me, rhythmic and steady.
As I pass a few students heading home, I spot a couple walking together, laughing and nudging each other playfully.
Another group of friends jogs by, sharing the same umbrella, complaining about the weather but smiling anyway.
— That looks nice…
For a second, something stirs inside me. A mix of longing and bitterness.
That kind of warmth… I've never really had it.
Maybe that's why it hurts to see.
— But that's not my world. Not right now.
I keep walking, head down, trying to block out the ache in my chest.
Just as I near the building, a familiar chime rings in my ears—soft, but impossible to ignore.
[Help others, and you shall be helped.Help the lonely girl in the rain.We know it's hard for you…But maybe—just maybe—you won't regret it.Reward: ???]
I stop in my tracks.
— Now I have to help people too?
This system really doesn't care about my comfort zone.
And yet… something tells me this moment matters.