From Hana Shirakawa's perspective, the train ride had been uneventful.
She hadn't seen a single thing strange or scary.
So when she saw her best friend Yotsuya Miko practically collapse into the arms of the transfer student, her jaw nearly hit the floor.
"Miko! It's not what I think, right?!"
Miko flailed in panic. "H-Hana! It's not like that!!"
"Then what is it?" Hana leaned forward, eyebrows raised, suspicion painted all over her face. "You totally ditched me in the back just to sit with that cute guy!"
"No! It's just… it's just ordinary friendship!"
Miko tried to steady her voice, forcing a calm expression that didn't quite land.
---
[Ding~]
[Yotsuya Miko's favorability has reached 59% (Ordinary Friend)]
[Points +100]
---
"Ordinary friends, huh?"
Ethan Kane smirked subtly.
Not bad.
Yotsuya Miko wasn't the type to warm up easily. Unlike Rikka, who practically handed over her treasure chest with open arms, Miko was more guarded—calculated.
Winning her trust felt like earning real points. Literally.
Of course, when Ethan thought "points," he meant system rewards.
Not feelings. Nope.
Definitely not that.
---
——— Transition ———
Later that afternoon, Ethan arrived in a quiet residential district not far from Soubu High School.
A large red banner hung over a nearby apartment gate:
> "Apartments for Rent – 600 yen per month!"
From nearby, a man in a tank top, shorts, and flip-flops waved him over, a heavy ring of keys jingling at his waist.
"Hey, handsome! Looking to rent?"
Ethan studied him. He looked like the stereotypical landlord you'd find in any neighborhood comedy: loud, casual, full of stories.
"I'm looking for a larger room," Ethan said. "Private, quiet. And clean."
The landlord grinned. "Sure, sure. Where're you from?"
"Originally? America," Ethan answered, honest as always.
"Wha—really?" The man scratched his head. "You sound way too smooth in Japanese."
"System perk," Ethan muttered under his breath.
"What's that?"
"Nothing."
The landlord gave him a knowing look. "You here for school, or for the girls?"
Ethan blinked. "I'm just… here to live."
"Right, right. You're all the same!" The landlord laughed. "Say no more. Let me show you a room that'll change your life!"
---
Ethan sighed internally, but followed.
The man took him to a sleek, modern building—a high-end apartment complex with a secure entry, elevator, and private floors.
"Up here," the landlord said, pressing the button for the 11th floor. "We've got two units on this level. Real peaceful. Perfect for studying—or whatever."
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
"This one's yours," the landlord said, pointing to the unit on the right. "140 square meters. Four bedrooms, two living rooms, balcony, and it's got AC. 3500 yen a month."
"Not bad."
"And guess what—your neighbor's a high school girl, just like you!"
"…Like me?" Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"About the same age. Keeps to herself. Cute. Proper." He leaned in and winked. "Bonus, eh?"
Ethan turned toward the other door.
A small wooden sign hung there—decorated with a carved cat paw. On it, written in elegant kanji:
> Yukinoshita
His eyes narrowed.
No way…
Just then, the door opened.
A girl stepped out, dressed in casual loungewear. Long black hair, pristine skin, delicate features. Her presence was cold, refined, but undeniably beautiful.
Yukino Yukinoshita.
---
"Good afternoon, landlord," she said with polite detachment.
Then her icy blue eyes shifted toward Ethan.
There was a flicker of curiosity.
"…And this is?"
"New tenant! A transfer student from Soubu High School—J Class."
Yukino nodded. "I see."
"I'm Ethan Kane," he said, stepping forward with a calm smile. "Nice to meet you, Yukinoshita-san."
He extended his hand.
Friendship. Rapport.
Treasure chest.
But Yukino's eyes narrowed just slightly.
"My apologies. I was just taking out the garbage. My hands aren't clean."
She walked past without shaking his hand, carrying a bag of neatly tied household trash.
Ethan watched her retreating figure.
Yup. As expected.
Cold, guarded, and hard to approach.
Just like her character had always been.
He knew her story well: a girl who'd grown up beautiful and brilliant—but isolated. Mocked, envied, misunderstood. She kept people at arm's length for good reason.
If Yukino thought he had moved in next door just to get close to her, she wouldn't hesitate to ice him out completely.
Which, to be fair… was kind of what he was doing.
---
"Heh! She's a frosty one, huh?" the landlord chuckled. "Don't take it personally."
He unlocked Ethan's door and stepped aside.
Inside, the apartment was immaculate. Modern kitchen, clean bathroom, stylish living room. All appliances already installed.
Ethan nodded. "Perfect. I'll take it."
He signed the lease on the spot.
"Any issues, hit me up on LINE," the landlord said as he packed up. "Rent's paid up for the month. Enjoy!"
---
As the door closed behind him, Ethan stood in the center of his new living room.
He turned slowly, taking it all in.
A real home. 140 square meters. Silence. Comfort.
In his last life, his family of four had squeezed into a 50-square-meter box.
They'd made it work—but it was cramped, suffocating.
Part of the reason he had pursued a study-abroad program back then was to escape. To breathe. To change his life.
He hadn't expected that flight to land him in another world entirely.
Miss home? Sure. But no use dwelling on it.
He knew his younger sister was capable. She'd take care of their parents.
Now, it was his turn to live.
To forge a new future.
---
From down the hall, Yukino's door clicked shut.
Ethan stood at the window and stared out over the city skyline.
Same school. Same floor. Same building.
A new life… really has begun.
---
End of Chapter 7
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