"From now on, things might get really tough. It may sound a little harsh, but I want you to keep living your life as usual. Because as long as you do that... you still have a future to chase."
My mom sipped her coffee and continued speaking.
"Anyway, it's Sunday. How about going for a walk after breakfast? The doctor said you're completely fine now."
I kept agreeing to everything Mom said since she started talking. I didn’t want to sound rude, but I honestly had no idea how to respond to something that supposedly happened to me, but which I had never actually experienced.
Still, does this mean I won’t be able to have kids in the future? I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but even so... the idea made me even more depressed.
In the end, I decided to take Mom's suggestion and head outside after breakfast with my parents. The mood at the table was a bit awkward, but still bearable.
"Alright then, I'm heading out. See you, Dad, Mom."
"Take care out there."
My dad walked me to the door.
I opened it. The sound of birds chirping, the cool morning mist, and the warm sunlight greeted me the moment I stepped outside.
I took a deep breath... and exhaled.
"Some fresh air might not be such a bad idea."
At the very least, my mind was starting to clear a little. Setting aside the pain of losing my entire game collection, there was an even bigger problem in front of me now.
What kind of alternate world have I ended up in?
This is a world where male and female roles are reversed, right?
I’d already seen how much my parents had changed, but what about the people I know? My friends? How have others changed in this world?
Curious, I started walking around the neighborhood. At least in terms of layout and architecture, nothing seemed different.
I greeted a few neighbors I passed by.
Strangely, most of them were men, dressed like housewives who’d just returned from shopping.
It was a bit unnerving seeing all these bearded men looking like drag queens.
"But this proves it... I really am in some bizarre world... and I’m the only one who’s 'normal'."
Wait, considering how this world works, am I even considered "normal" anymore?
There's no way I can adapt to this world. I just want to go home, lie down, and hope I’ll wake up back in my original world...
Thinking too much was making my stomach hurt.
Maybe I should find a restroom and take a short break. If I remember right, the fastest way to the park with a public toilet is through this shortcut...
As I entered a narrow alley I used to take all the time, two unfamiliar figures hanging around the side suddenly stood up and blocked my way.
They... looked like delinquents.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! A cute guy like you walking around this early? Shouldn't you be at home helping your dad cook? Where you off to, handsome?"
"Jackpot, Boss! Look at that smooth skin! I bet he's got a nice, round butt too!"
My stomach twisted even more.
Seventeen years of life, and this was the first time I’d ever been hit on by delinquents, female delinquents, at that.
I never even thought of myself as good-looking. Why the hell was this happening?
Or... is this the kind of world where desperate women hit on any guy that walks by, no matter how plain he looks?
Except, now the gender roles are reversed.
"Sorry, but I have something to do. Could you please let me through?"
It’s not that I was afraid of them. I just didn’t want to get into trouble. If they were normal male delinquents, I’d be down to throw a punch or two, but these were girls...
"You can go, sure, but how about hanging out with us first? I promise it won’t take long~"
Obviously, they weren’t going to let me go easily.
One of them touched my chin, traced a finger along my lips, then down to my shoulder...
I’m just a normal teenage boy. And these delinquent girls... they weren’t bad-looking, honestly. She even had a big chest, barely covered by her shirt. If you ask me whether I was excited, I’d be lying if I said no.
But then, as if by luck, or misfortune. A voice called out from behind me, stopping her cold.
"Let him go. Or I’m calling the police."
"Tch. Here comes the mood killer. It’s two against one, girlie. You better back off before you get hurt."
"And what if I refuse?"
"Oh, playing hero, huh? The cops won’t get here fast enough. You better prepare for a beating."
Wow... my savior is surprisingly bold. The odds clearly weren’t in her favor, but she still stood her ground.
I stepped back quickly, I didn’t want to get in their way during the fight.
Black ponytail, tight sportswear, body dripping with sweat, and toned legs, she looked like she’d just stopped jogging.
And I recognized her face.
Even though her appearance had changed so drastically, I still knew who she was.
"Wait... isn't that Yona, my neighbor? Wasn't she supposed to be really shy?"
Yona, my neighbor, and also my classmate. I’m not sure if we were childhood friends since we never really played together back then, mostly because of how timid she was.
"So she’s turned into a hot-blooded athlete in this world, huh?"
Her transformation was so extreme I nearly didn’t recognize her. Even her voice was different when she confronted those delinquents, so much more assertive than the quiet girl I knew.
While I was still watching, Yona, clearly the strongest of the bunch, easily took down the two girls and even kicked their butts.
"If you’re that desperate for a boyfriend, maybe try fixing your life first and flirting the right way!"
"Tch! Damn it! I’m outta here! Don’t think this is over!"
Spoken like a true second-rate villain who’ll get her butt kicked again if she ever comes back.
Well, I wasn’t sure whether to feel lucky or not, but first, I should thank her for stepping in and helping me.
"Thanks. I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up."
"Don’t worry about it. But seriously, a guy like you shouldn’t be walking alone through alleys . Even in the morning, jerks like them, wait, Ren?"
Yona suddenly looked shocked after finally realizing it was me. Her eyes welled up... and then she lunged at me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Ren! You’re okay! You’re finally better, huh!?"