"I'm sorry, but I have to turn you down. I... I'm still confused about everything right now."
I turned down her offer. I was happy that she said she liked me, but if I wasn’t even sure about my own feelings, I had no right to make a decision yet.
Yona looked devastated.
Then, she lowered her head and laughed, a bitter, self-mocking laugh.
“Haha. Confused, huh? I guess that’s normal. If someone told you that you couldn’t continue your bloodline one day, confusion sounds about right. Sorry, Ren, for forcing my selfishness onto you. I’ll be going now.”
She picked up her towel and water bottle. Her body looked drained, like her soul had left her.
I didn’t stop her. No, more accurately, I couldn’t.
My hand wanted to reach out. But I stopped, realizing that if I grabbed her now, I might not be able to say anything at all.
I didn’t know her. She felt like a stranger. Just the same face and name, but not the Yona I knew.
Damn it, I hate this.
In story-driven games, the genre I hate the most is drama.
Small problems are always blown out of proportion in those stories. Issues that could be solved with a single sentence, or even a single word, are dragged on just to keep the plot moving.
I’m the kind of person who has to finish a game once I start it. And I’m easily swept up in emotions once I get serious.
That’s why I hate drama. Especially when it’s happening in real life .
I took a deep breath. Filled my lungs and let it out. My mind cleared a little. I could still think straight.
She was already walking away.
Some kids playing soccer in the park were watching me, curious about what I’d do as I stood up.
My hand may have failed to reach her, but that didn’t mean I missed my only chance. I still had my voice, I could call out.
“Thanks again for saving me earlier! See you at school tomorrow!”
She paused for a moment. But she didn’t reply. She just stood still for a few seconds, then walked away.
Though this time, her pace quickened. Like she was getting back to her morning jog.
“Well, that was exhausting.”
I scratched my itchy head and sat back down on the bench.
It was still morning, and I already felt like I’d spent all my energy.
“Too bad she left right away. I wanted to talk about so many things with her.”
I watched the kids playing soccer. I wasn’t even surprised anymore to see they were all girls.
A strange sight, sure.
But maybe because of my encounter with Yona earlier, I started accepting all of this more easily.
At the very least, even if the norms here have changed, they’re still human, just like me.
I decided to keep walking until noon. Though, in the end, I didn’t go far. I just visited a few familiar nearby stores.
Since I forgot my money, I couldn’t visit my favorite game store today. It’s out of town, and I need my wallet to buy a train ticket.
Disappointing, sure, but it’s not like I won’t get another chance.
Once I felt tired enough, I decided to go home. And as soon as I walked in, I was greeted by my dad again.
He was sweeping the floor.
“Ren... Welcome back.”
From the sound of my voice, Dad looked surprised.
“Something good happen while you were out?”
“Sort of. I met Yona and we talked things through.”
Dad fell silent. Then, like he was reading my expression, he smiled in relief.
“I see. That’s good. Sorry I couldn’t be more help, Ren.”
“That’s enough, Dad. I’ve heard enough apologies today. Anyway, can I help you with something?”
“Oh? Playing the good kid now? Don’t you usually just lie around in your room reading your favorite romance novels?”
So my hobby in this world is reading novels... A little surprising, but I also read a lot in my old world. I guess it’s not that weird for this version of me to replace gaming with reading.
“Is it so wrong for a child to help their parent once in a while?”
“I suppose not. Hmm, how about helping me wash the dishes? I haven’t gotten to it yet because I went straight to the laundry.”
I saluted, and Dad responded with a chuckle. I headed straight to the kitchen to do what he asked.
“Oh right, Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“She’s in the bedroom. Probably working.”
“Even though it’s Sunday?”
“Even though it’s Sunday.”
I felt bad for my mom here. At the same time, I was thankful to both of them for loving me in both worlds.
After all, I had just been in an accident and taken to the hospital. They must have been so busy taking care of me they had to put their work aside until now.
I finished washing the dishes quickly.
“Dad, I’m gonna take a shower.”
“If the shampoo’s out, I bought a new bottle. It’s on top of the washing machine.”
I just realized I was starting to stink when I got back. I hadn’t even washed my face or showered before going out this morning.
I stripped off my clothes, stepped into the bathroom, and let the water soak my body.
No matter what world you’re in, bathing is one of humanity’s greatest inventions. The feeling of washing off the day’s grime is just so satisfying.
More satisfying than hydraulic press videos, if you ask me.
While I was scrubbing with soap, I checked the shampoo bottle, and it was empty.
No, I didn’t forget what Dad said.
It’s my fault for blindly hoping there’d be just enough left for one last wash.
“In the end, I’m just lazy.”
Admitting defeat after running out of ammo to kill the lice in my hair, I rinsed off again and wrapped a towel around my waist.
The washing machine was a bit far from the bathroom, which was kind of a hassle. But I was used to it, this wasn’t the first time I’d run out of something mid-shower.
Still, it’s always awkward to run into your family when you’re half-naked.
Just like what happened now.
“Ugh, Mom. Isn’t that reaction a bit much? No need to spit your coffee. I’m just getting some shampoo.”
I’d clearly covered the important parts. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with this, right?
My mom back in my world would’ve just rolled her eyes if she saw me . But weirdly, this one looked angry.
“Even if you’re at home, at least cover your chest! Have you no shame as a man!?”
Oh, right. This is a world where gender roles are reversed.