Tanya gasped, blinking against the foggy light.
The soft echo of dripping water and the porcelain chill pressed against her back.
She pulled herself up and squinting at her surroundings.
She was in a bathtub, of all places. A bathtub!
Just moments ago, she was surrounded by fire, the roar of the blaze still echoing in her mind.
Before she could gather her thoughts, a voice chimed brightly in her head.
Congratulations Tanya Pendragon, for being chosen as the host for System Casey!
A transparent screen appeared in front of her, glowing with text.
Tanya blinked, taking a moment before asking aloud, "Uh… excuse me, what? Host? System?"
The voice cleared its throat, or rather, it sounded like it tried to, though it was more of a sassy hum.
Simply put, I've chosen you to be my system host.
"Wait, so… it's like one of those stories? Where someone reincarnates back in time with an OP system that lets them stomp on anyone who gets in their way?"
…
There was a moment of silence, almost like the system was stunned.
…Something like that.The system reluctantly replies.
"Cool!"
She stood, water dripping off her as she stepped out of the bathtub, her bare feet hitting the tiled floor with a wet slap.
"But seriously, a bathtub? Other people wake up in bed or, I don't know, a battlefield. But I get porcelain and tap water?"
It isn't that bad. The system sounded defensive.
"Right." Tanya sighed, looking around.
Tanya caught sight of herself in the mirror and froze.
Her reflection stared back, with a face she hadn't seen in years.
She reached up, touching her face, youthful, unlined, baby-fat face.
Her hair was long and brunette, it was glossier and less stressed.
And her eyes... she leaned closer, blinking as she noticed one was a dark, familiar black, and the other… an unfamiliar blue.
"Why do I have a blue eye?"
Oh, right.
You, ah, developed heterochromia in this reality. The system responded matter-of-factly.
Tanya touched her mismatched eyes.
"Hang on… Did I—did I kill my other self?"
Absolutely not! The system replied scandalized.
You merged! It's a seamless transition, thank you very much.
"Okay, so… why don't I have her memories, then?" Tanya raised a skeptical eyebrow.
There was a slight pause.
They're… in the Store.
"The what?"
Ah! I'll pull up your profile. The screen flickered before displaying new text.
Name: Tanya Pendragon
Title: Annoying Stepsister
Age: 15
Skills: None
Emotion Points: 0
Store
Inventory
Tanya's eyes narrowed on the title. "Annoying Stepsister? Seriously?"
It's just a placeholder… The system sounded mildly sheepish.
Tanya ignored it, turning back to the mirror and examining herself. She winced, then gasped as her gaze dropped down her torso.
"What happened to my boobs!?"
She gestured to her now flat chest. "Where the hell did my mountains go? I was a very attractive 31-year-old!"
Did you… just ask that?
"Uh, yes. I did." Tanya crossed her arms.
"This is serious. I remember being way more… uh, developed in my teens. I demand compensation."
You… demand compensation? For your... size? The system sighed, its voice carrying an unmistakable eye-roll.
"Yes." Tanya insisted.
There was a heavy silence. Then, the system responded. Most people would be asking more important questions right now.
"This is extremely important." Tanya sniffed.
"I kept track of my measurements forever."
The system practically sighed. You being young again. With an amazing system. Isn't that enough?
Tanya rolled her eyes, turning back to the mirror. "Alright, fine. I'll deal with it. For now."
…
"..."
There was an awkward silence before she asked. "And how exactly does this work?"
The system perked up, seemingly relieved to move on from her complaint.
Right! You can gain skills, earn points, and… well, eventually unlock a whole lot more through tasks and achievements!
"Achievements, huh?"
Tanya smirked. "Anything specific I need to do?"
Uh, well…
The system hesitated, then spoke in an overly cheerful tone. You'll figure it out!
"Of course I will." Tanya mumbles.
Tanya scanned her profile screen and huffed. "Points 0. Skills None. Great start. Just great."
Look on the bright side. The system piped up attempting cheerfulness.
You're 15 again… with, you know, some minor… aesthetic adjustments.
"Oh, shut it." Tanya glared, but her lips twitched.
She might have been sent back to being flat, but that only meant she had a chance to do it all her way.
Maybe this whole system thing wouldn't be so bad.