In the country where Kasumigaoka Touji had lived before his reincarnation, the younger generation was much more used to digital reading.
Reading on a screen was just so convenient. All you needed was a smartphone or a laptop, and the entire world of stories was at your fingertips. Whether on a train, lying in bed, or even in the restroom, you could read whenever and wherever. Online libraries and fanfiction archives were endless. If you could think of it, someone had probably written it.
Touji was once a proud digital bookworm.
He devoured stories of all kinds—fantasy, romance, horror, comedy—and the more he read, the more voracious he became. Of course, with that came a gradual shift. He went from savoring each sentence to blitzing through paragraphs like a speedrunner. Quantity took over quality. And more often than not, what he read just... didn't hit the same.
But ever since arriving here—
In this new world, physical books reigned supreme. Whether due to cultural tradition or infrastructure, e-books were still niche, and online resources were scarce.
So, bit by bit, Kasumigaoka Touji came to love paper books.
There was something tangible and intimate about them. The rustle of turning pages, the scent of ink, the ability to mark lines with a real pencil—it all made the experience richer, calmer, and more focused. Plus, no dry eyes after staring at a screen too long. Once finished, the book didn't just vanish; it could be proudly placed on a shelf, part of a growing collection. Looking at a packed bookshelf gave one a sense of deep accomplishment.
That afternoon, Kasumigaoka Touji and Kasumigaoka Utaha remained quietly nestled in their rooms, reading their respective novels. Aside from a brief break for lunch, they were engrossed until evening.
"Whoa!"
A sudden gasp came from Touji's direction. Noticing movement, he turned to see Utaha walking over, a tissue in hand, her expression strangely delicate.
"Wait, are you crying?!" Touji blinked.
Tears shimmered in her normally composed eyes, sliding down her cheeks like they belonged in a shoujo anime close-up. He was stunned.
This wasn't a newbie reader we were talking about. Utaha was a seasoned book devourer, the type who didn't bat an eye at tragic endings.
"It's not sad," she sniffled, dabbing at her eyes, "It's... healing."
Touji tilted his head. "Really?"
Silver Season had been labeled a healing novel in reviews. He just hoped that meant what it claimed, and not some kind of emotional trap pretending to be warm and fuzzy. He didn't enjoy getting blindsided by disguised tragedy.
"It's about a kid who gets bullied and refuses to go to school. He meets... well, never mind," Utaha caught herself, raising a finger. "You should read it yourself, or you'll accuse me of spoiling things."
"Oi, you can't just stop halfway like that!" Touji grumbled, face twitching in mild frustration.
"Oh? Want me to tell you everything in detail?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Forget it. I'll read it myself. Spoilers kill the mood."
"Ugh, little brothers are so hard to deal with," Utaha sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"I'll hit you."
Before their sibling war could escalate, their mother's gentle voice echoed up the stairs.
"Dinner's ready~!"
The two closed their paperbacks, leaving them neatly stacked on the table, and made their way downstairs.
"How's Fantasy Demonic Blade Chronicle going?" Utaha asked casually.
"Still amazing. The pacing, the new characters, the villains... it's one of those series you can't put down once you start," Touji answered with genuine excitement.
When talking about Fantasy Demonic Blade Chronicle, it was impossible not to think of their neighbor—Izumi Masamune.
He lived literally right next door. That close.
Though his published work was the "official" version, many fans secretly believed the "pirated" online spinoffs were even better. Sometimes, raw talent just outshone polish.
Not that Masamune was bad.
He was already a published author, something most aspiring writers never achieved. His ongoing series, The Reincarnated Silver Wolf, was selling steadily with strong reader reviews, closing the gap between amateur and pro.
The two siblings chatted about books while descending the stairs, pausing to greet their father who was finishing up dinner preparations. Then they went to wash their hands.
Once seated at the table, their father cleared his throat with purpose.
"Ahem~ I have two announcements to make after dinner."
The sudden declaration made Touji and Utaha pause, glancing up at him curiously.
Their mother asked calmly, "Has the schedule been finalized?"
"Yes."
She seemed to already be in the know.
The siblings exchanged a glance but didn't pry. It was clear they'd find out soon enough.
After dinner, their father made his move.
"First, I'll be stationed in Hokkaido for a while due to a work transfer."
"And I'll be going with him," their mother added.
It was a bombshell.
Touji practically shot up from his seat. "Hokkaido!?"
"To be precise, Asahikawa City," their father clarified, trying to sound reassuring. "The company's opening a branch office there, and I've been promoted. It's a rare opportunity, so your mom and I decided it's best to go."
In a company that placed heavy value on both seniority and skill, promotions were hard-earned. It took years of tireless dedication. That made it all the more impressive that Kasumigaoka Eiji had remained a section chief for over a decade—a testament to his steady capabilities. In the professional world, he was considered an elite.
"Hokkaido's seafood and produce are top-tier and really affordable too," Kasumigaoka Airi added cheerfully. "Once I get there, I'll send you kids some good stuff."
"Wait, seriously?" Utaha eyed her parents with narrowed suspicion.
It wasn't like them to joke about serious matters. But still—today was April Fool's Day.
"Hmm?"
Her parents blinked, not catching her meaning at first.
Touji cleared his throat, gesturing lightly toward his sister. "What Utaha-nee means is... is this supposed to be some sort of April Fool's prank?"
"Absolutely not!" Eiji huffed, exasperated once he understood.
Airi, on the other hand, beamed and gave Touji a gentle pat on the head. "Touji-kun really understands Utaha-chan, huh~."
"Well, they've grown up together after all," Eiji added with a smile.
"Or maybe... not?" Airi's voice took a sudden turn, her tone coy and mysterious.
"Eh?"
Touji blinked, his expression puzzled.
That's when Eiji straightened up and cleared his throat again.
"The second thing I wanted to tell you is..."
He turned to face Touji with an almost solemn expression and said something that left the room in stunned silence.
"Touji, you're not Airi and I's biological child. We found you at our doorstep on a snowy winter night fifteen years ago."
"E-Ehhhh?!"
Utaha practically leapt from her chair, eyes wide in pure anime-like disbelief.
W(゜Д゜)W
Touji remained seated, looking calm.
Not because he wasn't shocked. But because... he already knew.
Fifteen years ago, on that snowy winter night, Kasumigaoka Touji had arrived in this world as a baby—an infant who, just moments before, had been a normal high school student in another reality. Somehow, his body had regressed to that of a newborn, but it was unmistakably still his body.
The confirmation? A pale pink crescent-shaped birthmark on the back of his right foot, something he'd had since birth in his previous life.
Thankfully, the Kasumigaoka couple had discovered him before it was too late, rushing him to the hospital and later adopting him as their own.
He had grown under their love and care, eventually given the name "Kasumigaoka Touji."
As the years passed, he began to resemble his old self more and more—not just in looks, but in personality too.
"Back then, we couldn't find your real parents," Eiji continued, his voice softer. "There were no clues, no name tag, nothing. The police said they'd have to send you to an orphanage..."
"But Airi said your appearance at our door must have been fate," he said with a fond glance at his wife. "And since we only had Utaha at the time, we talked it over and decided to take you in."
Eiji paused, looking at Touji with curiosity.
"You don't look surprised, Touji."
Touji tilted his head slightly. "Hmm... I kind of had a feeling. I mean, I don't look like either of you. I suspected for a while."
His parents looked at one another in astonishment. But it did make sense.
Touji had always been a quiet, thoughtful child. Even as a little boy, he acted more like an old soul than a hyper kid. Smart, observant, and unnaturally calm—it wasn't too far-fetched that he had noticed something off.
"When did you start to suspect?" Airi asked, leaning forward.
"In elementary school."
"...
Utaha sat frozen beside him, stunned all over again.
Back then, she'd also noticed. She had their mother's eyes and facial features, but Touji... nothing. Not one shared feature.
As they grew up, the difference became harder to ignore. She had wondered, secretly, quietly.
But never had she expected that tiny seed of doubt to actually be true.
It felt like a dream. Or rather, like she still hadn't woken up.
She reached for her water glass, trying to sip away the chaos buzzing in her chest.
And then—
"Actually, we originally planned to raise Touji as a future child husband."
"PFFFFTTT—?!"
Water sprayed in a mist as Utaha choked mid-sip, coughing violently as she clutched her chest.
"W-What the heck are you saying, Dad!? Baka!" she sputtered between coughs.
Touji, meanwhile, just covered his face and groaned.
Airi simply smiled and patted her daughter's back. "It's true~. When Touji-kun was a baby, he was so cute, and Utaha-chan used to say she wanted to marry him when she grew up."
"That was just kid stuff!" Utaha protested, face turning bright red. "You weren't supposed to take that seriously!"
"But you were serious back then," Eiji teased.
Kasumigaoka Touji let out a long sigh, already regretting everything about this dinner conversation.