The traditional room was quiet, save for the distant chirping of cicadas. Ren pushed himself up from the futon, his body feeling strangely light, as if shedding the weariness of his past life. He took a moment to stretch, testing his limbs. Everything felt normal, yet profoundly different. He was here. He was truly here.
He decided to explore. The room opened onto a long, wooden hallway, polished to a sheen. Paper screens lined one side, while the other offered glimpses into other rooms. The air carried a faint scent of sulfur and minerals, a familiar aroma that immediately clicked in his mind. He followed the hallway, which eventually led to a communal living area with low tables and cushions, and beyond that, a large, inviting bathhouse.
His eyes widened. The architecture, the layout, the distinct smell of hot springs… there was no mistaking it. He was in Yuragi-sou. The very boarding house haunted by a friendly ghost, filled with eccentric residents, and the setting of one of his favorite animes, Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san.
"No way," he whispered, a giddy excitement bubbling up. If this was Yuragi-sou, then that meant…
Ding!
The translucent system window reappeared, floating serenely before him.
[You are indeed in Yuragi-sou. As a precaution, please be aware that only you can perceive the System window. Furthermore, I can communicate with you telepathically, so there is no need for verbal responses when conversing with me.]
Ren mentally thanked the System, a wave of relief washing over him. He didn't want to look like a lunatic talking to himself.
[Regarding your current circumstances, Shigeno Ren of this world is the rightful owner of Yuragi-sou. Chitose Nakai, whom you will soon meet, serves as the innkeeper. Her presence here is a result of a long-standing friendship between your parents in this world and herself. They were aware of her unique circumstances and offered her refuge and a role here, ensuring her protection.]
Ren absorbed this information. So, he wasn't just a transmigrator; he was the owner. That was a significant upgrade from his previous life's financial woes.
[Furthermore, you have already encountered Yuuna in this timeline. She resides in the room you just vacated, which is her usual haunting ground. Her absence upon your awakening is due to her current engagement with other residents in a different part of the house.]
"So, Yuuna's here too," Ren thought, a smile touching his lips. This was getting better and better.
The System continued, filling in the blanks of his new identity. [Originally, the Shigeno Ren of this world lived in an apartment, but due to financial difficulties, he was on the verge of eviction. A lawyer then informed him of his deceased parents' will, which bequeathed Yuragi-sou to him. Consequently, he relocated to this city to attend high school, as this became his new residence. Like your previous incarnation, you are currently a second-year high school student.]
It was a surprisingly seamless transition, a backstory crafted to integrate him perfectly into this world. He was still Ren, still a high schooler, but with a vastly different living situation and a secret power.
As the System's explanation faded, Ren remembered a question he'd meant to ask earlier. "System, about those chores. Three chores for one ticket, right? What if I want more tickets in a single day?"
The System window reappeared instantly.
[An excellent query. Should you desire an additional Reality Ticket within the same day after acquiring your first, you must complete five (5) chores. For a third ticket, the requirement increases to seven (7) chores. For a fourth, it is ten (10) chores. The maximum number of Reality Tickets obtainable in a single day is four.]
Ren mentally calculated. Three, then five, then seven, then ten. That was a significant increase in effort, but the potential rewards were immense. Four reality manipulations in a single day? That was practically god-like. The System then vanished again.
He made his way back to the main living area. As he approached, he saw a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, her dark hair tied back neatly, bustling around a large dining table. Chitose Nakai. Just like in the anime. She was placing various dishes and bowls onto the table, preparing for dinner.
Chitose looked up, her smile widening as she saw him. "Ren-kun! You're awake. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Good evening, Chitose-san," Ren replied, trying to sound as natural as possible, as if he hadn't just died and been reborn into an anime world. He walked over to the table. "Can I help with anything?"
Chitose seemed a little surprised but pleased. "Oh, that's very kind of you, Ren-kun. You can help me bring out the rice bowls."
Ren nodded, grabbing a stack of bowls and placing them at each setting. They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the clinking of dishes filling the air. Soon, the table was laden with food – a variety of traditional Japanese dishes, steaming rice, and miso soup. It looked delicious.
"It seems most of the residents will be eating in their rooms tonight," Chitose commented, looking at the sparsely set table. "They're quite busy." She then picked up two large trays, each laden with a full meal.
"System," Ren thought, quickly. "Does helping Chitose-san count as a chore?"
Ding!
The System window popped up, showing a progress bar.
[Chore Progress: 0/3]
[Current Activity: Assisting with meal preparation. Status: Incomplete for chore credit.]
[Hint: Chores typically involve tasks that require direct effort and completion, such as delivering items, cleaning specific areas, or performing repairs.]
Ren glanced at Chitose, who was now carefully balancing the two trays. He understood. He needed to complete a task.
"Chitose-san," Ren said, stepping forward. "I can take those trays to the others. Who are they for?"
Chitose hesitated for a moment, a slight frown of concern on her face. "Are you sure, Ren-kun? They can be a bit heavy." But seeing the genuine eagerness in his eyes, she relented. "Alright. These are for Nonko-san and Sagiri-san. Nonko-san is in room 203, and Sagiri-san is in room 204."
Nonko Arahabaki and Sagiri Ameno. Ren's heart quickened. He remembered their appearances, their distinct personalities from the anime. He was about to meet them. This new life was truly beginning. He carefully took one of the trays from Chitose, the warmth of the dishes radiating through the metal. His first chore, and his first step into the world of Yuragi-sou.