Clad in simple summer clothes—a sweat-stained shirt and shorts—and wooden geta sandals, I walked down the stone steps winding through the lush forested mountainside, hands tucked behind my head.

For a kid in this sweltering season, it was the most ordinary outfit imaginable.

Honestly, I was quite content with this carefree life.

Well, that is, if I could just ignore those damn goodwill displays hovering above everyone’s heads.

Every time I spotted those floating screens, I’d be dragged back to that twisted system’s twisted quest—and the twisted heterophobia aura it left behind.

Even now, I still couldn’t get used to seeing those displays above every single person.

Maybe someday I’d grow accustomed to this unskippable nightmare. But right now? I still couldn’t accept that I’d actually completed a damn system’s quest.

Summer break had just begun. For this whole month, I wouldn’t have to endure that elementary school crawling with little monsters.

*Sigh… When will this ever end?*

My fingers brushed the amulet pouch hanging over my chest—a charm drawn by my rigid, old-fashioned grandfather. He claimed it warded off evil spirits.

Frankly, as someone who knew damn well ghosts, magic, and Santa Claus didn’t exist, I’d always scoffed at such symbolic trinkets.

Growing up in a Sacred Shrine hadn’t changed my communist ideals; I’d never cared for superstitions or mythical beasts.

Not that I’d accepted this charm just because the old man spent a whole night drawing it in his Shinto robes.

But… it was his heartfelt gift. So I kept the pouch tucked close to my chest.

The palm-sized pouch was intricately embroidered. What shocked me most? This cloth pouch was *damn waterproof*.

After staring at it in disbelief for ages, I could only chalk it up to "special materials."

Chirping cicadas buzzed relentlessly around me as I walked down the stone path, their noise grating on my nerves.

Soon, I stepped beyond the Sacred Shrine’s grounds and onto the mountain road.

Gazing down at the distant town, I let out a tired sigh. Every trip to the village meant this long trek—and school commutes were even worse.

I hated elementary school with every fiber of my being. But in Japan, compulsory education was brutally strict.

Like most kids, my first instinct had been to resist school.

It wasn’t laziness. Nor was it about relearning elementary material—I *did* need to master Japanese language and writing.

The real problem? Being forced to mingle with a bunch of brats my age.

*Can you imagine the agony of an adult mind trapped in a kid’s body, surrounded by children who haven’t even hit puberty?*

Walking down the sun-scorched road toward town, I winced at the memory of my disastrous first days at school.

…Actually, I couldn’t even bear to describe it.

The summer sun beat down mercilessly, sweat dripping down my back—a crude reminder that I was still alive.

The scenery around me was undeniably beautiful: harmonious greens, serene mountains. But to me? Utterly dull.

City folks might gush over this countryside charm, but having lived here since birth, I felt nothing.

Yes—after I was reborn into this world, my parents had dumped me on my grandparents at this rural mountain shrine.

Grandma was gentle; even if she disliked me, she’d never show it.

I couldn’t even muster anger at them.

A normal child might resent such parents. But me? I’d already died once. Just having memories and a second life was a blessing.

What grudge could I possibly hold against the people who gave me this existence?

…Though I *was* thoroughly screwed by this damn system.

*Maybe this is punishment for getting a second chance.*

Who could I blame? The world? "Shichen"?

Yeah. It’s all Shichen’s fault.

This system was utterly hopeless. No AI. No communication.

After announcing its quests, it’d slap on punishments with clear malicious intent—like it was *trying* to turn me gay!

Sure, it imposed no direct restrictions. But that heterophobia aura? That was obstacle enough.

I’d tried telling others about the system. Who’d believe a kid’s "delusions"?

Even if my peers believed me, what could a bunch of middle-schoolers do?

I quickly realized: exposing the system changed nothing.

No response. No solutions. Maybe this was just my fate.

After the initial shock, confusion, and despair, I’d grown numb to its existence.

Humans adapt terrifyingly fast—like girls with their first period.

That panic, that blood… once Mom explains it’s just "monthly visitors" that’ll keep coming forever? Most girls accept it.

My situation wasn’t identical, but the principle held.

The system had warned me: if I failed its quest by age thirty, every man around me would instantly turn gay.

Imagine it—if I failed, my existence would twist this world into a planet of homosexuals.

*AAAAH!! What a horrifying reality!!*

I couldn’t fathom a world straight out of a yaoi fangirl’s fantasy.

Or the guilt of "stealing" every woman’s partner. It’d break anyone.

Yet… even this apocalyptic punishment faded under the weight of habit. I’d started planning how to complete this damn quest.

…Speaking of which, my twin siblings in Tokyo must be about four or five now.

Dad’s calls always gushed about how adorable Ruri and Hidetomo were—like mirror images.

Especially that chirpy "*Onii-chan!*" over the phone. It melted my heart.

I didn’t know if it was my sister Ruri or brother Hidetomo saying it, but I ached to meet them.

When I finally did, I’d need gifts.

But… what could a country kid offer that city children would want?

*This is such a headache…*

Mom spoiled them rotten—granting their every whim.

What humble gift could I possibly bring for a first meeting?

"Gifts from the heart matter most," they say. But my plan was set: after junior high entrance exams, I’d take the bullet train to Tokyo alone.

A normal kid might fear traveling solo. But for someone as stubborn as me? Nothing would stop me from meeting my little sister… and otouto.

Let’s be clear: I’m no lolicon. Just a feminist. *Just kidding.*

I’d already mapped it out. After elementary graduation, I’d pack my saved New Year’s money, leave a note, and slip away quietly.

For friends? A flimsy "Tokyo adventure" excuse would suffice.

Kids that age wouldn’t overthink it.

This way, I’d escape Nishi’s clinginess and restart my quest somewhere new—without constraints.

*What if my parents refuse me?*

Impossible. I’d already confirmed with Dad—he’d take me in.

That guilt-ridden man had always wanted to make up for abandoning his eldest son.

Barring disasters, I’d leave this boring countryside after elementary school.

Head for the skyscrapers. Meet my precious twins.

Finally.