After a series of bizarre encounters, I was still searching for the shopping arcade.

But judging by the current situation, I seemed completely lost—even the way home had vanished from my memory.

As I wandered aimlessly, a black cat perched on a nearby wall caught my attention. It felt like this cat had been following me for quite some time…

Meeting its unnerving gaze, I shuddered and quickly lowered my head, hurrying forward.

*This cat isn’t normal… Those eyes don’t belong to an ordinary feline…*

Heart pounding, I quickened my pace into frantic little steps, desperate to escape the terrifying creature.

*Plop.*

Too flustered to watch my footing, I stumbled into a drainage ditch at a corner. Water splashed high, soaking the lower half of my pants instantly.

"*Meow?*"

Suddenly, the black cat leaped down from the wall, landing beside me with almost human-like curiosity.

I jolted in terror and scrambled away on hands and knees.

Sprinting wildly, I staggered into a small park’s women’s restroom.

"*AAAAAH—!*"

Seconds later, drenched head-to-toe in mineral water, I burst out of the restroom amid a shrill scream. I dove into a dense flowerbed bush, hiding deep within the park.

Curled on the grass, water dripping from my soaked clothes, I trembled with fear. Burying my face in my knees, I couldn’t hold back sobs.

*I don’t understand this world… Why has everything turned like this?*

This terrifying reality had pushed me to the brink of collapse.

"*So scary… So scary… Why did it become like this? Is this even a normal world?…*"

I whispered to myself, body shaking uncontrollably.

*—My god!! What’s happening to this world???*

Drenched as I was, only summer heat kept me from utter misery. Once a beloved beauty adored everywhere I went, I’d never faced such humiliation.

Every encounter had carved deep, unhealable scars into my psyche.

Huddled in the bushes, my quiet sobs swelled into heartbroken cries.

This world felt like it hated me—as if I’d been cast out, utterly rejected.

Looking back, I knew nothing about this place. It couldn’t be my world. It had to be a twisted parallel dimension.

*…Could this be the daily life of someone this world despises? The reality another "me" must endure?*

If so, the original owner of this body must’ve been pitiful…

Or worse—had they committed such heinous acts that everyone loathed them? A truly monstrous person?

If that’s true… then inheriting this identity is the cruelest fate imaginable!!

*—God!! I don’t want to be some handsome city guy anymore!! Please change me back!!!*

I prayed desperately inside—but silence answered. No miracle came.

The damp clothes clinging to my skin, the sunlight burning my back… This was no dream. It was horrifyingly real.

*…Is this how I’ll live my whole life?…*

A wave of desolation crashed over me, dragging me into bottomless sorrow.

Maybe I deserved this. Maybe it was punishment for wasting so many years…

"*Well, well~ If it isn’t Kamimichi-kun?~ What brings you here?~ Looking this disheveled? So unlike you~~*"

Just as hopelessness swallowed me, a comically nasal voice cut through the air. I lifted my head.

I scanned the area—but saw no one.

"*Who’s there?! Show yourself!!*"

Grandpa’s old tales of spirits flooded my mind: humans couldn’t see youkai, only powerful ones could reveal themselves. I’d never believed them… until now. My skin prickled with dread.

*…Could it really be a monster?…*

Arms wrapped tightly around myself, I stared wildly at the empty space.

Then—a strange wind swirled around me. It grew stronger, whipping my soaked clothes.

"*Hee-hee-hee~~~~*"

Amidst the eerie yellow vortex, that ghostly laughter echoed.

I scrambled backward on the ground as my damp clothes began vanishing one by one—until I stood completely bare.

*…Is this some perverted spirit?…*

*Crap!! I’m a guy now!! Wait—NO!! If I’m male and it’s still stripping me… That’s beyond creepy!! A total freak!!!*

As panic choked me, the water on my skin vanished as if wiped away. Even my foggy glasses cleared instantly, vision sharpening.

Then my clothes reappeared—but perfectly dry.

*—What’s happening?! Did I actually meet a kind youkai???*

The yellow whirlwind died down. I stood up slowly, examining my spotless clothes and neatly styled hair.

*…Grandpa did mention good youkai exist… Could this one be benevolent?…*

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the shadow blocking the sun above me.

"*There we go! Much more like the usual Kamimichi-kun!~*"

That ridiculous voice snapped my head up.

What I saw froze my blood. I shrieked, stumbling backward and collapsing onto the grass.

"*YOUKAI!! DON’T EAT ME!!!*"

All thoughts of "kind spirits" vanished. The creature before me was pure nightmare fuel.

A yellow octopus monster wearing a black academic robe and square doctoral cap.

Its smooth, round head held pea-sized eyes and a crescent-moon grin—mocking or smiling, I couldn’t tell.

But that wasn’t the horror. Beneath its robe writhed countless yellow tentacles.

*—Tentacles?! Every girl’s nightmare!!*

Even in a male body, revulsion surged through me at the sight of those slimy appendages.

"*Eat you?*" The octopus tilted its head, genuinely shocked. "*Why would your teacher devour their own student? Besides, Kamimichi-kun, with your strength, killing me would be effortless.*"

"*What are you talking about?! Teacher?! Student?! I’d never have a monster like you as my master!!*" I yelled, trembling.

At my words, the yellow youkai zipped right before my face, scrutinizing me closely.

"*…Could it be… Kamimichi-kun, have you lost your memories?…*"