Harumu-sensei led Ren down a bustling hallway, the sounds of chattering students and ringing bells filling the air. The scent of chalk and old textbooks was strangely comforting, a familiar anchor in this surreal new reality. They stopped before a classroom door, and Harumu-sensei, after a soft knock, slid it open.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice still gentle, though it carried enough to quiet the room. "We have a new transfer student joining us today. Please be welcoming." She gestured for Ren to step inside.
Ren walked to the front of the class, facing a sea of curious, expectant faces. He took a deep breath. "Hello, everyone. My name is Shigeno Ren. I've just transferred here, and I look forward to studying with all of you." He bowed slightly, a polite, practiced gesture.
As he straightened, his gaze swept across the classroom, and then, his eyes snagged on a familiar mop of spiky brown hair. Sitting near the window, with an almost perpetually exasperated expression, was none other than Kogarashi Fuyuzora.
Ren's internal monologue screeched to a halt. Kogarashi Fuyuzora? Here? In this class? This was an unexpected twist. In the original Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san story, Kogarashi's arrival at Yuragi-sou was driven by his desperate search for cheap rent, leading him to the haunted inn. His protagonist status was intrinsically linked to his unique spiritual abilities and his role as the seventh-generation successor of the Yatahagane, one of the Three Big Families, making him a powerful exorcist. His existence was crucial for dealing with the various spirits around Yukemori City.
But if Kogarashi was here, living somewhere else, how would his story unfold? Ren's own existence, as the new owner of Yuragi-sou, directly interfered with the original narrative. However, Ren also knew he possessed the power of reality manipulation. He could do something about it. Yet, he also recognized Kogarashi's immense value. His spiritual powers were genuinely useful, especially for the supernatural shenanigans that were bound to occur in Yukemori City.
His gaze shifted, and he spotted another familiar face. Miyazaki Chisaki. She was just a normal human, unlike the rest of the supernatural cast of Yuragi-sou, but as he expected, she was undeniably beautiful. Her bright, friendly smile and radiant aura made it clear why she was so popular.
"Thank you, Shigeno-kun," Harumu-sensei said, pulling him from his thoughts. "You can take the seat near the back door."
Ren nodded, making his way to the designated desk. It was a good spot, offering a clear view of the classroom while also providing a bit of personal space. He settled in just as Harumu-sensei began her lesson, her soft voice filling the room.
The class passed in a blur. When the bell rang, signaling the end of Harumu-sensei's class, she gathered her materials and left the room. Instantly, a swarm of students descended upon Ren's desk.
"Hey, where are you from?" "What school did you transfer from?" "Do you have a girlfriend?" "What are your hobbies?"
Questions came at him from all sides. Fortunately, most of them were harmless, general inquiries. Ren answered them carefully, keeping his words monitored, ensuring he didn't accidentally slip any details about his transmigration or his reality manipulation powers. He kept his answers vague but friendly, enough to satisfy their curiosity without revealing anything sensitive. The students were lively and curious, a stark contrast to his solitary life before.
Their interrogation finally ceased when the next teacher entered the classroom, and the students reluctantly returned to their seats. The rest of the school day passed without further incident, a rhythm of lessons and brief, polite interactions.
When the final bell rang, signifying the end of the school day, Ren didn't immediately head for the exit. Instead, he decided to help the cleaning monitors. It was a small act, but he figured every little bit helped. He joined a group of students wiping down desks and sweeping the floor. Since he helped them from the start, the System barely registered this as a complete chore.
Ding!
A translucent blue window popped up before him, displaying his chore progress.
[Chore Progress: 1/3] [Note: Daily chore progress resets at midnight. Your previous night's chore progress has been reset.]
Ren stared at the message, a flicker of disappointment, but not anger, passing through him. So, my chore last night didn't count for today. He reflected on his mistake. He should have realized that a new day meant a fresh start for chores. He had been too focused on getting to sleep and avoiding Yuuna's spiritual attacks. It was a learning experience. Today, helping the cleaning monitors, was indeed his first chore again, even if it barely registered.
Returning to Yuragi-sou, Ren decided to actively seek out opportunities to help. He needed to be more proactive. He walked through the familiar streets of Yukemuri City, keeping an eye out for anyone who might need a hand. He got lucky.
An old woman stood at a crosswalk, clutching a heavy-looking bag, hesitating as the traffic whizzed by. Ren immediately stepped forward. "Excuse me, ma'am, would you like some help crossing the street?"
The old woman looked up, her eyes crinkling into a grateful smile. "Oh, bless you, young man. That would be wonderful."
Ren gently took her arm, guiding her across the bustling intersection. He made sure she was safely on the other side before releasing her.
Ding!
[Chore Progress: 2/3] [Current Activity: Assisting an elderly person. Status: Complete.]
Ren blinked. That counted? He was genuinely confused. Helping the cleaning monitors barely registered, but helping an old woman cross the street was a chore?
Just then, the System window reappeared, larger this time, with a prompt.
[System: Are you confused as to why assisting the old woman was considered a chore?]
"Yes," Ren mentally replied, a wave of enlightenment washing over him. The System was actively guiding him!
[System: Chores are defined by acts of genuine assistance that benefit others, requiring a demonstrable effort and providing a tangible positive outcome. Helping the cleaning monitors, while a good deed, was a minor contribution to an already established routine. Guiding an elderly person across a busy street, however, directly addressed a need, ensured their safety, and required your direct intervention. The System prioritizes actions that have a clear, immediate, and positive impact on individuals.]
Ren nodded slowly. It made sense. The System wasn't just looking for physical labor; it was looking for impact. He felt a surge of understanding. This wasn't just about ticking boxes; it was about truly helping.
At the end of the day, he had completed two chores. He was determined to get that first Reality Ticket. He continued his walk, his senses heightened, looking for another opportunity.
He got lucky again. A man stood on the sidewalk, frantically patting his pockets, a distressed look on his face. He was muttering to himself. "Where is it? I can hear it ringing, but I can't find it!"
Ren paused, his ears perking up. The faint, almost imperceptible sound of a phone vibrating. He focused, and to his astonishment, he could distinctly hear the buzzing sound coming from… the man's back pocket.
Ren was momentarily stunned. He could hear it that clearly? Was this a subtle manifestation of his reality manipulation, or just heightened senses from being in this new world? He didn't know, but he wasn't going to question it.
"Excuse me, sir," Ren said, approaching the man. "Are you looking for your smartphone?"
The man looked up, startled. "Yes! I can hear it, but I can't find it anywhere!"
"I think it's in your back pocket," Ren said, pointing.
The man's hand immediately went to his back pocket. His eyes widened as he pulled out a vibrating smartphone. "Oh my goodness! You're right! How did you know?" He stared at Ren with a mixture of awe and bewilderment. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" He bowed repeatedly, then hurried off, still muttering his thanks.
Ren watched him go, a small smile on his face. Dementia is no joke, he thought, then immediately caught himself. But if I heard a joke about it, I'd probably laugh. He shook his head. His old cynical habits were hard to break.
Ding!
[Chore Progress: 3/3] [Current Activity: Locating a lost item. Status: Complete.]
Ding!
[Congratulations! You have earned one (1) Reality Ticket!] [Your chore counter has been reset to 0.] [Next Reality Ticket requires five (5) chores.]
Ren's heart pounded with excitement. His first Reality Ticket! It wasn't the "Ticket of Relationship" he'd initially been so curious about, but this Reality Ticket was far more helpful for his current situation. He held back the urge to use it immediately. He needed to think carefully about how to best utilize this precious resource.