Wednesday
The piercing sunlight seeped through his eyelids, landing directly on his retinas.
Hojou Kyousuke turned over, trying to escape it, but the stubborn light relentlessly followed.
'Damn it, did I forget to close the curtains again last night?'
Frowning, Kyousuke had no desire to wake up. His phone alarm hadn't rung yet, which meant it wasn't time to get up.
So annoying.
Irritated, he finally opened his eyes.
This place is...
The sunlight was still glaring, but the old-fashioned house before him—both familiar and unfamiliar—made his eyes widen.
Oh right, I swapped again.
Kyousuke suddenly remembered. This was his second time waking up in this place.
But why is it that every time I return to my own body, I lose all memories of the swap?
Maybe that's just how it works? When I go back, I forget everything, but once I swap again, I recall it all.
Scratching his head, Kyousuke didn't bother wasting brainpower on something that seemed trivial.
As he sat up, the blanket slipped off his body, and he looked down.
A loose-fitting pink T-shirt with yellow polka dots.
"…Sis?"
The door was already open, and standing there was the same little sister he had met during his last swap—Yotsuba.
'Damn, this body's guard is way too low!'
"Ah, looks like I've grown a bit again. Must be the struggles of puberty—you wouldn't understand yet, Yotsuba," Kyousuke said smoothly, turning his head with a natural smile.
"Like you've grown at all. Hurry up and eat breakfast!" Yotsuba muttered, scratching her head, still feeling that her sister was acting strangely.
With a loud slam, she shut the door.
Kyousuke got up and walked over to the full-length mirror.
The oversized T-shirt hung loosely down to his ankles.
The underwear was pink too, with a butterfly pattern.
Miyamizu Mitsuha, huh? This girl sure has cute taste.
After admiring the reflection for a moment, he grabbed the school uniform from the wardrobe and began changing.
Gotta say, wearing a pleated skirt feels… interesting.
Next time, I should get some safety shorts.
This is way too risky.
As he was thinking this, he caught sight of Yotsuba in the hallway, carrying two plates of food into another room.
Wait, does this little kid make breakfast? Or was Mitsuha supposed to cook, but I woke up too late?
Inside the room, Mitsuha's grandmother was already talking with Yotsuba. Kyousuke quickly walked in.
"Good morning, Grandma."
"Good morning."
Trying to act as naturally as possible, he knelt on the empty cushion, picked up his bowl, scooped some rice, and started eating.
Why do we have to eat such a big meal in the morning?
Even in Japan, only places that cling to old traditions still do this, right?
Grumbling inwardly, Kyousuke quickly finished his bowl of rice.
Out of habit, he wanted to get more, but his stomach protested—it was already full.
Alright, fine.
No need to make this girl gain weight. She'd probably cry if she got fat.
After grabbing the schoolbag, putting on shoes, and bidding farewell to Grandma, Kyousuke—still in Mitsuha's body—followed Yotsuba out the door.
As soon as he stepped outside, he turned around for a better look.
Are all shrine families this wealthy?
Before him stood a massive, traditional two-story wooden house. The blue-tiled roof blended harmoniously with the surrounding greenery.
"Come on, Sis, we're gonna be late!" Yotsuba, already on the stone steps below, called out.
Kyousuke hurried to catch up, just as he was about to ask Mitsuha—uh, himself—where the school was, Yotsuba spoke again.
"Aren't you gonna tie your hair?"
…I want to, but I don't know how.
"Oh, I just forgot. Do you have an extra hair tie, Yotsuba? Lend me one?"
"Ugh, first you refuse to braid my hair, and now you're taking my hair tie?" Yotsuba grumbled but still pulled a black hair tie from her schoolbag.
"Sorry, sorry! I promise I'll braid your hair tomorrow morning!"
Tying his hair into a quick ponytail, Kyousuke casually made a promise. Not like it mattered—he'd be back in his own body tomorrow anyway.
"You said it! No backing out!" Yotsuba said happily.
"Yeah, yeah. Just wake me up tomorrow, and I'll do it," Kyousuke replied with a mischievous grin.
The shrine was located at the highest point in town. As the two of them walked downhill along the winding mountain road, Yotsuba soon waved goodbye, running off with a group of kids her age.
Standing by the roadside railing, Kyousuke looked out at this unfamiliar town.
A vast lake shimmered under the morning sun, surrounded by lush forests.
The entire town was built around the water, consisting only of small, two-story houses.
Huh. Guess I don't even need to ask for directions—this town is so small there's probably only one school.
Actually… maybe the middle school and high school even share the same building.
Probably a lot of empty classrooms too, since there aren't enough students.
"Mitsuha!"
A voice called from behind, accompanied by the sound of a bicycle bell and spinning spokes.
Since he still wasn't used to the name, Kyousuke took a second to react.
A bicycle rolled up beside him. The rider was a boy with thick eyebrows, and sitting on the back seat was a girl with twin braids.
[Your name: Natori Sayaka (Supporting Character)]
"Morning, Sayaka," Kyousuke greeted naturally.
"Huh? Just Sayaka? What about me? And get off already, you're heavy!" the thick-browed boy complained.
"Jeez, don't be so stingy," Sayaka huffed, hopping off the bike and making a face at Kyousuke.
"Mitsuha doesn't greet you because Teshigawara, you're an ill-mannered cheapskate!"
"You little—!" Teshigawara Katsuhiko reached for her schoolbag, but Sayaka had already stuck out her tongue and walked ahead with Kyousuke.
"Alright, alright, no need to start flirting so early in the morning, you two," Kyousuke teased.
"Huh?! Who's flirting with him?!"
"Huh?! Where'd you even learn that word? That's hilarious!"
Both of them blushed instantly.
Wait, they're not a couple?
I totally thought this was one of those 'boyfriend picks up girlfriend for school' moments.
But looking at their flustered faces, Kyousuke got it.
Ohhh, they like each other but haven't confessed yet.
Looks like I just did them a favor as their love guru.
"Come on, let's go," he urged.
The three of them continued downhill along the winding road.
Despite being a "mountain road," the sides were lined with houses and shops.
At the foot of the mountain, the scenery changed again—fields and greenhouses started appearing.
Kyousuke hadn't experienced rural life in ages, so he found it fascinating.
"Most importantly, for the sake of revitalizing our town's agriculture—!"
A loud voice boomed from up ahead. Kyousuke turned his gaze away from the small stream by the road and looked forward.
In an open lot, a white van with massive speakers was parked.
A giant yellow banner displayed the name "Miyamizu Toshiki."
A man in a suit, wearing a sash with the same name, was giving a speech with a microphone.
Wait… Miyamizu Toshiki?
Isn't that Mitsuha's politician father?
But from what Grandma said the other night, it sounds like he's already cut ties with the family…
Just as Kyousuke was processing this, whispers spread through the watching crowd.
People were murmuring about how "Miyamizu Toshiki is powerful" and "he's definitely winning this election."