Ch 2-7

Right after I caught a glimpse of Paula touching her lover, Iris, in a lewd way--I hightailed from the place.

It was a neighborhood similar to Earth, the same blue skies, narrow pathways, concrete jungle, and tall, triangular roofs. The sky was blue with ever so nostalgic polluted air.

...although people in here didn't give a single damn when I ran with tail between my legs. I took all the twists and turns before stopping on a random alley and steadied my breathing.

A dark alleyway, created by the gaps between two housing blocks. Its tall brick walls obscuring the shadow cast by the glistening sun.

Damn, I just notice, not only I'm weak, my physical condition was terrible. I didn't run for long yet I felt my lungs were about to burst and my ribs hurt; I coughed and retched few times, spitting out the phlegm right at the Inventory I just opened.

[Phlegm Collected!]

[Phlegm Collected!]

[Phlegm...]

There was no time to experiment, as I felt impending danger--I had to push myself running so much in one go.

I didn't feel completely safe yet—what kind of place would be appropriate?

'Gulp..''

With peculiar footsteps approaching this alley, I didn't think much about stepping into the dark hollow in front of me.

...

[Takeshi Obtained!]

Of course, I kinda gambled a bit this time. It turns out, my hunch was right again.

Was it because I'm the main character and this was a plot convenience? Nah, I don't think so. Some plain and boring guy like me wouldn't make an interesting story. Ah, I almost lost my virginity too.

It gave me a bit of buffer to think. The Isekai stories always mentioned that you cannot put living objects inside your storage space, including yourself.

Why is that? I just took it as a fact, without even trying to question it critically.

It doesn't really make sense.

Not that it matters. Why must I question every single thing in the story? I just want to read fun things, turn off my brain and enjoy self-inserting myself into a lesbian loli that's trying to make a Yuri harem.

Well probably just the story's logic, limiting what could happen to make it easier to write. To tell you the truth, I don't remember much about the Isekai stories I read.

The only important thing, well, it worked on my part.

Plus, this world was governed by video game logic, mostly. While playing games, you might sometimes encounter objects that simply were considered 'living'. You can collect living chicken as a Key Item for a Quest.

On a certain adventure game, you could even collect a talking tomato in your inventory and you could even talk to him via the Inventory too. He would hurl abuses to you non-stop, until you finally threw him into a swamp, for the story's progression.

Now I was itching to check my own flavor text. It was on the [Key Item] set so I couldn't discard it.

[Takeshi]

[No description available.]

Well okay, just as expected.

This place was really dark, I couldn't even see my own body. The menus were clearly visible, thankfully.

Still, why did I run away from those lolis earlier? Or like, it's like I never did anything bad, right? Interrupting their date just me simply being there—that loli pretty much had attempted murder for illogical reasons!

Even if the beam didn't kill and only 'defeats' me, since magical girl anime were mainly aimed at kids, it's still didn't justify her actions. Maybe I wasn't any better due to my 'slander', but hey—can you compare a bit of word to me almost dying there?

You got a problem because I'm just your plain guy?

It's okay, it's not like I have that much self-worth in me either.

Either way, the magical girl wasn't the one I should mess with, considering how weak I was. It was their anime and they're the main characters. No matter what I do or how strong I was, the only thing that awaits me is defeat.

Even if I tried to act like I'm innocent, I have no background information about this anime. Judging by how Paula immediately point me out as the Dark Lord's minion, that plan won't do any good.

If this world followed the anime logic, it's better to stay away from the main story as much as possible, until this 'anime' ends. That's my plan for survival.

Although, it'd be hell if getting my ass kicked would be this episode's plot.

First of all, this room was so dark. Couldn't I just flick my finger and get the light switch on?

With a clicking noise sounding outta nowhere, the room was lit up. I stood in a carpeted room, containing racks and racks, most of them empty. Their amount stretched towards infinity. I couldn't even see the ends of this room.

The closest ones to me were the filled cabinets. Organized like, Consumables, Materials, and Equipment.

Before me was a wooden table with [Key Items] labeled and a wooden chair which I sat upon. As I didn't bring the important objects on my pockets, I saw my phone and my Inn room key atop the table. There's also my Guild card. When I touched it, there's the information flowing through my mind.

My status and level were still the same.

Speaking of phone, I tried searching for the TV channels for Magical Iris show.

"Haa...."

I exhaled a few times as the internet wasn't even accessible. Maybe it's because I was inside a separate space from this world?

If that's the case, let's try teleporting...

"[Go to...]"

Instead of the usual menu, I was left with disappointment.

[Cannot fast travel from this point.]

It's either because I'm inside the storage space, or this world didn't allow such things.

If that woman was able to alter reality just like this, finding who she really was, might give me the chance of figuring why I was sent here.

As for that loli, she probably wouldn't speak to me unless the time's convenient.

Hey, System?

See? She hardly ever respond after the first day we met.

I guess, it's better to rely on myself. If only I ignored the woman at that time and just go to the receptionist.

She's so beautiful though--I want to be a girl as pretty as her and become her girlfriend.

Ah, this complex again. Even after I enjoyed the pleasure of a man, I still wondered what it's like to finally become cute and pretty.

My looks were pathetic and plain. I couldn't even lie to myself by cross-dressing. My conservative family would ground me to death if they ever found out I possess a girl's clothing.

Sometimes I just wonder, why couldn't I just appreciate myself as I am? Why can't I be proud of living as a man? The only thing I'm grateful about is about having a penis. Although I felt more comfortable if I have a penis as a girl.

Maybe, the true reason for me not wanting to be a girl just yet and romance other girls--it has to do with my past trauma. I was, always afraid of showing my true self to the public. Even if this world had a different common sense, this didn't feel right.

There's something inside me who told me, this wasn't the way to go. Even in my dreams, I'm a man most of the time.

Plus, if that lewd loli wants to, with her powers, she could just turn me into a cute girl of her preferences. No need to give me an option in the first place, right?

Or she probably couldn't.

Due to my inherent role as a Player, most likely.

Ah, I really want to try it—I want to finally experience Yuri on my own. I already got away from my painful reality. In this other world, couldn't I just let go of my old values and just be what I want the most?

...but, will turning into a cute girl and Yuri other girls truly solve my problem of self-worth?

I'm not smart; I don't have any notable talents; I love playing games but I'm not even good at it. My looks are terribly plain. I am a social trainwreck against normies and I especially hate their normie questions.

"Hey, you're already 25! When are you going to marry, you loser? Oh, it's understandable, you couldn't even find a girlfriend. You might be ugly, but your personality is basically a piece of shit."

"You already worked for many years and all you can do is freeload on your Uncle. Lucky you for getting an easy job, eh? You really have no shame to keep working in this place."

It's not like I worked at my own volition. If I could choose, I'd rather pursue my own passion, even if it means mooching off my parents.

Who cares about starting a family? It's not like anyone would love me. Even if I married, it's all about the girl, not the man.

I don't want to work myself to death for the family who wouldn't care for me in the end. A worthless person like me didn't deserve--

[Takeshi, stop.]

It's the loli's voice again. Her tone sounds like she's seriously upset.

Huh? What are you...

[You didn't seriously think you would be sent here just to think about your shitty life, right?]

Well, I don't really have many chances to do so, I'm busy with things since I came here.

[...and it's many times better than sitting here being all depressed.]

Even I would want to vent every once in a while, okay? What's wrong about it?

[Did that actually make you a better person? You want me to give you a pat and telling you it's alright?]

Screw being a conformist to society! If I didn't vent away, wouldn't I be stressed out to death? If you don't like it, you don't have to listen! Why do you care so much about me?

[I never once said I cared about you. It is simply my job and my responsibility to look after you, at least to a minimum amount. A person who never takes his job and life seriously would not understand.]

Like you're the one to talk. Who's the lazy person who didn't even respond to my questions when I need them? Isn't that the pot calling kettle black?

[Do you actually prefer someone who'll spoon-fed and nag your every single moment of your adventure, then?]

Huh?

[Every one of my kind has their own policy. I'd like to just let you do whatever they want after I decide they already well-off. I also put my benefit first because face it—who doesn't? What do you know of all the things I worked out there? Just because I didn't inform you, doesn't mean I didn't do any jack.

I said our way of thinking do match—but who knows you didn't even feel any ounce of gratitude with all the things I have done so far.]

Hey, I'm sorry alright? I really don't know what kind of things you did for me because my memories weren't clear...

[If you don't like this adventure, you can just ask me. You will be returned to the shitty life you kept thinking of so much. I will restore your lost memories, but remember—they are removed for a good reason.]

I don't want to get back. I want to stay here as long as I could. Is it possible to stay here forever?

[As much as I hate you for being a prick--it all depends on you. This adventure is yours. I can't say what will happen thereafter, but know, if you don't do your best you're going to regret everything once it ends.]

But I really don't know which one is the best way. I am not that smart or resourceful—please enlighten.

[I already said to you before. This is just a game.]

Even though there's the danger of death I was feeling just earlier?

[Being able to put your life on the line for something, is what makes it truly worth it. A game is a game because of its rules if you don't like it—you can simply just ask me to leave.

...but enough talking. You continue, or leave?

This is your last chance to turn back. If you continue, you must follow this until the end, even if the way you clear it—all yours to decide.]

No way I'm going to return to that life.

No matter what, I will continue.

[Prove it with your actions. Prove to me my efforts have a meaning.]

...

Maybe I was being an insensitive bastard earlier. I never thought she genuinely cared about me.

It's been so long.

Well, I should just take this a bit seriously.

Changing to the Scottish villager cosplay and taking off my glasses, I stepped outside my storage space.

I didn't forget to turn the lights off.

Trail of tears started to drip ceaselessly, followed by the silent wails from the depths of my throat.

...but I'm not sad at all.

So it's actually possible to do so, out of happiness.

...and along the way, I realized something.

Survive? What meaning is there, in merely struggling just to survive?

While surviving is important, I want to feel alive. I want to do things that make me feel meaningful!

...at the opportune time, a notification pops up.

"...so it's finally begun."

I couldn't help but laugh dryly at this.

Why do you always have to be so vague when it counts again, you loli?