After getting dressed in a dark pair of shorts, a black T-shirt, and a lightweight hoodie, he opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.
Waiting outside was a woman who appeared to be no older than thirty.
Had someone introduced her as his older sister, he would have believed it without question. Yet the memories insisted otherwise.
She was his mother.
She wore a casual outfit that suited the warm weather—She was wearing very short shorts that rode high on her hips, revealing her soft thighs and a hint of her purple lace underwear.
A white blouse with the top button left undone creating a deep neckline that revealed she was not wearing a bra.
Her nipples were clearly visible, pressing against the fabric of her shirt.
Her long, dark hair rested over her shoulders, framing an elegant face with gentle, mature features.
There was an effortless grace in the way she carried herself.
She noticed him standing there and offered him a gentle, apologetic smile.
"I’m sorry for walking into your room without knocking," she said softly. "I honestly thought you’d already gotten dressed."
He shook his head with a faint smile.
"It’s not a problem, Mom."
She let out a quiet sigh of relief before smiling warmly once more.
"I’m glad you don’t mind."
She then gestured down the hallway.
"Good. Now come on," she said, turning toward the staircase. "Breakfast is ready, and your sisters are waiting for you."
His eyebrows rose slightly.
Sisters...?
The inherited memories surfaced almost immediately, supplying the names and faces that belonged to them.
Right.
He had two younger sisters.
"I’ll be right there," he replied with a nod.
His mother smiled and started walking downstairs, and he quietly followed behind her.
As they descended the staircase, the rich aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast drifted through the house, causing his stomach to rumble.
The moment he stepped into the dining room, the inviting scent grew stronger, welcoming him to the table.
A modest but hearty meal had already been laid out on the table.
There were slices of freshly toasted bread, fluffy omelets seasoned with herbs, a simple salad of crisp lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, along with a selection of fruit juices.
A steaming pot of freshly brewed coffee sat in the center of the table for anyone who preferred it.
Seated around the table were two girls.
The older one appeared to be around twenty years old.
She possessed long, silky blonde hair that flowed down her back, while a pair of elegant amethyst eyes—identical to their mother’s—sparkled with warmth.
Her refined features and graceful demeanor gave her an air of quiet maturity.
Beside her sat the younger girl, who looked to be about sixteen.
Unlike her older sister, she had smooth obsidian-black hair that framed her youthful face, and her striking sapphire-blue eyes shone with curiosity and youthful energy.
Though her appearance differed from the rest of the family, there was no mistaking the resemblance in their expressions.
Their father had passed away several years earlier, when the three siblings were still children.
Since then, their mother had raised them on her own.
Fortunately, the burden had not been as crushing as it might have been for most families.
Both their mother’s family and their late father’s family were exceptionally wealthy.
Moreover, each of their parents had been the sole child in their respective families, meaning the family’s considerable inheritance would one day pass entirely to the three siblings.
Money had never been something they needed to worry about.
What their mother had truly devoted herself to was ensuring that her children grew up in a loving and stable home despite the loss of their father.
Looking at the warm scene before him, he couldn’t help but think that, despite the bizarre nature of this world, this family seemed surprisingly peaceful.
Both girls looked up the moment he entered the dining room.
Warm smiles immediately spread across their faces.
"Morning!" The older sister greeted him.
He returned the greeting with a small nod.
"Morning."
The older of the two was Rebecca, his twenty-year-old sister. According to the memories he’d inherited, she was in her final year at university.
Rebecca had inherited much of their mother’s elegance. Her long blonde hair framed a beautiful face, while her striking amethyst eyes sparkled with affection as they met his.
She was dressed in a stylish black off-the-shoulder sweater dress that hugged her figure without being overly flashy.
The outfit extended to her upper thighs and was paired with dark stockings, giving her a fashionable yet sophisticated appearance.
The long sleeves covered her arms completely, completing the cozy look.
The moment she saw him, she stood up from her chair.
"There you are, sleepyhead."
Before he could react, she walked over and wrapped him in a warm, affectionate hug.
It lasted only a moment before she stepped back with a cheerful smile.
"Now sit down and eat, little bro," Rebecca said, gently patting his shoulder.
"Mom’s been waiting for you."
He gave a helpless smile and nodded.
"Yeah... I’m starving."
As he took his seat, the younger girl leaned toward him with a bright smile.
"Good morning, big brother."
Before he could respond, Alexia gave him a quick peck on the cheek before happily returning to her seat.
He blinked in surprise.
"...Morning, Alexia."
Unlike Rebecca’s mature elegance, Alexia radiated youthful energy.
She was dressed in her high school uniform—a neatly pressed white blouse beneath a fitted black school blazer, paired with a black pleated skirt and pristine white stockings. The outfit gave her a tidy and refined appearance befitting a first-year student.
Her silky black hair was tied into a high ponytail that swayed gently whenever she moved, exposing her graceful neck and adding to her lively charm.
Her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with excitement, making it obvious she was looking forward to the day ahead.
According to the memories he had inherited, Alexia had only recently begun her first year of high school.
She was the youngest member of the family and, despite her cheerful personality, was often doted on by both Rebecca and their mother.
Watching the easy affection between them, he couldn’t help but smile faintly.
The warmth within this family felt genuine.
Even if none of these people were truly his by blood, the memories he now carried made it difficult to think of them as strangers.
As breakfast continued, more of the inherited memories settled into place.
He had only recently graduated from high school.
In just one week, he would begin his first semester at university.
The realization made him let out a long, weary sigh.
"Seriously...?"
He had already gone through university once in his previous life.
The endless lectures.
The attendance requirements.
The mountains of assignments.
The presentations.
The professors.
The exams.
All the other tedious nonsense that came with being a university student.
He had to admit, there were things he genuinely missed about those days—the friends he’d made, the freedom, and the unforgettable experiences.
But not enough to willingly go through the entire ordeal a second time.
He rested his chin on one hand as he stared at his breakfast.
"Looks like I’m back to square one..."
A bitter smile crept onto his face.
At least this time, he already knew how to survive university.
Hopefully, that experience would make the next four years a little less painful. Though, this strange new world would probably find a way to make college just as chaotic as before.
As he began eating, his thoughts drifted back to the bizarre world he now found himself in.
A world where, according to the memories he had inherited, every single person was a masochist.
He still found it difficult to believe.
There was no way he was going to accept something so absurd without seeing proof for himself. At some point, he would have to test whether it was really true.
As the family quietly enjoyed breakfast, his mother, Amelia, looked toward Rebecca with a gentle smile.
"So," Amelia asked, "how are things going with your boyfriend?"
Rebecca let out an exasperated sigh before taking a sip of her juice.
"We already broke up, Mom."
Amelia blinked in surprise.
"Oh? What happened?"
Rebecca rested her chin in her hand, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"He was just like every other guy," she complained. "He kept telling me that if we dated, he’d spank me every day to show how much he loved me."
She rolled her eyes.
"But when the time actually came, he didn’t even have the courage to raise his hand."
Rebecca clicked her tongue in irritation.
"And then he just got off on the fact that I got angry with him afterward because he’d lied to me."
"So annoying."
She folded her arms and huffed.
"I’ve decided I’m not dating boys anymore."
He sat there in silence, absentmindedly chewing his breakfast as he processed what he had just heard.
According to the memories of this world, spanking one’s romantic partner wasn’t considered abusive or degrading.
Instead...
It was regarded as one of the sincerest expressions of love and affection—a symbolic gesture that conveyed complete trust and deep emotional commitment.
"..."
He stared blankly at his plate.
This world’s common sense is completely upside down.
The more he learned about this place, the more surreal it became.
He couldn’t help but think how ridiculous, and yet how exciting, this world truly was.