Anyway. Yesterday I was stressing over that cheat skill I got-honestly, it’s pretty hard to use. But on top of that… I found out the apartment I’m living in is actually the top floor of a luxury high-rise. I could’ve sworn it was a run-down dump, so… why? Oh right-some self-proclaimed angel in a suit showed up again, scattering feathers everywhere, and he told me:
”This is your place. A gift from God. I’ll fix your memories to match.”
And that was it. He scattered more feathers and peaced out. Cleaning up after him is a real pain, so honestly, he’s kind of a nuisance. Are feathers even considered burnable trash?
Anyway. Apparently, in this world’s backstory, I got kicked out of the Kuonji family when I entered middle school-officially, I was “adopted by relatives,” Except… I don’t have any relatives like that. That part was apparently shoved in with “Red-san’s” power. And as a result of that, and some power-play about how I’ve been investing since middle school, I’m now an eighteen-year-old high school senior sitting on an absolutely ridiculous fortune, living in that penthouse.
”Hey, having money isn’t a bad thing. Let’s just… not mention it to anyone. No way I want weirdos crawling out of the woodwork.”
Because you know what happens when people find out you’ve got cash? Suddenly every long-lost relative and “friend” you’ve never heard of shows up.
Now. A little late for this, but… in this world, my name has a different family name, but the given name’s the same as my past life. That’s a relief, actually-it doesn’t feel as weird. I’m Hayato Mikage. Eighteen years old. Born May 8. High school senior. Which means… I hung myself on my birthday. Oof.
”Man… I know absolutely nothing about this place.”
The city’s called Jokuryo City-population about a million. Obviously, no such city existed in my past life, so it’s pretty clear this is some kind of game world? Or another world, definitely. Also, the convenience stores have slightly different names, stuff like that.
Anyway. If I’m going to live here, I need to get the lay of the land. The tower has shops inside, but they’re annoyingly pricey. I mean, I’ve got money now, so it’s not actually a problem, but old habits die hard-I spent years as a low-paid corporate drone, so I can’t help hunting for bargains.
”Not that I ate anything but convenience store meals anyway… cof.”
So I decided to explore a few places around the tower. Following my implanted memories, apparently my school is one train stop away. The train, huh… what a pain. Would’ve preferred walking distance. Grumbling about that, I checked out the local shops.
”Heh… found some pretty good spots.”
I was worried everything near the tower would be expensive, but I actually found a few reasonably priced places. Satisfied, I realized the sun was already setting. The evening light was kind of blinding.
”No! Please let me go!”
”Hm?”
On my way back, I heard something-a girl’s voice. It wasn’t some spiritual thing only I could hear; other people nearby also looked in that direction. But they quickly averted their eyes and walked away.
”Someone, help!”
I looked again. Two rough-looking men were dragging a girl into an alley. It was only a split second, but… she looked like an elementary schooler?
”Ah…”
I could kind of understand why everyone else pretended not to see. Before I reincarnated, I probably would’ve walked right past too. Because this is obviously trouble. Human beings keep their distance from things they don’t want to get involved with.
”Sigh…”
”Oi! Get over here!” the first thug barked, grabbing the girl’s arm.
”No! Let me go-please!” she cried, struggling against his grip.
”No way~ Whoa!” the second thug laughed, stepping closer. “Up close she’s even cuter!”
”Looks like a kid, though,” the first one muttered, eyeing her.
”That’s the point, innit?!” the second shot back, grinning. “Once we’ve done the deed, don’t matter if she’s just a little brat!”
”Whatever. Come on, we’ll be nice to you-get over here!” the first thug growled, yanking her toward the alley’s shadows.
”Nooo!” she screamed, voice cracking.
”Heheh… Nice, nice,” the second thug sneered, his eyes roaming. “Tiny little thing, but she’s got a rack like that! Loli with huge b**bs-best combo ever!”
The man’s hand reached for the girl’s chest. She noticed. Her free arm shot up to cover herself.
”Heheheh-“
”Excuse me, just passing through!”
”BWAGH?!” the first thug yelped as a foot connected with his ribs, sending him crumpling to the ground.
”Ah. Oops,” I muttered, stepping back.
With that sudden interruption, the man reaching for the girl folded in half and went flying. He bounced off the ground a couple times before slamming into a concrete wall. Crunch… The sound was absolutely disgusting. He slid down the wall and stopped moving.
Wait. Did I kill him? Oh crap-I misjudged the force!!
”U-um..,” the girl stammered, staring at the crumpled figure.
Look, I couldn’t just pretend not to see. So I kicked the guy who was reaching for the girl. But… uh-oh. I might’ve actually killed him. This is bad. Actually bad. Murder is no good. I approached the fallen man.
Okay-he’s still breathing!
I quietly cast a small healing spell, keeping it hidden. That should keep him from dying, even if he can’t move. I healed him to the point where he’s just got a few broken bones!
”Wha-who the hell are you?!” the second thug snarled, drawing a knife from his pocket.
”Hm? Just a passerby, though?”
”Don’t screw with us!” he spat, brandishing the blade. “You got any idea what happens to people who mess with us?! We’re the Krishna!”
”…Huh? Sorry, never heard of you.”
No, really. Krishna? I have no idea. You can’t just drop that on me out of nowhere.
”Ya son of a-” he lunged forward, knife aimed at my chest.
”KYAAAA!” the girl screamed, covering her eyes.
The guy charged with the blade. Normally, facing someone with a weapon would freeze you with fear. But I felt… nothing. No-that’s not right. I just didn’t perceive it as a threat. Is this thanks to [Complete Resistance]?
Eep.
”!!!” His eyes went wide as I sidestepped with impossible grace.
I moved one step as he lunged. The knife passed right in front of my eyes. My [Accelerated Thought] must be active-his movements looked slow. I grabbed his hand.
”GAAAAH!” he shrieked as his wrist was twisted.
Clatter-clatter… He dropped the knife, clutching his arm. Just a little pressure, and he was in agony. If I’d squeezed harder, I might’ve crushed it. That’s scary.
”Sleep.”
”Guh-!” I struck the side of his neck. Just like in a manga, he went out cold and collapsed.
Scary, scary. If I misjudge the force here, I could literally snap someone’s neck. Having the power to actually kill people with my bare hands is legit terrifying!
I turned away from the downed men and looked at the small girl.
Trivia:
- Hayato’s birthdate is May 8, and he hanged himself on that same birthday in his past life.
- “Red-san” is a mysterious entity whose power was used to rewrite the narrator’s backstory and living situation.
- The self-proclaimed angel has appeared at least twice, both times scattering feathers that Hayato has to clean up.
- Hayato’s [Complete Resistance] prevents him from feeling fear toward threats like weapons.
- The Krishna gang is established as a known criminal organization that other people in the city avoid.
- Hayato’s healing magic is subtle enough to hide from others and can heal fatal injuries to non-lethal levels.
- The narrator specifically notes his past self would have ignored the situation, highlighting his character growth.
- Jokuryo City is stated to be a location that didn’t exist in his previous world, confirming it’s another world entirely.
- Despite having immense wealth, Hayato still hunts for bargains due to his past life as a low-paid corporate drone.
- Hayato’s power to kill with his bare hands genuinely frightens him, showing he doesn’t want to be a killer despite his abilities.