A small, flustered sound came from the girls' restroom.
Little Mizuki stood by the toilet, frantically pressing the flush button. In her hurry, she'd accidentally splashed water onto her sleeve. Frowning at the damp spot, she rushed to the sink to wash it clean.
Just then, the bell rang—signaling the end of class.
As Mizuki scrubbed her sleeve under the tap, a boy passed by, caught sight of her sniffing her wet clothes, and stopped dead in his tracks.
"…What are you doing?" he asked curiously after a moment. "Wait—did you just pee on your wrist?!"
Mizuki froze, caught off guard like a deer in headlights. Her face turned red. She bowed her head and said nothing, frantically scrubbing faster.
The boy grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "Hey! Everyone, come look! This girl peed on her clothes! She's washing them!"
His voice echoed across the corridor, loud and obnoxious.
Curious children came crowding around. Giggles and whispers rose. Mizuki's hands trembled as she scrubbed harder, tears welling up. Her vision blurred.
In the classroom, Takumi heard the commotion—and just as he looked up, a system prompt popped into his mind.
[You have just parted ways with Fairy Mizuki when you hear distant sounds of conflict. The Fairy may be under attack by lesser villains. Saving her may bring you rewards—or not. After all, cultivation is fraught with risk, and every decision must be weighed carefully.]
Takumi clicked his tongue. "Tch. Again?"
He got up and walked toward the source of the noise.
Outside, he saw Mizuki surrounded by kids, wiping her tears in silence. Her small figure looked especially pitiful in the center of the crowd.
Without hesitation, he strode over, pushing aside the curious onlookers.
"Who just shouted?!" Takumi barked. "You think this is funny? Come out right now!"
The chatter died instantly. The air froze.
Everyone knew Takumi. He never played with others, didn't talk much, and when he did, his words cut like a knife. He was... scary. But also undeniably cool.
Many little girls secretly thought he was mysterious—and very handsome.
Now that he was mad, no one dared to answer.
Mizuki peeked at him through teary eyes.
Takumi marched right up to her. "What are you crying for? Don't you know how to talk back when someone bullies you? Just gonna stand there and sob?"
She sniffled, lips trembling, unable to say anything.
She was too soft, too timid. Always had been. She didn't even know how to defend herself. A few of the rowdier kids liked picking on her for exactly that reason.
And as someone who'd seen her tagging along with him to his house more than once, Takumi had made it an unofficial duty to step in when needed.
"Wuwu…"
"Stop crying," he snapped. "If you cry again, I'm not helping you anymore."
Mizuki sniffed and rubbed her eyes, trying hard to stop the tears.
Takumi folded his arms. "Who bullied you? Point them out to me."
She stared at the ground, still silent.
He sighed, then reached out and pulled at her cheek with a straight face. "You gonna tell me or not?"
It didn't hurt, but it startled her enough to point—timidly—at the little boy who started it.
Takumi turned and locked eyes with the culprit.
The boy paled immediately.
Takumi's voice dropped to a low growl. "So it was you. Why didn't you speak up when I asked? Thought you were brave, huh?"
He started marching toward him. "Let's go. We're going to the teacher. If she won't do anything, we'll settle this outside!"
The boy panicked. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Takumi grabbed the front of his shirt.
"Speak louder. Didn't you yell loud enough to gather a crowd just now? Say it again. This time, say—'Mizuki, I'm sorry.'"
"I—I'm sorry! Mizuki, I'm really sorry! Please forgive me!"
The poor kid wailed as he apologized, tears streaming down his face.
Takumi let go, satisfied.
Without another word, he turned and walked off, hands in his pockets.
Mizuki wiped her eyes again, then quickly chased after him.
As they left, she heard some girls whispering behind them:
"Takumi is so cool…"
"Yeah, he's totally got main character energy."
Mizuki's lips twitched, unsure if she should laugh or cry. She lowered her head and followed closely behind.
[You chose to rescue the Fairy. The Fairy is deeply grateful. After witnessing your strength, she is inspired to accompany you into the treacherous mystery world. This is a critical turning point. Will you venture alone, or accept a companion?]
Venture? Mystery World? What nonsense. I'm five years old. I'm supposed to be napping after lunch!
During free time, the children of Class 3 scattered into the yard to play.
Takumi sat alone by the slide, soaking in the sun.
Mizuki stood a few steps away from him, head lowered, silent. She neither sat down nor left—looking like someone who'd just been scolded.
Takumi sighed inwardly.
I wasn't this fierce in my last life. But she's too easy to bully. Can't even say a word back. Seriously, how am I supposed to talk nicely to a kid like this?
He tilted his head.
"What are you standing there for? Blocking my sun."
Mizuki jumped. "Oh!" She shuffled two steps to the side.
Takumi squinted. "Standing next to me blocks the wind now."
"Ah… then… where should I go…?"
"Can't you just sit down?!"
"Oh… okay…" She carefully sat down beside him, keeping a small distance.
Takumi leaned back, basking in the breeze.
System... Do I seriously have to raise my cultivation like this? Babysitting a fairy in kindergarten?
[Companionship increases loyalty. Fairy affinity: +1.]
...Huh?
"But... but everywhere else is just dirt except next to you."
"Then sit on the dirt."
"…Okay."
Mizuki really started to crouch down.
Takumi sighed. "Ugh. You big dummy—just sit next to me already!"
Startled, Mizuki froze mid-motion, then blinked up at him. When she saw he wasn't angry, her eyes lit up a little. She gingerly scooted over and sat beside him, careful to leave just enough space not to touch him.
Her little legs were neatly together, hands clasped in her lap. After a moment of fidgeting, she whispered, "Th-thank you for helping me just now. Um… how should I repay you?"
Takumi raised an eyebrow. "You got snacks?"
Mizuki shook her head earnestly, her pigtails bobbing. "I don't have any on me... but I still have some at home! I have candy—lots! In a box in my bedroom!"
She cupped her small hands in front of her, showing the size. "About this big! It's packed full—like, thousands!"
Takumi stared at her hands.
You definitely don't know how numbers work.
He gave her a skeptical look. "You're giving me the whole box?"
Mizuki nodded like a chick pecking rice. "Mhm! All of it. You can have it! Do you… want anything else?"
[The Fairy's gratitude overflows. She has offered you an entire box of sect pills. Judging by her sincerity, she may even possess a rare spiritual treasure hidden at home. Do you wish to take the treasure now, or wait for a better opportunity?]
Takumi raised an eyebrow. "You got anything even better?"
Mizuki paused, then looked hesitant. "I… I have a big piece of chocolate."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "My dad gave it to me for my birthday. I hid it under the wardrobe. I… I don't usually let anyone touch it."
Takumi blinked. This little girl really was willing to offer her most prized possessions as thanks.
"Can I see it?"
Mizuki hesitated, then nodded shyly. "I can bring it for you tonight."
Not long after, the kindergarten bell rang.
Their teacher—a cheerful young woman in a bright floral dress—clapped her hands to gather everyone.
"Okay, Class Three! Time to go home! Line up properly, no running!"
The children scrambled into line. Takumi stood at the back, scanning the crowd outside the gates. He spotted his parents right away.
His dad, Aizen, stood tall and calm, waving with one hand in his pocket. Known in the small town as "Handsome Lin," he was a civil servant—decent connections, stable job, a man of quiet authority.
Next to him was his mom,Rin, who worked at a nail salon. Her bubbly smile made her look younger than she was. She'd once proudly told everyone that she named her husband's nickname while watching cartoons. She earned more than her husband, but no one in the family seemed to care. They were happy, loud, and unapologetically close-knit.
Their family didn't have much in savings, but they'd bought a secondhand commuter car for 100,000 Japanese Yen the year before last. They lived comfortably, ate well, and—most importantly—loved each other.
Takumi looked at them and couldn't help the faint curve of a smile tugging at his lips.
After a month in this world, I've got the gist of my new life. A stable home. No tragic backstory. No orphanage. Just a warm, working-class family with good vibes and average looks.
For once, the curse of "transmigrated orphan MC" is broken.
And with my cheat system and future bug exploits... is that a happy, well-balanced life I see waving at me?
He grinned and trotted toward his parents.
... patreon Seasay