Shū Tsukikawa returned home.
He tossed his backpack onto the chair before flopping onto his soft bed, pulling out his phone.
He had his own place, his parents were always busy, and the only thing missing was a little sister.
Opening various forums and browsing through them, Tsukikawa checked for any information about the Otherworld.
Sure enough, quite a few people were posting about their experiences and the dangers they faced. Judging by the number of posts, the players weren't few in number.
Some were even sharing survival tips.
"If you get transported to the Otherworld, I recommend finding a safe spot to hole up. Our goal this time was just to survive three days. I toughed it out by starving—better to suffer a bit than get ripped apart by monsters."
"Agreed with the above. If possible, find a place with plenty of food. Who knew I'd experience famine in the 21st century? By the third day, I was eyeing my own poop like it was a gourmet meal."
"I couldn't take it, but I was too scared to go outside. Had to survive on my own waste. QWQ"
But not everyone agreed with this strategy.
"You really think hiding will keep you alive? Killing other players gives EXP. Watch out—someone might bust into your hiding spot and 'open the can' on you."
"Exactly! Especially places like restaurants. Gathering food is one thing, but weaklings like us shouldn't camp there. You'll just get wiped out by player-hunters!"
As Tsukikawa expected, most players opted to hide in safe spots, even sharing their best hiding places.
Scrolling further, he found almost no posts about how to fight monsters.
That made sense—in the Otherworld, people's true natures were laid bare. Resources were limited, and those strong enough to hunt monsters weren't about to create more competition for themselves.
On the contrary, weaker players were just free EXP.
There were also plenty of fakers pretending to be Otherworld players, spewing nonsense.
"If you enter the Otherworld, seek out the [Insert Fake Association] for help!""You can find weapons at [Random Location]!"
Pure fabrication.
But Tsukikawa knew these lies would mislead countless newcomers when the Otherworld reopened.
It also proved one thing—aside from those who'd actually been inside, no one else believed such a place existed.
"System, what determines who gets selected for the Otherworld?"
[Selection rules: 50% random, 50% individuals connected to existing players.]
"A 50% chance to pull in people close to me… That's hard to control."
Next, Tsukikawa opened his system interface.
[Established Bonds: 1]
[Fated Partner: Hitori Gotō]
[System Rating: S]
An S-rank fated partner meant the rewards would be substantial.
His first trip to the Otherworld had already netted him plenty of EXP, resources, and weapons—more than he could use alone.
"This'll be my foundation for 'recruiting talented wives.'"
Tsukikawa smirked, already plotting his next moves.
Of course, he still had to handle Gotō carefully.
After scribbling some notes, he stretched and glanced outside—night had fallen. Time to grab ingredients for dinner.
He cooked a full meal, plating it neatly, then prepared an extra portion, sealing it in a plastic container.
Stepping out again, he headed to his neighbor's door.
From upstairs came the sounds of video game combat and an excited, high-pitched voice:
"I am the Demon King! Fear me, for I am the Demon King, da ze!"
Tsukikawa knocked.
"Eek!"
The girl upstairs clearly hadn't expected visitors. The game sounds cut off abruptly.
After a pause, the door creaked open just a crack, revealing a head of pink-white hair topped with a stubborn ahoge. A pair of faintly red eyes peered out warily from behind an oversized white shirt.
(Illustration available in updated version.)
"Mahiro Utsuki, huh?"
"Is… is Mii-chan not back yet?" Tsukikawa asked with a smile.
The girl's name was Mahiro Utsuki, and she had a younger sister, Mii-chan—Utsuki Mii.
Well… technically still a sister.
According to the anime Oniichan wa Oshimai!, Mahiro had fallen victim to her sister's schemes.
No honor among siblings—just deception and a sneak attack on her poor, unsuspecting 20-something self.
The result? Mahiro had been transformed into a soft-spoken, squishy little loli.
Now, Mii-chan looked more like the older sister.
Tsukikawa wanted to lecture today's youth—stop fighting amongst yourselves!
Mahiro was a hardcore shut-in, surviving on a diet of soda and video games. A certified NEET.
If she ever met Hitori Gotō, they'd probably get along—both were hopeless otaku.
The difference was, Gotō at least played guitar and had an online following, earning ad revenue. Mahiro? Just a pure, unadulterated NEET.
Mahiro shook her head timidly, clearly still wary of Tsukikawa.
If he weren't her neighbor, she'd never have opened the door. Social anxiety at its finest.
Mii-chan, on the other hand, was a genius—a college student who'd skipped grades, now older than Mahiro in every way that mattered.
Currently, Mii-chan was deep into drug research, often reporting back to her lab at this hour, leaving Mahiro home alone.
"Have you eaten?" Tsukikawa asked.
"N-no…" Mahiro's voice was soft, hesitant. "…Instant ramen tonight."
"That won't do. You can't live on instant food."
He held out the meal container.
"I made extra."
"Uuu…"
Mahiro instinctively shrank back, torn between refusal and the tantalizing aroma. Her nose twitched.
Tsukikawa shoved the container into her hands before she could protest.
"I'll be cooking extra for the next few days. Consider it your portion too."
"Th… thank you…"
Mahiro glanced up at him briefly before retreating behind the door.
"I'll head back now."
With a smile, Tsukikawa left, returning to his own apartment.
Mahiro watched until he was safely inside before slowly closing her door.
Moments later, the sounds of video games resumed upstairs.
"I should introduce her to Gotō soon. They'd probably hit it off. Can't have her rotting away in there forever."
Tsukikawa sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at the lit window across from his.