6 Chapter:6 Ordinary Life

Renko awoke in a half-asleep daze, confused and groggy. The previous day's events seemed blurry, and she wondered if the strange day was just a dream, a figment of a tired mind.

After a few moments of trying to remember, she sat up in bed, suddenly realizing that it wasn't a dream after all. Renko looked down at her lap, seeing her familiar bare legs and arms. She looked around and saw her room and remembered everything. The school, Hori, Tatsu, the cup ramen.

She was back in the new life that she found herself in, a reality in which she was not a soldier with scars and a haunted past. Her apartment complex was filled with ordinary people going about their ordinary lives. 

Renko slowly stood and stretched her limbs, her mind still hazy and groggy. She realized it was still dark outside but the dim light from the window suggested it could be morning. She quickly went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Whoa!"

She might have noticed it yesterday but she sure as hell didn't know they were this nice, she immediately checked her breasts, and sure enough, she now had a pair of nice, perky C-cups.

"Well, that's enough fooling around."

Renko couldn't help but crack a smile, it was amusing, to think that she had a pair of C-cups after spending years as a flat-chested tomboy. Even now, her fingers played with the newly developed curves of her breasts, her expression an amused mix.

After a few moments of self-examination, Renko realized that she felt... hungry? That was new, but her dinner had been instant ramen, so perhaps her stomach's demands for a more fulfilling breakfast were at least partially to blame.

Renko made her way to the kitchen, her bare feet padding softly against the floor. The dim light from the window illuminated the space, revealing the remnants of the previous night's meal—empty cup ramen containers and a few eggshells. 

*Yeah, she wasn't too good of a cleaner either.*

Renko opened the refrigerator, contemplating her breakfast options. The well-stocked shelves held an assortment of groceries, eggs, vegetables, condiments, and even some leftovers.

Deciding to make the most of the available ingredients, Renko set about preparing a simple but hearty breakfast. But first, she needed to check the recipe on the internet.

{How to make an omelet?}

Following the recipe, she cracked a couple of eggs into a bowl, whisked them with a fork, and added a pinch of salt and pepper. The aroma of cooking eggs filled the air as she poured the mixture into a heated pan, creating the beginnings of a makeshift omelet.

While the eggs sizzled on the stove, Renko chopped some vegetables she found in the fridge—bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. The rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board accompanied her through the quiet morning.

She added the chopped vegetables to another pan, trying to cook some stir-fried vegetables. Renko couldn't help but smile at the simple joy of cooking, a skill she had never thought she'd acquire in her previous life.

The omelet took shape, and Renko barely managed to flip it, revealing a somewhat cooked side. She then sprinkled some spices on top, allowing it to sink in and add a final touch to her creation.

The result was an appetizing(?) and colorful (?!?) omelet that filled the kitchen with its aroma. Renko plated the dish and took a moment to appreciate her culinary handiwork.

"Well, not bad for a beginner."

She chuckled at her attempt at cooking. It was a far cry from the military rations she was used to. 

Renko carried her plate to the dining table, where she sat down to enjoy her breakfast. The first bite brought a burst of flavors, and she couldn't help but savor the taste of the well-seasoned omelet.

And the second bite...

'Sweet!?'

The morning sunlight slowly filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. After finishing her meal, Renko leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face.

With a sigh, Renko stood up, carrying her empty plate to the kitchen sink. She started to rinse the dishes.

*Several minutes later...*

Renko had just finished washing the dishes and drying them. She took a deep breath and stretched her arms as she admired her immaculate kitchen. The utensils were all in their proper places, the kitchen table had been wiped down and cleared of any food debris. Everything was just as it should be.

She felt a momentary sense of pride as she admired her surroundings, and then she remembered. She had been so tired when she got home that she had immediately gone to bed without doing any chores. 

She found herself humming a cheerful tune as she moved around the kitchen, organizing the groceries in the refrigerator. 

Moments later the kitchen was in impeccable order, and Renko moved on to other parts of the apartment. She dusted the furniture, fluffed the pillows on the couch, and ensured that everything was in its designated place.

As she moved about her chores, Renko's thoughts drifted to the events of the previous day, mostly on the bug though. Lost in her contemplation, Renko didn't notice the time passing.

With her chores complete, Renko decided to take a moment to relax. She made her way to the cozy living room, settling onto the couch. The soft cushions enveloped her as she let out a contented sigh.

Renko glanced around the room, her eyes falling on the clock hanging above the bookshelf next to the TV.

It was 8!

School starts in half an hour!

Renko's heart sank as she realized the time, she sprung up from the couch, quickly running to her room in a panic. She was late!

She scrambled to grab a shirt and skirt, and quickly threw them on before checking her reflection in the mirror. She fixed her hair and checked if she was missing any clothing items. Satisfied, she looked for her schoolbag, only to realize that she had forgotten to get it ready last night!

She rushed to put a few pens and notebooks in the bag, stuffing anything else that might be necessary inside.

*Several minutes later...*

Renko finally managed to arrive at the school, her legs tired from all the running. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

This won't do. This won't do at all! 

She had barely managed to cover the 1.5-kilometer distance between her apartment and the school in half an hour. That was less than a third of what she was able to do in her previous life, another disadvantage of being chucked into a teenage girl's body.

It was decided then! 

From tomorrow onwards, she will start exercising.

Not today! She already felt like dying from all that running.

She slowly crossed the street, entering the school grounds. Her new school looked like a regular, unassuming four-story building. It lacked the distinct presence of a military college that she was used to, and instead, had a warm, inviting atmosphere.

As she approached the school entrance, Renko noticed the familiar figure of Hori waiting outside. The girl's eyes widened in surprise as Renko approached.

"Renko! You made it! I was worried you wouldn't show up."

Renko tried to catch her breath, giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Yeah. Sorry, lost track of time."

Hori chuckled, her worry replaced by amusement.

"Well, we better hurry. The first bell is about to ring."

As they reached the classroom, Renko took a moment to gather herself. She shook off the lingering thoughts from yesterday's encounter with the celestial entity and the bug-like creature and instead focused on the present.

The classroom was filled with students chatting and preparing for the day. Renko and Hori found their seats, and Renko couldn't help but notice the curious glances from her classmates. It was to be expected; after all, she was the new transfer student.

The teacher arrived, and the class settled down. Renko tried to immerse herself in the lessons, but her mind occasionally wandered. She couldn't shake off the feeling that someone or something was watching her.

The school day progressed, and Hori introduced her to a few classmates, and Renko did her best to blend in with Hori's small group of friends.

During the break, Renko decided to explore the school grounds once again. This time, she kept a watchful eye for any signs of the bug-like creature she encountered the day before. However, the school seemed ordinary, and the bug was nowhere to be found, on the school parameters at least.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Renko gathered her belongings. She exchanged a nod with Hori and walked out of the class, then the school building, and into the world covered by the setting sun's light gleaming at her from the horizon.

And just like that, nearly a month slipped through her life.

The month was filled with a single routine, from home to the local gym, to school, then grocery store, and then to home again. Renko had started to get the hang of this ordinary high-school girl life.

Heck, she was pretty sure that if she could get admission to a top university and a top-grade job from all those memories of her time nearly 200 hundred years into the future.

Her life... was perfect! 

To hell with that celestial being's crazy talk about curses or something, she was pretty sure nothing could change her perfect life... 

All of a sudden, one night, things changed permanently.