Chapter 2

"During my three years in junior high, I really... really didn't get any attention from girls!"

The words burst out from the depths of my heart.

When I was in elementary school, the popular kids in class were either good at socializing or good at sports.

It was surprising that being "smart" wasn't one of the criteria, but the top university students on TV didn't seem to be very cool, so I guess being good at schoolwork wasn't considered attractive to girls of the same age.

As for whether I got any attention, the answer is no.

My nickname in elementary school was "Old Man Boy," "Stubborn Father from the Showa Era," and "Rugged Husband," among others.

From those nicknames, you can probably imagine what I looked like.

To put it bluntly, if I kept growing like this, my future would be bleak.

Not only marriage, but even dating a girl seemed impossible for the rest of my life.

Even as an elementary school student, I seriously thought that.

"Looking back, it was probably because of that..."

With my limited brain at the time, I tried to figure out how to get attention from girls.

The conclusion I came to was, "Since I can't be good at socializing, maybe I should try to be good at sports?"

Fortunately, there were karate and judo dojos nearby, so I decided to join them, believing that "strong guys get attention."

"...I got strong! Super strong, but I really didn't get any attention!!"

I spent my junior high school years sweating it out at the dojo, honing my skills.

Even if I had poured my entire youth into it, there was no chance to show it off to anyone.

Of course not. Karate and judo aren't useful in daily life.

Moreover, because I had focused so much on martial arts and neglected my studies, the consequences caught up with me during the entrance exams.

"Going to an all-boys school from tomorrow... I really wanted to go to a co-ed school."

I failed the entrance exams and didn't get into my first choice co-ed school. I had thought it might be a bit risky, but...

I ended up going to the grim all-boys school, Bunku-Butoku (not a mixed school).

"I don't want to go to an all-boys school at all!"

A cry from the depths of my soul. Even a black-clad knight facing a cliff as high as a ship would not have let out such a cry.

"Jajaan, I have some good news for you!"

A voice came from above.

"Huh? Who's there?"

"Yes, I'm a passing goddess named Shiroho. Aren't you thinking right now that you don't want to go to an all-boys school and that you really want to be popular with girls?"

"Of course I am, I just shouted that. But, a goddess? And... you're floating?"

"Of course, I'm a goddess, so floating is no problem. Let me repeat, I have some good news for you! Would you like to swap lives with someone who is very popular with girls?"

A self-proclaimed goddess, dressed like a weaver girl, was floating near the ceiling. It was a rather surreal scene, but there was a word that caught my attention.

"Swap lives with someone who is very popular with girls?"

"Yes. One of my favorite boys, who is very popular, doesn't want to be popular. He wants to live a life where he isn't popular with girls. He prays for it desperately. Since he's my favorite, I want to help him! So, I'm looking for someone to swap lives with him."

What a jealous situation... but wait. Could there be a catch or a trap?

I shouldn't rush. I learned that when time is short, it's important to stay calm.

"Being very popular with girls... it sounds very appealing, but isn't there a problem with the person or their surroundings? Like illness, debt, or a terrible family environment?"

Good deals usually have a catch.

Especially when someone offers you such a good deal on first meeting, there's probably a pitfall.

"No, no, the person you'll swap lives with is a healthy, good-looking 15-year-old boy who will attend a co-ed school. His family environment is normal, and he's even from a wealthy family. He has a good reputation in the neighborhood, and there are no problems with him, his family, or his surroundings. Once you swap lives, you'll be very popular with girls. However..."

"However?"

"Yes, this person... finds it unpleasant to be liked by girls, or even to have girls around. It's a psychological issue, so there's nothing that can be done about it. So, once you swap bodies, you'll likely remain single for life."

"I see... like a fear of women. But to find the environment of being popular so unpleasant! From my perspective, as a 15-year-old weighing over 100 kilograms with bushy eyebrows and a square face, it's a rather luxurious problem."

But this body is perfect for staying single.

Girls don't come near me. I can guarantee it. Just thinking about it makes me sad, but it's the truth.

"Also, you'll retain your memories, so you won't have any trouble adapting to your new life. And I'll support you for a while. It's a great deal!!"

It is a great deal. As it stands,