Chapter 4

"Then, you'll support my life, right?"

If the world is different, the customs are different too.

No matter how much I have the memories of this world, even a slight difference can lead to fatal results. Besides, I'm not particularly good at social skills. I feel like I might mess up a lot due to lack of knowledge.

"Support! Of course. I'll give you a thorough follow-up. After all, it's because you didn't neglect the maintenance of this shrine that I regained my power. Just feel like you're on a big ship."

The goddess thumped her chest.

"That's very kind of you."

"But there are things I can't do. How should I put it? Goddess power?"

"Goddess power?"

What is that?

"I am an old god forgotten by people, so if I'm neglected by you, I'll die."

"You're like a rabbit!"

"Something like that. So please come and clean regularly. And please offer offerings. If you can keep these two things, you'll get my advice as a reward."

"Is regular cleaning and offerings all I need to get support? Isn't there something like making my existence known to the world and increasing the number of goddess believers?"

"I am worshipped as a plague god. In this age of advanced science and technology, my power is not needed. Making you happy is just right."

"If that's all it takes, I'll do it." The goddess power seems modest, but a plague god...

"I can't leave this place, but through the vast universe, I can know the world. I'm sure I can give you useful advice."

Indeed, as expected of a goddess. "Sasumega." That would be very helpful.

"By the way, what happened to the one who entered my body? Wasn't he confused by the sudden switch?"

From the memories left behind, it seems he was switched without any explanation. Is he okay?

"Of course, I've already supported him."

"Supported him?"

"Yes, when I explained the situation to him, he was very happy. I've been watching over him from the shadows all along. He had a good life. He joined the Wandervogel club in high school and college, walked many mountains, and after graduation, he became a mountaineer. He conquered many mountains and had a happy life."

The goddess looked smug.

"Hold on! How can he already have lived his life? What about the timeline?"

"Well, I'm a goddess. I'm not bound by space and time. So he lived a happy life over there. Even if he wants to return, it's impossible now."

"That's fine... If he had a happy life in my body, that's good enough."

I can be happy here too.

But a mountaineer. If we hadn't switched, I might have taken that path.

I probably wouldn't have had much to do with women.

"By the way, do you have any questions? For the first time, I'll answer anything."

Questions? I wonder. I feel like I have a lot, but also not really.

"By the way, when we met, you called yourself Shibo. And you're a plague god... What kind of god are you exactly?"

I was a bit curious because it was a name of a god I didn't know.

"Well, if I have to say, I'm a goddess of abundance. About a thousand years ago, there was a very large famine. The rice fields dried up due to drought, and the rice turned completely white. The people who lived around here built a shrine here, which was the greenest place, and worshipped me. The dried rice due to water shortage was called Shibo, which is the origin of my name."

"Huh? So you were worshipped to end the famine?"

"Something like that. Over time, flood control advanced, and the existence of famine was forgotten. Of course, my existence was forgotten too. But recently, thanks to your efforts, I've regained my power."

"I see... So faith gives power?"

Since you said cleaning and offerings are needed.

"Sure, that's a good way to think about it. Please offer delicious food."

You're quite loyal to your desires. Maybe the famine has something to do with your appetite.

"By the way, I just remembered a question. In high school, how should I act towards girls? I've never talked to a girl before."

Even if you suddenly tell me I'll be popular, I don't know what to do.

"I think you should treat them normally. Many girls also hope for that."

"Normally? I've never really talked to a girl, so I don't know what 'normal' is."

Sadly, it's true.

Girls might have known this, or maybe they didn't want to talk to me, because they only asked me yes-or-no questions.

There were no girls who would chat with a square-faced, thick-necked, hairy-armed, bow-legged middle schooler.

And from my past experiences, I know all too well what kind of reaction I'd get if I initiated a conversation.

Without any experience in chatting with girls, can I really treat them 'normally'?

"You don't have to start a conversation. Just smile and wave if you make eye contact."

"Wave... I might be able to do that."

I can start with small talk with girls after I get used to this environment.

After I get used to it... Yeah, I'll take it slow.

I'm just standing at the starting line right now.

There's no need to rush.

Thinking about it this way, I felt a glimmer of hope.