Chapter 1

I wrote this somewhat casually.

"Hey? Where is this?"

As usual, I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock at six in the morning, hurriedly got ready for work, bought breakfast like onigiri at a convenience store on the way, and ate it while drinking the oolong tea I had also bought, heading to the office.

I, Shin吾 Ichiya, a 25-year-old, graduated from a university that most people at least know by name, joined a company of considerable size, and by now, in my third year, have junior subordinates. I sometimes feel stressed being caught between them and my superiors.

However, such a situation is one that applies to most people to some extent, and I think I am on the less frequent side of feeling like quitting my job.

Ordinary working adults might think about quitting their jobs at least once, but without the courage or financial means to do so, they just think about it and that's it.

I live alone in an apartment about a ten-minute walk from the company, and since I don't have a wife or girlfriend, I mostly eat out. Due to the fatigue from work, I sleep until the last possible moment in the morning, and on my days off, I often do a lot of household chores like laundry and cleaning. But, if I say this is normal, it is what it is.

I think there are probably as many people like me in Japan as there are pickled sardines.

I have no complaints about this, and I might continue working and maintaining my life, eventually get a girlfriend, get married, and have children.

This is probably what people call an ordinary life.

I was thinking about all this...

I woke up without remembering the content of my dream, but then I realized that the alarm clock, which usually rings like a swarm of flies, was not heard.

I didn't know what time it was, but it was still dark outside. The room was pitch black, but as my eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, I decided to get up and look around.

Then, I noticed various unnatural things one after another.

This was supposed to be one of the rooms in the apartment where I live, but there were no familiar wallpapers or furniture, and there were about three beds like mine around.

Including the one I was lying on, there were four in total. When I looked more closely, I could see bulges under the blankets on the beds, which seemed to be people.

In other words, this was a four-person room.

When did I get roommates?

Shaking off the confusion caused by the sudden change in environment, I decided to check my own condition as much as possible. Indeed, it seemed different from when I went to bed.

First, my bed, which was supposed to be a higher-end model than a Nitori one, felt old and uncomfortable. The blanket I was using was also old and a bit smelly.

The thought "I bought a new blanket just a week ago..." crossed my mind, but I quickly regained my composure and decided to check the condition of my body.

"Huh? Am I smaller?"

I wasn't particularly tall, but I was at least of average height for a Japanese person. However, my body looked as small as a child's.

"Wait? Is this...?"

The idea of reincarnation into another world, which I often see in web novels, immediately came to mind, but since I wasn't a baby, it could be that my consciousness had transferred to another person in another world.

"In that case..."

It was dark, and the others were sleeping right next to me. If I made a fuss, they might think I was crazy.

First, I didn't know the relationship between the owner of this small body and the owners of the other three beds. They were likely family, but I didn't know who they were.

"For now, I should stay calm until I can confirm my situation. Well, another nap..."

Just as I thought that, an overwhelming sleepiness suddenly hit me, and I fell asleep again.

Please don't expect frequent updates.