Chapter 2: A Reflection of Another Life
Haruya slowly pushed himself off the massive bed, the soft sheets sliding away from his body as his feet touched the cool wooden floor. His mind was still spinning from the impossible events of the previous night—or morning, if he considered the time. He had survived an accident that should have ended him. And now… he was here. Alive, in a place that seemed more like a palace than a home.
He stumbled toward the large, ornate mirror at the corner of the room. His reflection greeted him, and for a moment, he could only stare. The person staring back was not him—or at least, not the Haruya Kuroda he had been in Tokyo.
His skin was pale, almost translucent, like porcelain in the soft light of the room. His features were delicate yet striking, smooth and refined, the kind of beauty that seemed impossible for someone of his previous mundane life. His lips were soft and rose-like, his eyes an arresting shade of blue—deep, endless, and captivating, like the ocean on a stormy day. His hair shimmered silver-white, like moonlight spilling across his head, and fell in gentle waves that framed his face perfectly.
Haruya ran his hands through the silky strands, trying to grasp the reality of what he was seeing. This body this new life was undeniably beautiful. His height was shorter than he remembered from his adult self, the lean frame of a middle schooler. But every detail of his new form seemed sculpted with care: elegant, refined, and… faintly feminine. Even the clothes in his room seemed to reflect itpink, delicate fabrics, soft textures, and playful accessories like a rabbit-ear headband lying casually atop the dresser.
He hesitated, then picked it up, almost laughing at the absurdity. "Am I really in one of those Isekai novels? he thought, heart racing. This… this is actually happening. I've been reborn, or transmigrated, or whatever this is… in someone else's body.
He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection once more. And… I look so… adorable. So… perfect. This isn't my old body. It's something else entirely. A second chance. A life… full of possibilities.
Haruya was still processing the overwhelming rush of thoughts when a voice echoed from the doorway.
"Young master! Your mother is calling you for breakfast!"
The voice was gentle but commanding, a mixture of warmth and authority. Haruya froze for a moment, startled, before the door opened. A woman in a neat butler's uniform stood there, hands clasped politely in front of her, eyes respectful yet kind.
"I-I'm coming… wait a moment," Haruya stammered, his voice trembling slightly. Mother? But… what do they mean "my mother" in this world? Who am I even living with right now?
Steeling himself, he glanced around the room again. This world was… different. Everything here radiated wealth and luxury: massive mirrors, soft carpets, golden accents, expensive decorations that he couldn't even begin to identify. And yet, he had no answers—only questions.
He opened the large wardrobe in his room. It was enormous, filled with clothes of every style and color, some of which looked… unmistakably feminine. Blinking in confusion, he selected a set of clothes that seemed to fit the middle school body he now inhabited—comfortable yet stylish. The soft fabrics felt strange against his skin, almost foreign, yet somehow suited him perfectly.
Dressing quickly, Haruya exited his room and stepped into a hallway that seemed more like a palace corridor than a house passage. It was broad and high-ceilinged, lined with lights and paintings, with plush carpets muffling the sound of his footsteps. As he walked, he was greeted by maids who bowed politely and called out, "Good morning, young master," in unison.
The experience was surreal. Haruya kept his head down, muttering polite greetings in response, his heart racing from the strangeness and grandeur surrounding him. Each step he took only confirmed that this world was unlike anything he had ever known.
He reached the dining room, and the sight left him even more stunned. Seated at the table were two women taller than him, exuding an aura of strength and elegance. And at the head of the table, his "mother"—a woman so tall that she must have been at least 180 centimeters—turned to him with a warm smile. Her presence was commanding yet comforting, and when she spoke, her soft voice carried an unexpected authority.
"Son," she began, her eyes kind and understanding, "are you okay? Do you need anything? If there's anything you want, you can tell me or your sisters. Do you want some pocket money? I can give you five million yen right now."
Haruya nearly choked on the invisible air in his lungs. Five million yen? he thought, stunned. Why would anyone just offer that? Who are these people?
"I… no, mom, it's okay," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. What even is happening here?
His eyes then shifted to the older sisters sitting around the table. They were tall, beautiful, and elegant. One leaned slightly toward him with a reassuring smile. "Little brother," she said softly, "don't worry. We'll protect you from anyone. If any girls try to bully you at school, we'll take care of it."
Haruya froze again, bewildered. Girls bullying a boy? That… that's… unusual. That's not something I've ever encountered in Tokyo. This world… it really is different.
He managed a small nod, saying, "No, sisters, everything's fine. I appreciate it." Yet in his mind, he was spinning with questions. The scale of the differences from his original world was staggering. The way women here were physically larger, more dominant, and even socially protective of him—it was beyond comprehension.
After finishing breakfast, which had been surprisingly delicious, Haruya returned to his room. Everything about this world felt like a dream—too extravagant, too surreal, too impossible. But it was real. He could feel it.
He reached for the phone on his bedside table, and to his surprise, it looked delicate and feminine—slim, sleek, and beautifully designed, unlike the bulky phone he had in Japan. As he held it in his hands, he realized that even this small object reminded him how foreign this body and this world were.
Haruya sat on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, mind racing. I've been given a second chance… a second life. And in this life… I'm… not who I used to be. I'm someone else entirely, someone in a body that is… beautiful, delicate, young… and strangely feminine. And yet… it's me. It's still me inside.
His reflection in the mirror flashed in his memory, and he couldn't help but shiver. The possibilities ran wild in his mind. With a body like this, in a world so different from the one he had known, what could he accomplish? What adventures awaited him? What dangers lurked in this society where men were so rare, and where his presence alone could draw attention both protective and predatory?
Haruya exhaled slowly. The weight of reality pressed down, but so did a strange sense of excitement. This world was unknown, unpredictable, and undeniably powerful. Every corner of it promised discovery, every interaction held potential, and every day would challenge him to adapt, to grow, to survive.
Yet, for all the grandeur and the possibilities, one simple thought persisted in his mind: I'm alive. I have another chance. And I won't waste it.
He glanced once more at the reflection of his new form, the soft silver hair shimmering in the morning light, the ocean-blue eyes staring back at him with curiosity and fear. This body, this world, this life—it's mine now. I'll figure it out, step by step. But first… I need to understand this place, my family, and the rules of this strange, inverted society.
With that resolve, Haruya slipped the phone into his pocket and stood, feeling the strength of this young, delicate body beneath him. The world outside awaited, and for the first time in his life, he felt a flicker of anticipation an ember of excitement that warmed him against the chill of uncertainty.
This was not Tokyo. This was not his office. This was something entirely different. A world where men were rare, where power and beauty were intertwined, and where a young boy like him could find both danger and opportunity at every turn.
And Haruya Kuroda, reborn, refined, and entirely unprepared, took his first steps into this new life a life filled with wealth, wonder, and a future that promised anything but ordinary.