Chapter 1: A Perfect Start?

A parallel world.

Within one of the standalone houses in Tokyo’s twenty-three wards.

The hum of the outdoor air-conditioning unit pierced through the glass, unusually harsh in the quiet afternoon.

On the tatami, a woman clad in a silk nightgown suddenly opened her eyes.

Beads of sweat slid down her collarbone and into her neckline, the sticky sensation making her slightly uncomfortable.

Her vision gradually came into focus.

A young man in a work uniform stood with his back to her, the wheat-colored skin at the back of his neck exposed under the sunlight, the scent of sweat mixed with turpentine drifting toward her.

He was focused on repairing the air conditioner, the muscles of his arms rising and falling with each movement, gleaming like polished wax under the light.

The woman sat up in shock, lowering her head to look at herself—

The fullness of her chest, the plump thighs revealed at the hem of her skirt—every part felt so unfamiliar that it sent a chill through her.

She looked around blankly, trying to sort out her thoughts.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What am I doing?

Just moments ago, “he” had been staying up late playing games.

How did “he,” in the blink of an eye, turn into a woman in a completely unfamiliar place?

“Ma’am, the filter’s clogged with dust, causing poor heat dissipation.”

The young man turned around, raising his arm to wipe his sweat, his gaze landing on her.

“Would you like to test the temperature now?”

Wait—wasn’t he speaking Japanese?

And yet, she could understand every single word.

So… she had transmigrated to Japan?

Seeing her remain silent, the young man called out again,

“Ma’am?”

Drops of condensation from the air conditioner fell one by one onto the windowsill, their rhythm as rapid as her increasingly uncontrollable heartbeat.

Her gaze lingered uncontrollably on the young man—his arms, his nape, his slightly sweat-dampened work uniform.

A strange, restless heat surged up from deep within her body, like a flame igniting every inch of her skin in an instant.

Her heart raced, sweat seeped into the crook of her knees, and even her fingertips twitched with the urge to touch his sturdy arms.

It was as if a switch had been flipped—everything teetered on the edge of losing control.

“Excuse me.”

The woman forced out the words with the last shred of her rationality, then dashed into the bathroom at a sprinter’s speed.

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

She leaned against it, breathing heavily, trying to calm the agitation in her body.

In the mirror, a strange, beautiful face stared back at her, its eyes filled with a mix of panic and desire.

“What on earth… is going on? I… how did I turn into a Japanese woman…”

She muttered under her breath, her voice trembling.

Outside the door, the young man stood in place, confused as he looked toward where she had disappeared, unable to understand why the lady had suddenly retreated at the critical moment.

“Shhh—”

She turned on the faucet, splashing cold tap water onto her face, trying to extinguish the inexplicable heat within her.

A few minutes later, when she raised her head again, the young woman in the mirror still had cheeks flushed like March cherry blossoms.

The beauty mark at the corner of her eye trembled lightly with her breathing, and the neckline of her silk nightgown was already soaked through with sweat, the deep V design revealing glimpses of her curves.

So… was this a carefully planned seduction?

Or a mutual flirtation?

Unfortunately, her mind was still in chaos, and she had no memories of this body whatsoever.

And at that very moment—

A prompt window suddenly popped up before her eyes.

[The “Love Requires a Price” system has been activated. Collecting information…]

[Target: Saitō Mao]

[Favorability toward you: 85]

[Saitō Mao is an active repairman in the community. He enjoys fitness and judo, and is skilled in various repair services, including plumbing, air conditioners, computers, and range hoods. Over the years, he has maintained good relationships with the housewives in this neighborhood, and is especially interested in Nakano Risa (that is, you). Now that you have personally invited him over to repair the air conditioner, and are dressed so alluringly, his heart is pounding as if he has seen his first love again.]

[Hint: When Saitō’s favorability toward you reaches 90, you may randomly draw one of his skills and permanently obtain it.]

The woman’s eyes widened slightly, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing.

So after transmigrating, her name was Nakano Risa.

Although she had gained a cheat ability, it was… not exactly a proper system.

From the system’s wording, she had to make that air-conditioning repairman completely fall for her in order to obtain a reward.

But…

What if that guy tried to force himself on her?

With her current frail body, she probably wouldn’t be able to resist—

Could it be… she had just transmigrated, only to be—

[W-Wah!]

No way!

Just then—

Bang, bang, bang!

Saitō knocked on the bathroom door.

“Nakano-san? A-are you alright?”

Nakano Risa steadied herself, forcibly suppressing her panic, and took a deep breath before replying,

“I’m fine. I just felt a little dizzy just now.”

“Oh, you might be slightly overheated. But the air conditioner’s already fixed—you can come out and cool down.”

Nakano Risa: “……”

What this guy was thinking—she, having once been a man, understood all too well.

Reason told her to refuse immediately.

But deep down, a trace of hesitation quietly surfaced.

After all… only five points remained before reaching 100 favorability.

Just one step away, within reach.

If she gave up now, not only would she miss out on the skill, who knew if she would ever get such a good opportunity again…

Just as she hesitated—

Bang, bang, bang!

The knocking sounded again, heavier this time, closer as well.

Saitō’s voice dropped slightly, carrying a strangely seductive magnetism:

“Time waits for no one, ma’am… You wouldn’t want today’s events to be known by your husband, would you?”

Damn it!

She had actually heard a line straight out of those books?

And the coerced heroine was herself.

This guy really deserved a beating!

Anger, shame, and fear churned together—yet in the cracks between those emotions, there lingered a faint, indescribable thrill and anticipation…

She bit her lower lip, her nails nearly digging into her palm.

In the end, she closed her eyes and made her decision.

Creak—

The door slowly opened.

Under the dim yellow light, the woman wrapped her arms around her chest, her shoulders trembling slightly, her gaze misty and helpless, her voice soft enough to melt:

“Saitō-kun… I’ve really never been with any man other than my husband… I’m so nervous… please don’t scare me…”

As her words fell, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Cicadas droned outside like waves.

Inside, cool air flowed gently.

Saitō Mao stared blankly at the woman before him—Nakano Risa.

Her arms hugged her chest, her eyes quivered faintly, her lips parted slightly, like a white magnolia trembling in the wind.

In that instant, memories from five years ago surged back like a tide—

That girl under the rain, holding a transparent umbrella and smiling at him…

She had looked just as timid, her gaze clear, yet carrying a hint of heart-stirring dependence.

His chest suddenly burned hot, blood surging downward as an uncontrollable fire ignited within him.

The dam of reason began to loosen, desire quietly climbing to his fingertips.

[Saitō Mao’s favorability toward you has reached 90.]

[Would you like to draw a skill now?]

Without the slightest hesitation—

Draw!

[Congratulations, you have successfully obtained the skill: Judo Black Belt (2nd Dan).]

[Note: When using this skill, you will perfectly inherit Saitō Mao’s physical attributes, neural reactions, and combat experience.]

Saitō’s hand finally landed on her shoulder.

Just as his warm palm was about to tighten, in the next instant, a sudden change occurred!

Nakano Risa’s eyes snapped open, the timidity within them gone, replaced by a blade-like clarity.

Her right foot stepped back half a pace, her waist twisting as she borrowed his forward momentum—gripping his wrist, pressing his elbow, turning her body in one fluid motion, as if practiced a thousand times.

“Bang—!”

With a dull thud, Saitō’s body was flung into the air like a puppet with its strings cut, tracing a shocking arc before crashing heavily onto the soft carpet, shaking the coffee table with a low hum.