Kazuki didn't expect to die. Especially not like that. Not in a fight, not saving someone, not even in his sleep. Man went out choking on goddamn instant noodles. Spicy seafood flavor. He remembered slurping too fast, then one strand went sideways down his throat. Next thing he knew, he was coughing, couldn't breathe, whole body twitching. Kitchen chair fell over. Head hit the counter. Boom. Darkness.
Next moment, he was awake. Sort of.
The air smelled like piss and old wood. His back hurt, and the ceiling was way too close. He sat up slow. Everything creaked, including his spine. The floor under him had hay. Hay. Real, itchy-ass straw like from a farm.
"…what the hell."
He looked around. Tiny shack. Walls made of logs. Roof leaking light through the cracks. There was a bucket in the corner. Might've been a toilet. Might've been soup. He wasn't about to find out.
Kazuki stood up, swaying a bit, and pushed the door open. It creaked like a horror movie. Outside, the sunlight smacked him in the eyes. He hissed a little, raised a hand. Chickens walked past him like he didn't exist. The whole place looked medieval. Wooden fences, villagers in rags, a goat chewing on a basket. It was hot too.
Then—ding.
A screen popped up in the air. Glowing blue thing. No border. Just floating there like a hologram.
{Welcome, Host}
{Flirt System has been activated}
{Goal: Make women fall in love with you}
{Functions: Shop / Status / Inventory / Quests / Skills}
{Starting Gold: 100G}
{Skill Unlocked: Charm Lv.1 (10% faster attraction rate)}
{Main Quest: Seduce your first girl}
Kazuki blinked once. Twice. Rubbed his eyes.
"…this some dating sim I got dropped into?"
No answer. The screen just hovered.
He sighed. "Alright. Guess we're doing this."
The system faded, and now he was just a random dude in someone's backyard in a world that smelled like manure and dirt roads. His clothes were rough cotton, kind of itchy, but at least they fit. No armor, no sword, not even a knife. Just his hands, a pouch with some coins, and a weird confidence that he'd figure it out.
He started walking. Might as well look around.
Not far from the shack—or horse house, he wasn't sure yet—was a well. And standing there, hauling up a bucket like she was in a shampoo commercial gone wrong, was a girl. Brown hair tied up, dirt on her cheeks, arms toned from actual work. She looked annoyed. Probably from the heat. Or the weight. Or life in general.
The system chimed quietly in his brain.
{Target Identified: Lila}
{Married – Husband is away hunting}
{Compatibility: High}
{Charm Bonus: Active}
Kazuki scratched his cheek. "Oh? We doing this now?"
He walked up slow. Hands in pockets. Chill face.
She saw him. Eyes narrowed a little. Didn't say anything yet. He stopped near the well and gave a lazy half-smile.
"Nice weather," he said.
She gave him a side-eye. "It's hot."
"I meant you," he said without thinking.
She paused. Blinked once. Didn't punch him. That was a good sign.
"…you're not from here," she said.
Kazuki nodded. "Nope."
"Stranger?"
"Something like that."
She stared a second longer. "You want something?"
"Maybe," he said, then tilted his head. "Bucket looks heavy."
She scoffed. "You offering to help?"
"Only if it impresses you."
She handed it over. He pulled the rope and lifted the bucket without much effort. Tried not to look smug about it, but yeah, he flexed a little. She watched. Didn't smile, but didn't walk away either.
"You flirt with every girl you see?" she asked.
"Only the ones married to hunters," he replied.
That made her grin for half a second before she caught herself.
"Name's Kazuki," he said.
"Lila," she replied, wiping her hands on her skirt. "And I don't trust you."
"Good," he said. "Means you're smart."
She smirked.
The system beeped again in his head, low and soft like it was clapping.
{Quest Started: Make Lila fall in love}
{Progress: 2%}
Kazuki didn't react. He just looked out at the village. So this was it, huh? A world full of dirt, sweat, and strange girls with marriage problems. He could work with that.
He didn't know why he got chosen. Didn't care either. All he knew was, this system wanted him to flirt, and he didn't mind the challenge.
Actually, he kinda liked it.