Chapter 1: Reincarnation

It appears I'm dead. How did I die again? Well, no matter, let's just get the reincarnation rigmarole over with. Now that I consider it though, maybe it would be good for me to fake surprise. 'Ehh!? I'm dead? How did that happen?' This how I will react when Kami-sama informs me. Then I'll be informed of my reincarnation into a fantasy world and I'll go 'Woow! That's incredible Kami-sama! So cool that you can do that! Thank you so much, I will do my best! Hmm, maybe I could get a blessing too, Kami-sama?' It's a stupid reaction but I'm sure Kami-sama gets plenty of those. Now that I think about it, informing everybody that they're dead must be an awful job 'You're sad you died? Never heard that one before.' Couldn't they just send a letter or something instead?

Really it stands to reason that Kami-sama is more like a receptionist than a proper g–ah! This must be Kami-sama! Bmf. A cloud of white smoke blossoms into the white room I've been waiting in, originating a few feet in front of my white chair (what's with the all this white?). The smoke expands through the room, but it doesn't smell bad or anything. In fact, it smells pretty pleasant and on top of that is soothing to breathe in. Mmmm, this is nice.

The pleasant smoke disperses quickly, but luckily something even better replaces it. In the center of the room sits a young girl on a white throne. She's wearing a cute orange dress with frilly white thigh-highs. As a bonus, her black hair is pulled back in a big white bow. Ah, her dress is so short that I'm certain I could peek under if I leaned down a little. Not that I have experience with that sort of thing–what am I, some kind of pervert?

Let me answer that for you: no, I'm not.

Although I'm not a fashion expert, I do have to wonder if it's fair to even call this garment a dress. Maybe a dresslet? Skirts get distinguished by length (micro-, mini- and too long-) so when you think about it it's discriminatory that dresses don't. What if some poor girl wanted to buy a nice dress only to be inundated with monsters that go down to her ankles? I shiver at the thought. I'll never allow that sort of thing to ever happen, for the sake of all the cute girls in the world. That's right, I'm a dress activist! When I get reincarnated I'll form the first dress regulatory body and inspect and classify every dress. Only dresses above the knee though. Those soft, shapely legs~.

Whew, I'm feeling a little hot.

"Ahem."

"Ah!" I'm caught off-guard. " Y-yes K-Kami-chan?" Her face immediately flushes red and twists into an adorable glare. Oops. I couldn't help but think that looking at her. A little young for Kami-sama, eh? Ooh, she has golden eyes too. Now that I look more closely, the orange dresslet has a tinge of yellow to it, so it matches her eyes quite well. Wait, what am I doing!? Even if she's a receptionist or something, Kami-chan is still from the heavenly realm. This is a major mistake! No time for my well-meaning appreciation! "Kami-sama! Please forgive me!" I scramble into my best seiza.

"I am god! How dare you mortal...fufufu, at least you are apologizing. Do not be deceived by my form, unless you seek proof of my power in the form of punishment." Her arm is posed like she's about to demonstrate said power.

"N-no Kami-sama! Please, I cannot apologize enough. Even being in the same room as Kami-sama, I feel like an ant." I try to become the ant and push myself into the ground with all my might. "And moreover, I sense that there has been a misunderstanding. Kami-sama might see that Kami-sama's form reminded me for only an instant of my little sister. As I was sitting here waiting, I had started thinking about my little sister and–sniff–I–sniff–I'm so sorry Kami-sama! It has been a terrible mix up!"

Kami-chan became considerably less angry when she heard this.

"I imagine you must receive many newly-deads, so I am sorry for wasting your time with my pitiful worldly burdens. Please forgive me, Kami-sama!" Hook, line and sinker. I do have a little sister though. Wait, she's still unsatisfied!? No, now that I look closely it's a gentle frown. Somehow that frown is soothing. If only there was more of that good-smelling smoke to go with it. And a warm bed. Mmmm.

"..."

As Kami-chan is lost in thought, I have a revelation. From this angle I could definitely...yep, they're white. Don't worry, I only peeked. Ahh, being dead is quite nice! Now eyes back to the floor, eh heh. For a god, she's quite unsuspecting.

"Hiroshi Komoto, I understand that death is hard. Such outbursts are understandable if regrettable. Fortunately, you seem to understand your error. And please do not worry about your sister Minako. She will live a long and healthy life."

"A-ah, Kami-sama." That knowledge was impressive.

The girl smiled. "You may rise."

"Th-thank you Kami-sama." It's obvious that Kami-chan is wiser than she looks. As a god, it wouldn't be surprising if she was thousands of years old. Let's strive to think of her as a young woman, not a little girl.

"I will also note that I do not in fact see many of the recently deceased. You have been brought here specially, Hiroshi Kimoto. I am here to give you the opportunity to live again, to be reincarnated."

Before I can think better of it, I slip into autopilot. "Woow! That's incredible Kami-sama! Thank you so much, I will do my best! Hmm, maybe I could get a blessing too, Kami-sama?"

"Hmf, you're really pushing your luck, aren't you? I was going to let you choose a blessing, but maybe I should decide for you." Seiza time, no doubt about it. Hello floor-kun, good to see you again. "Ehh? You're so quick to apologize. Geez, Kimoto." She looked at me with an amazed expression. She seems hesitant, but eventually says, "Fine, you seem like a good guy. What blessing do you desire?"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

No, this is the part I should have had a plan for. "Hmmm. I don't know. Could you give me some examples of blessings maybe?"

"Ehhhh? Hmmmmm." She obviously had no interest in listing blessings, but she did for my sake. What a good Kami-chan. "Well, maybe a strength or luck blessing? Those two are pretty typical. Or something related to magic? Magic blessings aren't very good unless you get one that lets you exploit some esoteric ability making everything trivial. Lately those seem to crop up pretty often...Ah, blessings for languages and knowledge are also useful.

Magic sounded intriguing but why stop there? "What if my blessing was omnipotence, or something like that? Are there any limits?"

"Hn?" She cocked her head, thinking. More importantly, she also crossed her legs. Ahhh bliss. I was so glad I returned to the seiza position. Why you ask? Because it's comfortable. Nothing more. "No, I think that would be going a little far." This implies Kami-chan can decide if a wish is appropriate or not. Therefore, the limit is as far as I can convince her!

"Of course. I'm sorry for asking something so presumptuous in the first place."

"N-no, it's quite alright. I didn't explain after all. Unfortunately, the rules are a little complicated so I can't tell you outright. Ah, it's so nice to have a hero who is polite."

Fufufu. I doubt the rules are that complex. More like, 'Kami-chan! Just use your judgement. Don't let the protagonists know though, because they might try to manipulate you.' 'Eek! R-really? They'd do something that mean?' 'Fufufu, it's a hard world out there. Don't worry Kami-chan, I'll protect you. Here, come over here. Yes, under the covers kami-chan.' And then kami-chan and Me ("Me" being the name of Kami-chan's boss, not actually me–that's why it's capitalized) would fall asleep, family-friendly style. Haha just kidding. Oof, we're getting off track here. Please excuse me.

"You flatter me beyond words, Kami-sama." The ultimate question looms over me. Everything is secondary to this, so it doesn't matter even if, when my blessing is rejected. "Well, I think I've come up with a request, if you don't mind~."

"I'm glad to hear that. Please, tell me what it is."

" Kami-sama, I am sorry but I cannot think of anything else. Would you be my imouto in this new world?"

"E-ehhhh!??"  She's filled with shock. Beyond cute. I try to memorize this scene to have with me when I'm reincarnated alone.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have Kami-sama. Only, you remind me so much of my sister and you're so kind. I realize what a selfish request it is. If nothing else, please take this fool's request as a token of my gratitude for the hospitality and understanding you've shown me. Forget it in all other manners."

"N-no, I just didn't realize how hard it must've been. My shock is only because I have not dealt with the recently deceased in a while. I-if it means that much to you." Seriously? No way. What kind of luck do I have?

"D-does this mean that much to you, K-Kimoto Hi-Hiroshi?" She gestures at her body. Kami-chan is better than my wildest dreams! Well, better than my expectations. My dreams can get pretty wild heh heh.

"Yes Kami-sama." I intone seriously, somberly.

"Th-then if I give you my body?"

"I'll accept it with complete responsibility! Please, come with me Kami-sama!"

"I-I see. Then please, this is y-yours."

Hmm, it looks like she wants to literally give me her body. That can't be what she's saying, right? "Kami-sama forgive me, your humble servant is but a fool: I suspect we're not using 'give me your body' in the same way though. In your wisdom might you clarify what your almighty blessing is, precisely?" Like really.

"U-unfortunately I cannot leave this place, so please, I want you to take this body in my stead. Y-you really seem to like it, after a-all."

Was this girl seriously that stupid? I don't want to become a loli! "Kami-sama, wait! I beg of you.  I'd like to change my blessing!"

"Change it? Heheh. I don't think so." Whoa, what's up with that severe tone.  Ehhh, did I accidentally piss off Kami-chan? Dogeza ti-

The world was filled with a blinding white light. Well, everything in that room had been white before, so the transition wasn't really that bad. Anyways, I am kind of worried about our Kami-chan. Perhaps she's the type to hide her anger until she explodes. Not healthy! Communication is key, y'know? According to my science class we are fundamentally social animals, so Kami-chan needs to open up to me a bit~. You know, I bet a headpat would've calmed her down. Next time I see her I'll give a loving headpat~.

Hey, what's this? The blinding light faded and I opened my eyes. This time none of my surroundings were white. Grey cave, brown dirt and dull weeds.

 Yup, without a doubt there was no white.

"Hello?" My voice echoed throughout the cave–wait, my voice!? It was a cute high-pitched, girlish voice-ah. W-well, Kami-chan had been serious, h-huh? "Anybody there?" I meekly called out again. Kami-chan has shown herself to be a severe girl in the end. It's ok, I still love Kami-chan. I'm so cute now, so how could I complain?

I've been sitting in the cave for a while now, doing some critical thinking. Fwaahhh, thinking is hard. I just want to cuddle up in a warm bed~. It appears, unsurprisingly, that I've been reincarnated into a different world with Kami-chan's body. It's unclear if I inhabit a copy or if we intimately exchanged our originals. Either way, I will strive to take care of it. I'm wearing the same cute clothes she was, which I imagine will be attention grabbing and expensive in this world. I'll keep them anyway. Since I'm a little girl in expensive clothes, I'll have to be very careful and rely on my intelligence even more than before. This was to be expected, of course. Unfortunately, I can't find anything like stats or a menu either. I was looking forward to using a menu in real life, so this is sort of annoying. I'm considering filing a complaint. After all, what kind of world doesn't have a video game UI embedded into reality?

Getting back on topic my, first priority is to get some basic information about this world that will let me find someone to protect me until I can accrue means: more information, wealth, magical power and a nice chest. What kind of chest, I wonder? Perhaps I can join an adventuring party or claim to be a noble runaway for preferential treatment. The specifics of what I do will have to be determined in the moment, but as long as I act cute and keep my soon-to-be-famous wits about me, I have no doubt I can become powerful in this world. From there, I'll defeat the world-threatening token evil and rejoin Kami-chan to give her a headpat. A pretty great plan, no? Let's go!

"...Huh, huh." I'm out of breath after walking only a few minutes and my pace is pretty slow on top of that. Ah, why was this body so out of shape? I guess cute girls don't exercise much. Rather, why would they? Hnnn, this cave was pretty big too.

 I decided to sit down to rest, making sure to put both my legs to the side. I also put my hands over my dresslet to be safe. Now that I was a girl I have to be aware of this sort of thing. I'll also have to talk politely...ah, what a pain. Manners aside, I thought I'd feel more averse to my gender change. Instead, it's kind of nice to feel fragile and I like how cute I am. Not a big deal, yep. Nonetheless, I do feel a bit ashamed about embracing my newfound femininity so unabashedly. It's good for a girl to feel a bit of shame I think. Mom, Dad, I'm very sorry. My biggest grievance is really my chest size. Something was taken away and I got nothing in return! Hnn, it feels pretty strange down there. "Huh, huh..." Am I still panting? Geez!

As I recover, I run my hands over my new body again, from my (flat) chest across my small waist and noticeable hips, all the way down to the schoolgirl shoes at the end my soft, tender legs. I felt tired. "Fuwahhh" I gently yawn. I remembered to put hand over my mouth as I did so.

Well, a little nap couldn't hurt, right?