Chapter 6 — A Mother's Permission
The following morning arrived quietly, the soft light of dawn spilling through the tall glass windows of the Takahara mansion. Gentle winter air swept through the half-open curtains, carrying the faint scent of fresh coffee and polished wood. Everything in this house gleamed—golden chandeliers, marble floors, and velvet drapes—all reflecting the immense power and wealth of the Takahara family.
I sat up on my bed, stretching lightly. My silver-white hair shimmered under the sunlight, brushing against my face. Yesterday's discoveries were still replaying in my head—the strange rules of this world, the reversed morals, the ridiculous imbalance of gender. A world where men were treasures and women were protectors.
Honestly, it still felt surreal.
But today, I had a plan.
If I wanted to start living properly in this new world, I needed to step out of this luxurious cage. I couldn't build my dream—or my freedom—if I stayed in an all-boys middle school. There was no adventure there. No chance to learn about this society firsthand. And definitely no way to understand how women behaved when they outnumbered men by a hundred and fifty to one.
That's why I had to convince Mom to let me transfer to a co-ed school.
---
I left my room, walking through the long hallway lined with paintings of our ancestors—women in elegant dresses, holding children close to their hearts. Every portrait seemed to remind me of the strange reality of this world: men were protected like rare gems.
When I reached the end of the corridor, I saw the door to my mother's study slightly open. Inside, I could hear the faint sound of papers turning and the soft tapping of keys.
I took a deep breath and knocked gently. "Mom? Can I come in?"
Her voice, calm yet warm, floated from inside. "Of course, my baby. Come in."
I pushed the door open and stepped in. The room was spacious, lit by soft golden light. My mother—Ayaka Takahara—sat behind a mahogany desk, surrounded by stacks of documents. Even while working, she looked graceful, dressed in a fitted black office suit that matched her dignified presence. Her long chestnut hair was tied neatly, and her gentle expression softened the sharpness of her authority.
When she noticed me, her eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, my little Haruya!"
Before I could say anything, she stood up, walked around the desk, and pulled me into her arms. I felt her warmth surround me—protective, safe, and overwhelmingly affectionate.
"Did you need something, sweetheart?" she asked softly, brushing her fingers through my hair. "You rarely visit me while I'm working."
I hesitated for a second, trying to find the right words. "Mom… I want to transfer schools."
Her hands froze mid-motion. "Transfer?" she repeated, blinking in surprise. "But why, my dear? You love your current school, don't you?"
I shook my head. "It's an all-boys school, Mom. There's nothing new to learn there. I want to study in a co-ed school—one where girls and boys study together."
The moment the words left my mouth, her expression changed. Concern, disbelief, and a hint of fear flashed across her face. "A co-ed school?" she echoed. "No, no, my baby… that's far too dangerous."
She held my shoulders tightly, her tone suddenly firm. "Do you know how aggressive girls can be outside our home? Many of them lose their self-control when they see a boy. I can't let anything happen to you, Haruya. You're my precious son."
I smiled gently, meeting her worried gaze. "I know, Mom. But I'll be careful. Please listen—I'm not going there to take risks. I just want to understand this world better. If I interact with girls, I'll learn how to protect myself too. I don't want to live in fear."
Her lips parted slightly, caught between resistance and pride. "You've grown up so much," she murmured.
I continued softly, "Please, Mom. Trust me. I'll message you and my sisters after every class. You'll always know where I am."
She stayed silent for a long moment. I could see the inner battle behind her eyes—the protective mother fighting against the woman who respected her son's growing independence.
Finally, she sighed, lowering her gaze. "You promise to stay in touch every day?"
"I promise," I said quickly. "After every class."
"And…" she added, a faint smile curling her lips, "you'll have bodyguards with you. Female guards, trained to protect male students. They won't be affected by your… charm."
I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Alright, Mom. I agree to everything."
Her serious look softened again, and before I knew it, she pulled me into another hug—tighter than before. "You make me worry too much, my little one," she whispered. "But you've also made me proud."
For a moment, I felt her heartbeat against mine. It wasn't the love of this world's obsession with rarity or power—it was the simple, pure love of a mother who feared losing her child.
When she finally let go, I looked at her and smiled. "Thank you, Mom. I'll make you proud."
She nodded, wiping the corner of her eye. "You already have."
---
As I turned to leave, I leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek. It was meant as a small gesture—a thank-you. But she froze completely, blinking in surprise.
"Ha… Haruya?"
For a split second, her usual composure vanished. Then she laughed softly, covering her mouth. "Oh my, you really have changed."
I scratched my head, embarrassed. "I just wanted to say thanks."
Her heart seemed to melt right there. "You're the sweetest son in the universe," she said, smiling warmly. "Now go, before I hug you again and never let go."
I laughed and walked toward the door. As I left the study, I could hear her quiet voice behind me.
"My son…" she whispered to herself, her tone trembling with emotion. "You're growing into such a kind young man."
---
Back in my room, I collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling with a grin. "That was easier than I thought."
Convincing a CEO-level woman like my mother wasn't easy—but apparently, a few gentle words and a calm tone could work miracles in this world. Maybe the men here really didn't understand the power of simple manners.
I turned on my side, looking out the window. "So… a co-ed school, huh?" I murmured. "A place where girls outnumber boys… This will be interesting."
My thoughts wandered to tomorrow. It was a holiday, and my three older sisters—Arisa, Reina, and the eldest, Miyako—would be coming home from university. I could already imagine their reactions when they saw how much I'd "changed."
This time, I'd greet them kindly, with warmth instead of distance. That alone would probably cause chaos at the breakfast table.
A small chuckle escaped my lips. "Let's see how they react."
For the first time since waking up in this new world, I felt truly excited—not just to live, but to explore, learn, and shape my own story here.
A new world.
A new body.
A new life.
And this time, I wouldn't waste it.
To be continued…