"Perfect."
I said as I observed my appearance in the mirror. A black long-sleeve undershirt with a loose white jacket on top. The black pants that I found were the only ones that were clean, and the black shoes were the only ones that I liked because the others seemed a little too expensive. They seemed like collector's items more so than actual shoes to wear.
None of my clothes had any designs or brand engravings, which was perfect. I didn't want to get into some argument with some random about fake or off-brand clothes. My goal today was to explore and enjoy, not to engage in pointless arguments.
Tying my hair into a ponytail, I walked out with everything that I needed in my pockets. The phone I found on the charger next to my bed looked like a certain fruit brand's latest model back on Earth. It unlocked with Face ID, and I changed the passcode to something I would know. Another great feature was that as long as I had my face, I had complete access to this device.
My bank cards — both debit and credit — were in the wallet app of the phone along with my I.D. I opened up the app for the credit cards as I walked down the hall to the elevator of this apartment complex of mine. It made me realize how weird my own room was for an apartment. There weren't any other rooms other than the massive bathroom. Everything else was together and open, not separated at all. I could enter the kitchen and reach my bed with just a few steps or just leave out the door with no hindrance.
Ding~
The elevator appeared at the perfect time as soon as I pressed the button. I glanced up at the number above the elevator, which read "18." A nice thing to note for when I came back — otherwise, I wouldn't remember where I stayed!
Walking into the elevator, a woman who looked about my age was standing lost in thought. The doors closed, but I didn't really focus on that too much. My eyes were casting numerous glances at the woman now to my right.
Her blonde hair and golden eyes were absolutely stunning. Her jade-white skin was unblemished with sparkling radiance. She was wearing blue jeans that highlighted her legs and a loose blue jacket that hid her upper body, but I knew that she was definitely healthy in that department without needing to see it.
Did any of this matter?
No, it didn't. I just loved to appreciate beauty, and this woman was objectively beautiful. No lust or weird other desires behind it.
"Curious about something?" she spoke. Her voice sounded amused more than upset or mad, which was great — she didn't misinterpret my looks.
Smiling, "No, I just wanted to make sure I was seeing right. It's not every day that I run into someone so beautiful."
"Pfft~, you're quite handsome yourself. I'm sure you see plenty of beautiful women."
"No... I don't like such flimsy bonds. I much rather have meaningful connections."
"Every man says that."
"That may be true, but I find myself to have quite a firm set of values."
"Hmm? I can see that seems to be the case from how you haven't at all looked at me with any weird intent."
"I'm assuming that's a compliment?"
Ding~
The doors to the elevator opened at the lobby floor. The both of us walked out with numerous glances from the other people in the lobby staring holes into us.
"Yes, it's a compliment," she said with a smile. The two of us walked out of the complex together, as it was the only exit and entrance.
"My name is Elena, I live on the 19th floor by the way."
Glancing down at her, as my height was a few inches above hers, I responded in kind, "My name is Eiren, but feel free to just call me Ren if that's easier."
Elena smiled and pulled out her phone, handing it to me. I didn't need to be told what she was asking for, especially since the contact screen was already open. Her fingers moved so fast that I didn't even see her navigate to open the app!
I put in my contact information, which I thanked the heavens that I had memorized the moment I noticed my phone.
"Here you go."
"It's nice that you don't act like the other idiots in my school."
"..." My face stiffened.
"What's wrong?"
"I know it's taboo to ask a woman her age, but may I ask yours?"
"P-P-Bahahaha~! Don't worry, I'm 21. No need to worry about anything!"
"P-Phew~" I sighed in relief. My jaw relaxed, and even the small bead of sweat that I hadn't noticed vanished. Elena kept laughing as we walked right out of our complex. There, we stopped at a crosswalk, and I realized that I was just walking with her because I didn't really have anywhere else to go. Since it was a subtly pleasant atmosphere, I found myself not wanting to separate too soon.
Talking to someone my age and in a new world just had a certain charm to it.
"I'm going to school—pfft. My university. So, I'll talk to you later?" Elena glanced up at me with a beautiful smile forming on her pink lips. The smile would have been better if I didn't know she was throwing a teasing jab.
"Yeah, I'm going to explore the city. Try to find something fun, you know?"
"You don't go to school?"
"I graduated early, so no."
"Awesome! If I have any questions, then I'll come to you, then!"
"Sure."
"Hehe~ See ya later!" She ran off, her blonde hair flowing down like a waterfall trailing behind her. My eyes couldn't help but notice her healthy lower body, but I shook my head at the thought. It was natural for the eyes to wander, but I wasn't some horn dog.
'Now then, time to explore!'
As for what I told Elena?
Its true. The original owner of this body had graduated early! If I hadn't received the intermediate knowledge of the world then i wouldn't have even mentioned it to her but I did so my knowledge was really on par with graduated university students. I knew this because when I received the knowledge it compared itself with them.
'I wonder if I'll get even more lucky today?'