Just Being Alive Is Amazing: Starting Life Over in a Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 191: New Year’s Day

Chapter 191: New Year’s Day

After the shrine, we slept right away, and waking up, it’s already New Year’s Day. The morning sun streams into the bedroom, feeling refreshing.

“Happy New Year.”

““““Happy New Year! ♡””””

“Being able to greet the new year like this…”

Mom and everyone are already tearing up. If I hadn’t reincarnated, we’d be in mourning. Last New Year’s must’ve felt like a funeral.

“I’ll stay healthy this year…”

“Yup ♡ please do ♡”

Mom hugs me tightly, and I vow not to worry her, renewing my resolve for the new year.

I caught a cold once last year but was otherwise healthy. The cold cleared up fast too.

“Then, shall we eat ozoni and osechi? ♡”

““““Yay~ ♡””””

Ozoni’s loaded with mitsuba for a fragrant taste, and I eat lots of mochi. The daikon’s juicy and soaks up the broth perfectly.

Morning comedy shows are on, and even in this world, it feels like New Year’s.

“Now, time for otoshidama~ ♡”

““““Yes~! ♡””””

Everyone’s thrilled getting New Year’s money from Mom. The warm family vibe makes me happy.

The absent adults in the three jobs are probably having cozy family time too.

I send a New Year’s greeting to the brides’ group chat, and we lounge in the tatami room, watching TV in the kotatsu.

“Wow~ ♡ Seira-chan’s in high demand now ♡”

“Yup…”

“Geez ♡ Seira-chan’s having fun, so don’t worry, Takuya! ♡”

Kaede, watching Seira-chan on TV, cheers me up.

As her agency’s exec said, my interview gave Seira-chan and her group a boost.

In this world, women married and loved by men rank high in the hierarchy.

“Takkun~ ♡ come here~ ♡”

Karen-oneechan calls, and I find her in a stunning red kimono.

“Ehehe ♡ h-how is it…?”

“Beautiful… you look great in a kimono, Onee-chan…”

“Gosh ♡ you’re getting smooth, Takkun ♡”

“It’s not flattery…”

“I know ♡ thanks, Takkun ♡”

Karen-oneechan heads to hatsumode with Chiaki-senpai.

“Onee-chan’s amazing, huh.”

“Not going, Kaede?”

“Hmm… I could, but kimono’s a bit much…”

“Yeah, wearing and walking in one looks tough…”

“Exactly…”

Sakura, Masami-oneechan, and some brides and friends are at hatsumode, but Kaede’s not interested?

“I’d rather be with you, Takuya~ ♡”

“Thanks… but it’s okay to go.”

“Hmm… I’m torn~…”

Deep down, Kaede seems to want to join hatsumode.

“I’ll stay home with Mom.”

“Okay! I’m going!”

“Yup, have fun.”

Kaede preps and heads to hatsumode.

I chill with Mom, eating mochi and watching TV.

“Fufu ♡ relaxing with Taku-chan, what a great New Year’s ♡”

“Take it easy too, Mom.”

“Hmm… I’d love to, but it’s lucky bag season…”

Our family runs a clothing-focused e-commerce site, selling tons of clothing lucky bags.

“There might be issues, so I can’t fully relax…”

Random items probably spark complaints.

To preempt trouble, I massage Mom’s shoulders while we talk.

“Thanks to you, Taku-chan, clothing sales are skyrocketing~”

I’ve been modeling unisex clothes—hoodies, shirts, pants—and they’re trending. But my V-tuber streams praising skirts boost their sales too, so both are soaring.

“As a businesswoman, I’m thrilled with the sales.”

I hear we’ve expanded factories for our brand, so the business is growing steadily.

In my past life, exploitation in developing countries was an issue, but ours is 100% ethical. Mom says, “I won’t do anything I can’t face the sun or Taku-chan with.”

Chatting with Mom in the kotatsu, my phone rings. It’s Kaede.

“Hey, Takuya~?”

“What’s up, Kaede?”

“So~ Arisa and them wanna come train at our place, cool?”

“Yup, fine.”

“Sweet~ ♡ I’ll tell ‘em ♡”

I wait restlessly until Arisa and Honami-san arrive. It’s been a week since Christmas—short, yet long.

“Happy New Year, you two.”

“Happy New Year, Arisa-chan, Honami-chan ♡”

““Happy New Year! ♡””

Fresh from hatsumode, they came straight over, still in skirts despite the cold.

“Takuya~ ♡ I bought tons of street food~ ♡”

Kaede’s bag holds yakisoba and takoyaki, smelling amazing.

“Thanks for the souvenirs, Kaede.”

“Yup! ♡”

We eat the street food with Mom, and Arisa and Honami-san change.

“Be careful not to get injured…”

Injuries before the tournament are scary. They’re first-years, so there’s next year… maybe the year after? But the team needs them to win. That’s why they were picked.

“Yup! It’s light today ♡ The real goal’s seeing you ♡”

“M-Me too… ♡”

“Got it… then let’s massage slowly after training.”

““Yup! ♡””

After their workout, I bathe with Kaede to wash off sweat. I’m not sweaty, but they invited me, so I join.

“They’ve gotten too big, huh~”

“Yup… definitely bigger than when we met.”

““Uuu…””

“It’s fine ♡ Even if Arisa’s breasts are huge or Honami-chan’s tall, Takuya loves you ♡”

“Yup, of course.”

“Takuya! ♡”

“Takuya-kun ♡”

Honami-san’s practically a giantess at 2 meters, but I’m not scared. I know she’s kind and cute.

Arisa’s breasts are bigger, but I’m not fazed by chests. No issue—love ‘em.

“You too, Kaede…”

“Eh? ♡ Hehe ♡”

To avoid leaving Kaede out, I hug her in the tub. She often supports others and forgets herself.

After washing, we do massage time in my room. Their workout was light, and they soaked, so it’s more symbolic. Not much physical effect—I’m an amateur.

But I hope it helps mentally. If my massages fill their hearts even a bit, I’m happy.

By evening, they head home, and Masami-oneechan and others return.

“Takuya, I’m back~ ♡ It’s cold out~ ♡”

Onee-chan presses her chilly hands to my cheeks to warm them.

“Cold…”

“Fufu ♡ Your cheeks are warm and soft ♡”

I sandwich her hands with my cheeks and hands, and satisfied, she goes to change.

Soon, Grandma arrives, and we eat together.

The menu’s crab, karaage, and delivery sushi. The ikura was plump, and the salmon was fatty.

We get otoshidama, eat delicious food, and spend rare time with Grandma. I wish Seira-chan’s family could’ve come, but they’re busy with TV.

Ran: Grandma’s place has great food but nothing to do~

Ran-san, bored at her family’s, starts chatting in the brides’ group. I’ve never been to Grandma’s.

Kanon: Good food’s awesome!

Kanon-san loves eating. I just ate great food too. We’re all Grandma’s kids, but she’s the company chair, busy even on New Year’s. Mom’s busy too…

Ran: Should I run to Takuya-kun’s? Like a relay!

Takuya: You’re welcome to come.

Ran: I’m coming!!!

Yuika: I’m in Hokkaido… super far.

Yuika-san’s mom is from Hokkaido, and she’s there now.

Yuika-san sends a snowy photo. I’ve never touched snow. Last year in the hospital, it snowed, but I didn’t go out.

Nana: Full-on Hokkaido dialect!

Arisa: I saw Takuya.

Yuika: Unfair!

Arisa posts our photo, and everyone’s jealous. Hokkaido’s a plane ride away.

Ran: Everyone, one New Year’s goal.

Arisa: Triple crown.

Honami: National domination.

Nana: National tournament.

Kanon: Grow taller.

Masami: Pass my top school!

Chatting with Masami-oneechan in the same house is funny. Goals range from serious to chuckle-worthy.

Takuya: Stay healthy.

Chisato: Health first!

Mei: Me, Satsuki-san, Takuya-sama, everyone safe.

Yui: Study French cooking this year!

We cheer each other’s goals, talking late into the night.

“Takuya ♡ let’s sleep together~ ♡”

Masami-oneechan slips into my bed, chilly for a moment, then warm.

“I’m happy if you stay healthy, but any other goals?”

“Hmm… something like everyone’s… making my brides happy is obvious…”

“Fufu ♡ Obvious, huh? ♡ That’s sweet ♡ How do you make us happy? ♡”

She’s helping me set a goal by asking what makes them happy, what they want.

“Um… invite them out more… d-do sexy stuff…?”

“Yup ♡ That’d make Onee-chan happy ♡”

“Then… I’ll be more proactive.”

“Oh ♡ A goal! ♡”

“Yup… thanks, Onee-chan…”

“But ♡ you forgot one important thing ♡”

“Important thing?”

“Yup ♡ Essential for our happiness ♡”

What is it… She teases, not telling me.

“It’s you being happy too, Takuya ♡”

“Right…”

It’s not just one of us being happy. If either’s unhappy, it’s wrong. Both need to be happy for it to be complete.

“So ♡ You have to fulfill what you want and what makes us happy ♡”

“Got it… then, Onee-chan…”

“What? ♡”

“I wanna hug…”

“Come here ♡”

I cling to pajama-clad Onee-chan, nuzzling her soft chest. Oddly, I’m not in a sexy mood.

“I’m happy now… ♡ You, Takuya? ♡”

“Happy…”

“Fufu ♡ Already nailed it ♡ Good job ♡”

She pats me, and I fall asleep in that comfort.