A Worryful New World

1. A Simple Sneeze

I check my backpack once again.

Algebra, History, Geography, English, Literature, Physics, IT. Everything was in place.

"Welp, I'm off mom!"

I shout towards my mom who was sitting at the computer.

"Be careful, it rained a lot last night, so there's bound to be a lot of ice."

"I will!"

Before I walk out, I take one last look at the cat collar hanging by the wall.

Then, as if repeating a ritual, I say―

"Thank you once again, Ashna."

With that, I exit the flat.

I press the button to call for an elevator and check up on some idle and clicker apps on my phone while I wait.

The door opens and I enter the elevator, making sure to get my eyes off the phone before I take the step.

I open my favourite translation site for web novels ― which is run by only one person ― and look at the new chapter that was posted.

"Posting every single day, this guy's a monster."

I would never ever dream of having such commitment towards something, if we don't count my life and cats, that is.

Before I can even finish the chapter, the door of the elevator opens and I walk out after putting my phone in my pocket.

'No extra stops for floors today, lucky.'

As soon as I get out of the building, the chilly air hits my face, making me slightly squeeze my eyes.

I walk to school, feeling my legs slide almost every step I take.

"The ice is no joke today, huh?"

If I let my mind wonder for more than a second, I would definitely slip.

"Oh well, this is nothing new."

I casually wipe my nose with my sleeve and keep walking like normal.

After a bit of nothing happening, I could feel a sneeze on the way.

I make sure to stand on some non-slippery ground before I sneeze, I didn't want to risk falling.

"Achoo!"

I scratch my nose and keep going ―is what I would like to say, but I could feel a second sneeze on the way.

"A...A...Achoo! Damn, what's with the sneezes today?"

I scratch my nose and open my eyes.

I freeze up.

I stand there, completely dazed.

I pinch myself, I could clearly feel the pain.

After a couple of minutes of standing there wide-eyed, I sigh.

"...Really? That was really unceremonious, you know? I get transported to a different world all because of a sneeze?"

Instead of the snow-filled landscape I was expecting, a lush green forest was all I could see.

There was no need to even think about what happened.

I had clearly been summoned to another world.

***

I could feel my entire body shaking. I wasn't sure whether it was because of excitement or fear.

'Calm down, calm down.'