Saturday morning.

In this world, most companies, schools, and public offices are off on Saturdays and Sundays.

Back when I was an office worker in my previous life, I'd clean and do laundry first thing in the morning, and if the mood struck, I'd drink a beer from noon and sleep the day away. When I woke up, I'd watch videos or play games.

Freedom!

But this is another world.

Even someone like me is a rare male here. I was sure my weekends would be filled with that classic isekai harem scenario—"Oops, I did it with a girl, and now..."—and that I'd have a blast.

But when I thought about it... the laws are strict.

Is there no freedom for men in this world?

First, the smartphone.

Contacting women other than my mother, male protection officer, or homeroom teacher—whether she calls me or I call her—is forbidden.

Messages are also prohibited. What the heck is this?

So of course, I can't fall asleep while having a flirty lovey-dovey call with Kamishiro-san.

And I wanted to try that so badly...

Next, the guitar.

Last night, I told Kaa-san I wanted a guitar and wanted to go shopping. She said, "You have to submit an outing application a month in advance."

What? Then what about the nearby convenience store?

"I'll buy it for you if you tell me what you want, me or Miumi," she said.

Surely you jest, but what about just a walk? Strolling around the neighborhood?

"One month after applying. And a protection officer or your mother must accompany you," she said.

Hold on, hold on.

We're talking about a walk, right? What's with this "one month later" business?

"H-hey, Kaa-san, are there any places I can go outside at all?"

"...School?"

"'And'?"

"The Male Center, and the like..."

The Male Center is an institution run by the city or ward that implements the system prescribed by the Male Protection Act. It is known primarily as a place males frequently visit for the weekly semen donation required of adult males.

You make a reservation to go.

Needless to say, it's a boring place.

"W-what else? Is there nothing else?"

"A hospital, too, if you get sick."

To sum it all up: I can't leave the house, can't even take a walk, but I can go to hospitals or school.

I see.

Uh-huh.

In other words, I'm...

I'm a cat. That's right, I was practically a cat.

Since I can't even walk outside, I'm slightly distinct from a dog. I'm a cat, meow.

Damn it.

Daaaaamn it!

What is up with this world!

Seeing my face twitching in silence, Kaa-san spoke to me.

"Haruto, you want a guitar, is it?"

"Yeah. I want to practice."

"Oh dear... what shall we do? This apartment doesn't allow musical instruments... the soundproofing isn't up to it."

"Eh, is that so..."

What should I do?

"I'm sorry. If only we could afford a slightly nicer place..."

Ahh! No good! Kaa-san hung her head.

No, no, no, no! Kaa-san isn't at fault! I didn't mean it like that!

I'm the one who's sorry!

"No, Kaa-san, I'm sorry for saying weird things. I love this home."

"..."

"The guitar's fine. I'll practice at school."

"Yeah..."

"Ah, right. Speaking of the Male Center, you mentioned the obligatory semen donation. When am I allowed to start that again?"

If I recall, the higher your social contribution there, the better the welfare benefits for the household, or something like that.

I can't even work part-time in this world. I want to repay Kaa-san somehow, no matter what.

"For you, Haruto, from May. May 1st. Let's celebrate your birthday, too."

"Yeah!"

There's no memory of a birthday in this body.

The original Haruto hated women and had no interaction with his family, so it can't be helped.

As far as I can remember, this is my very first birthday.

She said she'll celebrate it for me.

I'm so happy.

I don't need a present. I'm the one who wants to give presents, to make up for all the unpleasantness up till now!

If she's going to celebrate for me, I'll show Kaa-san my happy face.

"There's no need to rush into providing it, all right? Take care of your body."

"Thank you, Kaa-san. I'll think it over carefully."

"Okay. I'll make something delicious for your birthday."

A smiling Kaa-san.

She looks younger than I was back in Japan before I reincarnated. She's genuinely cute.

I feel so apologetic living under the care of a woman like this.

I've got to do something.

Oh, that's right. I forgot.

I have to call out to Miumi, too—I feel like I said something about spending the weekend with her.

The weekend is for family time, then.

"Miumi, anything you want to do this weekend?"

"Hmm? Just laze around?"

"...Don't you do that all the time?"

"Usually I snooze soundly."

I can't tell the difference.

But if I make a dull-witted retort, she'll get even grumpier.

I've learned about women in this other world. Mainly from Miumi, but anyway, it's best not to say unnecessary things to a woman.

"Also, look at my phone."

What a boring woman.

I've never been married to you, but it feels like we'd get divorced.

Still, I did say last week that we'd do something together on the weekend.

"Then, how about playing a game?"

"Okay!"

Miumi's face finally lit up with a smile.

That's cute.

Ah, of course, Kaa-san will play too.

But Daifugō... I hate that.

"Let's continue from last time."

"Eh, what was it again?"

"Daifugō."

"Ugh. How about Sevens?"

"Daifugō."

"............"

"Continuing from last time."

"............"

"Onii-chan is the Grand Pauper."

"That's why! Why! We don't have to continue from last time! I've only ever been the pauper!"

"Continue."

Seeing that exchange, Kaa-san laughed.

Ah, good.

When Kaa-san and Miumi go out shopping on the weekend, I'll be bored to death, so I tried asking if we couldn't have a pet. They said that due to the sanitary regulations of the Male Protection Act such-and-such, households with a male are basically forbidden from having pets! Aaaah!

So the only thing I can hold in these arms is women, is that it!

Thanks a lot!

My slow life of cuddling fluffy things ended before it even began!