I'm the Villain in a Parallel World?

Himeno Shinji, a high school student at Fudo Middle School, woke up one day to discover that he had awakened a supernatural ability that existed only in Yokohama's urban legends: [Pure Love Theory]. With it, he could summon parallel-world versions of himself to inhabit his body.

Himeno Shinji: Another me from a parallel universe? Let's summon one and see.

Shinji No. 1 came from a parallel world where only cursed energy existed. At 33, he was a gentle and courteous adult man, able to help with homework and make bento lunches. He was the perfect homemaker, a hundred out of a hundred.

Just as Himeno Shinji was happily imagining his future self becoming a mature and reliable adult, he discovered that a number of properties in his name belonged to the Time Vessel Association. His homeroom teacher respectfully called him the cult leader in private, and one day his tablet showed that "he" had posted a wanted notice targeting the "Child of the Six Eyes."

The reward was five billion.

Himeno Shinji: Eyes wide in shock.jpg

Sorry, he'd never seen that much money in his life.

He promptly sent No. 1 back. Still undeterred, Himeno Shinji summoned No. 2.

Shinji No. 2 came from a world where only supernatural abilities existed. The 15-year-old boy was innocent and adorable, and on his very first day, he shyly confessed that he had a fiance.

Though Himeno Shinji was shocked to learn about his parallel world's romantic orientation, his own pure-hearted self helped heal the psychological trauma No. 1 had caused. When No. 2 asked to see this world, Himeno Shinji happily agreed.

Until one day, as he walked down the street, a red-haired boy grabbed his wrist. Frowning, the boy stammered:

"What did you mean by what you said before? That if I became yours, everyone in the Sheep could live like normal kids?"

Himeno Shinji: Wait, No. 2, wasn't your "fiance" a guy with black curly hair?

Having discovered that he was saddled with a strange romantic debt, Himeno Shinji promptly cut No. 2 off. But still unwilling to give up, he made one last attempt. There were so many parallel worlds, surely he couldn't be the only ordinary one!

Shinji No. 3 came from a world with neither cursed energy nor supernatural abilities. Her soul took the form of a gentle, refined older woman, and she claimed to be the president of a trading company. She taught Himeno how to manage the church No. 1 had left behind and deal with the debts No. 2 had incurred.

However, No. 3 was always worried about Himeno Shinji being all alone. Her affection, like that of an older sister, gave Himeno Shinji the long-forgotten, happy burden of being cared for.

But after one drunken night, Himeno Shinji woke to find himself in bed with two little kids. One had short pink hair, and the other had black hair like sea urchin spines. On the floor beside the bed lay the Child of the Six Eyes, the Cursed Spirit Manipulator, the Port Mafia's Schemer, and the King of the Sheep, all lying flat in a row. Beside his pillow was a note from No. 3:

[Genetic infection in progress. When they wake up, you'll be brothers who share neither parents nor blood. Happy to have a family like this?]

Himeno Shinji: On the run. Do not disturb.

[Reader's Guide]:

1. The blurb was archived on 2023/9/9.

2. There's more to No. 2's "fiance." There is no actual romance!

3. This is an alternate-timeline development of the neighboring story, The Persecution-Style Script Performance Method. You don't need to have read that one to enjoy this. The Shinji in this story doesn't have much of a conscience, but he really does have one!

4. This isn't the final version of the blurb. The main idea is that Shinji still has a conscience, and is tormented by his fully realized parallel-world selves, who have thrown theirs away. These include Cult Leader Shinji, Double Agent Shinji, and Insect Queen Shinji.

Theme: Only by examining your heart at all times can you become the person you want to be.