A New Beginning

One rainy morning in Ikutotsi, Flower City, Japan, a boy named Ikuyo Kanana trudged down the street with an umbrella in one hand and his jacket zipped tightly around him. The sky was a heavy shade of grey, and the rhythmic sound of raindrops tapping against his umbrella filled the air as he made his way to school.

He sighed, his breath forming a faint mist in the cool air.

"Why does it have to rain today of all days?" he grumbled to himself.

The streets were nearly empty, the usual chatter of morning commuters drowned out by the persistent drizzle. As he continued walking, something caught his eye-a small, shivering cat crouched under a bench, its fur soaked through.
Ikuyo hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer. He crouched down, extending a hand toward the trembling creature.

"Hey there, don't be scared," he said gently. "I know you don't like the rain, but come here. I'll take care of you."

At first, the cat resisted, its ears pinned back as it tried to shrink away. But after a few moments, it finally gave in, allowing Ikuyo to scoop it up. Cradling the tiny creature close to his chest, he made his way to the nearest pet station. The attendant at the counter took the cat with a grateful nod, promising to keep it safe.

"Be good, okay?" Ikuyo murmured to the cat before turning back toward his route to school.

By the time he arrived at the school gates, he was already running late. His eyes flickered toward the centre of the courtyard, where the Grand Clock stood tall, its hands ticking steadily forward.

"The Grand Clock, as always," he mused aloud. "I still can't believe it survived the War of Ikutotsi, the storms, the flooding... Human architecture has come a long way."

Then he shook his head, realizing he was talking to himself again. "Ugh, why am I even talking to myself? I need to stop this."

With a sudden jolt of realization, he glanced at his watch.

"Wait-I'm late!"

Panic surged through him as he sprinted toward the school building. His classroom was on the third floor, meaning he had to move fast. He dashed up the staircase, his shoes squeaking against the wet floor. But in his hurry, his foot slipped on the slick surface.

For a brief moment, time seemed to slow.

His heart pounded in his chest as he felt himself falling backwards. The world tilted, and then-

THUD!

His head struck the floor with a sickening force. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his skull, and before he could even process what had happened, darkness swallowed him whole.

When Ikuyo opened his eyes, he wasn't in school anymore.

Instead, he was floating.

The vast, endless expanse of the universe stretched out around him, an infinite sea of stars twinkling in the distance. Despite the lack of solid ground, he found that he could stand. Tentatively, he took a step forward. Then another. But no matter how far he walked, there was nothing to the boundless void surrounding him.

"Ugh... What is this place?" he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Did I... die? No way. But if I did, is this really what happens after death? Just... staring at the universe forever, waiting for the credits to roll?"

Frustrated, he collapsed onto the invisible floor beneath him, letting out a tired sigh. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of it all.

Then, suddenly, everything changed.

A bright white light enveloped him, and when it faded, he was no longer in the void. Instead, he found himself standing in a space so white and vast that it seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions.

And then he saw him.

Sitting in a simple wooden rocking chair, a serene-looking god gazed at him with an amused expression.

Ikuyo's breath hitched.

"H-huh? A g-god?! Wait... A god sitting in a rocking chair?! What kind of weird afterlife is this!?"

The god chuckled, his voice smooth and calming.

"Hello there, Ikuyo Kanana. Your death was not supposed to happen."

Ikuyo blinked. "What?"

"Yes, it was an accident. Running through the halls while it's raining, slipping on the wet floor... well, I can't exactly blame you for that."

Ikuyo scowled. "Of course, you can't blame me! The school is strict about tardiness! What was I supposed to do-walk leisurely and get detention?"

The god let out a small laugh, shaking his head.

"I suppose you have a point. But regardless, your death was not meant to occur. And so, as compensation, I have decided to give you a gift."

Ikuyo furrowed his brows. "A gift?"

The god nodded. "Your birthday is tomorrow, correct?"

Ikuyo's eyes widened slightly. "H-how did you know?"

The god's smile grew. "I know many things. Now, step forward. I shall bestow upon you something that you will cherish."

Ikuyo hesitated, his legs stiff with uncertainty. Even though he understood that this being was a god, something about all of this felt surreal. Still, he took a cautious step forward.

The god's expression softened as he spoke again. "You shall be reincarnated... as the Chosen Archer in a new world. You will be reborn, and your memories shall remain."Ikuyo froze.

His mind struggled to process the words. "Reincarnated? Wait-wait, wait, wait! You mean I'm gonna be reborn? Like, in another world?!"

The god chuckled again at Ikuyo's growing panic. "Yes. You see, it was unfair that you died so young, so this is my way of making things right. You will have a second chance at life. Not only that but you will be gifted with great power. You will become the Chosen Archer-destined for greatness from a young age. Your intelligence and abilities will surpass those around you. Doesn't that sound exciting?"

Ikuyo swallowed hard. His heart was pounding in his chest. "S-so, let me get this straight. Do I get a second chance? I'll remember everything from my past life. And I'll be super strong?"

The god nodded. "That is correct."
Ikuyo was silent for a long moment, his thoughts swirling. Then, slowly, a small, disbelieving laugh escaped him.

"This is insane."

The god only smiled. "Perhaps. But it is real. And it is my gift to you, Ikuyo Kanana."

Ikuyo took a deep breath. The idea of leaving behind everything he once knew about Japan, his friends, and his old life was overwhelming. But at the same time, the opportunity before him was unlike anything he could have ever imagined. A new world. A new life. A new destiny. After a long pause, he finally nodded.

"Alright... I accept."

The god's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He leaned in slightly and whispered something to Ikuyo-words that sent an unexplainable warmth through his entire being.

And then everything went dark. When Ikuyo opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the white space. 

No longer in Japan. 

No longer in his old world.

He had been reborn.

A new journey had begun.