A Young Man Named Rei

Right now, my blood is boiling because of this bastard in front of me.

“What do you want, you bastard?”

“Wow, look at the vulgar words this beggar is using.”

“Hahaha”

Hearing them barking like dogs, I'd better leave. I got up from my chair and walked towards the classroom door.

"Hey, beggar, where are you going? Class is about to start! Didn't your parents teach you anything? Oh, right! You're an orphan, aren't you? Hahaha-

Without realizing it, I had already slammed him to the floor. I kept hitting him. I didn't care anymore; my blood was boiling, and I'd let my body take over this time.

After that incident, I was taken to the guidance counselor's office by the teacher who came.

“Rei, you know what bad consequences will happen if you fight, right?”

“Then what should I do, sir? What if you were in my position? Would you just stay silent?”

“REI!”

The teacher looked at me sharply, as if I had no choice but to obey him.

“You entered this high school on a scholarship. That scholarship was funded by the tuition fees paid by the students here.”

“Especially the student you hit—he’s the son of a major investor who funds all the school’s facilities. Do you realize how serious your actions are?”

Screw them all. I wanted to say that. But I knew I had no other choice.

“I think you understand. Go apologize to the student’s parents and hope you won’t be expelled from this school.”

I remained silent and followed the teacher to the principal’s office.

“Oh, sorry for making you guys wait—

*CRASH!* (sfx of a bottle breaking)

Before the teacher who brought me here could finish speaking, an old woman with heavy makeup hit me on the head with a broken glass bottle.

“You damn poor kid! How dare you beat my son to a pulp like that!”

The old woman slapped me. I could see her son, that shameless bastard, smiling with his teeth while hiding behind his mother. I wanted to beat him to death.

Blood started flowing from my head; maybe there was a small shard stuck in it, but I didn’t feel any pain.

“I’m sorry.”

I said it.

“Please forgive me.”

“Hah, you bastard. You’re only apologizing now. Go away, I’m sick of seeing you. Spit.”

This slut spat at me. For now, I’ll endure this humiliation.

“Thank you.”

After that, I went to the school infirmary. I just lay on the bed, waiting for school to end. The incident was still spinning around in my head. Even though they knew that bastard was in the wrong, the teachers and principal defended him. Especially that old woman, her eyes were filled with hatred for me. What good is it to have a bastard like him as a son? Well... they're not that different, really. Maybe I'm just jealous.

At the time, I was six years old. My father, mother, and I went on vacation to Osaka. It was the happiest day of my life because I could be with my parents, until that drunk driver crashed into our car. When I came to, I was alone in a room they called a hospital. I looked for my father and mother, but the nurses stopped me. After that, I heard the news that they had died, and the drunk driver had fled somewhere.

From there, my torturous life began. My uncle and aunt came and lived with me in my house. According to other adults, they had become my guardians and had been given my parents’ inheritance. They had a child my age, but that brat always took my things—my toys, my clothes, even my room—and every time he cried, I was beaten by my uncle and aunt. I slept in the warehouse; they only allowed me to go to the bathroom, and every time they were angry, they beat me until they were satisfied.

Six years had passed, and I was now in junior high school. At that time, I felt I was old enough to take care of myself. The resentment that had been weighing on my heart, I would finally release it for the first time.

The night I had been waiting for finally arrived. I saw those bastards sound asleep, so I released the gas in the kitchen and went outside. From a safe distance, I lit the lighter I had taken from my uncle and threw it at the house.

*BOOM!* (explosion sound effect)

I will never forget that moment. For the first time since my parents’ death, I smiled.

Soon, many people began to arrive, and I only said I didn’t know. I didn’t feel the slightest bit of regret, even to this day.

After that, I lived off the remaining money from my parents, studied hard, and worked diligently to live a decent life. I thought that after entering this prestigious high school, my life would change. Turns out, there are so many scoundrels in this world, and they’re everywhere.

I heard the school bell ring, grabbed my bag, and hurried out of the school. The school is quite large. As I exited the school building, I passed the baseball field and saw many students my age who seemed happy, enjoying their youth. How nice.

I work part-time at a local supermarket. Today, there aren't many customers, probably because winter has arrived. In front of the refrigerator, there is a woman choosing between chocolate and strawberry milk. On the soap shelf, there is a girl looking at the latest products. In front of the magazines, there are two junior high school students discussing something.

“Have you read the popular isekai novel that came out recently?”

“Isekai? What’s that?”

“Seriously, you don’t know? Have you been living under a rock?”

“Sorry, I’ve been busy playing arena battle games lately.”

“Aish… basically, it’s about a person from our world who moves to another world and becomes a hero to defeat the demon king.”

“Hmm… the story sounds cliché.”

“Just read it first, then comment. I’ll lend it to you later.”

“Alright.”

I was listening to them not out of curiosity, but because they were talking pretty loudly, probably so engrossed in their own conversation that they didn’t notice.

Another world… Would my life change if I escaped to another world…

Haha, that’s impossible. What am I even thinking?

“Rei-kun.”

“Oh, Nariyama-san, good afternoon.”

If there is one good thing in this world, it is Nariyama-san, an elderly woman who already has three grandchildren, and because of her, I am able to work here.

“Rei-kun, your nose is bleeding.”

“Huh?”

I looked in the mirror, and as Nariyama-san said, my nose was bleeding. It’s strange; how could I not have noticed? I wiped it with my hand.

“I’m fine, Nariyama-san.”

“No, you can’t do that. Go home and rest. Your shift will be over soon anyway.”

I think I’ll go home early today.

On the way home, it started snowing. I began to recall memories of the first time I excitedly saw snow with my parents. They bought me a warm sweater and a cute Santa toy.

After a few minutes, I arrived at the apartment. The rent is quite cheap considering many facilities are broken and insects are everywhere. This is the best place I could get with the remaining money from my parents.

For some reason, today was extremely tiring. I collapsed on the wooden floor. My body felt hot, and my throat hurt. I need to take medicine.

I tried to move my body, but it wouldn’t budge.

Damn it, am I going to die?

Slowly, I stopped feeling anything. I guess I’m really going to die. It’s okay; I think this is for the best.

Dad. Mom. Finally, I’ll get to see you again.