It felt like I was floating in the calmest and clearest sea. The stars- galaxies really- shining brightly all around me. I felt weightless, almost like I didn't have a body at all. How long have I been here? I guess it didn't matter.
The last thing I remember I was reading One Piece on the subway heading to work when there was a loud rumble followed by violent shaking of the car. Then, nothing. Must've been an accident. Am I in a coma? Or am I dead? Those questions echoed in my thoughts.
"I think you know the answer to that already." A androgynous voice spoke, startling me. I looked around for the source. Or, well, attempted to look around. I only saw an infinite expanse of stars and celestial bodies as far as the eye could see. It wasn't heavenly or hellish, though, I'm not really sure what they look like either. Must be some sort of limbo.
And this voice must be...God? I didn't believe in God, guess I was wrong. The voice chuckled.
"You're right, this is Limbo. As for Heaven and Hell they do exist. Though most have preferred reincarnation. So long as their karma allows it." The voice began to explain. "And as for the "God" bit, I've been called many things but God I am not. I simply manage." The stars shone brighter in emphasis. "I'm one of the many curators."
"Curator? Do you have a name?" I asked finally, my voice sounding foreign to me. A few moments passed without an answer.
"I've never been asked that." This curator finally said. "It's been so long I can't remember what my name was. You may just call me Curator."
"Well Curator, now what?" I asked.
"Now, I have a proposition for you. Well, more like a gamble if you will. No, that's not quite right either. Well, more like a choice you'll have to make." Curator offered, surprising me.
"Really?" I asked dumbfounded. Me? Seriously?
"I saw how you lived your life. You're quite different from the humans I've come across. You've impressed me. I want to see how you fare in a world us curators have cultivated." Curator said, making me blush. Well, if I could blush.
"Th-thanks." I stammered in shock, not knowing what else to say. I thought about it for a while, questions flooding my mind. One standing at the foremost of my head. "Will I remember them? My family I mean." I asked, anxiety rippling through me.
"You'll remember them and your life before." Happiness bloomed in me. "But," Curator said, my stomach dropping. "You won't remember their faces." Curator finished. I thought about it for a few moments.
"Remembering their love is better than nothing at all." I said finally.
"That's why I chose you." Curator said matter-of-factly.
"I'll miss them." I said softly. It was quiet for awhile. Lost in my own thoughts. "This world." I broke the silence. "What's it like?"
"You loved manga and anime in your lifetime. This is an anime world." Curator said, surprising me yet again.
"Which ones? And what choice will I have to make? Well, you probably won't tell me that if it's a gamble." I rambled nervously. Curator began chuckling again.
"It's a choice only you can make. Now, are you ready?" They asked. I was a ball of nerves now but I steeled myself.
"Yes. I'm ready." I said finally. The stars became blindingly bright. I tried blinking through it but it didn't work. Everything was blurry.
"UWAAAAAH!" I started crying from a slap on my bum, my voice weirdly high-pitched.
"It's a girl!" A cheery voice called out. Wait, was I seriously just born again? That wasn't part of the deal! Well, I mean, I guess it was...Reincarnation=Rebirth...Wait...I have to go through puberty a SECOND TIME?!
"UWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" I screamed and cried louder. 'Nooooooooo!' I internally screamed.
Reincarnation is a bitch…
'I wonder who my parents are.' I thought but the faces around me were too blurry to tell. 'We'll see I guess.'