Tatsu: "You're… God?"
[Not quite, I am 'a god' but not 'the god']
Tatsu: "Okay then, what do you want from me 'A-god'? Is that title as opposed to the 'B-god'?"
[These dumb jokes are why I especially hate mortals from your world]
Tatsu thought for a moment. Wasn't that name familiar? Zuriel… I know I've heard the name somewhere before. Was it Catholicism? Christianity? Something like that. Wait, then wouldn't that make him…
Tatsu: "But, you're a god, not an angel?"
Zuriel sighs and covers their face with their hand.
[That is, unfortunately, a common misconception. And one I regret allowing to continually exist in your world. But, no, I am a god. While I do have angels to do my work for me on occasion, recently, they have taken a page out of the mortal's books and most have been on strike for the past three hundred years and threaten to unionize for more vacation days.]
Tatsu: "Sounds to me like they're unhappy. How much are they paid? Do they get decent job insurance?"
[last I checked, you were an engineer, not a workers rights advocate. Anyways, let us shift the focus back to you. Ahem… you, Tatsu Mikami, are a freak of nature. Oh, also, you are dead.]
Tatsu: "oh okay… wait, what was that?"
[You are dead]
Tatsu: "No, that other part."
[You are a freak of nature?]
Tatsu: "Yeah, what's with that title?"
[I will explain that part in a minute, but for now, we will focus on the 'you are dead' section of my previous statement.]
Behind Zuriel, a chalkboard materialized and they were suddenly wearing a teacher's outfit. They then pointed to a circle in the center, linked together with six other circles that surrounded the first.
[As you can see, you have died. You are currently in what is called the 'judgment section of your afterlife period. I will be reviewing your existence and determining where you fit into the several choices ahead of you, do not worry, however, of the six possible afterlife choices, only two of them are horrendously atrocious. And it is really hard to get to either of them.]
Zuriel flipped the chalkboard around to the back and it became a projection screen.
[Now, let us go over your meager existence together, shall we?]
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I guess one could say I lived a pretty good life. I did well academically, I had okay physical attributes, and I ended up working exactly the kind of job I wanted in life.
At least on the surface.
My parents were almost never home. They both worked for the military, so I spent little time with either of them, and even when we were together, there was always a sense of formality in the air, so I could never get closer than surface level conversations. It didn't help that my life when I was in school was mostly solitary. In grade school, I would always try to make friends whenever I could. I figured if I could make a few friends, I wouldn't feel as alone, so I tried to stay in tune to popular things like video games and cartoons. It never worked, if anything, it just made the loneliness worse. Somewhere around middle school, I just stopped trying to socialize altogether, though I still yearned for it. But at some point in high school, I simply accepted it and moved on in solitude. During my time at college, I started to find that I enjoyed my time alone and discovered my passion for working on machinery. Once I graduated, I got subcontracted by the military to design and construct various heavy equipment for them. I worked long hours and enjoyed my time working. But I still played video games in my spare time, in particular, my personal favorite was a series of games about a certain vase smashing elf-like hero. But for the most part, my time was spent alone.
And my life was just that.
Lonely.
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[Well, it was not much, but you did not commit any crimes, you were a fairly decent person, and you yourself seemed to enjoy your existence on earth. So no punishment zones for you.]
Tatsu: "yeah, I guess so."
[Perfect, now then…]
Zuriel flipped the board back around to the chalkboard side.
[Normally, I would wipe your memory and send you back down to the pitiful world you came from to reincarnate into another mindless creature, but unfortunately, that is where an error in the program occurs. Currently, the data set known as 'you' has errored out and cannot properly be reset for use. So I give freaks like you a couple of extra options when you die.]
Zuriel tapped on one of the four boxes on the board.
[Option one: you go to Heaven, this option is usually only reserved for exceptionally accomplished people, but exceptions can be made. Option two: you become an angel and work for one of the gods, which will probably be me. Option three: you can go back to your old world as a phantom, you would be able to go wherever but you'd be around forever until the entire universe is destroyed. And finally, there is the fourth option: Living in another world. Sub-option one is a transfer, where you keep your memories and whatever items you had on you at the time of death, but some skills will be harder if not impossible for you to learn. Sub-option two is reincarnation in another world. With that one, you still keep your memories, but you start out as an infant. Additionally, you will be permitted to bring one item from your old life with you. Any questions? None? Okay then, take your pick.]
Tatsu: "you didn't even give me time to ask any questions!"
[Just pick already, hurry up, I am a busy entity you know.]
Tatsu: "I'll choose option four, but I have a couple of questions regarding that option. Why can't I do certain things as a transfer that I could when reincarnating? What makes reincarnating in a different world different from reincarnating in my original world? If i can't-- "
[I am going to stop you there. You said 'a couple' of questions, so I will answer those two so for the love of god, I politely implore you to please shut up.]
Zuriel waved their hand and continued speaking.
[Question one's answer is quite simple, the physiology of your species of human and my other world's humans vary too much, so naturally, they can do things you cannot, and vice versa. But as a reincarnation, your soul is forced into a new vessel that is suited for that world's environment. As for reincarnating in your old world with memories intact, well, I am unable to control where or when you reincarnate, so if you were reincarnated in a time before your previous existence, you would have future knowledge and you could potentially change the entire course of history. Granted, you could do this in the other world as well, but I am sure you will find more productive things to do with your time there. So, your decision?]
Tatsu: "I'll reincarnate, this time I'll lead a more fulfilling life. I won't waste it away in isolation like I did with my last one."
[excellent. Now then, as promised, I will allow you to take one item with you into your new life. This can be anything, and believe me, I have seen it all. From grandpa's ashes to a Hikkikomori's tracksuit. So what will it be, young mortal?]
What could I actually bring with me that could be of use? This was the question Tatsu racked his brain over.
Wait.
Of course! The answer was obvious!
Tatsu: "that thing I was with just before i died. I haven't given it a name, but I'd like to continue working on it in my next life."
[Very well. That can be done, and I shall make it so. I find it difficult to understand why you would want the Tanuki to go with you. Oh well. Anyways, have fun with your next life!]
A hexagonal icon appeared below Tatsu and he started glowing.
Hold on…
Tanuki?
Tatsu: "Wait, Zuriel, I meant the machine, not the rodent! Hey did you hear me!? I don't want the Squirrel! Hey!--"
△▼△▼△▼△▼△
Woah. is this me?
Outstretching his small, chubby hand, Tatsu found himself to be in the body of a newborn child. Yes, this was the beginning of his new life. The one that would make up for all of his lost time in his old one.