It's the day of my high school graduation ceremony. Students, parents, and teachers are all having fun—taking photos, laughing with each other, giving gifts, and doing all the things that students normally do at graduation ceremonies.

Everyone has someone with them—parents, grandparents, or guardians—but I have no one with me.

"They didn't come, huh?" I muttered to myself, thinking of my adoptive parents.

Well, them not coming isn't something unusual; it's so unsurprising that I already knew they wouldn't come.

Why did I even hope for it?

It's kind of sad, but I'm already used to it. Of course, I feel envious and lonely, but it's just a little bit.

From the start, I've never really been a part of that family. They see me more as a tool for success than as a child.

They said I should study hard and find a good job, and that's the only way I can repay their so-called 'kindness.'

"I should probably get out of here already."

Unlike other students, I might be the only one who doesn't have someone to write in my yearbook.

I'm not really sad about it because I want the blank page to be as white as snow, but I'd be happy if someone considered it.

As I walked out of the school, I felt the lukewarm wind—neither cold nor hot. It's so pleasant to me.

"Are you happy that you're on top again?" A voice came from behind me.

A girl's voice, leaning against the wall.

She really waited to ambush me, huh?

This girl is Natsume Yuki, the girl who despises me for some reason. She's somehow one of the school crushes here.

I can understand why—she's pretty, has a beautiful form, and her grades are also high, but she's still just in second place.

Since the first year, I've always had the highest grades, but I don't really care much about that. Achievements have already lost their meaning; they can't do anything to change my emotions.

"Congratulations on your graduation. I'll take my leave," I said and bowed to her.

I don't want to be late for work.

I started walking to the nearby bus stop.

"H-hey," she called out to me. "Don't turn your back when someone's tal—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a loud sound of metal clashing and screeching tires echoed through the area.

*Beeeeeeeeep*

I turned around instinctively, feeling as though I was about to die.

I looked behind me, and before I knew it, a truck was already about to take our lives.

I crossed my arms to shield myself.

*Beeeeeeeeep!*

Seconds passed, and the impact still hadn't come.

I slowly lowered my guard and found myself in a white place; it was like a cloud, I would say.

I looked around and found her—she was just as curious as I was.

"Wh-where are we...?" Natsume said.

I was still trying to process what had just happened.

"Takahashi Haruki, Natsume Yuki, welcome to the afterlife."

A soothing voice of a girl came from behind us.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked as I turned around.

This girl was beautiful—she looked like she was in her 20s, had a beautiful figure, and had this relaxing aura around her.

"A-afterlife? Wh-what do you mean?" Natsume said, just as confused as I was.

"Sadly, your lives have ended in a truck accident. You have my condolences," the mysterious lady said, her voice so gentle, with her slender hands on her chest.

"Th-that can't be! W-we just graduated high school, w-we still had long lives to live!"

I could understand. I also thought that after this graduation, I could finally escape from that place. I didn't know I would die this early.

"Don't worry, you will be given a chance to choose—whether you would like to be reincarnated into the same world or be reincarnated into another world with your memories intact. The choice is yours."

"H-how about just bringing us back to life? I-I'm sure my parents are worried about me."

She sounded so desperate to me, very different from the confident Natsume I knew.

I can't really sympathize with her, but I think she really loves her family. I can understand—her family seems nice.

"That's not possible. As we speak, your bodies are already being cremated."

Is this some kind of joke or something?

[Not really.]

"WHOA!!!"

"H-hey! You surprised me! Why did you suddenly do that?!" Natsume shouted at me.

"S-sorry..."

What just happened... What's with that voice... I'm certain it's the voice of this girl...

"B-by the way, who or what are you?"

Since earlier, I've felt an urge to know who or what she is.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I have no name, but I am the goddess of the gate of reincarnation."

...Did I just disrespect a goddess? And make her lower her head?

Am I going to be sent to hell...

"Don't worry much about it. After all, these options are supposed to be just for you."

"M-me?"

Wh-what does she mean...?

I didn't do anything special in my life, I'm sure of it.

"Is everyone who dies given these choices, and... Why me?"

"It's because I've been watching you your whole life. I know what you've been through, and I want you to experience joy and freedom again."

As she said that, I felt a fire of hope in my chest, a mix of excitement and delight.

"Huh? This arrogant loner who's always stepping on everyone's hard work and dreams hasn't experienced freedom—"

The goddess snapped her fingers, and as soon as she did, Natsume's body and mouth stopped.

"Wh-what did you do to her?!"

Her voice was completely cut off, she didn't seem to be breathing, what could the goddess possibly have done to her...

"Don't worry, she'll be just fine," the goddess said with a mischievous smile on her face, pointing in Natsume's direction. "Look."

...

Her face... is red.

I didn't notice, but Natsume is already moving again.

"Wh-why is her face like that?"

What did the goddess actually do to her?

"I just showed her your whole life."

Her smile was still there, but I think it was a bit more prideful.

"...That's all...? Then why does she look so flushed?"

There's nothing much in my life, if I would say... It's boring and blank...

The goddess closed both her eyes and looked serious, she raised her left hand and said,

"Including your private times♪"

She suddenly opened one of her eyes and gave a 'tee hee' vibe.

Are you really a goddess? I kind of doubt it...

Wait...

She said priva...te...

"Eh?!!!" No, no, no, that's not what she meant, right?! Right?!

"Wh-what do you mean by private times...?"

I-I mean, I don't really have anything to hide, but girls shouldn't know that much.

A-and, how am I supposed to face Natsume after this?

"I included all of it~♪"

What's with that smile?!

You're the worst goddess!!

Th-this is so embarrassing.

"Tee hee."

What's with that look?

"Why did you even need to do that? You could've just shown the specified ones. Privacy, you know? Privacy."

I feel so exposed right now...

"Oh, right, it's not fair."

The goddess snapped her fingers.

I lost access to my body; I couldn't move even a bit.

Under this power, I felt as if I didn't have my physical body. I felt so light; it was... pleasant.

The memory started on Natsume's fifth birthday, so... I think she's eighteen now, so...

Thirteen years.

***

Her family is good; since the beginning, it was... a place you would never want to leave.

I don't mean that they never had a problem or argument, but at least they talk it out calmly and make up for their mistakes.

I understand Natsume's family more now, and why she doesn't want to die just yet...

Their smiles are precious; they were the most pleasant smiles I've seen in my life, especially Natsume's.

I didn't know... she could smile like that.

I kind of want to see more of that smile.

Years have passed, and the memory is already in our first year.

I understand now why she always challenged me in exams.

Because when she got first place, her parents would always pat her head. I don't know if that's childish or not, but I... envy her. The atmosphere every time she's with her family is so pleasant and comfortable.

I didn't know such a family could exist.

.

.

.

I hope those are the only ones I saw...

Why did the goddess need to add that part?!

Suddenly she goes to the bathroom and... b-bathe...

It's been years in this memory and I can't close my eyes. This is illegal, right?

I'm not really into this kind of thing, but... I'm still a guy!

This is so embarrassing.

A few more years passed and reached the part of the accident.

***

"So how was it?" the goddess asked with a playful smile. "Did you enjoy it?"

I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I processed the overwhelming flood of shared memories. Seeing each other's lives in such a personal way was both intimate and mortifying.

"Why did you have to show me all that?" I stammered, trying to regain my composure. "It's so embarrassing!"

Natsume, still flushed and visibly unsettled, looked at me with a mix of confusion and concern. The goddess's eyes twinkled with amusement, but she was waiting for us to make a choice.

"Now, you have to decide," the goddess said. "You can either be reincarnated into the same world or a different one. What will it be?"

Natsume's expression hardened as she processed the offer. She glanced at me, her eyes showing a struggle between her love for her family and her fear of losing everything she had just experienced.

"I... I can't just go back to my world and be someone completely different," Natsume said, her voice trembling. "If I reincarnate, I'd be a different person entirely, with no memories or skills—just a baby with an empty mind."

She looked directly at the goddess. "I want to remember my family. I want to keep these memories and experiences. I don't want to lose everything just to be born as someone new and forget everything."

The goddess nodded, understanding dawning on her face. "So, you choose to be reincarnated into a different world with your memories intact?"

Natsume nodded firmly. "Yes. I'd rather start anew in a different world where I can keep my memories and experience everything again, rather than be reborn with nothing."

The goddess's smile softened. "Very well. Your wish will be granted. You will be reincarnated into a new world, retaining your memories and experiences."

As the light began to envelop us, I glanced at Natsume, who gave me a shy but resolute smile. We were both about to embark on new beginnings, but at least she would keep her cherished memories of her family.

"Goodbye," I whispered as the light brightened, guiding us toward our new lives.