My name is Satria. I'm twenty years old and live in Surabaya with my family. Nothing extraordinary about my life-just an ordinary guy trying to get forced through university. I'm currently in my second year, juggling classes, hobbies, and hanging out with friends. Futsal, anime, novels, gaming, fishing, and cooking-those are what keep me sane.
Today, after finishing a particularly draining class, my friends Zaki and Farrel suggested we hit up a café to recharge and wrap up our project.
"Hey, Satria," Zaki called out, his eyes glued to his laptop. "Want to play Mobile Legends or Valorant after we're done?"
"Can't," I replied, shaking my head. "My mom needs me to pick something up for her."
Farrel, grinning as usual, joined the conversation. "Hey, have you seen that new anime, Bocchi the Rock!? Is it good?"
I nodded, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Yeah, it's pretty fun. A bit different from the usual stuff I've been watching." I offered him a cigarette, but he declined.
"No thanks, man. I don't smoke," Farrel replied.
Zaki smirked. "Dude, focus. Did you double-check the assignment file? I don't want us redoing it if there's a mistake!"
Zaki dramatically waved his hand. "Relax, boss. Everything's perfect. Trust me, this is an A+ material."
With the project finally done, Farrel leaned back in his chair, a smug look plastered on his face. "Well, boys, I'm out. Got to pick up my girlfriend tonight. You know, couple stuff."
Zaki groaned. "Ugh, don't rub it in, man! Unlike you, some of us are single."
"Maybe if you didn't spend all your time gaming, you'd find someone," Farrel teased. "Hey, Satria, why don't you date someone? Plenty of girls are into you."
I shrugged. "Haven't met anyone that feels right. Maybe after I graduate."
Zaki, ever the troublemaker, chimed in with a smirk. "Or maybe you're just into guys?"
A tick formed on my forehead. "Not even close, idiot. I just have standards!"
Farrel laughed, clapping my shoulder. "Relax, man. We're just messing with you. See you later!"
•
After bidding my friends goodbye, I hopped on my motorcycle and headed to the market to pick up groceries for my mom. The bustling streets of Surabaya were as chaotic as ever, the evening traffic a familiar headache.
Finally arriving, I went straight to the butcher's stall. "Uncle, the usual, please," I said, pulling out my wallet.
The butcher chuckled. "Where's your mom today? It's rare to see you running errands alone."
"She sent me here after class," I replied, handing him the money.
He smiled, slipping in an extra piece. "Here's a bonus. Study hard, kid."
"Thanks, Uncle," I said before heading out.
As I walked back to my motorcycle, I noticed a boy and his younger sister sitting on the sidewalk, their eyes hollow with hunger.
"Brother, please spare some change," the boy begged. "We haven't eaten since yesterday."
My heart clenched. "Where are your parents?"
"They left us," he whispered, clutching his sister tightly.
Without hesitation, I handed him fifty thousand rupiah. "Here. Get yourselves something to eat."
The boy's eyes widened. "This is too much, sir. Are you sure?"
Seeing their gratitude reminded me of the lessons my parents instilled in me: to always help those in need. But before I could dwell on it further, a sharp gasp drew my attention.
The little girl had wandered into the street, directly into the path of a speeding truck.
"Hey!" I shouted, my body moving on instinct. Sprinting as fast as I could, I grabbed her and shoved her out of harm's way.
But I wasn't fast enough to save myself.
The last thing I felt was the truck slamming into me, a blinding pain consuming my body. "Is this it?" I thought. "Sorry, Mom, Dad... I guess this is where my story ends."
•
But when I opened my eyes, I wasn't on the streets of Surabaya anymore.
Instead, I found myself lying in an unfamiliar room bathed in soft sunlight. "What the hell? I'm alive?"
Sitting up, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror-and froze.
"What the... This isn't my face!" I exclaimed, stumbling closer. A pale, youthful face stared back at me, with sharp features that looked straight out of a boyband poster.
As memories not my own flooded my mind, a name surfaced: Shidou Matsumi. Mixed Japanese, with absentee parents who left him a sizable monthly allowance.
I rifled through the room, trying to make sense of it all. The world seemed normal, yet something felt off. Grabbing a student ID, my stomach dropped.
"Kuoh Academy? No way," I muttered, the name ringing alarm bells. "This is an anime world... and not just any anime, but one filled with dangerous supernatural creatures."
Panic surged through me, followed by a grim realization. "I'm stuck here, aren't I? My family, my friends, my dreams... all gone."
Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath. "Alright. No point in crying about it. If power is everything in this world, I'll get stronger. Whatever it takes, I'll survive-and thrive."
Thus began the new chapter of Satria life.
To be continued.