The flames roared, consuming everything in their path. Smoke filled the air, choking the desperate screams of neighbors shouting for help.
"Somebody, call the fire brigade!" voices echoed.
Inside the burning house, five-year-old Kyo sat on the floor of his room, crying as the heat pressed against him. The fire grew larger, swallowing his small, fragile world.
"Mommy, Daddy…!" he sobbed, tears streaking his soot-covered cheeks. "I'm sorry! I won't be bad anymore… it hurts… I don't like it!"
But no one came. Hated and neglected by his parents, Kyo's cries faded as the fire engulfed him. His tiny body could no longer endure, and the boy died, his last thoughts filled with sorrow and regret.
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"Push! Push! He's almost here!" a voice urged.
"Arghhh!!!" a woman screamed, her voice sharp with pain and determination.
Moments later, the cry of a newborn echoed through the room.
"Waaa… waaa…" I wailed, the sensation of pain still lingering, though the burning heat was gone. [Where am I?]
"Ah… my dear child…" A soft voice reached me. Blinking, I saw a woman with white hair and warm brown eyes looking down at me. Her expression was tender and full of love. [Who is she? And… wait. Are those dog ears on her head?]
"Agoo…" I cooed instinctively. [Am I your child? Huh… What's this strange feeling?]
I tried to move my tiny hands, my body responding weakly. Something on my head caught my attention. I reached up and froze. [Ears?! Dog ears?! This is so cool!]
The woman chuckled softly, holding me closer. "Ma'am, congratulations on having a baby boy," a nurse said. "But there's a slight problem with his health. He's very weak."
Her face softened, and she gently brushed her hand against my cheek. "It's fine. We'll take care of him. He's my ray of light, and we'll love him no matter what."
[Love me?] Warmth filled my chest, washing away the lingering pain from before. [Is this… real?]
She smiled down at me. "Your name shall be Hikaru."
[Hikaru…? That's my name? I love it!] I gurgled in delight, earning a small laugh from the woman who now felt like my mother.
The door creaked open, and three more people entered the room. The first was a tall man with black hair and vibrant orange eyes. Following him were two children: a boy with white hair and brown eyes and a girl with black hair and brown eyes. Like the woman holding me, they all had dog ears!
"Dear! My baby!" the man exclaimed, rushing toward me. "Look at me! I'm your dad!"
Before he could get too close, the white-haired boy shoved him aside. "Hey! I'm your brother! Big brother Itsuki!" he declared with a grin.
Just as Itsuki leaned toward me, the black-haired girl pushed him away, her movements swift and decisive. "Hey! My little brother, I'm your eldest sister, Hana!" she announced proudly.
The siblings began bickering over who got to hold me first, their antics filling the room with warmth and laughter. I blinked up at them, the weight of my past life fading as their love enveloped me. [This… feels nice.]
"Careful, everyone," my mother said, her voice soft but firm. "Hikaru is fragile, so you'll have to be gentle with him."
"I'll hold him first!" Hana declared, scooping me up and cradling me with surprising tenderness. "Look at him! He's so tiny and cute!"
"He's my brother too!" Itsuki pouted, leaning closer to get a better look at me. "When do I get a turn?"
"Patience, Itsuki," my father chuckled, his voice deep and reassuring. "There's plenty of time to spend with him."
I gazed up at them, my tiny body relaxing in Hana's arms. [They're so… warm. It's strange, but I feel safe here.]
"What do you think he'll be like when he grows up?" Itsuki asked eagerly, his orange eyes sparkling. "I bet he'll be super strong and fast like me!"
"Or maybe he'll be really smart and a doctor!" Hana chimed in, her imagination running wild. "He could even be a genius! But whatever he becomes, he will still be my beloved little brother!"
"Hey! He's my beloved little brother too!!" Itsuki pouted as he smiled again.
Their excitement made me feel shy, but a small gurgle escaped me anyway. [Strong? Smart? That sounds nice… but I think I just want to be happy.]
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Dad said, placing a gentle hand on Hana's shoulder. "For now, we focus on making sure Hikaru grows up healthy."
Hana passed me carefully to Itsuki, who held me with surprising care despite his earlier enthusiasm. "Look, Hikaru! I'm your big brother! I'll protect you no matter what!" he said proudly.
"Don't forget about me!" Hana added, standing beside him. "We'll both protect you~"
"How you are all about studies~ lol you don't even go to gym!!" Big brother Itsuki mocked eldest sister Hana as she clenched her fist and hit him.
"Ow~! Careful!" Itsuki winches in a fake scream as he started laughing.
I let out another soft coo, warmth spreading through me as I realized I was surrounded by people who genuinely cared. [This is my family now. My new life...]
As the day wore on, I remained in their embrace, their love chasing away the shadows of my past life. Though my body was weak and fragile, my heart felt stronger than ever.
[This time, I'll live a happy life. I'll grow up surrounded by this love and warmth. I'm Hikaru, and I'm going to be okay.]
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_To Be Continue_