Darkness. An endless void.
I couldn't feel my body. I couldn't move. There was no pain, no suffering—just emptiness.
So, this is it…
I had always wondered what the afterlife would be like. Maybe this was it. A peaceful nothingness where no one could hurt me anymore. No more fists slamming into me, no more laughter echoing in my ears, no more nights spent crying into a pillow, hoping for a miracle that never came.
This warmth… it was different. Comforting. Safe.
I can finally rest…
But then—
"Just a little more, my lady! One more push!"
A voice. A woman's voice.
No… no, no, no. Please.
"Get the blankets!"
No.
I didn't want to go back. I didn't want to feel pain again. I didn't want to wake up in that world.
I wanted to stay in the warmth, in this place where nothing could hurt me.
But suddenly, sensation rushed into my body. It was overwhelming. The air was cold, my skin was sensitive, and—
"Waaah! Waaah!"
A cry. My cry.
I gasped in shock. My own voice sounded strange, high-pitched, unfamiliar. I struggled to move, but my limbs were weak, my fingers tiny.
Everything was blurry, but I could make out the shape of a woman holding me. Her body was trembling, exhausted, but her arms were steady as she cradled me close.
"Congratulations, my lord and lady. It's a healthy boy."
A baby. I was… reborn?
The woman's grip on me tightened as she whispered, her voice filled with love.
"My baby… my sweet baby boy."
Warmth.
She was warm. Softer than anything I had ever known.
I felt safe.
A man's voice, deep and gentle, spoke beside her.
"You did well, my love. Thank you."
Then he looked at me.
"Welcome to the world, Kibo… my son."
Kibo. That was my new name.
I didn't understand what was happening. My mind was screaming with questions, but at that moment, none of them mattered.
Because for the first time in my life… someone was holding me with love.
And I let myself sink into that warmth.
A Month Later
Life as a baby was… strange.
My days were peaceful, filled with soft blankets, warm milk, and gentle hands. There was no yelling, no pain, no fear—only love.
My mother, Luna, was always by my side, humming lullabies and smiling down at me. My father, Ryuu Satoru, a duke, a powerful man with striking white hair and emerald-green eyes. He looked like a noble straight out of a fantasy manga.
And then there was me—Kibo Satoru, their first child. I had inherited my father's hair and my mother's blue eyes.
To my surprise, the maids couldn't get enough of me. They always cooed and fussed over how "cute" I was. It was… new. In my past life, I had been called ugly. Worthless. A weakling.
But here, I was treasured.
It was overwhelming.
At times, I didn't know how to handle it. The affection, the warmth, the constant presence of people who cared for me—it was all so foreign.
But I didn't hate it.
Not at all.
I woke up one morning, stretching my tiny arms, sinking into the softness of my bed.
Sigh… this is the life.
No school. No bullies. No pain. Just warmth and safety.
…Well, almost.
The only problem was my father.
He had a habit of playing too rough.
"Kibo! My boy, let's play!" he would announce every morning, scooping me up before I could protest.
And then—
"Up you go!"
He threw me into the air. Again.
Why does he keep doing this?!
My little body soared, my stomach flipping as I reached the peak before falling straight back into his arms.
"My baby can fly!" my mother, Luna, giggled as she clapped her hands.
No, I can't! I'm going to barf!
I wanted to protest, to tell them to stop, but all I could do was let out weak little noises as my father laughed and tossed me up again.
S-someone save me…
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he placed me back in my crib, beaming with pride.
"Look at him! He's so strong!"
No. No, I was not strong. I was suffering.
But looking at their happy faces, I couldn't bring myself to be upset.
Even if my stomach was in knots.
Later, my mother fussed over me as she fed me, holding me close.
"Are you hungry again, my little glutton?" she teased, stroking my hair.
I latched on to drink, the warmth filling my body, soothing me.
This was something I never imagined before—being loved, being cared for like this.
"Are you full now, my sweet baby?" she whispered, kissing my forehead.
I let out a soft coo in response, the only way I could answer her.
She smiled and held me tighter.
"You're so precious, Kibo. My little angel."
For a moment, something inside me ached.
A voice in the back of my mind whispered—Do I really deserve this?
But then, Luna placed me against her shoulder, patting my back gently, humming a soft melody into my ear.
I felt warm. Safe.
And maybe, just maybe…
I could finally believe that this was real.
That I did deserve it.
As sleep slowly took me, I whispered in my mind.
Thank you.
And for the first time in both my lives…
I truly felt at peace.