Yukai woke up to another day he didn't want to face. He groaned as his alarm clock blared, signaling the start of another miserable day. He rubbed his eyes and tried to shake off the feeling of dread that had settled over him. As he got ready for school, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loathing towards himself. He didn't like the way he looked, and he knew that everyone else at school didn't like it either. He couldn't understand why he was cursed with such an unattractive face, and he hated himself for it. Yukai looked in the mirror and stared at his reflection. He saw a face that was too round, with a nose that was too big and a mouth that was too small. He had tried to change his appearance, but nothing seemed to work. He had tried losing weight, wearing different clothes, even cutting his hair in a different style. But no matter what he did, he still looked ugly.

Yukai's mom noticed his somber mood and tried to cheer him up. "Don't worry, honey," she said, "You'll find someone who loves you for who you are, no matter what you look like."

Yukai forced a smile and nodded, but he knew deep down that his mom was wrong. He had never had a girlfriend or even been on a date. He was an outcast at school, constantly bullied and ridiculed for his appearance. He couldn't understand why he had been cursed with such a hideous face.

He couldn't escape the feeling of loneliness that had settled over him. He had no friends, no one to talk to. Every day he went through the motions, feeling like he was living life on autopilot. He wished that he could just disappear, that he could become invisible and no one would ever notice him again.

Yukai didn't want to go to school. He dreaded the thought of facing his classmates, who would undoubtedly make fun of him and bully him. He had tried to make friends, but it was impossible. No one wanted to be seen with him, and he was always an outcast. When he arrived at school, he tried to keep his head down and avoid attention. But it was no use. His classmates saw him as an easy target, and they took every opportunity to make fun of him. They called him names like "ugly" and "freak," and they laughed at him whenever he spoke up in class. Yukai tried to ignore them, but it was hard. He felt like he was always walking on eggshells, waiting for the next insult to come. He tried to focus on his studies, but it was hard to concentrate when he felt like such an outsider.

During lunch, Yukai sat alone in the cafeteria, staring down at his tray of unappetizing food. He saw the popular kids laughing and joking with each other, and he couldn't help but feel envious. He wished that he could be like them, confident and attractive, but he knew that it was impossible. The bullying escalated as the days turned into weeks. Yukai's tormentors grew bolder, finding new ways to make him feel worthless. They would knock his books out of his hands, trip him in the hallways, and even spread rumors about him. Yukai felt like a punching bag, enduring the pain and humiliation day after day.

In class, Yukai felt like he was always under a microscope. His teacher didn't seem to care that he was being bullied, and she didn't do anything to stop it. Instead, she watched him get bullied and did nothing to intervene. Yukai felt like he was invisible, like no one cared about him or his well-being. On the way home from school, Yukai felt like he was walking on a tightrope. He was always on edge, waiting for someone to jump out and attack him. His heart raced with every passing stranger, fearing that they might hurl insults or physical abuse his way. He tried to avoid eye contact with anyone, hoping that if he didn't acknowledge them, they wouldn't acknowledge him.

As he walked, the streets seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with their judgmental gaze. The vibrant colors of the storefronts and the laughter of other students passing by only served to deepen his isolation. The world felt cruel and unforgiving, a constant reminder of his perceived flaws. The journey home became a relentless gauntlet of torment. Groups of his classmates would pass by, whispering and snickering as they exchanged mocking glances. Some would even take pleasure in bumping into him, shoving him aside like an insignificant obstacle in their path. Each encounter pierced his already wounded self-esteem, chipping away at his fragile sense of worth. Yukai quickened his pace, hoping to outrun the constant barrage of negativity. But no matter how fast he walked, he couldn't escape the taunts echoing in his ears. His footsteps became heavier with each passing insult, each cruel word etching deeper into his wounded soul. The familiar route home turned into a treacherous battlefield. The once-familiar landmarks now held painful memories. The park where he used to play as a child had become a site of humiliation, where he was often cornered and mocked. The alleyway he used to take as a shortcut had transformed into a dreaded path of anxiety, where he would often encounter his tormentors. With each step, his body grew tense, anticipating the next attack. The weight of his backpack felt like an anchor dragging him down, as if the burdens of the world were crushing his spirit. His mind was clouded with despair, his thoughts consumed by a desperate yearning for the pain to stop. As he neared the busy intersection on his way home, Yukai's heart pounded in his chest. The cacophony of car horns and bustling pedestrians seemed to drown out his own existence. He felt invisible, lost amidst the chaos, his pain and suffering unnoticed by the world around him. And then it happened. The screeching sound of tires, the blaring of a horn, and the overwhelming rush of adrenaline. A truck came out of nowhere, barreling down the road at full speed. Yukai's eyes widened in terror as time seemed to slow down, his senses heightened with the impending danger. He didn't have time to react, and he felt himself being thrown into the air. In that split second, his life flashed before his eyes. All the happy and sad memories blended together in a blur, showcasing the contrast between the pain he endured and the fleeting moments of joy that kept him going. He saw his parents' faces, filled with love and concern, their unwavering support despite their own busy lives. He remembered the dreams he had buried deep within, the aspirations he had been too afraid to pursue, the version of himself he hoped to become.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

And then everything went black.

Yukai opened his eyes, his vision blurred for a moment as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The bright sunlight pierced through the gaps in the trees, casting a warm glow on everything around him. He could hear the distant chirping of birds, their melodic tunes blending with the rustling of leaves. The air felt pure and rejuvenating, filling his lungs with a freshness he had never experienced before. The sound of sirens and concerned voices gradually faded into the background as he took in the new world he found himself in. The chaotic noise was replaced by a serene tranquility, a harmony that seemed to emanate from the very core of this enchanted place. He couldn't help but be captivated by the ethereal glow that bathed the landscape, as if the very essence of magic permeated every inch of this realm. With a mixture of bewilderment and curiosity, Yukai slowly sat up, his body feeling strangely light as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He scanned his surroundings, taking in the breathtaking sight before him. Towering trees with emerald-green leaves reached towards the sky, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Flowers of every hue dotted the landscape, forming a vibrant tapestry of colors that seemed to defy nature itself. As he stood up and dusted himself off, Yukai couldn't help but notice that he was unscathed. There were no bruises, no scrapes, not even a hint of pain. It was as if the accident that had brought him here had been erased from existence. A mixture of relief and wonder washed over him, filling him with a newfound sense of hope. Driven by a mix of curiosity and a yearning for discovery, Yukai took his first hesitant steps into this uncharted world. The ground beneath his feet felt soft and welcoming, as if it embraced him with open arms. Each footfall sent ripples through the grass, awakening a symphony of delicate sounds that resonated with his every movement. With every passing moment, Yukai's senses became attuned to the wonders of this realm. The gentle caress of the breeze brushed against his cheeks, carrying with it the subtle fragrance of wildflowers. The leaves above him whispered secrets in hushed tones, their messages both mysterious and comforting. It was a place where nature itself seemed to come alive, embracing him as an integral part of its intricate web. As he ventured deeper into this mystical landscape, the weight of his insecurities and self-doubt began to dissolve. The shadows of his past seemed distant and inconsequential in the face of the beauty that surrounded him. He realized that this world mirrored the inner transformation he was experiencing. It was a realm that celebrated individuality and embraced the essence of every living being, including himself.

In this magical realm, he saw the reflection of his own strength and resilience. The acceptance and self-love he had longed for were no longer distant dreams but tangible realities. The scars of his past no longer defined him, for he had emerged from the darkness and stepped into a realm where his inner light shone brighter than ever before.

With every step he took, Yukai felt a newfound confidence coursing through his veins. He embraced the sense of wonder that enveloped him, knowing that this was his opportunity for growth and transformation. In this mystical world, he had the chance to rewrite his story, to embrace his true self, and to forge a path that was uniquely his own.

And so, with his heart filled with hope and his spirit ablaze, Yukai continued his journey through this extraordinary realm, eager to uncover the secrets it held and to embrace the person he was destined to become.