"Never ever become dependent on a man."

Those were my mother's last words.

My name is Mikami Shizu, the only daughter from a Japanese household.

My family may not be what you call an ideal family. We always struggle financially and my parents' relationship is not that good considering I can hear them bickering late at night.

I can vaguely understand the reason though. On top of being unemployed, my father always spends money on things like pachinko and gambling stuff. Even at childhood, I easily understood that my father is a good-for-nothing human. Not being able to withstand my father's behaviour, they divorced when I was eight years old.

I went with my mother after the divorce. Ever since then, my mother worked multiple part-time jobs to support the family. She supported me until I was able to work in a prestigious company. However, by that time, my mother reached her limit and passed away before I was able to repay even a little bit of her kindness and warmth.

Her last words drove me to become who I am now. To live a good life without depending on man. I lived my life with that mindset.

Aside from my work, I spend my life supporting female coworkers in my company. Especially those who have been pressured by male higher-ups. 80% of the higher-ups in that company consists of males and some of them are known for giving unreasonable orders to those who work below them. I stood up against those people and made a sound argument that they need to care more about their coworkers. Fortunately, many people in the company supported my way of thinking and we're able to solve the problem without much drastic changes.

Though if there is a change, that would be how I suddenly become popular among my female coworkers. It seemed that they viewed me as some kind of hero because of that incident. It gives me mixed feelings but it doesn't feel bad to be praised by them. I just did what I think is right and the result just happened to be better than expected.

"But for Mikami-san to be single... is kinda a waste, isn't it?"

My coworker said that while we're drinking beer together in our favourite izakaya. Apparently she thought that it wouldn't be strange for me to have a boyfriend or two by now because I have excellent looks and personality. I immediately rejected the idea though.

I'm well aware that my view about man is kinda biased, but I can't stand the possibility of them becoming like my father. I'm fine with being single for the rest of my life. Besides, I'm having a fulfilling life right now. I'm not that stupid to ruin my own life just for some stupid things like that. I will live my life just like what my mother told me to.

As I remember the past, my queue number finally appears on the monitor. I am currently in a bank for some minor business with my coworker. It seems that I will finish my business first so I plan on waiting for her later.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

As I am about to stand up, I suddenly hear a scream from a familiar voice. It is the voice of my coworker. I turn left and see that a man took my coworker as hostage. He wears a black clothes with black helmet and aim his handgun at my coworker's head.

"A bank robbery..? Seriously...?"

It takes me few seconds to comprehend the situation. The security is there but can't do anything when that robber has a hostage. This feels too real for a film project. As I think that, the robber shouts at the bank staff ordering them to give him money. His voice is so desperate that he sounds like a drug addict who ran out of drugs.

My coworker is crying while closing her eyes. Seeing her in that state is painful for me. It has been awhile since I felt so powerless ever since my mother's death. I want to help but my body cannot move. I practiced Karate back in my school days but I can't stand the fear of having a real gun pointed at me.

However, the moment I see the robber was about to shoot at my coworker because she was being too noisy, I completely forget that fear and sprint towards that robber from behind.

*thud!*

I tackle him from behind separating him away from my coworker. The impact makes the helmet fly away from his head before both of us fall to the ground.

This is my chance, if I take the gun away from him, the security would be able to catch him. I raise my hand as I think that.

Except that the moment will never happen. When I see the face of the robber, my mind was shocked that I cannot move. That face... there is no way I would mistake it for someone else's face...

"Fa.... ther....."

Is what I said the moment I see the familiar face that was hidden by the helmet before. However, as if he does not recognize me, he quickly point his gun at me out of panic.

*Bang!*

"Huh...?"

As I touch my stomach, I see my hand covered in blood. In that instant, I lose all the strength that I had in my body and fall to the ground.

My vision becomes blurry, all I see is that the blurry face of my coworker approaching me. All I hear is the sound of my coworker crying and the sound of security apprehending the robber who is actually my father.

"This is... too unfair... damn it..."

I don't even have the strength to say that anymore. This must be some kind of bad joke.

All my efforts and determination up until today are gone to waste because of this man. To have my life ended by the man I despise the most... and puts my coworker in danger because of my family situation...

"I'm.... sorry..."

Those are the last words I can think of before my consciousness completely fades away.

.....

....

...

"Hm...?"

My vision actually starts to open up again. I see an unfamiliar ceiling.

Was I saved?

As I think that, I hear an unfamiliar sound. It seems that people are talking near me but I just can't seem to recognise the language.

Then, two blonde maids appear in my vision with a smile. As much as I would like to think about what maids are doing inside a hospital, my body seems to be in a weirder condition. I can't really move my body well.

After saying something, one of the maid carries me. Wait, seriously? I'm not that heavy but for her to easily carries an adult woman body like it's nothing...

Before I know it, I am handed over to beautiful black-haired lady. Her kind smile reminds me of my mother.

As I reminisce about my mother, I look over to a mirror.

Ahh... what a cute baby...

Is what I think the moment I look at a baby that was being held by that beautiful black-haired lady. Few seconds pass and my mind starts to think properly.

I start moving my stiff fingers bit by bit. Ignoring the squeals of the maids, I see that the baby in the mirror also moved her fingers.

I see.... In conclusion.... I am the baby.

...

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!?????

After facing unbelievable conclusion, I cry so hard like a baby who was just born.

.... alright, time to face the reality. I am that baby.

And this is the beginning of me, Mikami Shizu, searching for a good life in another world.