Am I not dead?

The thought echoes in my head as a breeze brushes against my neck. Leaves rustle in the distance, their sound unfamiliar yet soothing. Birds sing somewhere above me.

I lift a hand to my face, rubbing my eyes hard. Slowly, I open them.

A forest stretches out before me, dappled sunlight spilling through the treetops onto vibrant green grass. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of earth and something faintly sweet.

"Huh…"

Where… am I?

I glance around, unease tightening in my chest. My last memory is of pain—bones shattering, rain-soaked asphalt slick with blood. I was supposed to die.

Is this the afterlife?

No… this isn't what I imagined.

In the distance, a towering stone wall rises, cutting through the forest like something out of a fantasy novel. It stretches high, ending in a massive wooden gate. Smoke curls lazily above it, mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread.

The warmth of it tugs at me, breaking through the chill in my bones. For a moment, I almost forget Japan—my life, my regrets.

I take a hesitant step forward. My legs feel... strange. They shouldn't even work; just moments ago, they were crushed. But the ground beneath me is soft, unlike anything I've walked on before.

The trees around me look foreign, their shapes unrecognizable. Is this a dream? Or... something else?

However, I need to take a look inside those walls. Maybe I'll find some clues.

Still, fear claws at my chest, tightening with every step. Is this really my new reality? Am I going to spend my days here, still living with regret?

The towering walls loom overhead, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Their sheer size is overwhelming, making me feel smaller with each passing moment. My thoughts blur as I try to comprehend everything happening around me.

As I step through the gates, an older man greets me with a kind smile. "Rigi o geering," (Greetings, Sir,) he says, his words strange but somehow… understandable.

"Oh, uh, hajra," (Oh, uh, hi,) I stammer, unsure of where the response came from. What language is this? It's not Japanese. How do I even know it?

My mind races, the realization hitting me like a brick. This isn't Japan. This isn't anywhere I've been before.

The walls give way to a bustling town, and I'm hit by a wave of smells—freshly baked bread mingling with the earthy scent of the ground. Smoke rises softly above the rooftops.

The town looks nothing like modern Japan. No streetlights, no signs of electricity. Just rows of simple wooden stalls, merchants calling out to travelers, and people—so many people.

My eyes drift to the odd produce displayed on the stalls: vegetables I don't recognize, fruits that look like something out of this world. Even the animals are unfamiliar—smaller, furrier, with strange markings on their hides.

The people wear old-fashioned clothes, like something out of a medieval fair. A few stand out—men in gleaming white uniforms, swords hanging at their hips. Swords? What are they supposed to do against modern weapons?

I slow my pace as I realize people are staring at me. Their eyes feel like daggers, and my face burns under their gaze.

Why are they looking at me? I panic, my steps faltering. What's wrong? Is it my clothes? My face?

"Hey, you! Weirdo!" A sharp voice cuts through the noise, jolting me. I glance to my side and spot her—a teenage girl with fiery red hair, her hands planted firmly on her hips and her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and irritation.

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Huh? Who's this?

"What…?" My eyes take in her figure—soft red hair cascading down to her waist, her bright red eyes shimmering with both awe and temper.

"Didn't you hear me? I said your clothes are weird! Next time someone talks to you, you should listen!" she snaps, planting her hands firmly on her hips. Her mouth twists into a tight frown, irritation clear as her gaze lingers on my hoodie.

She's cute. Definitely out of my league.

"Oh… uh, well, I don't know. I think your clothes look strange as well," I blurt, the words spilling out before I can stop them. Nervousness tightens my chest.

What the hell is wrong with me? I can't say that to her!

"Huh?!" she exclaims, her frustration flaring. "Did you seriously just say that?" Her sharp tone feels like a slap, snapping me back to reality.

Damn, she's loud.

How does someone have such a powerful voice… and for a girl, no less?

"Oh… sorry, I didn't mean to," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. "I—I'm new here."

"Hmph!" She pouts, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "Whatever," she answers, frustrated.

"Sorry… I think your clothes look nice—just, uh, different from what I'm used to," I say, fumbling over my words, hoping for a positive reaction.

She raises an eyebrow, studying me for a moment before responding. "Well, of course they do. Thanks… I guess." Her tone softens briefly, only to sharpen again. "So, what's your deal? You new here or something?"

"Y-Yeah," I stammer, heat rushing to my face. "I—I'm from Japan."

Her head tilts, a hint of curiosity breaking through her otherwise irritated expression. "Japan? Never heard of it." She waves a hand dismissively. "Anyway, stop stuttering and introduce yourself already."

She's never heard of Japan? That's… odd.

"My name is… uh… Kaito," I say, struggling to steady my voice. "Kaito Nakamura."

Her eyes narrow, clearly unimpressed. "Quit stuttering, weirdo! And look at me when you're talking," she snaps, her gaze locking onto mine.

I force myself to meet her eyes, but it only makes my chest tighten. There's something unnerving about her. Her presence feels overwhelming—like standing too close to a wild animal.

"mh… What about you, w-what's your n-name?" I push out, trying to hold my words steady.

"Yumiko Valmont," she says, her voice laced with a mix of pride and impatience.

"Nice to meet you Miss-Valmont," Catching my thoughts I realize she isn't so bad to talk to, she isn't like those girls from school. She might be fierce but she isn't so intense as in being girl-ich.

Her tone still unsettles me…

"Yeah-yeah, nice to meet you." Yumiko replies, her voice softening.

"Question, where am I?" Was that maybe too formal?

"You don't even know that? You are in the Luminara kingdom," curiosity lingers in her eyes, probably questioning why and how I am here.

Luminara kingdom? A kingdom doesn't sound modern at all. "What country?"

"Country? What are these words you're using?" She says as leaving a question mark in my head.

"What…" The word slips softly from my lips.

I glance around, my eyes straining to make sense of what I'm seeing. Then I notice them—people with fur, animal-like ears, and swishing tails. A chill runs through me. This isn't the world I know, is it?

Have… have I been isekai'd?!

There's no other explanation, is there? It fits. But seriously—me? Isekai'd?

My thoughts whirl, caught between disbelief and a strange, bubbling amusement. The sheer absurdity of the situation is almost too much to take in, and for the first time since waking up, the weight on my chest begins to ease.

My dread recedes, my heart slowing to a steadier rhythm as I find myself oddly… relieved.

So, Luminara, huh? That's what they called this place. A new world, entirely foreign and overwhelming.

"Weirdo! What's with that stupid smirk?" The sharp voice cuts through my daze, jolting me back to reality.

I realize I've been staring up at the sky, a faint, amused grin playing on my lips. The thought of being transported to another world is surreal—and thrilling.

I've been summoned to a new world. And now, I'm face to face with what seems like a classic tsundere.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I might actually like what's ahead.

A smile creeps across my face.

SLAP!

A sudden sting shoots through my chin, snapping my head slightly to the side.

"Hello? Idiot! Are you even listening to me?" she shouts, glaring at me with fiery eyes.

"Yes, sorry, I was just thinking about something. Do you think you could show me around, Miss Valmont?"

Her eyes narrow, sharpening instantly. "Why are you calling me 'Miss Valmont'? Use my name, dork. And stop saying sorry for everything—it's annoying!"

"Oh, right. Sorry—okay, Yumiko."

Her arms crossed and eyes rolling, Yumiko let out an exaggerated sigh. "Whatever! But alright, I'll show you around. Not for long, though—I need to get home soon."

She spun on her heel, her long red hair catching the golden rays of the setting sun as it swayed behind her. For a moment, she seemed to glow, framed by the fading light and the bustling town beyond.

Trailing after her, I found myself staring at the towering gates and the maze of unfamiliar streets ahead. The sounds of merchants shouting, children laughing, and strange creatures braying filled the air, overwhelming my senses. Yet, a strange calm settled over me. This wasn't Japan. This wasn't the life I knew.

But maybe… maybe this was a chance to start again.

"Hey, hurry up, Weirdo!" Yumiko's sharp voice jolted me out of my thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder, her fiery red eyes narrowing in mock impatience. "I don't have all day!"

A faint smile crept onto my lips as I jogged to catch up. New world, new people, new rules. Whatever this was, it wasn't a dream.

And I had a feeling it was only the beginning.