Kaito Suzuki sat at his desk, eyes flickering between the blinking cursor on his screen and the ticking clock on the wall. The office was quiet except for the occasional keystroke or the muffled conversations of the few remaining coworkers. Outside, the city glowed under neon lights, a stark contrast to the dimly lit cubicle he occupied.

A sigh escaped his lips. He had missed the last train again. The convenience store bento on his desk remained untouched, the expiration date creeping closer. Thirty-two years old, stuck in an endless loop of deadlines and overtime, he barely remembered the last time he felt alive. He had once dreamed of visiting distant lands, hiking through untouched forests, or even just reading a book for leisure. Yet, the crushing weight of expectation and routine had left those dreams buried beneath spreadsheets and unread emails.

He glanced at the framed photo beside his monitor. A younger version of himself, full of hope, standing with his university friends. Some had gone abroad, others had pursued passions. He had chosen stability, or so he thought.

The distant sound of tires screeching snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned toward the window, watching the scene unfold below. A child, no older than six, stood frozen in the middle of the crosswalk, paralyzed by fear. A large truck barreled down the street, its driver seemingly unaware of the impending disaster.

Kaito moved before he could think. He sprinted out of the office, heart pounding against his ribs as he dashed down the stairs. The entrance doors slammed open as he burst onto the sidewalk, ignoring the confused looks of the security guard.

The world around him blurred. The honking horns, the flashing lights, the gasps of pedestrians—all of it faded into a singular thought: Save the child.

His legs burned, but he pushed forward. With one final leap, he shoved the child out of the way. A brief moment of relief washed over him before the impact came.

Pain. Cold. Darkness.

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A New Dawn

A faint warmth surrounded him, pulling him from the void. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a vast expanse of blue sky. Wisps of white clouds drifted lazily overhead. The air smelled crisp, untouched by the pollution of Tokyo.

Kaito sat up, his fingers sinking into soft grass. A rolling meadow stretched before him, dotted with vibrant wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Beyond that, a dense forest loomed, its towering trees whispering in an unfamiliar language.

Confusion settled in. He had been in Tokyo. He had saved the child. He had died.

A rustling sound made him turn. A figure stood a few feet away, watching him with gentle eyes. Clad in flowing robes of gold and silver, their presence exuded an aura of divinity. Their long hair shimmered like liquid sunlight, and their voice, when they finally spoke, was neither male nor female but something ethereal in between.

“Welcome, Kaito Suzuki.”

He swallowed, struggling to find his voice. “Where... am I?”

The being smiled, stepping closer. “Not where. When. You have left your old world behind.”

His breath hitched. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a shiver down his spine.

“Am I... dead?”

“In a manner of speaking.” The divine figure gestured toward the horizon. “But your story does not end here. You have been chosen for another path.”

Kaito frowned. “Chosen? By who?”

A soft chuckle. “By fate, by circumstance, by the threads that weave reality. Call it what you will. Your final act in your past life was one of selflessness. You saved an innocent soul at the cost of your own. Such actions do not go unnoticed.”

He remained silent. He had never believed in gods or destiny, yet here he was.

The figure extended their hand. “You are given a chance few receive. A second life. A new world. A gift, should you accept it.”

“What’s the catch?”

The figure’s smile deepened, as though amused by his caution. “No catch. Only opportunity.”

Kaito exhaled slowly. His old life had been nothing but endless routine. If he was truly being offered a fresh start... could he refuse?

“What kind of world am I going to?” he asked at last.

The being turned, gesturing toward the landscape. “A world untouched by industry, ruled by the elements and those who wield their power. A world of adventure, of discovery, of creation.” Their gaze met his once more. “You will find your purpose there, Kaito Suzuki.”

His fingers curled into the grass beneath him. A world of adventure. A world where he could build something, live freely. He met the being’s gaze and nodded.

“I accept.”

Light engulfed him, warm and all-consuming. The world around him faded once more.

And then, he fell.