My name is Hisashi Itō, and I'm four years old. In this life, I'm an only child, something I'm still adjusting to.
I had parents in my past life, and I loved them dearly. Their warmth still lingers in my memories, but they're gone. Now, I have new parents, strangers who call me their son. At first, I wondered if I could ever care for them. Was my affection real, or was I simply clinging to what I lost?
After everything that happened, I finally know the answer.
In the village of Denbō, sorrow hung thick in the air. Families gathered to pay their final respects to the dead. No one was spared from loss, everyone had buried someone.
For some, there was no one left to mourn them. The disaster that struck left more than broken homes, it left broken hearts.
Weeks passed, and life moved on. The village had been rebuilt, but the scars remained. What once were ruins now stood as humble homes, a fragile attempt to reclaim normalcy.
One of these homes stood near a quiet river. It was modest, just five rooms but the land around it stretched wide and open, as if offering a promise of peace. This was where I lived now. This was my home.
"Do you think Dad is happy… wherever he is?"
I didn't know what awaited souls in this world's afterlife. But after everything he did, after saving my life.
I wanted to believe there would be no complications for him.
"He deserves to be," my mother replied softly. "Your father never did anything to deserve pain."
I nodded. She wasn't wrong.
I sat cross-legged on a tatami mat beside her. Her purple hair was styled into two neat buns, and her red eyes, so much like mine, held a maturity I never had.
She wore a delicate white kimono adorned with a pink sakura motif. This woman, Natsumi Itō, was the one who brought me into this world.
As beautiful as she was, I felt no attraction to her. Maybe it was because she had nursed me as an infant, a memory I had no reason to hold onto, but for some reason, I did.
Why do I even remember that? I shook the thought away. I had never recalled those moments
At least not until the day my father died.
When I glanced up, I caught the slight tremble in her smile. She was trying to act strong for me, but I knew better. She had been avoiding eye contact the entire time.
"I miss him too," I said quietly.
A single tear slipped down her cheek, though she tried to hold it back. Her attempt at composure was almost laughable, and despite myself, I chuckled softly.
"I'm going to start training soon."
It was the only way I knew to change the subject. But I hated talking to her about it, about the path I had chosen.
"No, Sashi-kun. This training of yours will cripple you. And even if it doesn't… how can you be sure it will be enough?" Her voice trembled, part panic, part hopelessness.
Losing my father had left an everlasting scar on her. She clung to me as if I would disappear too. That overprotectiveness was becoming a roadblock.
One that stood between me and the strength I needed to survive.
To her, I was just a child. A normal child who had no business facing the monsters lurking in this world. She reminded me of that every time I trained.
"Mother, if I don't do something to stop those demons from slaughtering us… who will?" My words were sharp, but I meant them.
I was already dressed. Plain white shirt, loose brown pants, bare feet against the tatami. I was ready. Nothing she said would change that.
"It's not your burden to bear," she snapped back. "Someone else can carry that weight, you don't have to!"
I met her gaze without hesitation. "Yet I choose to bear it."
I closed my eyes. That simple gesture told her everything. She knew me well enough to recognize that stubborn glint, that same defiance I always wore when my mind was made up.
"No!"
"Yes!"
Her eyes widened in surprise. I never raised my voice, not like this. But that day… the day those demons came.
'I couldn't forget it. I wouldn't.'
"You should be proud of me," I said quietly, though I knew she couldn't be. Not when the fear of losing me consumed her every thought.
"I would rather die trying than watch the people I love be taken from me again." I shrugged, though my words hung heavy in the air. "And if it comes to that… know that you will always be my priority."
Silence filled the room, thick and heavy. I felt a breeze brush against my skin. Someone had left the door open, probably me but I didn't care.
I had made my choice.
Natsumi sighed in exasperation, the weight of his words settling deep within her. "Fine… do whatever you want. But if you do something reckless..." She paused, unable to finish the threat. In truth, she was powerless to stop him.
A bright smile broke across his face. "Thank you, Mom… but no promises." Before she could respond, he leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. Then, without another word, he slid the paper door shut behind him.
For a moment, the room felt quieter, emptier. She touched her cheek, warmth lingering where his lips had been. Despite her fears, she couldn't help but smile
A smile so radiant it could draw the gaze of anyone who saw it.
'He's just worried. He'll grow out of it… eventually.' She clung to that fragile hope, willing it to be true.
But deep down, a shadow of unease crept in. His final words echoed in her mind.
Wait… what does he mean by no promises?
---
"Alright, now that my problem is out of the way, let's come up with a plan." I sat on the grass, my back cool against the earth, the sensation grounding me as I sank into thought.
My mind raced, piecing together the training regimen that could lead me to supernatural power. The mere thought of success made my blood surge with excitement. But I quickly tempered that enthusiasm
Caution first, excitement later.
Let's see, I mused inwardly. I could start with the training I used in my past life. It made me strong without adding bulk.
But that might not be enough. Once I lay the groundwork for my physical strength, I'll need to push myself further.
Martial arts, extreme physical conditioning, and beyond.
Strangely, my memories from that life were clearer now than they ever had been before. It was as if something was… guiding me. Must be some kind of cheat.
Wait. I don't think I have a system. The thought hit me like a cold wave. No powerful cheat or automatic progression to rely on. Without it, my future felt uncertain.
Still, no point in whining about it. I wasn't going to cry over spilled milk. I'll have to find my own way.
I'd always wondered what it would be like to be reborn without a system, and now I was living it. Luckily, I'd read enough of those stories to know how to survive without one. Good thing I did. Without that, I'd be hopeless right now.
No more thinking about what I didn't have. It was time to focus on what I could do.
Okay, if I can stick to the training regimen I used in my past life and push it to the extreme, it should be enough.
The plan was simple.
Work every muscle group without becoming too bulky. I had done this routine on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The frequency might change as I adapted, but that was the general idea.
But that wasn't enough. I needed more. Mystical training. Meditation, a deeper connection to the elements. I had five to choose from, but I would prioritize one.
"Let's start." Determination laced my voice as I clenched my fist, ready to dive into the work ahead.
"30 push-ups, let's go!"
"1... 2... 3..."
The burn started setting in.
"F-Four..." My breath was ragged now, sweat pouring down my face. But I couldn't stop. I pushed through, though the effort was starting to feel overwhelming.
"Five..." My arms trembled with exhaustion. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to press forward, but then my body gave out. With a groan, I collapsed onto the soft, green grass beneath me.
Damn it! Is this some kind of joke? I had no problem with 25 push-ups in my past life. Why was 6 such a struggle?
If anyone were here, they'd probably think I was throwing a tantrum. The frustration swelled within me. I had expected to jump into intense training, but if I couldn't even do five push-ups, what was the point of continuing?
A pit formed in my stomach. If training is this hard, how am I supposed to gain any powers?
I groaned again, struggling to push myself up. The world seemed to spin, but I wasn't going to give up just yet.
"Aargh! I won't know unless I try!"
Just as I managed to push myself to my knees, a voice interrupted.
"Hisashi!! What happened?"
Natsumi came rushing over, her expression filled with concern.
"Nothing..." I lied, my voice shaky, drenched in sweat, and clearly exhausted.
Aw, crap... I thought, panic rising in my chest. Of all the times for her to show up, why now?
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This is an edited Chapter. It took a while. it I did it. I am in the process of editing most of volume one, so don't surprised if so Chapters following this one are bad.
Happy Reading Everybody!