PROLOGUE

"It’s your fault… it’s all your fault!"

My memory ends there.

The next thing I knew, I was inside a pure white room.

"Where… am I?"

I was floating softly in mid‑air. Wow… amazing. I’m flying. I looked around, but the room was completely empty. Then suddenly, a voice spoke.

"I’m the one who called you here. This is a room I prepared just for you."

I flinched. It was so sudden—and there was only a voice, no person in sight.

"Who are you? Why am I here?"

"I’m what your world would call a god. And I need to apologize. I’m sorry… your soul was meant to shine brilliantly, but my blessing didn’t work properly, and this happened."

A god? Picture books said gods watch over everyone. I couldn’t see him, but he said he was here, and that he had called me.

Somehow, I already knew what that meant. I asked anyway, just to be sure.

"I… I can’t go back to my mother?"

“…No.”

So it was true. I’ll never see her again. We didn’t spend much time together, but she was still my beloved mother.

"I tried so hard to follow her rules. But she never smiled… she always looked tired. I couldn’t do anything for her."

"That’s not true. Even small as you were, you did what you could. You should be proud. And because you tried so hard, I have a gift for you."

"A… gift?"

"Yes. I’d be happy if you accepted it."

I thought about it. I’d never received a gift before. Mother always said I was useless, so there was no reason for presents. And she said taking things without permission was wrong. Even if I’ll never see her again… is it okay to break that rule?

Still, deep down, I felt a little excited. I wanted to try receiving a gift.

"God… if I accept a gift, will Mother be angry?"

"Of course not! After all, it’s a gift from a god!"

Really? If he says so, then it must be true.

"Hmm… then I want to try getting a gift!"

It was like he’d been waiting for my answer. His cheerful voice rang out.

"Great! Then listen carefully. Because you’ve worked so hard, I’ll send you to a world where you can be happy. A different world. You’ll start a new life there. Don’t worry—it’s a world where you’ll have lots of fun."

"A different world…?"

What kind of place would it be? Like the one I lived in before, or completely different? But if it’s fun, then anywhere is fine.

"Yes. And this time, my blessing will protect you, so you can smile as much as you want."

"Blessing…?"

"Don’t worry about that yet. Just enjoy the new world. Oh, and one more gift. Do you like dogs or cats better?"

Not one gift—two! He said I could have a dog or a cat to play with in the new world. My very first presents, and two of them! I was thrilled. I love animals—I always read books about them.

I thought about it. I liked the dog that lived nearby.

"I think… I’d like a dog."

"Then a dog it is! He’ll be waiting for you in the new world. You’ll meet him as soon as you wake up. And when you grow up, come visit the church."

"When I grow up? Not right away?"

"That’s right."

"Okay, I understand!"

"Good answer! Now, off you go—to your new world!"

With the god’s shout, my memory cut off again. Just before it faded, I heard his voice—

"Ah! I messed up!"

…Eh?

"Oh well, I failed again. But it’s close enough, it should be fine."

"Fine? What do you mean?"

"Geh—Lucas, you saw that?"

Another god, Lucas, was suddenly behind me.

"I came because I was worried, and look at you! What if they can’t find that child? What then?"

Always so serious. Lucas is too strict. He’s always checking on me and scolding me.

"It’s fine. I left someone with him."

"Hmph. I’ll be telling everyone about this."

"Aw, come on!"

"Quiet! You never change…"

Muttering complaints, Lucas vanished. Ugh, now everyone will scold me again. Such a pain.

Well, at least I managed to send him to the new world. That’s step one cleared. I pictured the new life waiting for him, and couldn’t help but grin.

"Yūki Takahashi… may you find happiness in another world this time."