"Reincarnation!!"Satoru exclaimed in disbelief.
It wasn't as though he was unfamiliar with the term. In fact, he knew it all too well. As a lifelong bachelor with a quiet social life, he had long since been drawn into the world of anime, manga, light novels, and webnovels.
And in those stories, reincarnation was everywhere.
It was practically a rite of passage for authors — their first story usually involved dying, meeting a god, and waking up in another world. But there was a reason for that: reincarnation was the ultimate fantasy. Who hadn't dreamed of escaping reality to explore a magical world, fight monsters, and wield unimaginable power?
Satoru had.
So, when the Goddess told him that he would be reincarnated, he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement. Still, he asked carefully, just to be sure."Wait, so… I'm actually going to be reincarnated?"
The Goddess chuckled softly. "Yes. You'll be sent to another world with your memories intact. That world has magic."
Satoru's eyes lit up. He clenched his fists, grinning like a kid in an arcade. But before he could even thank her, the Goddess raised a hand.
"Hold on, young man. Before you get too excited, you need to choose your options."
"Options?"
"Yes. You can choose to reincarnate as you are, or be given a younger body. Alternatively, you can start over as a newborn, just like any other human. You can even choose your race — elf, dwarf, beastman, or something else entirely."
She paused, then smiled mischievously. "And of course, there's your power. I can give you a holy sword, unparalleled magic, or even the power of a hero. By the way, do you want to become a hero?"
Her tone carried a spark of excitement, like she was hoping he'd say yes.
Satoru instantly waved his hands."No, no, no. I don't have that kind of ambition. I just want to live a normal, peaceful life — the kind I couldn't have before."
"...Tsk."
"Did you just click your tongue?"
"That's your imagination," she said quickly, averting her eyes.
With a sigh, she tried again. "You really don't want to be a hero? Think about it — adventures with companions, fighting monsters, helping the weak, punishing the wicked, and finally defeating the Demon Lord. Isn't that what reincarnation stories are all about? Won't you reconsider?"
Satoru shook his head firmly."No. I don't want that kind of life. Most people dream of peace but can't have it. Being able to live a normal life — that's already a blessing. So no, I'll pass on the hero stuff."
The Goddess looked a little deflated. This meant more work for her — she'd have to find someone else to fill the hero quota. But she couldn't exactly force him.
"Fine," she sighed. "Then, how do you want to be reincarnated? Choose wisely. Not everyone gets this chance. You're only receiving it because of our… mistake."
Satoru didn't need to think long. He already knew. He had thought about this countless times while reading webnovels.
He smiled. "First of all, I want to be reborn as a baby in a loving family. I want to experience familial love, something I never had. And I'd like my new family to be rich. If that world has nobles, then make my family one of the upper ranks.
"As for power, I want to use magic. I'd also like to understand and speak all languages. Oh, and… make me handsome. That's all I want."
The Goddess blinked, then smirked. "You're quite greedy, aren't you? But at least you're not asking for anything unreasonable."
Satoru leaned forward eagerly. "Then does that mean… you'll grant my request?"
"Yes. And since I feel generous, I'll even throw in an extra gift. A unique skill, of sorts."
Her expression softened. "In that world, every intelligent being has a 'System' — it lets you check your stats and skills, but nothing more. I'll make sure you have something… special."
Satoru nodded, satisfied. But then a thought crossed his mind."Actually, I do have one question."
"Yes?"
"Earlier, the noodles you were eating… that wasn't by any chance the pasta I made before I died, was it?"
"Cough! Cough!"
The Goddess nearly choked. "W-Well, you were already dead, and it would've been a waste to leave it there! Besides, it was very well made. For such a simple dish, it had excellent flavor."
Satoru frowned. "That makes sense… but it also doesn't."
"Wow, look at the time!" she interrupted quickly. "You should be going now!"
"Wait, what—"
Before he could finish, she waved her hand, and a portal burst open beneath his feet.
"Good luck, young man!"
And with that, Satoru was swallowed by a vortex of swirling colors.
The tunnel of light stretched endlessly, shifting between hues of gold and violet. So this is the pathway to reincarnation, he thought in awe.
But then—
Warning! Warning!Unknown power is invading.
Satoru's eyes widened. What the hell?!
Deploying countermeasures… Error. Countermeasure failed.System is being overwritten.Ding! Void energy is integrating with the soul.Error. Incompatible with the current life form.Finding a solution…Solution found.Executing lifeform reformation.
The mechanical voice in his mind went silent.
Then came the pain.
It was indescribable — as though every part of his body was being burned and rewritten from the inside out. His consciousness flickered.
Then, everything went dark.
When awareness returned, Satoru felt weightless. He was floating in warm water, surrounded by a soft, rhythmic sound.
It was calm. Safe. Like the world itself was cradling him.
Where am I…?
Before he could make sense of it, the warm space began to contract. Pressure built up around him, and suddenly—
Light. Sound. Cold air.
"Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!"
Wait… that sound—
That pitiful cry was coming from him.
"Congratulations, my lady," someone said cheerfully. "It's a beautiful girl!"
...Girl?
The words didn't quite register. His vision was blurry, his body heavy, his mind foggy. He was lifted gently, wrapped in warmth, and then placed into someone's arms.
The moment she held him, all the fear disappeared. She felt warm. Safe. Familiar.
This must be… my mother.
A gentle voice spoke above him. "Her eyes are already open. Do you think she can see us?"
A man answered fondly, "A baby's eyes aren't that developed yet."
Something warm fell on Satoru's cheek — a tear, perhaps? Everything was still too blurry to tell.
"But she keeps staring at you," the man said.
I'm trying to… but it's hard to even move my eyes…
"You hold her, too," the woman said softly.
"Y-Yes!"
He was carefully transferred from the woman's arms to a pair of trembling hands — larger, stronger, but shaking nervously.
"So small, yet alive… I don't know how to handle her," the man said.
Yeah, you don't. Don't you dare drop me.
"You should be used to it by now," the woman teased. "You're already the father of four."
"No matter how many times I do this, I never get used to it," he murmured, before handing the baby back.
Satoru — or rather, the newborn — let out an internal sigh of relief.
"Charles, what do you think we should name her?"
So his name is Charles. Then that's my father…
"I think you should name her," the man replied.
The woman smiled. "Look at her beautiful eyes… Let's name her Sapphire."
"Sapphire," Charles repeated softly. "That's a lovely name."
A midwife approached, smiling. "My lady, it's time for her bath."
She carried the tiny Sapphire to the fireplace. Warm water ran over her small feet, and a strange déjà vu washed over her — the sensation of that cozy water-filled space she'd just left.
So I really was reborn…
The fatigue from her new body and the comfort of the warmth began to blend. Her vision dimmed, her breathing slowed.
As she was bathed for the first time in her new life, Sapphire — once known as Satoru — drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.