As I looked at the dull brown eyes of the 10-year-old in my reflection, I couldn't help but panic. "Where is my beard and my short, shaggy brown hair. Where is my hideous face? I've never been this handsome a day in my life," I thought.
While all these thoughts ran through my mind, I thought about my parents and the rest of my family and friends, and I realized I had no way to know how they're doing or how I died in my previous world in the first place, because I knew it wasn't because I got wasted with some friends. I thought, "Who the hell is this kid?" and why am I in his body? Then I thought back to a concept from my previous world called reincarnation, because I had no hard time figuring out this is not my world, the second I saw the body of a 10-year-old in my reflection.
As I stood there looking at my reflection, I suddenly started to gag. I felt warm liquid flowing towards my mouth. I scurried towards the toilet, kilted over, and released my stomach's contents into the toilet. I thought I was done, but the process repeated itself. I stumbled back, and my back hit the wall. I slid down, letting my bottom hit the ground. I looked down at my small hands and little legs, as I thought to myself, "Is this really some kind of reincarnation?".
I wanted to contemplate for an explanation, but I knew that sitting on the ground wouldn't help. I pulled myself off the ground and looked at the mirror one more time before wandering out of my room to see the rest of my apartment. I arrived at the kitchen, which was small and could handle the necessities. I couldn't help but think how similar it was to my apartment from my previous world. After seeing the rest of the house, which was just a small breakfast table and a dirty living area.
I finally decided to see what's outside my apartment. I threw on a long-sleeve black shirt and some plain black shorts, and some open-toed sandals. I raised an eyebrow at the open-toe sandals, but again I brushed it off.
I stepped out the door and locked it and walked down the long stairway, and finally stepped onto the sidewalk. I looked around to see the dark blue sky as I figured it was close to sunrise. As I walked down the slightly empty street, I saw that the clothing of some of the civilians was quite different. A middle-aged man looked at me with a solemn and pitiful look as I thought, "What was that about?".
I didn't look into it too much and continued to walk down the streets. Small shops and restaurants were abundant, and the more restaurants and business places I saw, the more people appeared on the streets. And the more solemn looks I received. I ignored it again. My stomach then rumbled, I let out a sigh, and reached into my pockets to see if this kid had left some money in his pockets.
Thankfully, he did, but as I looked at the crumbled-up bill, I doubted it would be enough, though I didn't know the currency in this world. I entered a small shop and I was greeted with a warm welcome.
"Ahh, Yuto, my boy, it's good to see you're holding up well," said the middle-aged man at the counter.
"Well, now I at least know my name". I didn't even realize I was instinctively smiling. "Looks like he knew this man," I thought.
My smile quickly turned hesitant as I didn't know how to respond, with no memories of this man. I settled for a light nod of recognition.
I quickly looked for the first thing I saw so I could get out of the store as quickly as possible, fearing the longer I stayed, the more likely I'd blow my cover. I settled for a chocolate bar that was similar to a Snickers bar from my previous world and set it on the counter.
"Don't worry, this one is on the house," said the man.
I gave him a sincere smile and said "thank you," but it came out in a language I never knew I could speak.
"No problem, this is the least I can do for you considering all you have been through over the past month".
I had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but I gave him a small bow, which I assumed was customary in this world, and reached to grab the bar on the counter, but just as I was about to grab the chocolate bar. The door opened abruptly, and a feminine voice said, "Pop, I'm here like you a---" as she cut off her speech when she saw me.
"Oh, little Yuto"
I locked eyes with a young teenage girl with long brown hair slicked back into a ponytail and black eyes. She had a duffel bag slung over her shoulder with a uniform suited for work.
I was about to greet the woman I didn't recognize at all, but she cut me off.
"Yuto," she paused, "I'm sorry for your loss."
I stared at her awkwardly, not knowing how to respond to her. I couldn't respond. I don't know who the kid lost, and the girl in front of me, I've never seen in my life. I was hoping to greet her normally, but she just had to put me in a bad spot. Thankfully, the store owner cut the silence.
"Iami, no need to trouble the boy with that, I'm sure he's been haggled enough about it," he said.
"Yuto, my boy, if I'm not mistaken, today is the day you return to the academy," he said with a smile.
I looked back at the man timidly
"Um, I'm not sure," I said.
"That's quite all right, yuto, do well to find out, but don't be in too much of a hurry to go back, alright," he said.
I had no idea how I'd find out, considering I'm in another world with no knowledge of what the academy was or where it is, but I still gave him a hurried nod and clutched the chocolate bar to my chest as I walked out toward the exit.
"Take care, my boy," the man said.
Iami looked at where Yuto was just standing with worry, as she looked and a solemn face.
"It's sad what that boy's been through."
"Be sure to look out for little Yuto, Iami," said the man
"Yes, of course," said Iami.
I let out a sigh of relief as I finally escaped the store. I thought to myself, "I really need to figure out more about this world". I had no qualms about returning to my old world, considering I've already entered another body.
"Looks like I'll need to make a shitty situation useful."
[Be sure to give me your power stones]