My name is Gok Xing Yu, a student from Malaysia.
I died in a car accident — and when I opened my eyes again, I had become… a baby.
Yet my memories from my previous life remained perfectly clear.
Right now, I'm being held in my mother's arms.
I decide to look around. Turning my tiny head and eyes, I notice the place seems to be a wooden room — one door, two windows, and a big bed.
Outside, sunlight pours through the window. The weather looks bright and calm, and my mother sits quietly on the bed.
Just then, the door opens.
A man wearing a white vest walks in, face full of excitement but covered in sweat and dirt.
『Honey, did the baby come out!? Let me see him!』
『Yes, dear. Look.』
He approaches us eagerly.
Seeing how filthy he is, I can't help but let out a warning cry.
"Waaah! (Don't come closer!)"
『Did you hear that, honey!? He called out! Was that for me!?』
『No, no — he called for me.』
They both laugh happily, talking in words I can't understand.
But from their faces, I can tell they're overjoyed.
(So that's my dad, huh? But seriously… could you wash up first?)
I silently complain in my mind.
My father reaches out his hands, wanting to hold me.
I glance at them — both palms are covered in dirt.
Thankfully, my mother shakes her head and says something.
『Wash your hands first before touching him.』
He immediately runs out of the room.
A while later, he comes back, holding out his hands again — this time, they're clean.
After checking, my mother nods and gently hands me to him.
But he still smells sweaty, and my face probably twists from the odor.
He smiles widely, almost foolishly, and says,
『I'm your father.』
『Dear, have you decided on the baby's name yet?』
『I have.』
My mother looks at him curiously. My father turns to her proudly, then back at me.
『His name… is Karen.』
『Karen? That's a lovely name.』
My mother smiles, and my father keeps repeating the name like a spell.
『Karen, Karen, your name is Karen!』
He says it so many times that even I get it.
So that's my name, huh? Karen. Let me try saying it.
"Waa… waa… ah! Waa! (Ka… ren… ah! Damn it!)"
Only after hearing my own voice do I remember — I can't pronounce words properly yet.
But both of them look delighted by the sound I made.
『Looks like Karen likes his name!』
『He sure does.』
They exchange a loving look — and then, to my horror, their lips meet in a kiss.
(Seriously!? You're kissing right in front of an eighteen-year-old baby! …Wait, that sounds weird.)
They pull away smiling blissfully, gazing at me.
Then, their faces move closer and closer — until I shut my eyes tightly.
Soft and rough sensations touch my cheeks from both sides.
When I open my eyes, I see my parents smiling — they had kissed me on each cheek.
A warm feeling fills my little chest, and I can't help but smile back.
Sleepiness soon washes over me; my eyelids grow heavy, and the world fades to black.
(If this really is a dream… I hope I never wake up.)
And with that thought, I fall into a peaceful sleep —
still half-believing that reincarnation into another world could only be fantasy.