Second Life
Prologue
It is a realm of darkness, black fog billowing around his feet, over the ground……is it ground? His feet are firmly planted on…something. He feels as though he is floating, but something ripples beneath his feet, as though blown by an invisible gust of wind. And there is a dim throbbing of light, a dimly lit robe that appears in front of him, a face like a noh mask accompanying it.
"Toichi Kuroba," the empty voice echoes, "you are awake."
"……I'm dead, aren't I?"
"Indeed; you have caught on much faster than other souls in this position. Denial is the most abrasive thing when I am merely attempting to do my job."
"And you are the guardian of the afterlife."
"Correct again, Toichi Kuroba-san. You are clever."
"Not so much."
"And humble." He is silent, and offers no response. "Toichi Kuroba, your death was not as the great fates have divined it. In light of this unfortunate circumstance, a great law has been bent, to your benefit."
"I should not have died?" The mask moves side to side, as though a man shaking his head. "What are you saying, a great law has been bent to my benefit?"
"We are offering you a second chance at life. Reincarnation. This is not ordinarily available to new arrivals, and under normal circumstances would take a great many years to prepare for. However, in your case……we are prepared to open the door immediately."
"Is this your form of an apology for a death unplanned?"
"If that is how you wish to phrase it." There is a bright light, like a tear in the darkness.
"I don't know if I can accept this. I am dead. My revival would only bring confusion."
"It is reincarnation, not revival."
"All the same…my ties to the world of the living are severed."
"Even if this should come to pass…?" A sleeve waves, and an image appears in the tear of light. Eyes widen in shock. "It will occur, eight years from now…can you truly say you have no ties to life now that you have seen what your own son will become in those years to come?"
His head is bowed, his brow furrowed in thought. There is silence for a moment. "I suppose I can accept this gift after all…" The light widens, as though it is a door, opening for him to enter.
"Farewell, Toichi Kuroba, and may your new life be blessed."
"I hope so…I hope so."