In Another Life

Synopsis: This fanfiction will be a tough one to do, but hopefully I can see this through.

Disclaimer: I still do not own The Rising of the Shield Hero Franchise, nor do I own any of the characters. This work is purely fanfiction and is not related to the canonical story.

Now onto the story.

Chapter 1: Starting All Over Again

'Reincarnation'…

The very concept and belief of it is a rather philosophical combination of spiritual and firm belief in the lives of every living being that exists in this vast universe.

There are people who will most likely agree or disagree due to the foundation of their beliefs. Be it religion, logic, philosophy, or about nature in general. Living another life in another reality or in another world. The very idea of it is a crazy notion to anyone with a firm sense of rationality and with little concern to the spiritual side of reality.

Ironically, I used to be one of those people, then everything changed when I was brought to this world. A few months ago, I was sent to another world and became of the legendary Heroes. It started from a book that coincidentally fell on my head, which made me reluctantly open it. After that, everything changed.

I became the Shield hero, but the transition was…incredibly and stupendously tiring. My name was tarnished. My respect was gone. The world hated me and made my very life harder. I know that I was a social recluse, but damn. This one seriously takes the cake for the sufferings I had in my life.

I trusted no one. I was angry. I was not letting anyone else break through my walls, nor through my defenses. All because of one Bitch…

I was angry at her. I wanted to put her in her rightful place. I wanted to burn the damn world for doing this to me. I was an innocent man. An innocent man who was robbed of a second chance in life. I had no friends. My parents gave up on me. Even if I helped my younger brother out of the situation he fell in, I never got appreciated for doing so. So, what did I exactly have to lose?

But…deep down, I…hated myself. I let someone in, then they tore me asunder, then just left me a broken heart, mind, and soul. I swore to myself that no one will do that to me again…

As it turns out, Fate is a really ironic concept that chooses to play people like a fiddle. But at that moment, I gained a reason to save this sorry excuse for a world. I found her. A frail child who had gone through misfortune and agony in a short span of her life. Her eyes devoid of any form of life. She has already given up on living her life. I was surprised, but I felt…sorry for her. Looking back, why did I choose her? The little girl was like a red columbine, anxious and trembling. She was afraid of getting hurt again. Everything she knew was instantly ripped away from her. Everyone she loved perished in front of her eyes. Everything she knew was destroyed. It was like Life decided to play a cruel game and she was forced to watch everything unfold.

But then…she grew. She matured. She became strong. Her faith washed clean once more. Her hope and resolve had been renewed. She found a reason to live once more.

'Raphtalia…'

The same woman that gave me a strong resolve. The one who helped me rise above adversity and believed in me along the way. She did not give up on me, nor did she doubt me for a second. She put her faith in me, just as much as I did with her.

Looking back to it, I never really told her huh…

'I'm a Hero in your eyes, but you're the Hero in mine.'

It took a long time. A lot of ups-and-downs. From regaining my status as a Hero. From helping each other grow much stronger with each passing day. Rebuilding her village and embracing my purpose as a Hero.

"Naofumi? Are you asleep? Is something wrong?"

The question broke me out of my thoughts. Laying down in a grassy field, on top of a hill, watching over the village. We decided to take a break for a bit after having to transport a few goods to Melromarc and then visiting the Queen after doing so. Raphtalia looked over me and then I focused my attention to her.

"I'm not really sleepy. I'm just…" I muttered.

"'Just' what?" she retorted.

"…looking back to everything that brought us here…" the words slipped out my lips unexpectedly, but I didn't feel like I hesitated before I said it. 'I really have mellowed down' I said to myself.

"Hmmm…I never really took the time to…do the same." She meekly replied to my answer as she looked over the village, with the gentle spring breeze flowing through her hair.

I held her hand and she felt surprised for a bit before giving my hand a gentle squeeze. At that moment, she looked like the most beautiful thing I saw in my entire life. I know we're already married after 5 years, but damn…How can she look even more beautiful with each passing day? Was it magic?

"A-Are you thinking of something weird, Naofumi?" She shyly said after my little thought. Seriously, I could never figure out how she's able to read my mind. But, since we got married, I have my ways on teasing her whenever she does.

"I was just admiring my beautiful wife. Is that 'weird' to you~?" I said in a teasing tone and a rather cheeky grin. I liked complimenting her whenever she read my mind. As weird as that sounds, it became one of my most favorite moments with her.

And enjoyed it, I did. She blushed redder than a tomato and it made me laugh. "You're such a jerk, Naofumi! Always trying to get the upper hand by doing sneak attacks is not funny!" She then gave me a playful shove…but missed.

'Kya!' She screamed out, then proceeded to fall on top of me. I just kept laughing and then gave her a cheeky grin.

"I know you love me a lot." I teasingly said to her. She then gave me a small peck to my lips while still blushing.

"I know. You're just unfair." She retorted in a cheeky manner, then proceeded to lay on my chest. Then I wrapped my arm around her back and had my other free hand to cushion the back of my head in the grassy ground. We enjoyed this little moment of ours.

"Do you believe in another life, Raphtalia?" I asked her in a serious tone. She then looked at me for a bit.

"Why ask that question, Naofumi?" She asked like it was a rather 'unusual' question.

"I'm just...thinking about it so much…" I replied with a hint of longing and sadness in my voice.

I mean, if you think about it, would we have met in those different lifetimes? How would we have met? Would we even get along in the first place? What if a lifetime exists where she becomes one of my enemies…? Honestly, I wouldn't be able to bear the sight of that…

Raphtalia then proceeded to hum softly while snuggling up to my chest. Good thing we're all alone this afternoon, or else this would've been an embarrassing sight to give to the villagers…I blushed at the thought.

"I believe…" she proceeded to softly reply as she slowly looked into my eyes.

"I believe that… even in another life… We would've met and fallen in love with each other again…" she then gives me a bright and warm smile full of love. "Just like this…" She finished her reply.

I then gave her my reply to the answer. One bright smile and a peck to her forehead. She's right…

A lot of years went by… We lived the rest of our remaining lives in happiness. Overseeing the village. Raising a family of our own. Going out with each other whenever we both have nothing else to do. Every moment felt like the most amazing moments that I lived for and fought tooth and nail to gain.

We were happy. Even until we both became old.

I held onto her hand on her deathbed. I was sad… the rain clouds were dark on that single afternoon. I felt the world stop at that single moment.

She saw the tears streaming from my eyes. She wiped them away slowly with her thumb as she cupped her hand softly onto my cheek.

"Don't be sad… dear…" she whispered weakly to me.

I wanted her to stay. I wanted her to live for a bit more. My heart felt like it was breaking.

"I...love you…" she replied to my thought. I looked at her.

But then, she gestured to come close to her. I did just that and she whispered into my ear with the remainder of her strength.

'Will you promise me… that you'll find me again…?'

I nodded briefly. She gave me a final smile, and along with her final words… Before she died in my arms…

I couldn't hear anything, nor feel anything at that single moment… I wept… I gripped onto her hands… I pleaded for her to open her eyes… Then, I made a promise…

Another few years went by… It was finally my time.

"Even in another life…" I spoke as the light from my eyes were fading slowly. I was dying. "I promise… I'll find you...no matter what". I thought to myself at the last moment of my life. It wasn't death that I was afraid of… I was afraid of eternal loneliness… But I still held onto my promise. The final moment of hope I had before the darkness had taken over. "...I'll fall in love with you...All over again…"

….

….

An alarm went off.

A sharp gasp exited from my mouth. I sat up. I gripped onto my chest. I was hyperventilating. Cold sweat ran down from my forehead and onto my chest.

"Was that...a dream?"

I proceeded to whisper to myself as I looked around my room. I scanned my room and it seemed normal. I felt my head throb and then I proceeded to begin with my day. I lived alone, so it wasn't really a bad time for me. I did have the day off from my classes.

My parents weren't really a perfect example of a modern family, but they are still good people. They still loved me as much as my little brother and sister. I am the eldest, but they didn't expect so much from me. It's not a bad thing though. I was allowed to go to the school of my first choice. There, I took up Culinary. Weirdly enough, my parents always told me that I am a good cook.

Whenever we had parties or celebrations in high school, or mostly just normal days, the homeroom teacher really looks to me to prepare some kind of snack to share for the students.

It was a pain in the ass, but eventually I enjoyed it. I'm still not sure how I managed to make it my choice for a career in the future. To my own opinion, it doesn't really fit for a social recluse and an otaku like me. I'm just saying.

I made my way downstairs into the kitchen and proceeded to eat a light breakfast. I turned on the television and just watched a rerun of the anime I binge watched yesterday after I got home late from class. After eating and washing my dishes, I looked at the clock. It was only 8:40 in the morning. I turned off the television and then proceeded to take a morning shower.

I tend to go out of the house when I have nothing else to do with my mornings. I may be an otaku, but i'm not a shut-in. That's the distinction that sets me apart from the average recluse.

After taking a bath, I wore my cotton shirt and my jersey set, then proceeded to walk out of the house.

I'm not so much of a 'sociable' person when it comes to interacting with other people. 'Few friends, few problems.' Is one of my many mantras that I tell myself. As I wandered around for a bit, I just looked over the river as I tossed a few stones for a bit. It's a weird way to pass the time, but i'm not really a normal person to be concerned about.

I looked at my phone to check the time. It was about 9:45. "Damn. I'm already feeling bored for a bit." Luckily, the market stalls were open at this time, so I grabbed a bit of a snack. I bought a taiyaki, which was still piping hot. Spring wasn't exactly instantly warm weather. There were still residues of the cold, which was a calming time of the year.

After finishing the taiyaki, I headed to the library where I mostly spend my time reading anything I can get my hands on. Until…

'Kya!' A bump and a thud is what I experienced next, making me lose my balance and fall flat on my butt.

"Ow ow ow…" I slowly got up while rubbing my butt. I looked down to see someone rushing to grab items that fell from the person's hands. Reluctantly, I decided to help the person.

As I reached for a few books that fell to the ground, I accidentally touched the person's hand as I was reaching for the last book. We got startled and the stranger proceeded to look at me.

Huh…

It was a girl.

She looked like a foreigner. Two unusual colors got to me as I observed the woman in front of me. Light, hazelnut brown hair. Beautiful red tea eyes. A perfect figure that looks like she was overflowing with both beauty and confidence. I felt… you know what, even saying 'stunned' is an understatement. I couldn't look away from her at all. I mean, if anyone was at my current situation, how could you even peel your eyes away from this kind of beauty?

She sported a healthy blush on her face. "I-I-I'm so s-sorry!" She bowed her head to me while still on the ground. She realized the situation and proceeded to stand up while still reaching for her items. The books she had are bundled in my arms.

I gave her the books and she bowed again, but this time, she gave me a good and long look at my face. I also did the same.

Suddenly, something tingled inside my mind.

'Have I met her/him before? He/She feels rather...familiar.' Both of them had thought to themselves.

However, she looked at the time on her watch. She was shocked and nervous. "Oh no! I'm late for my next class!" She rushed for a bit and then looked back to me. She gave me another bow and proceeded to speak "I-I'm sorry for bumping into you and causing you trouble."

I raised up my hands, "It's no trouble at all. Honest." I hesitantly spoke. I was still reeling back from staring at her beauty. Like, damn. There were no words to describe it.

She rushed off into the opposite direction. Then I proceeded to head inside the library after garnering a bit of a crowd in front of the entrance, which was awkward for me.

My thoughts still lingered around the woman. Suddenly, my heart started beating for a bit. "D-Did I just fall in love at first sight?! N-No, come on! I know that it doesn't instantly happen!" I kept telling myself to calm my beating heart.

But… I felt another kind of emotion. What was it? Why did she feel… familiar? Like, we've already met before. Who was she?

Then suddenly, I remembered a… smile? A bright smile. He felt his cheeks becoming warm and flushed before he proceeded to struggle with his thoughts about her.

End of Chapter 1

Notes: Oh boy. This will be one rough ride for the two of them. Thanks for reading.