Makoto Naegi adjusted his tie nervously as he stood in front of his bedroom mirror. His reflection stared back, clad in the pristine blazer of Hope's Peak Academy—the elite school that only accepted students with extraordinary talents. It felt surreal. Him? In a place like that?

"Ultimate Lucky Student…" he muttered under his breath, glancing at the acceptance letter on his desk. "Guess luck really is my only talent."

"Makoto!" his younger sister Komaru called out from the doorway. "Stop staring at yourself like a weirdo! You're gonna be late!"

Makoto turned, flashing a small smile as Komaru bounded into the room. She looked him up and down, grinning wide. "Wow, big bro! You actually look kinda cool! You're definitely gonna turn some heads at Hope's Peak."

"Doubt it," Makoto replied, scratching his head sheepishly. "But thanks."

Komaru crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Seriously, you'll be fine! It's just school. No pressure, right? Besides, what's the worst that could happen? You're the Ultimate Lucky Student—luck's literally on your side!"

Makoto couldn't help but chuckle at her optimism. "You've got a point. Thanks, Komaru."

She waved him off, shoving him toward the door. "Now, get going! You don't wanna blow your first day!"

With a deep breath, Makoto slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped outside. The morning air was crisp, the sun shining brightly—a perfect day to start something new.

The walk to Hope's Peak was quiet, save for the distant hum of cars and the occasional chirp of birds. Makoto's nerves were still there, but Komaru's words stuck with him. Maybe luck really was on his side.

He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice the girl crossing the street ahead of him. She had her head down, eyes glued to her phone as she stepped into the crosswalk.

That's when he saw it: a massive truck barreling down the road, its horn blaring. The driver was slamming the brakes, but it wasn't going to stop in time.

"Look out!" Makoto shouted, his body moving before his mind could catch up. He sprinted toward the girl, shoving her out of the truck's path just as it roared past.

Pain exploded in his chest, and the world went dark.

When Makoto opened his eyes, he was no longer on the street. Instead, he was sitting on a plain wooden chair in the middle of a dark, empty room. The air was oddly soothing, carrying a faint, calming hum.

"What… happened?" he muttered, rubbing his head.

"Oh, good, you're awake!" a cheerful voice rang out, startling him.

Makoto looked up to see a woman seated at a desk in front of him. She was impossibly beautiful, her long blue hair shimmering like liquid crystal and her mischievous smile practically glowing in the dim light. She was munching on a bag of potato chips, crumbs scattered across the desk.

"Welcome to the afterlife, Makoto Naegi!" she announced, popping another chip into her mouth. "Congratulations—you're dead!"

Makoto blinked. "…What?"

"You heard me! You're dead. Kaput. Squished flat by a truck," she said, snapping her fingers for dramatic effect. "It was a real tearjerker of a death, too. Pushing that girl out of the way? Classic hero move."

His heart sank as the memory came rushing back. "The girl… Is she okay?"

Aqua paused mid-bite, her confident smirk faltering. "Huh? That's your first question? You're not gonna freak out about being dead or anything?"

Makoto shook his head. "I just… need to know if she's okay. Please."

The woman—Aqua, as she later introduced herself—blinked, taken aback. Then she sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, she's fine. Not a scratch on her."

Makoto let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relief washing over him. "Thank goodness…"

Aqua tilted her head, staring at him curiously. "Man, you're weird. Most people are way more selfish when they get here. Freaking out, yelling at me, begging to go back… But you're just sitting there like a saint. What's your deal?"

Before Makoto could answer, Aqua's gaze sharpened, and her eyes widened. "Whoa. Your soul—it's so bright, it's practically blinding! Geez, no wonder you're such a goody two-shoes."

"Uh… thanks?" Makoto replied awkwardly, not sure if that was a compliment.

Shaking off her surprise, Aqua leaned forward with a grin. "Anyway! Let's talk options. You've got two choices. Option one: go to heaven. Boring place, though—no food, no games, just clouds and harps all day. Snoozeville."

Makoto frowned. "That… doesn't sound great."

"Right?!" Aqua said, throwing up her hands. "Which brings us to option two: reincarnation! Specifically, in a fantasy world that's being terrorized by a Demon King and his minions. The people there are suffering big time, and they need a hero to save the day. That's where you come in!"

Makoto sat up straighter. "A world in need… I could really help them?"

"Yup!" Aqua said. "Oh, and as a bonus, you get to take one super-powerful weapon or ability with you. Pretty sweet deal, huh?"

Makoto hesitated. "If I choose that… I'll never see my family again, will I?"

Aqua's grin faltered. "Uh… no. Sorry."

He closed his eyes, taking a moment to process. Images of Komaru and his parents flashed in his mind, but so did the thought of a world suffering under the Demon King's tyranny. He opened his eyes, resolve shining in them.

"I'll go," he said firmly. "If I can help, then that's what I want to do."

Aqua grinned. "Knew you'd pick that one! All right, let's get you set up." She snapped her fingers, and a glowing stack of papers appeared on the desk. "Here's a catalog of weapons and abilities. Take your pick!"

Makoto leaned forward, scanning the options. There were swords that could cut through mountains, spells that could summon meteors, even divine artifacts that could bend time itself. But as he carefully weighed his choices, Aqua grew increasingly impatient.

"Come on, pick something already!" she whined, stuffing more chips into her mouth. "You're slower than a slug in quicksand."

"Sorry, I just want to make sure I choose the right—"

Before he could finish, a blinding light erupted from above, and a figure descended. The air crackled with divine energy as a woman with six radiant wings appeared, her violet eyes burning with authority.

"Aqua," the angel said, her voice sharp. "We need to talk."

Aqua froze, dropping her chips. "V-Verina?!"

The radiant angel landed gracefully in front of the desk, her six glowing wings spreading wide. Her long, silver hair shimmered with a soft, celestial glow, and her violet eyes locked onto Aqua with a piercing glare that could shatter stone. She carried herself with an aura of authority, as if the mere act of standing in her presence demanded reverence.

"V-Verina!" Aqua stammered, pushing herself back in her chair. "W-what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be, uh, busy with other things? Very important godly things?"

Verina crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "I am here because the Higher Gods have grown tired of your negligence and misconduct, Aqua. You've abandoned your duties far too many times, and the results have been… catastrophic."

"C-catastrophic?!" Aqua squeaked, her face pale. "T-that's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it? I've been doing my job just fine!"

Verina raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Shall I list your infractions? Sending a soul to a world of slimes without any abilities, resulting in that world's economy collapsing due to his insistence on hoarding slime cores? Or how about the time you sent a soul to a world where magic didn't even exist, leaving them stranded as a penniless farmer?"

Aqua waved her hands frantically. "T-they turned out fine! Eventually!"

Verina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Aqua, you've proven time and again that you cannot handle the responsibilities entrusted to you. The gods have decided it is time for you to face the consequences."

Makoto watched the exchange, wide-eyed. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but Aqua's panicked flailing and Verina's sharp tone painted a clear picture: Aqua was in trouble. Big trouble.

"W-wait!" Aqua yelped, scrambling out of her chair. "What consequences? I-I can explain everything! I've been working really hard lately, I swear!"

Verina's expression hardened. "The Higher Gods have decided to send you to Slime Hell as punishment."

"SLIME HELL?!" Aqua shrieked, nearly falling over. "N-no! You can't do that! Anything but Slime Hell!"

Makoto tilted his head. "What's Slime Hell?"

Verina glanced at him briefly before answering, her tone calm. "An eternal plane where the condemned are submerged in an endless sea of sticky, gelatinous slimes. They cling to you, suffocating you, dissolving your clothing… It is one of the most unpleasant punishments imaginable."

Makoto winced. That did sound pretty horrible. Aqua, meanwhile, had collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"P-please, Verina, I'm begging you!" she sobbed, clutching at the angel's robes. "I'll do better! I promise! Just don't send me there!"

Verina looked down at her with a cold, disapproving gaze. "You've had countless chances to do better, Aqua. The gods believe this is the only way you'll learn."

Makoto couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward, drawing both women's attention. "Wait. Isn't there another way?"

Verina blinked, surprised by his interruption. "Another way?"

Makoto nodded, his expression serious. "I don't know everything Aqua's done, but… doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? I mean, sure, she's made mistakes, but isn't it possible for her to prove herself if she's given the right opportunity?"

Aqua stared at him in shock. "Y-you're defending me?"

Makoto smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… yeah. I mean, if there's a way to avoid punishing you, I think it's worth trying."

Verina studied him carefully, her violet eyes narrowing as if she were examining something far deeper than his physical appearance. After a long moment, she tilted her head slightly. "Your soul… It truly is remarkable. So bright, so pure. It's no wonder you would go out of your way to defend someone like Aqua."

"Hey!" Aqua protested weakly. "What do you mean, 'someone like me'?!"

Ignoring her, Verina turned back to Makoto, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Perhaps there is another way. If Aqua were to accompany you to the new world and assist you in defeating the Demon King, it would prove her dedication to her duties. If she succeeds, the gods may reconsider her punishment."

Makoto's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great!"

"WHAT?!" Aqua screamed, leaping to her feet. "You're sending me to a dangerous, monster-infested world with this guy?! That's not better than Slime Hell! That's just—just—!"

Makoto smiled at her apologetically. "Sorry, Aqua. But I think it's better than slimes dissolving your clothes for eternity, right?"

Aqua opened her mouth to retort but quickly closed it again, realizing he had a point. "Ugh, fine! But don't expect me to thank you or anything!" she grumbled, crossing her arms.

Verina cleared her throat. "One more thing, Makoto. If you choose to bring Aqua with you, it means you forfeit the right to select a divine weapon or ability. This is no small decision."

Makoto hesitated for only a moment before smiling. "That's fine. I don't need a weapon if I have Aqua with me. I'm sure we'll manage together."

Aqua stared at him, wide-eyed. "You're really okay with that? You're giving up something super awesome just to save me?"

Makoto shrugged. "Well, yeah. Everyone deserves a second chance."

Aqua's cheeks turned slightly pink, though she quickly looked away. "W-whatever. Just don't expect me to carry the team or anything."

Verina smiled softly, a rare expression of warmth gracing her face. "Makoto Naegi… You truly are one of a kind. May your hope guide you in this new world."

With that, the room was suddenly bathed in a brilliant light. A glowing magic circle appeared beneath Makoto and Aqua, its runes shimmering with divine energy.

"Wait!" Aqua shouted, panic returning to her voice. "Can I at least bring some chips with me?!"

"No," Verina replied flatly, smirking as Aqua was engulfed by the light.

As the two of them disappeared, Verina watched with a faint smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps your hope is exactly what this world needs."

To Be Continued…