It's incredible how the ups and downs of life are so unpredictable.
"Masachka!"
"Again, it's Masachika."
"Hehe."
Right now, I'm four years old, and I'm talking in Russian with a foreign blonde girl.
"What should we play?"
"What about... hide and... skee?"
"Seek."
The cute girl smiled and started to run away. "Then you are the seeker now! Start counting!"
"Okay, then... one, two..."
Really, what strange ups and downs life offers.
About a month ago, I hit my head while playing inside the house with my sister and lost consciousness. Everyone in the house was preoccupied, especially my sister, who also suffers from asthma. However, I wasn't just 'sleeping.'
I recovered memories from my past life, of a boy 15 years old. I'm not sure if I died or what exactly happened because the last thing I remember is going to sleep early due to an exam the next day. When I woke up, I found myself standing in a strange room.
In the last years of my past life, I started to focus more on games and anime, developing a particular interest in web novels posted for free on sites like W*bnovel and R*yalr*ad, as well as various CYOAs. I was just beginning my first campaign in D&D with a group of friends at that time.
Because of all this, I didn't panic when I saw shelves upon shelves filled with strange perfume bottles, and information flooded into my mind.
Essence Meta CYOA.
Countless bottles containing wonderful powers distilled into liquid from all over the universe and beyond. Probably due to some bizarre influence, I didn't hesitate before deciding which one to drink. It tasted like limitless potential, and I had to 'fill in some blanks' in the descriptions of the powers, not that I remember completely what I did. The exact moment I completed those, everything went black, and then I woke up.
In front of me was the crying face of my little sister and the concerned expressions of my parents, who were asking if I was okay. When I jokingly said, "It was so hard I dreamed of another life and came back," my family shouted at me.
"Found you, Ma-chan!"
"Then, hide yourself, Sa-kun! I'll find you in a flash!"
I stopped reminiscing and started to walk away while glancing at a blue screen that only I could see.
[Russian Lv.19->20]
Well, I'm happy to have a superpower in this life—one of them, at least. Because I also have another one that isn't related to it: I'm rich.
---
-A few years later-
Reincarnation is a bitch. Yes, I'll start with that.
Let's skip the questions of "Who am I going to reincarnate as?" and "What world am I going to reincarnate into?" and focus on the process of reincarnation itself.
Let's concentrate on the question: "Do you like your family?" My answer is… yes. I like my family… at least, partially. But then the next question arises: "Do you consider your 'current' family as a family?" And that's where the problems begin.
In all these four years, I've gone out of my way to spend time and build bonds with everyone, yet I still don't consider my parents a true family. The only exception is my sister; I can honestly say I love her, but my feelings toward my parents are different.
Let's start with my father, who is the less complicated one. I communicate with him and respect him, even if he works outside all the time and we don't have a solid relationship. He simply isn't an important figure in my life, especially since I have memories of a father figure who, despite not earning as much as my current father, has had a much greater influence on me. I like Kyoutarou Kuze, but he isn't the father figure I need in my life.
Now, let's talk about my mother. I know she has her problems, but… ugh.
First, I'll say this: the situation in the Suou household is toxic, without a doubt. My maternal grandfather is too strict with me and everyone else. He expects too much from everyone, and it's difficult—almost impossible—to meet his expectations. I know this all too well, since he focused his attention on me from the age of three.
Because of this, my mother has become reserved. She's not timid; she just doesn't engage in conversation or spend time with my sister Yuki and me. She isn't the nurturing mother my previous one was.
For the past few months, she has started to look at me strangely. She no longer meets my gaze and has begun referring to me not as "son," "Masachika," or even "Suou," but rather as "that child." Maybe there's jealousy due to my apparent "talent," but at this point, I don't care too much.
So, yes… I don't like my mother, Yumi Suou. But at least I don't hate her. It's more like I can easily ignore her.
And this brings us to the culmination of everything...
"Sorry, Masachika, your mother and I are getting a divorce…" I could feel the sadness in my father's tone; this was a difficult but necessary choice.
"Can I come with you?" I replied, knowing it was time to stop living in this situation.
---
"*Cough* I'm sorry, brother, but I'll stay here."
I was looking at the sad image of my little sister, bedridden. Today has been particularly rough for her; her asthma was acting up, and she had to listen to a loud argument between our parents. The news of their divorce was especially hard on her. Unlike me, she decided to stay here because she wanted to help our mother and prevent our maternal grandfather from causing unnecessary problems.
Our grandfather is fixated on me as the 'heir,' and Yuki understands that leaving this house would create significant issues for our mother. She has chosen to be the buffer that protects her.
"...Yuki is the coolest," I said.
"Hehe, Onii-chan is the best," she replied, a small smile breaking through her sadness.
I moved closer and patted her head, knowing it was something she appreciated.
[Headpatting Lv.16->17]
It's something I'm quite good at.
"But Yuki... I need to ask... Are you sure about this? We both know how things will turn out, and we'll probably be separated for a while..."
"I—I know... but I... I want to help. I don't like it, but I don't want to abandon Okaa-san," she replied, her voice trembling.
We fell silent, the only sounds were the rhythmic patting of my hand on her head and Yuki's occasional sob. I knew this situation could arise, but I wasn't prepared for it.
I got up and pretended to grab something from a nearby drawer while actually pulling something out of my [Inventory].
"Yuki, this is a phone with my hidden number already registered on it. Neither our parents nor our grandfather knows about it. I'm giving it to you, so we can stay in contact without any interruptions."
I handed the old phone to Yuki, who took it as if it were a precious treasure.
"...Thanks. You're a genius, as always. When did you think of this?" she asked, her eyes brightening.
"Who knows?" I replied with a shrug. I had collected those old phones and working SIM cards after my foreign friend disappeared one day. I decided to keep them for the few people I cared about.
"I'll miss you, Yuki..."
"...M-Me too, Onii-chan," she whispered.
Ultimately, Yuki couldn't hold back her tears as I hugged her tightly.
"You know... when we reunite and we're both ten years old, I'll tell you my biggest secret. That way, waiting will be more bearable."
---
-A few days later-
"Masachika, let's watch this film now! The lead actress…"
As always, Kyoutarou is busy working, and I'm staying with my grandparents. Tomohisa Kuze is another figure in my life, apart from Yuki, who feels like a grandfather to me. He is a funny old man full of energy, and his strange fixation with Russian films is an intriguing part of him that I can't say I dislike.
In fact, thanks to him, I was able to communicate with Ma-chan even when she couldn't speak Japanese. He is understanding and observant but knows when to take a firm stance in a situation. He isn't the overly permissive grandfather who spoils his grandchildren; he is the kind who is admired and respected by them.
"Mmh, we could, but today I want to go out," I replied.
"Oh? Well, it's been a week since you came here. Don't you think it's time to make some more friends? I know you've spent most of your time with Yuki, but…"
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I know I'm not the friendliest guy around, but I'm sure there are some people I can befriend. I just have to find them. Anyway, see you this evening! Let's watch that film together!"
I stepped out of the house while he waved goodbye. I am currently 6 years old, almost 7, but my maturity has earned me the recognition of my family members. I can go outside alone as long as I make it home before evening and don't cause a ruckus in the neighborhood.
So, I walked toward an abandoned house five minutes away. I could have gone to the park to practice skills like [Parkour], [Sprint], or [Jump], but I decided it was time to be more serious. Upon entering the house, I looked for a quiet corner.
"Maybe I can search around for some skill books; the owners might have left some behind. But that can wait. Right now, I want to use this skill for the first time."
I found the perfect spot and, with my right hand, touched the wall.
"[Setting Creation]"
It was my first time using this skill. I envisioned what I wanted and then waited for a few seconds. I designed it, but I had little knowledge of the intricate details of how it worked. Initially, nothing seemed to happen, but then I noticed something where my hand touched the wall.
A small black smoke appeared, not bigger than my thumb, and as I gazed at it, letters and numbers began to appear.
[Time required for opening: 5 months]
As I read it, one thought crossed my mind…
Heh, Essences are overpowered.