Chapter 1 - Reincarnation means a White Room, Right?

It was the end of April and the beginning of Golden Week, and Shouko is tired again that day. I sighed as I leaned against the train door where I couldn't sit.

I'm in my fifth year of working life, and I spent one year as a freeloader and was born in April, so I'm 28 years old. When Shouko turned 24 years old, her mother said,

[Oh, Shouko will be 25 next year? You are rounding to Arasaa.] (TLN: Arasaa is term use for woman who are at the age around 30s which is girl is at age from 25 to 34 years.)

She said that. I was shocked, but four years later I would still be an Arasaa, and in another five years I would still be an Arasaa. Remembering that, I giggled as I held it to the door.

And this year, Shouko became a floor manager. The company where Shouko is working is a furniture company, but the transfers are every six months to a year, and those who can tolerate them can become managers early on. It was a good middle management position, challenging but also burdensome. A complaint from a customer, a push from a senior lay employee, a boyfriend who is busy and estranged,

[Ah, I can't wait to go home and get some rest......]

With like that, Shouko's wish came true in a sense. The train Shoko was on was going too fast, and it failed to go around the curve and derailed, and all the passengers died.

I think the last time I saw is someone flying at me was when I collapsed, so why does Shouko have to be here now?

In the empty white room, an office worker in his 30s, stunned like Shouko, and a woman who seems to be about Shouko's age, sit down. The three of them gathered together somehow. Just as they were about to discuss what was going on, a woman's voice rang out.

[You all died in an accident. I can revive you in my world if you wish.]

There was a beautiful woman dressed in white standing there.

[Another world reincarnation.... don’t me. goddess]

To the man who uttered it without thinking,

[Like what you have said]

Goddess said. Another woman clung to it.

[Can't we go back? My family...]
[You can't go back. You're dead after all.]
[If I was dead, why would you want to revive me?]

Man shouted.

[Because of neither poison nor medicine.]
[What......]
[Because you people are neither poison nor medicine]

Goddess sighed and began to speak.

[The world called Earth is, in a sense, the center of attention of the gods. No other world has developed so much in such a short period of time, tens of thousands of years. However, it may have been overdeveloped. The God of the earth has abandoned you.]
[God? Throw away?]
[In less than 20 years, the human race will destroy the entire world of the Earth. I'm sure he's tired of it.]
[What does that have to do with the fact that being thrown away?]
[Earth without an administrator has now become a hunting ground for souls. Gods from each world are coming to hunt for souls in secret. Your surviving family and friends will be hunted down by other gods sooner or later. I'm one of those gods, though.]

And woman smiled.

[Twelve trainloads of souls, I was indeed got that.]
[But there's only three of us here.]

A quiet-looking woman said as she looked around.

[The rest of them all became energy source material for the soul of my world.]
[We are...]
[I told you. I said you guys are not going to be poisonous or medicinal. The soul of an earth person has a tremendous amount of energy. Whether you lean toward justice or lust, it will produce extremes. You guys don't have that inclination. It means that staying on Earth as it is had no effect, for better or worse. Therefore]

With that, woman is saying happily.

[I permit you guys to live in my world]

Perhaps we should be angry. Why are people on Earth being held responsible for something that hasn't even happened yet? And it is this goddess who killed us. And we are neither poison nor medicine. However, Shouko is tired. Most importantly, what am I going to do back on Earth if I'm going to lose my family? Besides, she' s dead. Goddess said, as if she sensed it.

[My world is a world of swords and magic. When it comes to adapting your soul, you'll start at about 10 years old. Since you guys are reincarnating there, I'll grant you three wishes.]

Why are there always three wishes? Shouko thought, "Nonsense." A sword? I don't want to fight. Magic? I don't want to fight. Shouko thought hastily.

[Is there any healing magic in there?]
[Yes, there is]
[Then, let's me have ability to use the healing power. And a healthy and strong body. And then...]
[What last wish is?]
[Someone to help me until I'm independent.]
[......You can wish for anything you want.]

Goddess said while raising her eyebrows slightly. I can live on my own and fend for myself. That's what's important as a person. If I can live, I'm free to live how I want to live. Thinking that, Shouko scoffed a little to herself. I was so busy, I didn't have much freedom.

[It was frustrating to be told that I am not medicine. I want to at least heal people and live a carefree life for myself.]
[I see. That’s great.]

And woman face toward remaining two people.

[I, no, I really wanted to be a farmer. So the ability to be good at agriculture. Also, a healthy and strong body. Someone to help me until I'm independent.]
[Very well.]
[For me! I've been so protected all this time! So, magic! And a healthy and strong body and someone who can help me until I'm independent.]
[...Very well. Then let's each reincarnate beside someone who will take care of you. I wish you all a long life this time.]

Are you being sarcastic? Shouko and the three of them looked at each other for some reason and said their goodbyes softly. Eventually, consciousness drifted away.

I guess that's why it has developed. My wish was a very modest one.

Goddess smiled gently.


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