"I''m so tired already," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the silent room.


    He could feel the tears welling up again, but he was too drained to cry any more. The room remained silent until the first light of the rising sun began to filter through the window. Eventually, he fell asleep.


    "Wakey, wakey," Nick said, shaking Milo gently.


    "You''re home early," Milo mumbled.


    "Yeah, I have class. How about you? Hey, what happened to your eyes?" Nick asked, noticing the redness.


    Milo got up from his bed. "Well, I was tired last night," he said, avoiding eye contact.


    "Oh, okay. Hope you''re okay. There''s your breakfast on the table. Gotta go," Nick said, grabbing his bag.


    "Be careful," Milo replied, trying to muster a smile.


    He looked at his schedule. No class today, huh. He closed his eyes, but the haunting images came flooding back. "Ahhh," he groaned, getting out of bed and fixing himself up. He ate breakfast and played chess on his phone, trying to distract himself. He took a bath and brushed his teeth. Not knowing what else to do, he went to the park again.


    There he sat, watching the birds pecking at seeds. His mind remained blank, a fog of thoughts swirling aimlessly.


    "It seems you are thinking too deeply there, young man," a voice said in front of him.


    "Oh," Milo snapped out of his daze. He looked up and saw an old man standing before him.


    "Can I sit with you here?" the old man asked.


    "Sure," Milo said, moving his sling bag off the seat.


    "Ahhh," the old man sighed as he sat down.


    Milo continued to watch the birds, lost in his thoughts.


    "It will pass," the old man said suddenly.


    "Hmmm?" Milo responded, surprised.


    "Whatever your problem is right now, it will pass," the old man said calmly.


    "Oh, yeah, but right now it stings."


    "Then let it sting. You know it''s one of the results of your actions, right?" the old man asked gently.


    "Yeah, I did. Maybe I always knew this would happen," Milo said, remembering his parents'' fights and how he should''ve kept his distance from Eska and rejected Jennifer in the first place. "I just thought if the time came, I''d be ready to handle it."


    "Hahaha, well, that''s life," the old man chuckled.


    "Heh, maybe it is."


    "But you were happy, right?" the old man asked.


    Milo thought about the times when his family was loving, admiring Eska from afar, and even his moments with Jennifer. A smirk formed on his face. "I actually was."


    "Hahaha, we all want these things not to happen to us, but they already did and we can''t change that," the old man said wisely. "So let''s just tell ourselves that it''s the price we have to pay."


    Milo looked at the old man with amazement. "Damn, old people are really wise," he thought.


    They both continued to watch the birds, the wind gently blowing around them, carrying a sense of calm.


    "Whoo, it''s getting cold," the old man said, standing up and stretching. "Anyway..."


    "Hmm?" Milo looked up at him.


    "Don''t let it destroy you," the old man said, his voice kind yet firm. "Mourn, sure, but don''t mourn forever. Especially you young people, full of dreams. It would be a waste crying and being sad in your 20s, ahahahha."


    "Hahahaa, you''re right. Uh, sir?"


    "Oh, I''m Mr. Benjamin."


    "I''m Milo," Milo said, shaking the old man''s hand.


    "Milo, don''t be too hard on yourself, boy," Mr. Benjamin said, noticing the sadness in Milo''s eyes. "It will pass," he added, giving Milo a reassuring pat on the shoulder before walking away.


    Milo sat there for a moment, feeling a bit lighter. The park was alive with the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the breeze. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. He took a deep breath, the old man''s words echoing in his mind. He watched the birds for a while longer, letting the peace of the park settle over him. It was a small step, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope.


    He looked at the sky, closing his eyes. The warmth of the sun''s rays washed over him, and he felt a sense of peace. A smile slowly spread across his face, despite the images still lingering in his mind.


    "So what should I do right now?" he wondered. "Right, dream. What''s my dream again?" He opened his eyes as the cherry blossoms appeared in his mind. "Right, travel!" He smiled, his steps quickening with newfound determination.


    "I need to fix my exam results," he thought. "Uhm, next, I need to eat more." The thoughts of those people still lingered in his mind. "AHHAHAHHA," he chuckled to himself, drawing curious looks from people around him. "What''s wrong with this kid?" they seemed to think.


    "Ah, so these are my failed exams," he said to himself as he looked at his test papers, feeling a mixture of disappointment and resolve.


    At night:


    "Milo! Do this!


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Wash the dishes!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Milo, could you get the garlic?"


    "Yes, ma''am."


    The hustle and bustle of the restaurant kept Milo busy, giving him a temporary escape from his thoughts.


    "Wow, he seems back to his normal self," Nick smiled, watching Milo.


    "Ah, so tiring," Milo sighed as he dropped onto his bed. The silence and darkness enveloped him once more. His mind began showing images again.


    "Force yourself to sleep," he muttered to himself.


    "What?" Nick asked.


    "Oh, nothing," Milo replied.


    "Oh, be sure. I might send you to the hospital," Nick joked.


    "Hahahha, let''s just sleep."


    "Good morning," Milo said to Nick.


    "Wow, you''re in a good mood already," Nick remarked.


    "I''m not. It''s just my schedule," Milo replied.


    "Don''t worry. You can find someone prettier than Eska and Jennifer, HAHAHAHHA," Nick teased.


    "Hey, that''s uncalled for," . Milo couldn''t help but feel a sense of determination. "Anyway, there''s a fried egg on the table I''m gonna go to school. Bye!"


    "Ohm, be careful," Nick replied.


    Milo walked to school, his sling bag swinging at his side. The city was busy, full of noise and activity. He passed a square where people were holding a protest, their voices loud and angry. "End the tyranny! Demand justice! Peace for all!" their signs said.


    "Another protest against the government," Milo thought. "They''re unhappy with the new money rules." The voices of the protesters mixed with the city''s noise, creating a feeling of tension in the air.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    As he kept walking, he passed street vendors shouting to sell their goods. The smells of food and car exhaust filled the air, making the city feel alive.


    Milo saw news scrolls with big, bold headlines. "Breaking news!" one read. "Son of billionaire Robert Sy missing after car crash in alley! Billionaire''s girlfriend, who was a passenger in the car, died at the scene."


    He stopped and glanced at the news scroll. The news said, "But people say Sy was drunk, and he''s not the first rich person to go missing under strange circumstances." The news felt almost normal to him; it wasn''t the first time something like this had happened.


    "Huh, he might have been kidnapped or transported to another world," Milo mused, a hint of humor creeping into his thoughts. As he continued walking, a small smile played on his lips. "Yeah, I should stop watching Isekai," he chuckled to himself.


    Another scroll caught Milo''s eye. "War erupts in neighboring country. Our allies call for unity," it said. He felt a chill run down his spine. "I will curse this world if World War III happens in my lifetime," he thought as he kept walking. "It''s gonna be bad times to be a man if that happens."


    He kept walking, the city''s noise and sights all around him. He stopped for a moment, taking in the place around him. As he looked around, he saw a father and daughter holding hands. The sight brought a bittersweet smile to his face, reminding him of his own father and the cold treatment between them when he went home.


    "Maybe I''ll give him a call," Milo thought, pulling out his phone. "Ring, ring, ring." The phone continued to ring, unanswered. It turns out his father was still asleep from all the drinking.


    "Not answering? He''s probably still sleeping," Milo thought, a mix of disappointment and resignation settling in his chest. He put his phone away and resumed his walk.


    As he walked, he couldn''t shake the feeling of unease. The city felt both familiar and foreign, a constant buzz of activity masking the underlying tension. He tried to focus on the present, but his thoughts kept drifting back to his family and the unresolved issues that weighed heavily on his mind.


    Suddenly, a man''s voice broke through the noise. "LOOK OUT!!!" the man shouted.


    Milo turned towards the shout, his eyes widening in fear. A car was speeding towards him, the driver having fallen asleep at the wheel. The sound of screeching tires filled the air as the car veered dangerously close.


    His heart raced, but his body was slow to respond. He stood frozen, fear gripping him as the car hurtled towards him. Time seemed to slow down, the world around him fading into a blur of colors and sounds.


    In those fleeting moments, a thousand thoughts raced through Milo''s mind. He thought of his father, his friends, and all the dreams he had yet to achieve. He lay on the cold pavement, blood pooling around him. His vision blurred, and his thoughts raced chaotically. "Mom!" he thought desperately, his mind reaching out to the one person he longed for.


    "Call an ambulance! Help this kid!" a little girl cried out, her voice filled with panic. His eyes fluttered, trying to stay open, but the pain was overwhelming. The sound of hurried footsteps and frantic voices filled the air as people rushed to help.


    The world around him seemed to slow down. The distant wail of sirens, the murmur of concerned voices, and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth became his reality. He could feel the cold pavement beneath him, the sharp pain radiating through his body, and the weight of his own mortality pressing down on him.


    As his eyes began to close slowly, his mind drifted to the people in his life. He pictured Nick, probably still sleeping peacefully, unaware of what had happened. His mom, who was likely having fun with her new partner, completely oblivious to his plight. His dad, who he imagined was asleep, unaware of the tragedy unfolding. Jennifer, who was with her new man, happy and far removed from the chaos surrounding Milo. And Eska, who was with her man, content in her own world.


    "Damn it! Damn it!" his thoughts screamed. The pain was unbearable. "It hurts! Someone, help me. Am I going to die here? I DON''T WANNA DIE!! I never even got a chance to recover from the pain I already had."


    He felt so tired, his body heavy and unresponsive. "I''m sleepy, maybe I''ll close my eyes for a bit," he thought, the darkness creeping in. "Where am I going? It sucks my life turned out like this. Is God real? Am I going to hell? Please God, I didn''t do anything wrong though! I mean, that''s a sin. I mean, I''m not that bad. Please, God, I wanna live!"


    As the world around him faded, he felt a strange mix of fear and acceptance. ....."Ha, I''m dead. A tear rolled down his cheek as he cried silently. He remembered Eska''s smile, a fleeting image of happiness in his mind. "In another life, I guess," he whispered to himself, a small, sad smile forming on his lips as he slipped into unconsciousness.


    The ambulance arrived with sirens blaring, and paramedics quickly worked to stabilize Milo. The crowd watched in anxious silence, hoping for a miracle. But as Milo''s eyes closed for the final time, the weight of his regrets and the pain of his unfulfilled dreams lingered in the air, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life.


    Milo Martinez, 18 years old, passed away on July 7, 2024.


    In their house, the air was thick with sorrow. People were crying, their tears mingling with the heavy atmosphere. A loud cry echoed from Milo''s mother. Her voice was raw with grief. "Milo, why did you die? I''m sorry, I''m sorry mom wasn''t there," she wailed, her body shaking as she clung to the edge of the casket. Her relatives gently pulled her away, trying to offer comfort, but their own eyes were red and swollen from crying.


    Milo lay in the casket, his face serene, almost as if he were sleeping. The sight was too much for his mother, and she broke down again, her cries piercing the somber silence.


    At the door, Milo''s father stood calm and stoic, his eyes lifeless as he welcomed everyone. Nick was in Milo''s room, sitting on the bed, staring blankly at the walls. As Nick''s mother hugged him, he barely registered her presence, lost in his own world of pain.


    Suddenly, Milo''s classmates appeared. One girl, Nina, a cute girl from Milo''s class, was crying uncontrollably. Nick went out to see who was crying and saw Nina. He smirked a little, despite his grief. "It turns out that girl liked you, huh," he thought. "Sadly, you''re not here to see it anymore."


    He turned and saw Eska, who seemed unsure of how to react. "Uhm, who are you?" Milo''s dad asked a young woman.


    "Uhm, I''m your son''s friend," the girl answered.


    Nick saw it was Jennifer. His eyes flared with anger, and his eyebrows knitted together. He walked over to Jennifer and asked if they could talk in private. Eska, hiding in the background, watched in shock and curiosity.


    "What are you doing here?" Nick asked, his voice tight with barely controlled rage.


    "What do you mean, what I''m doing here? I loved him once," Jennifer said, her voice trembling. "I—" Before she could continue, Nick slapped her, the sound echoing through the room. Eska saw it from her hiding spot, her eyes wide with shock.


    "You cheated on my friend," Nick spat, his voice dripping with venom.


    Jennifer looked hurt and surprised. "How could you?" she shouted.


    "How could I? How could you? You left him devastated for weeks, overthinking what he did wrong, and then you just texted to say you wanted to break up. After that, we saw you with a new man. What made you think you could come here?" Nick''s voice was rising, his anger barely contained.


    "It''s not all my fault," Jennifer protested. "My feelings for him just faded away. Maybe if he''d done more, I might not have left." Her voice wavered, tears forming in her eyes.


    Nick was livid. "You bitch," he snarled, raising his hand to slap her again. But suddenly, someone grabbed his palm. It was Milo''s dad.


    "Please, Nick, don''t," he asked.


    Nick was confused, his anger and grief threatening to explode. "This woman is the reason your son is dead," he shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around.


    Nick''s voice was filled with pain as tears began to stream down his face. "That bitch cheated on your son. Your son gave her everything. Before Milo died, he was so depressed because of her, not knowing she had started dating another guy. Milo worked hard to make her happy, even turning his study hours into time for her."


    Mr. Romeo looked serious and sad at the same time, his eyes reflecting the depth of his sorrow.


    Nick turned to Jennifer, who had started to cry. "You don''t have the right to cry," Nick shouted. "If it wasn''t for you, Milo would still be alive. You left him when he needed you the most." He pointed an accusing finger at Jennifer.


    As more and more people began to gather around them, Jennifer looked embarrassed and ashamed. "Please stop, Nick. I just came here because I feel bad," she said, her voice breaking.


    "You should feel bad. And you think paying him a visit would make yourself feel better?" Nick''s voice was filled with bitterness.


    "Nicholas," his mom called out, trying to calm him down.


    "No, Mom, this was Milo''s ex-girlfriend who cheated on him. And you cheated with that guy? That guy is a high schooler compared to Milo. You should have chosen someone better, at least smarter," Nick said, his voice dripping with disdain.


    The people around were shocked and caught up in the drama. "Milo had a girlfriend?" his classmates whispered. "Maybe that''s why he''s been gloomy for weeks."


    Jennifer looked around at the people staring at her. She felt the weight of their judgment and her shame.


    "Stop, Nicholas. You''re embarrassing the girl," his mom said, trying to defuse the situation.


    "He should be," Nick''s mom said, hugging him tightly while crying.


    Jennifer, ashamed and overwhelmed, cried and ran out. Eska watched the scene with a confused emotion. "Milo had a girlfriend? Why didn''t he tell me?" she thought, feeling a mix of surprise and sadness.


    "Nick," Mr. Romeo said as he gently tapped Nick''s head. "It''s an accident, okay. We don''t have to blame anyone. We can blame the car driver, but he''s in prison already."


    "I know, Mr. Romeo, but maybe, maybe if I was with him at that time. Or maybe if I had never said be careful. He would still be alive," Nick replied, his voice cracking with guilt.


    "I know, let''s go inside," Mr. Romeo said, placing a comforting hand on Nick''s shoulder.


    As they walked back inside, Nick saw Eska standing alone, looking lost. "Wait, sir, I have something to do," he said, pausing.


    "Okay," Mr. Romeo nodded, understanding.


    Nick walked towards Eska, his heart heavy. "Uhm, hi," he said softly.


    "Hello," Eska answered, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Sorry for the show earlier," he said, a weak smile tugging at his lips.


    "Yeah, kinda messed up earlier," Eska replied.


    They stood in silence, the weight of the night pressing down on them. "So, it''s nice talking with you again," Nick said, trying to break the tension.


    "Yeah, it''s been a while," Eska responded, her eyes avoiding his.


    "Where''s your boyfriend anyway?" Nick asked, trying to sound casual.


    "Oh, Milo told you about it, huh. We actually broke up," Eska admitted.


    "Oh, rough timing," Nick thought. He could feel the ache in his chest intensify.


    "Anyway, I have to tell you something," Nick began, his voice trembling slightly.


    As they talked, Nick''s words began to sink in. Eska''s eyes widened in surprise, her lips trembling. She slowly took a step back, her face becoming pale. Her hands shook, and she clasped them together, trying to steady herself. Nick could see the shock and pain in her eyes, and he reached out to steady her. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken emotions. Eska''s breath became shallow, and tears welled up in her eyes. She felt her chest tighten, and a sob escaped her lips.


    "Eska, I''m so sorry," Nick said softly, his voice breaking. "Milo... Milo would have wanted us to be strong."


    Eska nodded, but the tears continued to flow. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold onto something solid. She sank to her knees, her sobs growing louder, and Nick knelt beside her, offering what little comfort he could.


    The dim light in the room cast long shadows on the walls, adding to the weight of the moment.


    In the funeral, the rain competed with the people''s wails. Milo''s mom''s heart-wrenching cry pierced the air as relatives tried to pull her away from the casket. "Ahhhhhhhhhh," she wailed, her grief echoing through the downpour. Mr. Romeo, one of the pallbearers, wore shades to hide his eyes, his face stoic and composed. Inside, however, he was shattered. Nick stood nearby, tears streaming down his face as he cried out, "Buddy, I''m gonna miss you."


    Eska stepped forward to the casket, her eyes filled with sorrow. "You should have told me," she whispered, placing a flower gently on Milo''s casket. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air as she stepped back.


    As the visitors left, the house grew quiet. Milo''s mother had gone with them, leaving Mr. Romeo alone. He released a heavy breath, the silence amplifying the emptiness he felt. He looked around at the now-empty house, realizing he was truly alone.


    To mask his sorrow, he busied himself with cleaning. He started in the living room, picking up scattered items and straightening furniture. The mundane task offered little distraction from the memories that flooded his mind. He moved to the kitchen, scrubbing the counters and washing dishes. Each action was mechanical, his thoughts far away.


    "If I could," he thought, remembering the times they ate together but never really communicated. He scrubbed harder, trying to erase the guilt that gnawed at him. "If I could," he thought again, recalling the nights he spent drinking while Milo was in his room, feeling alone and abandoned. "If I could," he thought, the image of Milo calling him before he died flashing in his mind. He was too drunk to answer. "If I could have just been a better father, he would have been alive."


    The weight of his regrets grew heavier, and tears began to well up in his eyes. He tried to push them away, focusing on cooking. He chopped vegetables with trembling hands, the rhythmic sound of the knife offering a semblance of control. He stirred a pot on the stove, the steam rising like the unresolved emotions inside him.


    Finally, he could hold it in no longer. The tears streamed down his face, and he let out a sob that shook his entire body. He cried so loud and shouted so fiercely that the neighbors could hear him, but they let him be, understanding his grief. "I''m sorry," he cried, his voice raw with anguish. "I''m sorry, I should have been a better father. I''m sorry, if I knew those were our last times together, I would have cherished them."   "Sorry," he repeated, his cries growing louder and more desperate.


    He sank to the floor, the weight of his sorrow pressing down on him. The house felt cold and empty, filled only with the echoes of his grief. He clutched at his chest, feeling the sharp pain of his regrets. He cried until he had no tears left, his body shaking with each sob.


    As the night wore on, the house remained silent, save for Mr. Romeo''s anguished cries. The reality of his loss settled in, and he was left to grapple with the painful truth. Alone in the dark, he whispered one last apology, hoping that somehow, Milo could hear him.


    Milo couldn''t move. It was just darkness all around him. He couldn''t speak. "So this is the end, huh," he thought. "Oh goodness, please forgive me." He waited, but nothing changed. "Where''s the light? Or fire? But I prefer the light." He hesitated. "Wait, this must be a dream. Yeah, it''s a dream! All I have to do is close my eyes and open them again." He tried to close his eyes tightly and then open them.


    "It worked! It''s just a dream..." Suddenly, he realized something was off. "Huh? Where am I? What is this? I can''t move or speak! Ah, my hands are so small! I thought I died. I''m sure I died. Huh, I''m reincarnated! Thank you, God. I''ll continue my dream here!"


    He found himself as an infant in a new world. As he attempted to stand, he noticed other babies in adjacent cribs. It became evident to him that he was in a church with other orphans. "No luck with parents again," he thought. "Regardless, I''ll thrive in this world; I''ll explore the entire world!"


    While he celebrated internally, voices around him were also rejoicing.


    "We won! We won!" they shouted, speaking a language Milo actually understood.


    "We won? What have we won?" he wondered.


    An elderly lady approached, smiled, and picked up Milo, exclaiming, "Rethrus!" Confused, he questioned the term.


    "We won the battle against Avaloria Kingdom this time!" she clarified. Amidst the cheers, he was thrown into the air.


    As he was tossed in the air, the world around him felt both familiar and strange. The ancient architecture of the church, with its high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the room. The smell of incense filled the air, mingling with the scent of old wood and the faint aroma of the outside rain.


    His new body felt fragile, yet his mind was sharp, filled with memories from his past life. The joy of victory from the villagers echoed in his ears, but he couldn''t shake the feeling of uncertainty. "What kind of world have I been reborn into?" he wondered.


    He felt confused as he lay there as a baby. "What did they mean by ''won''?" His small eyes widened, and he started to cry. The sudden realization that he was now a baby in a new world hit him hard.


    "Oh, what''s wrong, Rethrus?" the sister asked, her voice gentle and soothing. "Oh baby, we won a battle and you''re crying. That''s a bad sign," she remarked as she tried to calm him down.


    "Ahhh, why now," Milo shouted in his mind, the frustration and confusion overwhelming him. He realized he had been born into a world at war, and the enormity of his new reality began to sink in.


    The sister continued to rock him gently, her soothing words eventually calming his cries. But inside, his mind raced with thoughts of his new life and the challenges that lay ahead. He was determined to make the most of this second chance, even if it meant navigating a world filled with conflict and uncertainty.