Just like that... I died?
So casually?
Everything went pitch black.
As Carl wondered whether he'd remembered to delete all his "study materials" before dying, he suddenly felt like his feet were grabbed. A moment later, he was hung upside down—and someone was spanking his bare butt.
What the hell?!You're messing with me like this—this is supposed to be saving a patient?
Be careful, or I'll sue you in the afterlife!
He could feel fluid building in his lungs. Breathing became harder and harder. Was this what dying felt like?
Then, after being dangled and thumped a few more times, he finally coughed up a bunch of gunk—and just like that, he could breathe again.
A divine doctor!
Right after, someone lifted him upright. He could hear people talking, but he couldn't make out the words. His vision was blurry—only fuzzy outlines danced around him.
Still, he could hear their voices—male and female—though he didn't understand a word.
It sounded like... Japanese?
Maybe it was just a hallucination before death.
Nine months passed.
Carl still couldn't believe it—he was reborn as a baby, and even kept his memories.
Now, he was Akira Miyamura, born into an ordinary family in Japan.
Even after all this time, no mysterious "system" had shown up. Guess those were only for the chosen ones. Akira sighed.
One morning, he crawled up to a full-length mirror and stared at his round, chubby reflection.
After a while, he smirked.
Heh... not gonna lie. I'm adorable.
Just then, a beautiful woman walked in from the hallway. Without missing a beat, she scooped Akira up and gave his cheek a playful bite.
"Dear! Akira's looking in the mirror again. He's such a little narcissist," she called out.
This was his mother in this life—Shizuka Miyamura.
From down the hall, a tall man appeared, smiling warmly. This was his father, Daiki Miyamura.
Daiki gently took Akira from Shizuka's arms and kissed him on the other cheek.
"Oh, by the way," Daiki said, "some new neighbors just moved in next door. Their name is... Nishimiya, I think?"
"Really?" Shizuka replied, surprised. "Then we should go say hello later."
"Why not now? See if they need help."
The family quickly slipped on their shoes and stepped outside. It only took a minute to reach the house next door—a cozy, traditional-style home with a red tile roof and a silver nameplate that read: Nishimiya (西宮).
As they approached, a man at the doorway turned and saw them.
"Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Hello! I'm Daiki Miyamura from next door," Akira's father greeted. "We just wanted to welcome our new neighbors."
He gently lifted Akira's hand to wave.
"This is my son, Akira. He's just over nine months old. Isn't he adorable?" he beamed.
Shizuka lightly tapped her husband's arm, signaling him to tone it down. Then she bowed and added, "I'm Shizuka Miyamura, Daiki's wife. It's nice to meet you."
The man nodded politely. "Hello. I'm Mr. Nishimiya. Thank you for coming by."
Inside, a woman stepped out carrying a baby. Seeing Mr. Nishimiya still outside, she approached.
"This is my daughter, Shouko Nishimiya," Mr. Nishimiya said proudly, gently holding the baby's tiny hand. "Isn't she cute?"
The woman holding Shouko offered a quick nod and said, "I'm Yaeko Nishimiya. Nice to meet you."
She didn't bow—unlike typical Japanese custom—but Shizuka didn't seem to mind. The two women quickly began chatting about the neighborhood and local shops.
Meanwhile, Akira couldn't understand much Japanese yet, but his attention was locked on the little girl in Yaeko's arms—Shouko.
She was staring right back at him.
Then, she reached out.
Yaeko noticed and chuckled. "Why don't you come inside? We brought some treats from the countryside."
As she turned, putting some distance between Shouko and Akira, the little girl suddenly burst into tears.
Daiki, startled, realized what was going on and brought Akira closer. Shouko stopped crying immediately and grabbed Akira's cheeks with both hands, trying to pull him in.
Akira blinked.
This brat... What are you trying to do?
Still, he leaned forward to help her out.
Everyone watched in curiosity—until suddenly, Shouko lunged and planted her tiny mouth right on Akira's lips.
"Ahhh!!" Akira screamed.
Everyone froze.
Mr. Nishimiya quickly moved in to separate them. There were still tiny red marks on Akira's lips—courtesy of Shouko's baby teeth.
Yaeko gently tapped Shouko's hands. "That's not nice, Shouko."
But the little girl just clapped and giggled.
"I'm so sorry!" Mr. Nishimiya said. "She's teething and tries to bite everything."
He dashed back inside and returned moments later with a box of fancy chocolates.
Daiki passed Akira to Shizuka and waved the gift away. "It's alright. A little bite's no big deal. It's just... her saliva all over his face."
Still, he gave Akira a once-over—surprised the baby hadn't cried further.
Akira, meanwhile, was deep in thought.
My first kiss in this life... stolen just like that?! This little gremlin actually went for it...
Shizuka looked worried. "Aki-chan?"
"Huh?" Akira blinked, snapping out of his daze. He looked up and responded with a soft grunt.
"He's amazing. Didn't even cry," Mr. Nishimiya said in awe. "My Shouko cries if she even feels a breeze wrong."
That praise was all Daiki needed to start bragging about Akira's milestones—first laugh, first step, everything.
Akira watched in disbelief.
Seriously, old man? You're bragging right now? Your kid just assaulted me!
Shizuka sighed, already used to her husband's ways.
She tugged his sleeve and said, "Honey, let's head home and check Aki's mouth."
Daiki agreed and bowed goodbye. "Thanks again. We'll visit properly next time."
As they walked away, Shouko reached out again—unwilling to let Akira go.
Back home, the Miyamuras stepped through the front gate, removed their shoes, and headed inside.
In the living room, they laid Akira down on a soft tatami mat.
The bite marks were already fading.
Akira was placed in his crib, and his parents knelt beside him, chatting away.
He watched them blankly, then yawned and pulled the small blanket over himself.
Being a baby has its perks, he thought. But man... it really makes you sleepy.