It was the eve of my 18th birthday. A celebration for sure. But it also marked eighteen years of me being here. I was reincarnated into this world from Earth when I was twelve. I had been bed-ridden all my life. There isn't a memory I recall that isn't sad. I was also a burden on my family's finances. But I am and will always be grateful for them taking care of me. They never blamed me or made me feel any less loved.
I was happy to get this second chance in life and to never be a burden again. I was lucky enough to get a new family that was kind to me. Except all the weird parts of starting over as an infant, being healthy was the one thing I had always wished for. And it was fulfilled. Though my life had been average until now, I was still grateful for it.
The world itself isn't that different from Earth. Except it has magic and portals. Yes, other than that everything is the same modernized world. Though I never had a chance to explore Earth, I was able to join an academy here. A prestigious one, in fact. I had average magic, but my theoretical knowledge got me through. My parents were the proudest when they heard my acceptance.
Anyway, reminiscing about all of this only made me emotional. Though I had no time for that right now. I was put under cleaning duty for the fifth time this month and it hasn't been two weeks since the month started. I was being bullied for being a 'nerd' and for my lack of magic power. I don't even complain about the injustice. I just sigh disappointedly at these kids. Being exposed to various types of media helped me grow and live through those hellish bed-ridden years.
Done with the cleaning work, I left for my part-time job at the convenience store. I had always liked the slice of life genre the most. So, being able to earn and interact with people was simply a rewarding job for me. But of course, being under a superior as a minor, I was taught about the dark sides of the service industry clearly. I was prepared for it to not always be rainbows and sunlight anyway.
After my three-hour no skirmish shift, I took an early leave. The sun was setting on yet another simple day. Reaching my home, I was greeted by my dad and mom. The midnight celebration itself was simple, but it was pleasant.
"Mom, Dad, this is the fifth month salary of my part-time job. Thank you for being supportive."
"Pfft-" They simply laughed.
Father began speaking jokingly,
"What's up with you? Acting like an adult just because you turned eighteen. You can relax, son. You will always be a kid to us, regardless of your age."
Mom chimed in, "Also, just because you are an adult, doesn't give you a pass to do anything bad. If you want to, discuss with us."
Soon, after the cake eating, we left for a diner. It had been months since the last time I had a meal outside with my family. Only in such occasions could we afford such things. And so the dinner passed with banter and talks on my future.
Later at night, I was researching what college I should apply for higher studies. It was only two years for graduation after all.
Unaware of what tomorrow was going to bring, I fell asleep with a quiet excitement.
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Meanwhile, in three different mansions of the city, three girls had been down with fever for the past few days. The next day, they woke up, sweating and gasping for air. They had lived through their past life in their feverish dreams. They sought the person they had been with in their dreams, using the magic they had inherited from their past selves.
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The next day, I was leaving for my school with a skip in my steps. Not exactly, but you get the picture. Going inside my classroom, I sat at the corner window seat like an anime protagonist. It was really not because I was ostracized along with a few other 'nerds' to be seated there.
"Hey, did you hear, 'The Three Flowers of Solenne Academy' have been in continuous leave for the fourth day?"
"So? They take leave all the time for their work anyway."
"But they never take one out of work-related reasons, you know right? You receive your hundred percent attendance award alongside those three always right?"
"And that really pisses me off. What kinda bullwhip is that logic that work-related leaves aren't considered under leaves? Last year, only I alone should have gotten that damn award. Not them."
" Yeah so, the past four days, including today, they had taken normal leave. Not the work-leave."
"Good news to hear in the very morning. I knew today would be a good day."
"Yeah, yeah, you are getting your award alright. Also, Happy birthday, before I forget. I also heard they were down with fever."
"Thanks for wishing at least now, you bastard, after the whole homeroom ended. Don't expect a treat after you forgot about it until now."
Kevin began mumbling excuses while the bell rang. Though I was happy that the award was going to be given to the only deserving person, I prayed for their health to improve. I would never wish health problems on anyone, even unconsciously.
After school, I gave a little treat to Kevin and a few others from my class. With that, I left for my part-time. With another day of smooth-sailing under my belt, I left for home a bit early. The supervisor was very nice today on account of my birthday and even gifted me a small watch.
It was night time and the full moonlight was feeling extra nice on my skin. I began walking and within a few minutes, I noticed a black limousine tailing me.
I slowed my pace a bit and the car slowed down to match it. I quickened the pace after that and the car sped up a little too. It was clear, they were either going to kidnap me for my kidney or to get money from me. It was quite an expensive car for all this trouble. Either my kidneys were worth more than I thought, or someone had very poor taste in ransom targets.
I knew these streets, the ones I had grown up in. I ran like a fanatic, in an effort to lose them, taking all kinds of turns and hidden paths.
Satisfied that I had lost them, I went straight to my house.
There were two of those same limousines standing in front of my house and the one that was following me was now pulling in from the other side.
I sprinted into my house with worry written all over my face.