It's been about a year and a half since my rebirth, and about six months since I met my childhood friend, Shiina Taki. Since then, we've been inseparable—playing together almost every day like it's part of our job description.
My daily life has started to follow a pretty predictable routine, not that I'm complaining. There's something oddly comforting about it.
I usually wake up around nine in the morning. By then, Dad's already left for work, and Mom is either working away in her study or scrolling through her phone while sipping her lukewarm coffee. I probably forgot to mention—Mom's a freelance graphic designer who works from home. Apparently, she used to work in an office but ditched the corporate life before I was born.
'Guess... Mom also likes sketching along with music,' I think to myself every time I catch her doodling on her tablet while humming along to some retro Japanese city pop.
After waking up, Mom helps wash me up.
Even though I can totally do it myself! I mean, I'm not that helpless...
But according to Mom, "These are our precious little Mom-son moments I'll cry over when you're a teenager and slam your door at me."
So... I let her.
Then comes breakfast. Usually some mashed-up, goopy baby food that I've grown completely sick of. Every spoonful feels like betrayal to my growing molars.
'Who wants to eat liquid food every single day? I need crunch! Crunch means respect!'
After that, Taki either shows up at my place or I go to hers. She's only six months younger than me, but don't let that fool you—she's got the competitive spirit of a national athlete.
We mostly play with blocks, puzzles, or draw weird shapes that only we pretend to understand. Taki, though… she takes every game like it's an Olympic final. If she loses—usually in games only she knows we're playing—she starts pouting like she's been betrayed. If she loses again, the waterworks come in, and it usually ends with me hugging her like I'm her emotional support plushie.
'She's going to be a handful in the future… but I will manage somehow, I guess.'
After playtime, we have lunch together and then take naps—usually side-by-side on the playmat. Post-nap, we go back to our own homes. That's when I get my favorite moment of the day—curling up on Mom's lap as she plays her favorite songs from the 80s or 90s.
'Yeah… these are the moments I want to last forever.'
After about an hour, Mom starts playing with me again. Recently, I've begun to speak in broken sentences, and Mom's decided that it's her mission to teach me Japanese properly.
Little does she know… I already know how to talk, fluently even. I mean, I've lived a whole life before this one! But for some reason, my baby mouth won't cooperate. The words keep getting stuck like a stubborn rice grain.
But I'm improving. I figure I'll be speaking properly in another half a year or so. Maybe sooner if I can just convince my tongue to behave.
While Mom prepares dinner, I usually lie on the living room floor, narrating my day in my head like a monologue. I also started drawing more seriously. At first it was just lines and circles—well, that's what Mom said—but last week I managed to draw something that actually looked like a car. Okay, maybe a weird potato-shaped car, but still. Progress.
'Either I'm a genius, or all babies just learn fast. Taki also started saying words right after I did… Coincidence? Or rivalry?'
Later in the evening, the front door creaks open.
"Tadaima~" comes the sing-song voice of the tornado known as my father.
"Okaeri~" Mom replies from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel as she walks to greet him.
'And here comes the idiot who calls himself my father. Brace for impact.'
"Ritsu~ Come to your Dadaaaa!" Dad yells like a wrestler entering a ring, and the next thing I know, I'm airborne.
"Ahh—Dad! Disgusting!" I shriek as he plants kisses all over my face like a love-starved puppy.
"Eww! You Disgusting!!"
"H-How can you say that to your own father? This is my love, my son! My beautiful, sweet, genius toddler!" he proclaims dramatically, still chasing me as I crawl away at top speed.
"Mom, save me!" I yell and hide behind Kaori, who only giggles and shakes her head.
"Dear… don't terrorize the poor boy. Go freshen up. Dinner's almost ready," she says.
"Hai~" Dad salutes like a soldier and marches off to the bedroom.
'This is my day-to-day life. Pretty ordinary… but lately, something seems off. Mom keeps whispering things to Dad. I'm pretty sure they're hiding something.'
I narrow my eyes and rub my imaginary beard while watching Dad's back like a tiny detective on a mission.
"Hmmm... What's up, Ritsu?" Dad asks, turning around suddenly.
"Nothing~" I reply coolly and return to my sketchpad like nothing happened.
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A Few Days Later
Dinner Time – Isshiki Residence
We were all seated around the table. The mood felt… off. Like something big was coming.
"Ahem…" Dad cleared his throat and leaned forward, trying very hard to look serious, which only made him look like he had to sneeze. "Ritsu, we have a family announcement to make."
My posture straightened.
'Wait… Did Dad get fired for being too annoying at work?'
"Dear, don't tease him," Mom chided, lightly smacking his arm. "Relax, sweetie. We have some good news."
"Ahem! Yes, yes! Serious business here." Dad coughed again. "Ritsu… from now on, you'll have to man up. Take on responsibility. Be brave. Because—drumroll please—you are going to be a big brother!"
My eyes widened.
"Big… brother?" I looked toward Mom, hoping for confirmation.
She smiled warmly. "Yes, sweetheart. We'll be welcoming a new member to our family next year."
I stood up on my chair, then hesitated.
"Mom… You okay?" I moved closer, about to climb on her lap, but stopped midway. Instead, I gently held her hand, my tiny eyes scanning hers with concern.
Mom pulled me into a gentle hug. "Oh my baby… I'm perfectly fine. Are you happy?"
"Yes! Very happy!" I puffed my chest like a proud bodyguard. "I'll help Mom. Mom rest."
"Aww, Ritsu's already acting like a big brother," Dad chuckled. "So? What do you want? A little sister or a little brother?"
I furrowed my brows, deep in thought, then turned toward Mom.
"Which hurts less?"
Mom blinked, stunned. Then burst into laughter. "Aww… You love your Mama so much."
"No one will hurt me, sweetie," she reassured, patting my head.
"Then… any fine," I said, then added, "I'll help Mom. And baby."
Both Mom and Dad smiled at each other.
"Good luck, sweetie," they said together.
'I'll make sure both Mom and my little sibling are always happy. And Dad too, even if he's a bit of a goofball. I'll grow up strong, smart, and reliable so they'll never have to worry about me. I'll make them proud.'
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