I—Yuji Shimomura—died because my illness worsened.
That's a different name than the one I just used, but it's my name from my former life.
In my previous life, I was frail from the start. I spent more time in hospitals than I did in school. In modern Japan, medical care is advanced, so you don't easily die, but, for me, medical intervention only prolonged the suffering.
I caught every childhood disease, and every single one became severe. My parents must have worried sick. Even as I grew older, nothing changed; a little strain would instantly give me a high fever. I couldn't even dream of higher education; I barely managed to get my high school equivalency degree through correspondence. Youth and adventure only existed for me within words and pictures.
Consequently, I lost hope in life, developing a rather subdued personality marked by resignation. The experience of being confined to a hospital bed was nothing short of penance. To vicariously experience what I couldn't have, reading naturally became my hobby. My only enjoyment came from the manga, anime, and games that my brother and few friends would bring me.
Of all things, I absolutely loved Hunter x Hunter.
The characters' powerful movements, their brilliant vitality, the thrilling adventures into the unknown, and the meticulously detailed world-building—everything about it was captivating.
It was so captivating that I'd meditate to try and awaken Nen, thinking up abilities and giving them names. I bet everyone did things like that as a kid—swinging an umbrella like a sword, or trying to shoot a ki blast from their hands. I just quietly meditated in my hospital room. Physically, that's all I could do. I kept doing it even as I got older; I was a textbook case of having the Eighth-Grade Syndrome. Still, compared to the illnesses I actually had, it was a harmless delusion.
Thanks to it, by the time I was a high schooler, I could meditate as well as any monk. The ability to sink into a clear, single-minded state was a blessing. I had foolishly hoped to awaken a Nen Ability, but of course, such things don't exist in reality. Though I ultimately wasted time, it did serve to stabilize my mind and relieve the boredom.
My immediate cause of death was a new global virus. Predictably, I easily became infected, rapidly grew worse, and died just as swiftly.
I was eighteen years old.
...
My consciousness began to diffuse.
So, this is death... I didn't want to die.
Most of my life was a battle against sickness. There was so much more I wanted to do.
I really wanted to read volume 33 of Hunter x Hunter... It was just about to get interesting...
...Where am I?
I woke up staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Could I have miraculously survived? No, I distinctly remember my heart and breathing stopping. And while this looks like a hospital room, something is wrong. First, the room itself is old-fashioned.
Next, my body. I thought I'd lost consciousness after being infected with the new virus, but there are zero lingering effects. I know my body's condition for certain, and that's what makes the biggest difference:
"I'm small..."
The voice that escaped me wasn't mine. I looked down and saw my hand had shrunk. Not just my hand, either. As I looked and touched, I realized my entire body had shrunk, like an infant's. I nearly panicked, but past experience has taught me that panicking only wastes precious energy. The key to not making things worse during unforeseen circumstances is mental stability. I calmed myself with that familiar meditative habit, and the moment I tried to organize my situation, a splitting headache hit me.
Along with the pain, episodes from this body flooded my mind.
The owner of this body is Kalm Anderson.
Age: 4.
Born in the Sahelta United States.
So, I was reborn. Instead of ascending to heaven, I transmigrated.
The passing thought that my name went from Shimomura to Anderson was ridiculous, but regardless, I've been given a second chance. This time, I'm determined to live a fulfilling life.
This must be a gift from God. It's a common scenario in the light novels I used to read. Though I didn't meet a God in a white room, and I didn't get any special cheat powers. Even so, being able to start over with my consciousness intact is a huge advantage. For the first time, I thanked God. I'll make the most of this advantage and thoroughly enjoy my life.
But I've heard of America—what is the Sahelta United States? Is this an entirely different world? For now, I suppose I need to focus on gathering information.
But my body feels strangely heavy... Should I call someone and ask?
Later, I found out...
This body was also frail.
And I cursed God again.