The Goddess

CHAPTER 1

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As the world fades to black, I feel a strange sensation, like floating. When I open my eyes, I find myself in a vast, ethereal space, standing next to Natsume Yuki.

"Where... are we?" she asks, her voice trembling.

Before I can answer, a radiant figure appears before us. A goddess, her presence both comforting and overwhelming.

"Kasuga Yuu, Natsume Yuki, Welcome," she says softly. "You have both been given a chance to start anew in another world. To experience freedom and joy, things that have been denied to you in your previous lives."

I exchange a confused glance with Yuki.

"Are every person who dies given these options?" I ask.

"No."

"Th-then why are you giving us these options?" Yuki asks.

The goddess smiles gently. "I've been watching Yuu his whole life. I know what he has been through, so I want him to know freedom and joy."

"H-huh? What do you mean? He who's always on top, stealing other people's dreams, this arrogant loner not knowing joy and freedom," Yuki begins, her voice rising with indignation.

The goddess raises her hand, and for a moment, Yuki is frozen in place, unable to finish her sentence. Her eyes widen, but I can't discern what's happening.

"What did you do to her?" I ask, alarmed.

The goddess smiles playfully. "I showed her your entire 17 years of life."

"My entire life?... Th-then why does she look flushed?"

The goddess grins playfully and says, "Including your private times♪♪."

I flinch because of her answer and my face flushes. "Wh-why would you show her that?" I protest.

As I protest, I suddenly stop talking and moving. A memory of a woman flashes before me.

-Are these Natsume-san's memories?-

I see she has a good family, huh?

-I really envy her.-

After saying that, the memory I'm seeing becomes something I shouldn't be able to see, a forbidden private memory. It's in the bathroom.

-I see everything, unable to close my eyes. What she saw in her life, I see it all.-

In that whole 3 seconds, I see the entirety of Natsume-san's 17 years of life.

"What... what did you do to me?" I stammer.

The goddess chuckles softly. "I showed you Yuki's perspective as well. Including all parts."

"I-I know that, but why?!" I continue protesting, my face flushed.

Yuki and I stand there, both red-faced and avoiding each other's gaze. The goddess observes us with a gentle smile.

"Now, you understand each other a bit more. This is your chance to start anew."

I turn back to the goddess, feeling a mix of embarrassment and hope.

"N-Natsume-san, wh-what do you think?" I ask, still embarrassed.

I still can't look straight at her. Seeing her even for a second makes my imagination go wild and see her...

She flinches, her face still red. "...Uh-uhm..."

Yuki finally speaks up, her voice soft but determined. "I... I think it's... it's a chance for both of us to... to find something we've been missing."

Her words hang in the air, and for a moment, the tension between us eases slightly.

"Oh, and one more thing," the goddess interjects with a playful tone, "Your souls will be transported, not reincarnated. You will have your bodies of 15-year-olds."

Yuki and I exchange a glance, processing this new information. Another adventure awaits us, it seems.

"D-don't look at me pervert!!" Yuki shouted, her face turning crimson.

I quickly shift my sight away.

"And I'll give you some superpowers. Feel free to use them. Okay? Well then, good luck on your new life," the goddess adds with a wink before disappearing into the light.

Yuki and I look at each other, astonishment written on our faces. Superpowers? This new world is already full of surprises.

"Don't look at me you PERVERTED BEAST!!!"

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