Internet Cafe in a Fantasy World

'Humans are more fragile than I had imagined.'

Sitting amidst the ruins of the once compact establishment, Luke mused as blood trickled from his head.

In this moment, he struggled to catch his breath and his whole body which throbbed in pain just moments ago is starting to get numb.

As he mused about the fragility of humans, he saw his life flashed before his eyes.

From the moment he gained awareness, he knew he was different from the ordinary children. That's because he doesn't have any parents.

His parents left him in an orphanage when he was still in his infancy period.

'Those irresponsible bastards.'

He can't help but curse whenever he thinks of them.

Yet, he found solace in the fact that they left him in the care of a good orphanage.

It gave him bittersweet comfort, to say the least. If not for their decision, he would have ended up in an unknown and possibly unpleasant place.

Luke Asul.

Luke means positivity. And Asul was derived from the name of the orphanage, Asul Foundation.

Thinking about the name given by the guardians in the orphanage filled him with pride.

Determined to repay their kindness in the future, he matured at a faster pace than the other children in the orphanage.

He feels blessed by the fact that these strangers, unrelated to him in any way, took care of him without expecting anything in return.

Growing up, he shouldered more responsibilities than the other kids. While the others played on the playground, he busied himself with helping his guardians in cleaning, cooking, and caring for his 'little brothers and sisters.'

In retrospect, he felt a tinge of envy towards the other kids' ignorance. They enjoyed playing as though there was no tomorrow. Their innocent laugh and giggles just made him smile bitterly. Although the elders urged him to play with his peers, his conscience wouldn't allow it. Truly, ignorance was bliss.

Some were fortunate enough to be adopted and find permanent homes but Luke had never desired to be adopted. He felt an unwavering commitment to repay the kindness he had received from the orphanage, and leaving before fulfilling that promise was out of the question for him.

The orphanage also frequently welcomed new faces, and being the responsible one, Luke took it upon himself to care for the abandoned newcomers.

By engaging in such activities, Luke's sense of belongingness within the orphanage grew stronger, deepening his connection to the place that had become his home.

In such an environment, he developed a personality that respected the elderly and displayed gentleness towards children.

Once in a while, the guardians will teach them how to read and write.

Recognizing Luke's intelligence, the orphanage's founder decided to arrange for him to attend school despite the lack of funds.

It was an undoubtedly difficult decision for them, weighing the financial constraints they faced.

However, recognizing Luke's immense potential, they were unwilling to let it go to waste. Despite the limitations of their budget, they resolved to support at least one student's education, and Luke was the fortunate recipient of this opportunity.

Determined to make them proud, he studied diligently.

Unfortunately, when he was in his last year of high school, the philanthropists who often donated to the orphanage passed away due to illness. As a result, Luke had no choice but to drop out due to lack of funds.

When he turned 18, he took on multiple part-time jobs.

He worked and worked until sleep beckoned him.

Most of his salary was given to the orphanage to feed the others.

Romance? It was a luxury he couldn't afford. Not because of his looks but a completely different reason.

He was well aware of his good looks. His piercing eyes that evoke a hint of mystery, his chiseled jawline sculpted to perfection, coupled with his captivating smile which radiates confidence are just some reasons why some girls asked him out.

However, he turned them all down, knowing that he couldn't prioritize dating when he had greater responsibilities.

At the age of 22, one of his elders informed him that her sister's husband intended to open a branch of an internet cafe near their place and was in need of a manager. The moment she heard this, she recommended Luke, knowing his interest in computers. What's more, half of the cafe's profits would be donated to the orphanage.

Luke felt warm by the fact that his guardian remembered him and his interest.

Unbeknownst to Luke, a profound sense of guilt weighed heavily upon the hearts of those at the orphanage. They shared a collective remorse for not being able to provide him with the opportunity to complete his education. They were aware of his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the orphanage.

When news of the opportunity arose, their guilty hearts yearned for Luke to have a chance to breathe and find respite. They had witnessed him grow, nurturing him as one would their own child. The bond they shared was more than that of mere caretakers; it was a love that transcended bloodlines.

With utmost urgency and compassion, they wasted no time in recommending Luke for the opportunity. It was their way of acknowledging his sacrifices and granting him the well-deserved chance to relax, even if only momentarily. Their intentions were driven by a deep-seated desire to alleviate the burdens he had shouldered for far too long.

To them, Luke was not just another resident of the orphanage. He was family—a cherished member who had carved a special place within their hearts. They yearned to provide him with the care and comfort he so selflessly extended to others.

In their eyes, he was more than deserving of this newfound opportunity, and they fervently hoped it would serve as a stepping stone toward a brighter future—one where Luke could finally find the solace and contentment he so richly deserved.

Despite his fatigue and helplessness after his usual part-time work, he regained his spark.

He believed that this opportunity would finally allow him to rest. Managing an internet cafe seemed like a vacation compared to juggling multiple part-time jobs. No one but Luke himself understood the depth of his happiness. He had always loved computers, but rarely had the chance to indulge in them. Now, a grin of delight spread across his face.

But.

On his first day at the internet cafe, as he was about to enter the place, he heard the roaring engine of a vehicle. It keeps getting louder as though it was closing in on him.

That signaled an unfortunate turn of events.

The car moved towards Luke, its tires screeching against the pavement as it propelled forward with reckless force. In an instant, the impact sent him crashing into the building behind him, leaving him dazed and disoriented. As the pain washed over him, he slowly began to comprehend the gravity of the situation unfolding before his eyes.

From the wreckage emerged a young man, his face contorted with a mixture of anger and bitterness. With a voice laced with hypocrisy, he uttered words that revealed the twisted motive behind his actions.

"How could Lisa like you? I'm the only man who fits her. I really don't know what she sees in you, I'm much better in every part."

His words sound dumb but he heard a familiar name.

Lisa. A picture of a timid girl appeared in his mind. She was someone Luke knows too well. The girl in the orphanage who got adopted by a wealthy family. She treated her like a little sister all this time unaware of her feelings for him. He was happy and sad at the same time.

The timid girl never forgets her roots and often donates to the orphanage even when she can just focus on her privileged life.

Luke's mind whirled with confusion and disbelief. The motives behind this inexplicable act of violence remained shrouded in a haze of twisted resentment. How could someone harbor such bitterness towards him, someone who had only sought to make a positive impact on the lives of others?

As he looked into the eyes of the perpetrator, a mix of sadness and compassion welled up within Luke. He realized that this act of violence was not merely a reflection of his own worth or character, but rather a manifestation of the young man's unresolved emotions.

In that moment, he sighed and muttered, "Humans are even more fragile than I had imagined." But now, those words held a deeper meaning.

'This crumbling body of mine, the fickle feeling called love, and that son of a bitch's mind is proof of that.'

In a state of profound exhaustion and pain, Luke mustered the strength to crawl to a secluded corner amidst the debris of the shattered internet cafe. As he settled himself amidst the rubble, his trembling body found solace in the remains of what once housed the computers he had longed to explore.

The irony was not lost on him. Despite his interest in computers, he had never had the opportunity to fully immerse himself in their world. And yet, here he was, seated amidst the ruins, on the brink of his own death. The bitter taste of regret mingled with the physical agony, and a wave of melancholy washed over him.

He gave a small smile amidst the storm of emotions and debris.

"Just when I thought I could finally have fun. *Sigh. If there's a next life, I hope everyday will be filled with joy."

Just as his voice grew faint, he heard an almost imperceptible sound.

[The universe has heard your plea.]

He closed his eyes when suddenly, a blinding light engulfed him and he ... disappeared.