White

Droplets of rain were falling from the dark sky with blowy mischievous winds.

In a valley of mountains and lush forest, beside a gushing river was a sharp boulder, stood a figure of a person. He seemed not more than that of a normal 15-year-old, he had a thin build and was not very tall, his messy pale white hair reaching his shoulder was wet from the rain.

The youth didn't give any attention to the heavy wind and rain trying to shift his small frame, as he stood motionlessly, his pale white eyes reflected the flowing water and some indescribable emotion no child his age would.

'How long has it been… though only 15 years passed, I could feel it was much longer.'

The youth thought, gazing at the flowing river with melancholy. 

He had died in that world with regrets, but to his dismay, he woke up to a newborn body fifteen years ago. At first, his memory was hazy but he started to recollect all the memories over the years.

"Has my regret been too strong?"

He blankly said, as if questioning the innocent river but shook his head in helplessness.

For a long time, he was bewildered about his situation but nothing came into his mind; he could only consider it as a miracle. 

Looking at the familiar river and its ever-changing water he was lost in thought.

"Big brother – Big brother! I have gotten enough mint leaves, we should hurry back before the rain gets heavier."

Suddenly, a voice resounded behind him. Hearing the voice, he snaps out of his trench, looking at the sky.

'The rain is indeed heavy today,' he thought, as some droplet fell on his face.

He looked behind him on the wet grassy field, a girl in tattered clothes was running around the rain picking mint leaves among the tall grasses. She had a thin face, black hair, and dark eyes that reflected honesty. 

Her figure was also thin but looked very energetic, her voice sweet, when she shouted amidst the loud rain; fearing he might not hear it. Luckily, he seemed to have heard her.

Her honest eyes lit up and she ran toward him.

"Let's go back." Looking at the little girl, he lightly said before making his way into the lush forest.

Airi happily follows him as they disappear into the wet forest.

Not very far from the river was a village. The village was not too big but also not too small, as the rain was pouring heavily, one would expect the village to be quiet and empty at this time but that wasn't the case today, because it was exactly the opposite.

People were running with their hands full in the heavy rain and muddy road with stalls were still set up and the crowds were hurrying for the vegetables, meat, incense, etc at such weather!

Normally, they wouldn't be in such a scene on this kind of day but tomorrow is a very special day for these families whose offspring and descendants had just turned 15 this year and also the most important day of their lives.

It was also the day of farewell. So, the parents, and grandparents as customary; were preparing for the celebration and gifts offered to the gods tonight. This event was just so important for the rain to stop them.

At this moment, two children enter the village entrance, a boy with pale white hair and a girl carrying fresh mint leaves on her robes with black hair and black eyes that contain happiness.

Some people noticed them and knew immediately it was the village's twin weirdo siblings: Airi and White.

Seeing the mayhem, they were not surprised and just continued their way into the orphanage.

In this world from when he gained awareness, he was already an orphan and because of this unique characteristic, he was given the name White.

As for the girl beside him, she was called Airi. 

Although the villagers called them siblings, they were not truly blood-related. Her parents abandoned her and because her relatives refused to take her in, she ended up in an orphanage.

"Ehh! Little Airi, running an errand?" A middle-aged woman with a grey robe, without an umbrella in the rain called out from behind.

"Aunt Ju! Umm, Mother asked me and my Big Brother to fetch some mint leaves from the riverside." Airi turned happily upon seeing the woman and replied.

This woman was the mother of Young Ju, her best friend. She treated them well and used to give them food when they were hungry, so she was very fond of her.

"Your Mother must have cooked you guys some amazing feasts today. Isn't that great Airi? You won't feel hungry tomorrow." The woman smiles, teasing the little girl.

"Hehe, Aunt Ju…" Acting like all children she shies away at such teasing.

She looked properly at the childish girl and the boy beside her who didn't like to talk much. Their personalities were the opposite, she smiled at the visage of these two children.

"Oh, how careless of me, you both are all dripping! At this rate you will all get sick tomorrow, hurry home," She likely said and turned her gaze at the boy, continuing, "Little White, go hurry, take care of this obsessed sister properly."

"Ok," White who was just observing them, nodded and replied. They both headed their way to the orphanage.

After smiling at them the woman went her way to the rainy street.

Airi watches her disappearing back slowly muttering."Aunt Ju really is a kind lady, nobody in the village would treat us like she treated us, except for Mother."

White just nodded, his face remaining unchanged, but he seemed to remember something and turning to the girl, he asked,

"Are you really sure about tomorrow?" 

She remained silent for some time, 

"Big Brother… since you are going, naturally I'm going with you." She looks at him hesitantly, continuing 

"Besides, after becoming a master we don't have to go hungry anymore."

Master…

This was the word White kept hearing and recently, even more. That was because tomorrow was a day one could become one. 

This was also his next step in this world; he was going to continue in the same footsteps he walked in his previous life, his resolve and belief didn't weaver just because he died trying.

But he also heard about the danger tomorrow, that was the reason he sometimes warned the little girl.

He had been in her company for a long time despite not wanting to due to circumstances, that was the only reason he sometimes advised her against going; knowing the worldview of a little girl like her was about to shift.

But she seems to have her own goal and made up her mind.

If she had decided on something, it was highly unlikely to get her to change. Though she acts like a naive child in front of others, she is determined and extremely stubborn.

So, expecting such an answer he kept quiet.

'Well, everyone wants to have power and fulfill their desire, and becoming a master was the only way for these people.'

He was also no different and had his own goal and he was interested to find out just where he had ended up because he suspected this was not his old world!