Rebirth

Rai abruptly opens his eyes, in confusion and anger. He had just finished his two hours basketball workout in the local gym, longer and more intense than usual because of the upcoming nationals for high school.

He was going about his way when a speeding car came his way at an intersection. Because of his near-superhuman reaction and speed; he was able to get out of the way but unfortunately for him, a truck coming from the other side crashed straight into him.

And the next moment he appeared in this strange place, not experiencing any pain whatsoever.

This sudden turn of events even made the usually calm Rai burst into confusion. He truly experienced the literal meaning of being unlucky.

Before he could think much about it, his current surroundings only furthered his confusion.

He was in a gray desolate space, that extended beyond sight. With only an illusionary game-like hologram floating in front of him.

Regaining his usual calmness and seeing nothing else, Rai focused his attention on the hologram.

[Soul: C29471937927]

[Status: Midst Reincarnation]

[Talent(s): + ]

Rai stood there blankly for a few seconds, his dead eyes looking at the hologram. Wondering if some rich guy is using him to experiment with new technology.

But thinking about it, it seemed unlikely. Especially considering what happened previously. There was very little prospect of him surviving that accident, speaking nothing of him being conscious the way he is.

Though it seemed unrealistic, it looks like he had really 'died' and had come to this strange place.

Finally accepting his fate, Rai's expression cracked slightly, feeling rage. His journey to dominate the world of basketball hadn't even officially begun, dying before he could even play in the nationals as a first-year high school student.

For someone like him, who was obsessed with the sport of basketball, on top of it he was one of the rising geniuses, already attracting media attention. His current situation certainly put him in a sour mood.

Looking around, he focused his attention on the floating hologram. Looking at the word reincarnation, his rage calmed down.

He noticed that the plus sign next to the talent was shining brightly.

He extended his hand without hesitating to tap the plus sign.

The hologram blurred for a moment, before appearing again.

[Soul: C29471937927]

[Status: Midst Reincarnation]

[World: Kuroko No Basket]

[Talent(s): [God-Speed Impulse] [Explosive Physique]

[Start: [Yes] [No]

Surprised flashed in Rai's eyes, focusing on the 'kuroko No Basket' and 'God-Speed Impulse' part of the hologram.

Kuroko No Basket was one of the sports anime he watched occasionally, God-Speed Impulse was also an ability from another sports anime. It was an ability that allows one to move and react with near-superhuman speed. Also, one can use this ability to learn complex physical maneuvers in a short time.

Although surprised, he wasn't overly shocked, sudden death and this strange place had already broken some common sense he held in his last life.

But after processing the meaning of this hologram, he was delighted and looking forward to dominating the world of basketball in that world.

"Would my memories still stay with me?" Rai thought about it, thinking it was very likely considering everything he has seen.

Thinking about it, he reached out, pressing the start on the hologram, as intense light flashed.

———————————————

[St. Luke's International Hospital; Tokyo, March 4th]

Around a hospital bed, with nurses and doctors around.

The cry of a newborn was heard, as the young woman gave birth to her first child.

"Look, isn't he handsome?" A nurse exclaimed, looking down at a newborn baby, with the few nurses surrounding her.

The mother extended her arm, despite being worn out.

The nurse carefully placed the baby in her hands.

The woman looked at her son, with love in her eyes. Thinking about the name she and her husband decided, she smiled.

"Your name will be Rai, Itoshi Rai."

…

Rai, still retaining the memories of his past life, could understand that he had been successfully reborn. Although he couldn't see ahead too far, he was still able to understand what was happening around him, even though his cognitive ability seems to have slowed down because of his undeveloped body.

Time passed, and he developed quicker than the average infant, most likely having to do with his talent [Explosive Physique]. He also picked up the language fairly quickly. He learned that his name was Itoshi Rai.

Though it was a difficult experience, having an infant's body with an adult mind. But he preserved through it.

After the initial few months, he had seen his mother and father in this life rarely. As they spent most of their time working. Only seeing them a few days a week. Being raised mostly by the nanny that worked for them.

The lack of attention from his parents didn't make him uncomfortable, already being used to it in his last life. Nor did he resent them, knowing they have their difficulties.

He also learned that his family was fairly well off, at least well enough for them to afford a mansion in Tokyo. That was decent, to say the least. And from the surrounding talk, it seemed this was just one of the houses his family had.

He was quite satisfied with his family's wealth in this new life. It would be much more convenient for him in his teenage years.

His father was a businessman, owning a successful clothing company. While his mother was a competent business lawyer. Sometimes their job even overlaps with that of each other.

Rai inherited his black hair from his father and teal eyes from his mother.

And like that, five years passed by.