Title: Reborn as a Shopkeeper
Genre: Reincarnation, Light Comedy, Modern Fantasy
Writer: Zaid Rehmani (14 Y/O Pakistani boy)
[Note] The characters on the cover were just created by me using an AI. So please don't consider that character design to be the real one, as they will not look like that at all. Also, only the cover is AI-generated, not the story.
Scene 1: A Flash from the Past
SFX: "SHWICK!" (The sound of a katana piercing)
Voice 1: Guhh…! F-forgive me… all of you…
(The voice collapses with a thud. Only sounds fill the scene.)
SFX:[Body hits the ground]
Voice 2 (crying): Brotheeeeer!!
MC (faintly): e-ehh...
Scene 2: The Statue Event
(Our MC is at a statue event, taking a selfie in front of the legendary monument known as "The Half-Demon, Demon Hunter.")
SFX: "CLICK!" (Camera shutter sound)
(Suddenly, MC gets a jolt — a sharp glimpse of his past life. In his mind, he sees images of himself standing beside his old friends.)
MC (thinking): Not again… another glimpse of that past life. I just wish someone could understand who I really am.
MC (sighing): And the irony… taking selfies with my own statue. Hmph... Peoples doesn't recognize me. But maybe that's good, Haruto is just a name from the past anyway...
Haruto (MC): Whatever… I don't need them to believe me. I just need to find my friends.
Scene 3: The Shop
(Haruto is working as a shopkeeper in a small shop. He greets every customer kindly.)
SFX: "Ch-Ching!" (Register sound)
Haruto (smiling): Thank you for shopping with us! Please come again!
(A customer enters — a loud and slightly rude one.)
Customer 1: Hey! I asked for a drink and you gave me juice!
Haruto: No problem, sir. Let me switch it for you. Which drink did you want?
Customer 1: Why would you give juice when I clearly asked for something else?
Haruto: I believe you asked for this one, sir.
"Bell Rings"
SFX: "Tring!"
(Suddenly, a girl enters.)
Customer 2: Excuse me, do you have the "Demon vs Hunter" Novel?
Haruto: Yes Mam! just a second!
(Haruto goes to get the manga. Meanwhile, Customer 1 turns toward the girl and starts flirting.)
Customer 1: Wow, you're absolutely beautiful. And your physique… stunning. Why don't you be my friend?
Haruto (thinking): This guy again… he's a walking disaster.
Customer 1: So, what do you say—will you be my—
SFX: "POW!" (Punch lands straight on his face)
Customer 1: Nnnghh!!
Customer 2 (Angrily): What a nuisance!
(She leaves.)
Customer 1 (Stars swirling in the eyes): A-am i….Alive?
Haruto: That's what you get for bothering a strong-looking girl. I lost a customer thanks to you.
Customer 1 (groaning): If only I had my powers from my past life… I'd show her.
Haruto: Past life…?
Customer 1: Yeah, I keep getting these weird flashbacks. Like I was a demon hunter or something. I even get dreams about it every night. Total déjà vu.
Haruto: Wait… those same things happen to me too…!
Customer 1: Hold on. You're saying—?
Haruto (thinking, staring): That shameless face… the loud voice… no way.
Haruto: Naokiiiiiiiii!!
Naoki (suddenly grinning): Harutoooooo!!
(They rush and hug each other tightly.)
Haruto: I've been looking everywhere for you! Never imagined I'd find you in a random store.
Naoki: Same! And who would've thought the great "Half-Demon, Demon Hunter" would end up managing a shelf of snacks?
Haruto: And you still haven't changed. You're getting punched by girls like always! Haha!
Naoki (serious): Enough jokes. We need to find that girl who punched me just now.
Haruto: Huh? Why her?
Naoki: Because she's Reina.
(Both rush out of the shop to catch up. As soon as they step out, they see the girl standing near the gate, waiting.)
Reina: There you two are!!
(She hugs both tightly.)
Reina: I've been searching for you guys everywhere. And here you were… arguing as always.
Naoki (grinning): Eh heheheheh~
Haruto (gasping): B-b-back off! I can't breathe!
Haruto: But… how did you recognize us?
Reina: I knew it was you the moment I saw how you fought… Welcome back, idiots.
Naoki: Let's celebrate! How about a trip somewhere fun?
Reina: Absolutely! Why not!
Reina: And Zenitsu… If you flirt again, I'll punch you. Harder.
Naoki (terrified, comedic tone): N-Not! Not again, please!
Haruto (chuckling): Hahahaha… Some things never change.
(The three of them walk off together, laughing like the old days.)