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Darkness.
Emptiness.
That was the last thing Leo felt. The blaring honk of a truck, the blinding light, the crushing impact—everything faded away. He had accepted it. His life was over.
But… why was he still conscious?
Strange voices echoed faintly around him. A woman's breathless cries, followed by the sharp wail of a newborn child.
"Our… our child is born!" a man's voice rang out, trembling with joy.
Leo froze. A baby? Who?
He struggled to open his eyes. A piercing light flooded his vision, blurry at first, but clear enough—he was cradled in the arms of a young woman. Her face was pale with exhaustion, yet her smile radiated warmth. A man stood beside her, tears welling in his eyes as he looked down at them.
"He's beautiful…" the woman whispered, stroking his cheek with trembling fingers. "Let's name him Leo."
Leo's heart skipped. That name… Leo.
He tried to speak, but only the frail cry of a baby left his lips.
What's happening to me…? Was I reborn?
His chest felt warm. The woman's embrace carried a tenderness he had never known. The man's large, calloused hand gently stroked his tiny head.
Leo fell silent. Every touch felt foreign… yet achingly precious.
He remembered the shoves, the curses, the disgusted glares from the world he once lived in. No one had ever held him like this.
And now, for the very first time, someone embraced him as if his existence mattered.
Tears—tears he thought he no longer had—slid down his cheeks uncontrollably.
The woman holding him furrowed her brow, slightly puzzled.
"Eh? Why is Leo crying like this? Softer than I expected…"
Yet her voice carried no worry, only tenderness. She gently caressed his small head, her hand moving soothingly along his back. The man beside her smiled as well, watching the peaceful scene with quiet warmth.
Leo's tiny chest rose and fell. His tears weren't from hunger or discomfort. They came from something far deeper—the realization that, for the first time, someone was truly holding him with love. He was no longer alone.
The woman then leaned closer, whispering softly, her voice filled with affection.
"Shhh… it's okay, my dear. Mama is here. Don't be afraid, alright?"
Those words, together with her warm embrace, slowly calmed his sobs.
The woman stroked his cheek, her smile gentle.
"Leo… you must be hungry, right? Come, Mama will feed you."
Leo, who had just calmed down, froze. His tiny eyes blinked rapidly. Inside, his thoughts raced in panic.
Wait—don't tell me… she's going to…
A cold sweat seemed to form on his infant forehead.
No, no, no! This feels wrong! I'm still a teenager inside, for heaven's sake! How can I—
But then he stopped, gulping mentally.
…But she is my mother now… right? This is natural… it's not like I have a choice here…
His heart wavered between embarrassment and reason.
Arghhh… should ill do it??
On the outside, however, Leo was just a red-faced baby wriggling in his mother's arms—while his inner monologue screamed in chaos.
"Ahh…"
His mother gently opened Leo's mouth and nursed him tenderly.
Leo froze. His eyes widened, his mind refusing to accept what was happening. But his tiny body couldn't resist. At last… he gave in.
Arghhh… so this is what it feels like… I never thought I'd ever go through something like this…
Slowly, he began sucking. Greedily, as if he hadn't eaten for days. Warm milk flowed into him, filling his belly with comfort. Before long, his eyelids grew heavy, sleep creeping in.
When she was done, his mother smiled sweetly and lifted his tiny body onto her shoulder.
"Alright, time for a burp."
Leo's eyes shot wide open.
A burp?! No, no, no! This is humiliating! I refuse!
He screamed in his head, but all that came out was a soft whimper and an adorable shake of his head.
"Ehh, Leo doesn't want to?" his mother giggled, but still patted his back gently.
Leo squirmed, his face turning red.
Stop! Don't force me! I'm a teenager, okay?!
But a few moments later—
BUURRP!
The loud burp escaped.
Leo froze, utterly mortified.
His mother chuckled, stroking his tiny head lovingly.
"Good boy, Leo… Mama's proud."
Meanwhile, Leo could only scream silently in his mind.
This world really won't let me have any dignity, huh…
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