Under normal circumstances, where does a human soul go once death occurs? In this world of over eight billion people perhaps more diverse beliefs branch out from the roots of culture and the psychological anchor known as "faith."
For some, death is the threshold to a final judgment. They believe in eternal realms like Heaven for the righteous or a Hell teeming with flames and retribution for the wicked. If you've been "good," you bask in divine hymns; if you've sinned, you burn. It's a remarkably simple system—a "cosmic social screening," if you will.
Meanwhile, the other half of the globe views death as a mere pit stop for the "Afterlife Express" known as reincarnation. They adhere to the principles of Karma. If you lived like a dog in your previous life, you might literally return as one. Or, if you've accumulated enough "merit points," you might transcend this cycle of suffering ..Samsara…into the void of Nirvana. To me, it sounds like an endless RPG where you're forced to grind levels in different bodies for a conclusion no one can verify.
Then there are the historical architects of death, like the Greeks with their Asphodel Fields a grey zone for the unremarkable commoners or the Norse warriors dreaming of Valhalla, where they can drink and brawling for eternity. Every belief is meticulously designed to soothe the human fear of "the void."
For the logical positivists or the irreligious, death is simply cessation. Once the brain shuts down, your identity vanishes like a computer being unplugged. Your memories, emotions, and "yousness" dissolve into an indifferent universe. It is the coldest reality, yet perhaps the most just. In that absolute darkness, no one has to wear a mask anymore.
I used to think that way... that death should be the quietest, simplest conclusion. But my wretched life always has an unexpected punchline.
Back then, at home or even while hanging out with Zaimokuza, I've skimmed through countless "Isekai" stories. Tales of some unlucky guy getting hit by a truck and waking up in a fantasy world as a hero. To me? That stuff is pure logical garbage. It's a escapist daydream for losers who can't face reality, hallucinating about a world where they are suddenly important a world where everyone loves them simply because "destiny" said so.
I'd always scoff at those plots. "Another world"? Ridiculous. Death is an end, not a New Game+ in the body of a dashing hero surrounded by a harem.
And yet... the punchline of this joke is that the very "Isekai" trope I dismissed as the peak of absurdity and nonsense... actually happened to me. Or something along those lines..
"Young Master~ Is this pressure alright?"
"Ah~ Yes~ That's perfect. Right there."
What a glorious moment this is. Now, don't get the wrong idea, you readers; it's not what you think. If you knew me at all, you'd know exactly what kind of person I am. I'm simply lying face-down on my bed while a maid gives me a back massage....Wait, a maid? For someone like me to have a maid? Of course, that would never happen. Right... it would never have happened to me in my previous life. But it's a different story for me in this world.
I've been reincarnated just like those manga plots suggest. At first, I thought this second life would cast me as some heroic protagonist destined to vanquish a Great Demon King. As it turns out, this world isn't all that different from my previous one. If there is a distinction, it's my current status—
"Young Master~ Here, say 'ahhh'."
"Ahhh..."
I was born as the wealthy heir to the Hikigaya family. Sometimes I think this might be a parallel universe. In my old world, the Hikigaya name belonged to a standard family of 'corporate slaves' the primary income earners of the social animal kingdom. But here, the name carries enough prestige to hold its head high among the elite. Perhaps God does exist; maybe He finally granted my wish to be... a 'gigolo'—or to put it more politely, a househusband who lives off others. Even if the roles are slightly reversed in terms of position, my ultimate dream was never to work, never to face an external world teeming with masks and deception. In this life, God must have grown tired of hearing my complaints, so He simply handed me the 'Young Master' status of the obscenely wealthy Hikigaya family. This family isn't just well-off; they are top-tier magnates with interests spanning everywhere. This wealth allows me to maintain a perfect distance from the 'youthful society' I so despise.
In my old life, I saw corporate slavery as the end of one's existence. But here, I have maids assisting my every step and an unlimited budget without ever having to try and stand out. It is the ideal tranquility I once yearned for. Lying here while being massaged and hand-fed fruit... this is premium 'social withdrawal.' I don't have to join a Service Club to solve anyone's problems; no one forces me to do anything against my will. Because in the eyes of the staff, I am the 'Young Master' whose word is law. This is the consolation prize for my pathetic death in the previous world.
"By the way, Milla... I haven't seen my parents much lately. Where are they now?"
"They are currently abroad, Young Master."
However, amidst this dream-like life, I sense a certain 'abnormality' lurking in the shadows specifically regarding my parents in this world. Typically, the children of billionaires bear crushing expectations. Parents should be grooming me to be the perfect successor, drilling me on etiquette and academics to prepare for the business takeover. But for the Hikigaya parents of this world, they do the exact opposite.
They have given me everything except their 'attention.' There is no coercion, no expectation, and not even a single scolding for my daily aimlessness. They allow me to live freely as a wealthy background character in the corners of this mansion. This indifference is so extreme it doesn't feel like respect for my privacy; it feels like they've overlooked my very existence. It is a stark contrast to my parents in the old world, who, despite being corporate slaves, still showed signs of worry or favoritism. In this world, I am like an idol placed on a golden pedestal... beautiful to look at, but devoid of any genuine echo of love.
Hikigaya: "Mmm… that feels good... Alright, that's enough for now. You girls can go rest or do something else. I'd like to be alone for a bit."
Maids: "Yes, Young Master."
Once the massage was over, I dismissed the maids to have some time to myself.
(A long, weary sigh)
Despite this luxurious and comfortable life, deep down, I can't deny that I still feel lonely. Ah... Komachi, I almost miss the sound of your nagging. If she saw the life her brother is leading now, what would she think? She'd probably deduct some points for sure. Sometimes, I find myself wishing I could hear Yukinoshita's sharp, cynical barbs... Yuigahama's clumsy, airheaded greetings... Hiratsuka-sensei's gut-punching reality checks... Totsuka's angelic presence... observing Hayama's group full of their 'fake' dynamics... and even Zaimokuza's endless, chuunibyou nonsense from his novels....Hmm... perhaps I really have changed. I don't even know if it's for better or for worse.
Hikigaya: "Speaking of which... I've been feeling an odd sense of unease lately. A premonition that something bad might happen to me in the future... Well, whatever. I'm just going to sleep."