Published: September 10, 2025
※2017/2/26 Typo corrections made.
※This time, the perspective is not Satou’s.
Since there is a somewhat unpleasant development, if you dislike it, please skip from “◇◇◇◆◇◆◆◆” to “◇◇◇◇”.
“...A mountain of fur?”
I muttered as I looked at the blurry view of what seemed like a small hill of fur.
――Rustle.
The warm lump touching my body shifted slightly.
Looking down, there was a creature resembling a newborn mouse.
If it were small, it might have been cute, but terrifyingly, it was the same size as me, an adult man.
I instinctively tried to jump back, but my limbs had no strength, and I only managed to lean my neck backward.
“●●●”
A murmuring voice like sleep-talking came from the little fur hill.
Apparently, the owner of the fur was alive.
Had I been abducted to be food for these creatures――?
Thinking that far, I realized I had misunderstood my situation.
“So this is reincarnation...”
I never imagined I’d be cast into the realm of beasts.
Unable to resist the drowsiness rapidly taking over my body, I fell asleep right there.
And in that sleep, I recalled my damned past――.
◇◇◇◆◇◆◆◆
“Mom, I’m hungry.”
“Sorry, we have no money, so go get some food from next door.”
“Ehh, again?”
Listening to the conversation between Mom and my sister in the hallway, I understood that Mom had given all the money for food to the “god”.
Since Dad left with some young girl, Mom had been obsessed with the “god” all the time.
“Taro, let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Led by my sister, I went to the neighboring dining hall.
Of course, no one is so kind these days as to feed us for free.
Enduring the cold water while washing dishes, my sister played the part of a waitress, and only then could we eat some staff meal.
It wasn’t very tasty, but it filled my stomach, so it was fine.
Those days ended when my sister ran away after becoming a middle schooler.
I was just an appendage to her...
Though hungry, I somehow managed to survive.
If there had been no school lunches at the middle school, I would probably have died long ago.
After graduating middle school, I got a job at a small factory in town, abandoned Mom who had devoted everything to the “god,” and started living alone.
Though the pay was low, I was satisfied with a life where I could properly eat three meals.
After all, I was free from Mom’s midnight screams and endless repetition of the god’s teachings.
Only after becoming alone did I realize that I, too, had started suffering mentally.
As time passed and I began to call myself “I,” I met an unexpected person.
“Taro?”
“Dad?”
Dad, whom I hadn’t seen in 10 years, was dressed like a priest.
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m a teacher at the Eastern Happiness Academy.”
――Huh?
Could Dad have gotten caught up in some ridiculous religion, too?
“Taro, why don’t you come with me?”
“I’m not interested in religion.”
I shook off Dad’s feverish arm and spat out the words.
――I want nothing to do with religion or gods!
“That’s not it! Don’t lump the Eastern Happiness Academy with ordinary religions. It’s a study for people to find happiness!”
It’s all the same, Dad.
“You’re already working, right? Why don’t you come visit the Academy?”
Dad said, eyeing me with a look full of both flattery and disdain.
The gaze was unpleasant.
“No interest.”
“Then how about investing in the Academy’s mutual aid society? Even 100,000, no, 10,000 yen would do! This month’s quota is tight. Please.”
Looking at Dad, who was the epitome of shamelessness, I felt sick.
I lightly pushed him away and ran off.
I noticed my paycheck envelope fall from my pocket, but I didn’t stop and dashed down the alley.
Hearing Dad’s “Thank you, Taro” from behind made me want to vomit.
“Damn gods, die!”
I shouted with all my might the dark feelings overflowing from inside me.
If I didn’t, I felt like those feelings would devour me.
I just looked at the sky and ran.
“Hey! In front!”