"I'm back!"
I smiled and waited for 10 seconds.
"Welcome home! How's your school today?"
"Well, I'm happy going home just to see my cute and caring big sister."
"Awww~ as your reward, here's a bear hug!"
"Yehay! But…"
I live alone. I, I really am. I'm crazy for talking to myself. I do that every day to soothe my sad wishful heart.
What do you expect a lonely high school boy to do when he's alone? He does that you know. He imagined a big sister who greeted him with a lovely smile every time he returned home. No, I'm the only one who does it. I know someone on this planet can relate to me.
Oh, my delicate heart. No, no! Don't give up! What I must do is pray to the heavens with all my might and... with sincerity, of course.
I knelt on both knees while looking up and clasped my hands.
"I wish I had a cute and pure-hearted big sister who could spoil me every day and night. Oh, God of... Please give me one, two, or as many as you can."
Nothing happened after 1 minute of staring at the ceiling. Now I despise God for not fulfilling my humble daily wish.
I walked straight to my bed, a grumpy expression on my face. To comfort my aching heart, I gazed at all the posters on my ceiling displaying cute anime girls.
"Dear God of... something, please give me a big sister who can wake me up from every sleep. If you can't, just kill me already."
I closed my eyes and...
"Good night, big sisters."
Imagine them as my big sisters before I nodded off.
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"Wake up."
I slowly opened my eyes. I expected to see my posters every time I wake up, but all I see now is white. Is this a dream?
"Young one."
The voice is gentle yet compelling. A man's voice, but I can't tell his age from his tone.
I looked around, but all I can see is white. There are no walls or ceilings. I'm surrounded by nothing but white. Then I realized I was standing.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yes, but where am I? Who am I talking to?"
A flash of white light appeared in front of me. I quickly shielded my eyes from the blinding light.
"This is my beautiful world."
"Wait, what?"
The white floor on which I stood dissolved like a mist, revealing a miniature world. I saw vast grassy plains, castles enclosed by tall and solid walls, erupting volcanoes, long mountain ranges, the blue sea, snowy lands, deserts, and forests. It was as if I'm standing in another world.
"Woah…"
I centered my gaze on the castle because it was the nearest, and it zoomed in. I saw people talking and walking down the streets, colorful houses, carriages drawn by horses, a group of knights in full plate armor, and farmers tending to their fields.
I saw a large grassy field on my right. The sight of the grasses swaying in the wind was both soothing and captivating.
Countless large trees surround the great field, some of which bore fruits. As I looked around, I can see wild animals such as rabbits, birds, squirrels, wolves, and bears, as well as everything else you might see in a forest.
"Did you like it?"
A soft voice interrupted my amusement.
I quickly looked around to see where the voice was coming from. In front of me was a silhouette of a man surrounded by light rays. Because of the light, I can't see the features of his face or his clothing. He has long hair that floats in the air softly and was dressed in a long robe that gently waves as if blown by the breeze.
Because of my silence, he asked once more.
"Did you like it?"
I can feel the happiness in his tone.
"Y-yes."
"Thank you. Soon, you will be living in it."
"Uhm….What?"
"I am the protector of this lovely world but I don't have the complete power of it."
He took a look at the miniature world. He seemed to have a sad look on his face.
He gave me a glance before waving his hand at the miniature world.
The world in which we now stood has changed. Monsters resembling those seen in video games appeared all over the world. They kill and eat the living, wreck and burn down houses, and pollute the air, soil, and water.
It was like I'm watching a movie. I can hear the growls of the monster, the screams of their victims, and the crackling of the burning houses. Everything seems so real.
My head and stomach are beginning to ache.
"What... what is happening?"
That was upsetting to watch. That was why he had a sad look on his face.
"I have summoned you here to save this world."
"I don't understand."
This is a dream, right? There is no way a god, or this man, or whoever is in front of me can be real. I wish I had a big sister that could shake me out of this dream. Oh... Sister, big sister. I wish I could have one.
"I will grant you every wish within my power."
"Every wish? Then I'd like you to grant me a sweet and caring sister!" Phew... I, I said it! My humble daily wish will be granted! "With my love for my loving big sister, I believe I can conquer whatever threat they can throw at me. I can even save this world and become a hero!"
"Forgive me. I don't have the power to create a life anymore." Now his gentle voice sounds sad.
"No way..."
Yep. There goes my motivation. Maybe making a meaningless wish can convince him to rethink. So I said, "Then turn me into a cute and harmless-looking 8-year-old boy with a lot of money and a long cool-looking sword."
"Is it your wish?"
"Yeah, yeah," I responded, displaying my frustration.
"Then-"
Blue lights glimmer all over me. I get a sense of comfort from them. I can hear soft hums and giggles from it. I might be imagining things.
Then a huge shiny circle with complex patterns appeared under my foot.
"Uhm... What is happening?"
"Thank you so much, young man. Please be careful."
His light rays began to glow brighter as he held out his arms wide.
"Eh?"
I just said that on the spur of the moment. Don't tell me I'm going to be a rich 8-year-old cute and harmless-looking boy with a long cool-looking sword.
Who is he? Where am I? What does saving the world mean? I had many questions I want to ask
Before I can speak my mind, my vision was overwhelmed by the blinding light.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"