Putting it simply. My life wasn't particularly special.
Of course, I had a loving family, I can't complain about that, I was just another girl born in a typical occidental family. My parents weren't rich; they both worked, and I didn't have any siblings. Plus, my grades weren't good at school, nor was I popular or particularly beautiful. But hey, I can't complain, I wasn't good at studies, I didn't have any ambition, and I didn't work on my appearance... yeah, now that my life has ended, I can see things clearly now.
I didn't put any effort into anything. Of course, I can't complain at all. I'm quite grateful for what I had, I didn't fight for anything, and I still had the support of my parents. The only thing I had in my life was anime and smartphone games.
Yeah.
Don't judge me! I didn't feel motivated to do anything. After school, I didn't go to college; I just worked at a fast food place and used all my earnings to pay for my vices.
That was my life till the day I met my end because of truck-sama. Of course, it didn't hit me, but I was so scared that I passed out anyway.
And now... I'm floating into the nothingness.
Protagonist: "Haaaa... what now?" I asked somehow.
Everything was weird, I don't even know how I'm able to speak, I know for a fact I don't have a body, I'm something like a ghost, but probably formless. For a moment, I worried about my parents, but I couldn't do anything about that. I knew for a fact my dear dad would try to be strong for my mom, and I just wish the best for them.
Protagonist: "Also, I hope the driver of the truck is okay..."
After all, that was my fault too; I crossed a place I shouldn't. I just wanted to arrive home early to lie on my bed and play on my smartphone.
Protagonist: "So I just have to wait until something happens, or is this the afterlife?"
For a moment, my otaku self started fantasizing about gods receiving me, asking for forgiveness for killing me by accident, and sending me to a fantasy world with broken powers to have easy-going adventures. Hell, even I could have a harem of handsome guys serving me "Hehehehe". Silly me.
And as I floated towards infinity, I heard a powerful voice, neither female nor male, or maybe it was both at the same time.
Voice: "Oh soul that comes from beyond the realms," Who? me? I was so confused after being suddenly brought back to my reality as I kept drifting in the void. "I have heard your plight and will send you to a new world, where you can rethink your choices."
Protagonist: "What do you mean?"
Voice: "Much time have you wondered why you didn't do anything with your life? This time, you will be able to do something, or keep repeating the same cycle if you decide to do so, consider this your second chance."
Protagonist: "Wait! If you are giving me a second chance, send me back home!" I complained, even though I didn't have any right to do so.
Voice: "It doesn't work that way, you already wasted that life with your idleness, so do not commit the same mistake again".
Protagonist: "Waaaaaaaaaaaaait!"
I yelled, but the voice didn't answer. Typical. Just when I thought I could negotiate with the cosmic void, it yeeted me into… what even is this? One second, I'm floating in nothingness, giggling about harems and overpowered cheat skills, and the next, I feel like I'm being dragged by a vortex of infinite strength. The way I imagine it, the best way to put it into words is as if someone flying in the sky was launched at an amazing speed towards a tornado vortex.
Protagonist: "Aaaaaaaaaaah!"
The world spun, colors blurring into a kaleidoscope of chaos. My non-existent stomach churned, and then—thud. Everything went dark.
...
...
...
When I opened my eyes, I was staring at a wooden ceiling. Not the starry void, not a heavenly palace with gods groveling for forgiveness, just… a ceiling. My head felt heavy, like I'd fallen asleep on my phone after a six-hour grind session with barely enough time to sleep just to stay alive. I groaned, expecting to feel the familiar ache of my old couch, but instead, my body felt… weird. Too light, too springy. I tried to sit up, and something swished behind me.
Protagonist: "What the—"
I reached back and froze. A tail. An honest-to-goodness horse tail, soft and brown, flicking like it had a mind of its own. My hands—still human-ish, thank goodness—shot to my head. Floppy ears. Horse ears. I scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over legs that were way too long to be mine, luckily, human-like too.
Protagonist: "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. This is not happening."
I stumbled upon a mirror on the wall, and the reflection staring back was not me. Well, not the old me, the one who lived with my parents and survived on instant ramen and junk food. This girl had wide, curious eyes, a scattering of freckles, and hair of a creamish brown color... with a surprising, not very expressive face... I had become Happy Meek.
As I tried to explore my surroundings, I saw a note resting on the top of some furniture...
< You have been accepted into Tracen Academy. Please report on March 03 at 8 AM for the entrance ceremony.
Eclipse first, the rest nowhere>>
Happy Meek (Protagonist): What kind of Hogwarts letter is this!?" My voice was softer than it used to be and not very expressive as well... but there was some panicky ring to it.
I saw the digital clock on the wall... March 03, 06:17 AM. At least I had time...
Happy Meek (Protagonist): "What am I going to do!?"
I might be in the body of an uma now, and it might be in way better shape than my old self and feel lighter and springier, but... I have never done any real sport in my life, and I'm still so confused, this was so sudden... and where is the fantasy!? Why didn't I get into a fantasy world instead? I want a reimbursement!