Ren woke up slowly.
This time, he didn't sit up in shock. His body felt lighter, more energetic, as if sleep had done his new body some good.
Ren: "I'm not dreaming…"
The bed was still there. The room too. Nothing had disappeared.
He slightly turned his head. The light coming through the window burned his eyes, forcing him to close them immediately.
The light… too strong.
Ren: "It seems this body doesn't tolerate sunlight very well."
A sigh escaped his lips.
This body is really fragile.
Memories that didn't belong to him began to surface. Fragmented. Blurred. Unknown faces. A house that was too large. Cold stares. Whispering voices.
Ren: "All these memories… and this boy… his name is Elijah!!!"
Ren froze.
Ren: "So… I really reincarnated into someone else's body!"
Before he had time to think any further, he heard footsteps behind the door.
Someone was approaching.
Ren: "Someone's coming! What am I supposed to do? I haven't finished analyzing Elijah's memories yet!"
Even if I have to die, I won't let anyone mistreat me in this new life.
This weak, pale body… at least now I know the host was a fallen child.
He's the youngest of this family, and just like in my previous life, people here are divided into three categories: Alpha, Omega, and Beta. And I think Elijah is a Beta.
The footsteps could still be heard outside the room, but no one seemed willing to enter. Gathering his courage, Ren got out of bed, walked toward the door, and opened it with a sharp motion.
Click.
As soon as he opened the door, the people fled. Ren didn't even have time to see their faces.
Ren: "Uh…?"
(Tilting his head)
Still wearing his nightgown, Ren decided to explore the large villa he now owned. Indeed, in Elijah's memories, Ren had seen that he had been sent away from the city by his own parents and had lived isolated from the rest of the world ever since.
Ren: "Poor child… but don't worry. Now that I'm in your body, I'll take good care of it."
Suddenly, a voice was heard.
"Do you really think so?"
Ren: "!!! The voice?!"
(Turning around abruptly)
"Yes, it's me—the voice."
Ren: "Tell me, why did you send me here, into this body?"
"You were about to die, and I no longer wanted to live. So I gave you my place."
Ren: "What… gave me your place? Don't tell me you're Elijah?!"
So from the very beginning, the voice Ren had heard was Elijah's.
"Yes. I'm sorry for dragging you into my world this way, but there was no other solution."
Ren: "No… I should be thanking you for saving my life. Without you, I'd already be six feet under."
"Hehe… Elijah likes Ren."
The two boys seemed to meet within one another, sharing a strange and precious moment.
Ren: "But Elijah… what's going to happen to you?"
"I don't want to die, but I can't return to my old body anymore."
Ren: "Then… what will you do?"
"Ren, don't worry. Live a beautiful life in my body. If you do that, I'll be able to rest in peace."
Tears began to stream down Ren's cheeks. He couldn't hold back his emotions.
"Ren, don't cry. You might not know this, but we've known each other for a long time."
Ren: "Sniff… really? But I don't remember who you are. Give me a hint."
"I'll be leaving soon, Ren."
Ren: "No! Wait! You haven't told me who you are or how we know each other!"
"I'm saying goodbye… Dad."
Silence.
Ren: "What… Dad…?"
*What does that mean?*
Ren: "Dad…"
(Touching his stomach)
Ren burst into sobs, trying to stifle his cries. A sudden wave of nausea hit him. He ran back to the bedroom, rushed into the bathroom, and began vomiting into the toilet.
Ren: "Blargh—bleeergh—cough, cough—"
He couldn't control the flood of emotions and collapsed unconscious in the bathroom, tears still in his eyes.