NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 2: New Life
1980, Japan…
(35 minutes later after reading the journal...)
Ryūhei's POV:
-Ok, then! I just found out my name is Ryūhei Yamawaki instead of Ryohei Yamazaki. That's something to note about, also based on what I have just read, Ryūhei or in this case, I have a mom and a dad and a younger sister named Mayumi. Who is 3 years younger than me.
I am currently at my 4th year in elementary school or the equivalent of being around the 5th grade back in the states. Anyways, it seems like this kid is a loner, few friends, though not very close with any. All he does is sit around and watch TV, read comics books, and sometimes going biking. That's pretty much it as he doesn't participate much with other peers nor is he involved with any of them at all.
-Well I am him now. So it is now my responsibility to make myself better, if not improve upon my self to live a much happier life for myself. I murmured quietly while I sat by the bed and pondered. As I slowly contemplated, when I thought about what's more of my current life right now.
(15 minutes later…)
Eventually, after a little while of just sitting around, I somehow managed to fully absorbed this body's memories. I noticed that my parents are busy, hardworking people. My dad being a Salaryman working at an office of a major corporation. While my mom is a hairdresser/Barber working part time in a nearby hair salon, it is just several minutes away further down from our house on walking distance. She mostly works a couple days per week, for at least nearly 6 hours at most, sometimes she gets called on shifts, but usually she doesn't work no more than a couple days a week.
While my dad on the other hand, is often very busy and he is usually not at home that much, and he is generally very tired by the end of his shift. When he is at home, he really tries his best to be a good father and a family man, as he genuinely does cares about his family. Although a bit stern, slightly strict and rigid, he is a fair minded person, as he is never cruel to me and my younger sister.
Speaking of my younger sister, Mayumi, whose around 8 years old. She is a bit rambunctious and it seems like she has boundless energy and an active imagination. Although a bit annoying, she's still my sibling and I do care about her. Still thinking about this makes me both happy that I have a sibling, but slightly weirded out at the same time as I was an only child in my last life. She is without a doubt a girl who my parents dotes on a bit more than me, but I don't think I should really feel much resentment towards her. Regardless at least they love us both equally in their own ways.
-I am all up to speed of who I am now, I will have to see what to do around here. As I talked to myself quietly about finding something to do. Especially figuring out what's for fun. I looked around to see a Box television. I turned it on to see what's the channel and programs it shows. -I am all up to speed of who I am now, I will have to see what to do around here. As I talked to myself quietly about finding something to do. Especially figuring out what's for fun. I looked around to see a Box television. I turned it on to see what's the channel and programs it shows.
-Wow, there is really nothing much there I can find interesting to me. Game shows, talk shows, some children shows, dramas, and the news. Nothing really to peak my interests, though I just merely channel surf and skimmed around with my remote. I also did caught the time and date. It's April 11, of the year of 1980.
-And it's almost 1pm on a Sunday. At least I don't have to go to church anymore in this life as a child now. Now where's my sister? As I got up from my bed and turned off the tv.
I left my bedroom and take a look around the house. It is a standard two storey Japanese home, with a kitchen, a living room, a dining area, a bath room and a toilet room. Along with a few bedrooms, as me and my sister has a room each. After some time of looking around to find her, I then realized she's at her friend's place and my mom won't pick her up after she got off her shift at 3pm.
At least I know now where she is currently. As I kept looking around this house, I noticed that it doesn't have a dishwasher and while it has a washing machine, the home doesn't have a dryer, so our clothes get dried via clothesline.
-Another TV at the living room. I must be a bit spoiled for having my own in my bedroom? As I pondered and thought out loud.
-Maybe I should go outside and explore around the place. I thought while having nothing much to do. I then changed into my outdoor clothes and head out. Of course, not before I closed the door.
(End of Ryūhei's POV)
3rd person POV:
Ryūhei head out in the street. He looked around and saw a nice looking neighbourhood. With each house having walls and gates, it gives off a protective appearance. There is a lot of greenery around him with bushes, trees, and hedges on this streets. Ryūhei then walked around by the sidewalk while he took glances of the scenery
(Ryūhei's Neighborhood Image)
It was a beautiful sight to see, and with every nooks and crannies, there is always something new to look around. Ryūhei has saw some hidden gems like some antique shops, various stores and a small convenient store by the corner. It is ran by a middle aged couple, whose faces are full of smiles and positivity when entering the store.
Along with that, Ryūhei also the various houses around his neighborhood, all in both similar yet different styles from each other. Ryūhei felt it is what makes them unique.
Ryūhei briefly returned back home, just to grab his bike to ride around the town.
As he rode around the town, seeing various shops, restaurants, eateries, stores, and different buildings for different purposes, including an arcade area. Ryūhei briefly considered stopping by the arcade, but he decided not to in order to keep exploring.
Passing through various, streets, avenues, and boulevards. Ryūhei wanted to check out how big his town is.
Ryūhei is closed to edge of the town, he can see some groves of trees and shrubberies and waterways as there's a sizeable lake and a few ponds along the outskirts. It looked so wonderful as the man-made town landscape has slowly transitioned into nature as he slowly rode out to the outskirts of his town.
(Town Outskirts Image)
He also did see some farmlands and more rural areas the further away he goes outward, it was interesting for him to see all of this juxtaposition of both the natural and artificial environments as he rode along some more.
(The Farmlands Image)
By the time he reached the forested lake with some meadows, it was already close to mid afternoon. So Ryūhei has to return back home, less he gets a scolding from his mom for being too late.
So Ryūhei rode back home on his bike quickly in order to not get into problems later with his mom. It took a bit of time to get there, but he managed to reach his home in a nick of time.
He parked his bike by the front entrance and then went inside. As he got in, he is greeted by his mom, and his little sister.
(End of 3rd Person POV)
Ryūhei's POV:
-Hey, mom? You have returned from picking up my sister? As I stated sincerely and asked her.
Mom: Oh, thank goodness you're back. Now, can you help me gathering ingredients for our dinner later? Especially when Dad comes home from work.
-Sure, no problem.
This is my mom, her name is Aiko Yamawaki née Sakihara, she's currently 33 years old. Overall a relatively good mom, despite being a bit hands off at times and a little bit more modest. She is probably only like a few inches taller than me, as I am currently around 4'10 in height.
(Mom Image)
As I went to the kitchen to help mom, my sister came in suddenly and hugged me from behind.
Mayumi: Big Brother! As she exclaimed animatedly and leaping slightly to hug me behind my back.
-Woah there, at least save that to dad instead of me first. I love you too though! As I stated to her calmly while hugging her back too. After that, Mayumi then left the kitchen to go play at the living room.
Mayumi: Ok, big brother! She promptly left while being a bit silly.
(After an hour later or so...)
*Door opens*
Dad: I'm home! As he exclaimed and walked to the dining area where the food is prepared, ready to be eaten.
-Dad, you came home earlier today? I am a bit surprised.
(Dad Image)
Dad: Well, I got left off fairly early today due to getting the most work done. As he explained why.
This is my dad, his name is Toshiro Yamawaki, he's 36 years old currently. He looks a bit mixed looking despite being fully Japanese, it is because his maternal grandparents were from Hokkaido. And his paternal great grandmother was from Okinawa. So that's why my dad has a more Jomon looking appearance. Hence why he can also can grow a beard much more easily than most Japanese men, as his facial hair looks like he hadn't shaved in a few days despite him shaving early in the morning. He is around average height, though slightly taller.
I am still glad my dad got off work early today, as we as a family can have dinner together. Even if it won't happen as often, it is still worth the time to spend together.
Dad: Son, what have you been doing all day? You better not jerk off to your posters. You shouldn't be doing that! As he speaks sternly and told Ryūhei off out of concern.
-No, dad! All I did today was reading, watch a bit of tv, and play outside on the rest. That's all. I told my dad what I did, and told him that I went exploring around the town and the outskirts. While I looked a bit embarrassed when he assumed that I was doing something inappropriate.
Dad: that's good, son. Playing outside is good for a growing boy like you. It builds character! As he speaks fondly and is a bit happy for once on not wasting his time doing nothing.
-Well time to eat!
Mom: Let's eat!
Mayumi: Let's eat!
Dad started eating and we followed suit. The food my mom cooked is amazing. There's Sautéed vegetables stir fry, roasted chicken, rice, and with sides of fruits and some miso. The drinks are mostly water and a beer for my dad. At least he's not a heavy drinker.
We all enjoyed our dinner together, and we cleaned up afterwards, while me and my sister went to our rooms to prepare for bed, I went to take a bath first. After that, I brushed my teeth. I changed into my Pyjamas, while I grabbed a book to read for about 30 or so minutes before I fall asleep.
-This has been an interesting day, I died, got reincarnated, I now inhabit this body. Whoever sent me here, I am glad I get to live again. Regardless of this identity of this body, it is now my responsibility to make my life better for my self. I quietly muttered.
Ryūhei then fell asleep, both nervous and excited for his new life.
//Author's Note//
This was a bit of a doozy, but I am glad I got this chapter finished. I wanted to provide more details and a bit of background of the protagonist and his family. Unfortunately no picture of the younger sister as of yet as I couldn't find a suitable picture.
P.S. I am not sure whether I can use Japanese familial terms, but I am considering to use it next chapter considering the place and context of this setting. Regardless, I have many things planned in the upcoming chapters and somethings are just came up on a whim.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!