…past life?

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[MC's POV]

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-Survival of the Fittest-

It is a concept of natural selection in the field of evolutionary biology that states that the organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Well, I suppose that's at least what the scientific or textbook definition suggests…

However, I have a couple problems with the said theory.

The major one being misinterpretation brought by humanity is that : Only the fittest(:strong) will survive.

But in reality, it is those who do survive that are deemed the fittest(:strongest).

Yeah, if 'Mother Nature' wants to fu*k up with you, trust me, it will. Even if you are the mighty dinosaur, you have no choice but to be screwed over, regardless of your size.

In essence, it's 'Mother Nature' that determines whether a being survives or kicks the bucket, not the other way around, and especially not us-Humans.

Now, coming to my second problem, is the exploitation made by humanity with the theory.

Being a human myself and also part of modern society, 'we' often misuse the phrase(:Survival of the Fittest) to justify our actions of oppression towards our fellow race, simply deeming them as weak and unfortunate.

However, we often tend to look away from the fact that our actions mirror another phrase : [The Law of the Jungle].

...then again, if we consider that society is akin to a jungle, it might be applic–

"Big Brother, are you sure it's not hurting?" An abrupt halt to my profound contemplation on the meaning of life was brought about by a familiar voice.

…..snapping me out of my dazed state, just as I was on the verge of gaining enlightenment.

For a moment, I set aside the book I had been holding. I found myself reclined in a hospital bed with my left leg securely bandaged and suspended in the air, tethered to a nearby pole as a testament to my recent injury.

Deciding to ignore the rather comical position I was in, I shifted my attention to the owner of the voice, a middle school girl.

She had long brown hair, neatly tied into twintails, and was seated comfortably at the edge of the bed, right beside my injured leg.

In her hand, she held a sketch and was finishing a smiley emoji on my white bandage straps, just below the heartfelt message she had already written:

-Get well soon, Big Brother-

As the message indicated, she was indeed my beloved younger sister, Komachi.

[-Komachi Hikigaya-]

Now, you might wonder why I am sharing all of this. Well, you will soon find out.

"Not at all, Sis. Even if there was any pain, I'd endure it with everything I have for Komachi's happiness."

Contrary to my assumptions and the fears that welled up in my heart due to the current circumstances I found myself in, my response flowed naturally, as if it were part of the unspoken pact between us.

"Eeeh, Hachiman Hikigaya, that's kinda creepy to say to your Little Sister." Komachi responded with a playful grin, faking a disgusted tone while completing the smiley emoji.

If my mind were in its usual space, I might have rebuked her words in the same way I always did. However, her abrupt use of my full name caught my attention.

Yeah, it's me, alright.

-[Hachiman Hikigaya]-

A typical Japanese teenager, self-proclaimed loner, and convinced that I am the ONLY person in this world who is questioning weird societal norms and the complexities of human interactions.

However, yesterday, everything I believed I knew about myself and the people around me was shattered after my involvement in an accident.

No. It's not what you think. I survived.

No memory loss either. 

In fact, on the contrary, I have gained extra memories. 

Yeah, instead of losing memories, as in typical drama shows, I received memories.

Memories of my-

…past life?

Hmm, I wonder if these memories are really of my past life.

The reason behind this doubt is that I don't exactly remember much about the so-called past life, except for the EXPERIENCEs I received and a bunch of other stuff.

Yeah, all I am able to remember are the experiences of my things and hazy recollections of my likes, dislikes, interests, stories, books & novels I have read, movies & shows I have watched, games I have played, and beyond all that-

…..PEACEFUL experiences.

Now that I have decently skimmed through them, it seems my passion for games and storytelling was rather intense. 

The reason behind such a conclusion is the vast collection of memories related to that particular subject compared to others. 

The crucial word here is 'was', as I am unsure if it remains the same now.

However, apart from that, everything else is quite messed up.

I don't remember my name, age, origins, occupation, or what I used to do to survive.

I know I have parents, friends, and colleagues, but I don't remember the depth of bond I have with them and nothing else. 

However, the most IMPORTANT and CRAZY fact I have learned among the hundreds and thousands of experiences I have received is that-

-Hachiman Hikigaya[Me]-was actually a fictional character from an anime show called-My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU.

Wishlist, it was an adaptation of a light novel with the same title, though I didn't have any experience of ever reading it.

Though I can't say the same when it comes to the anime, as I was kinda obsessed with it... well, at least that's what I could assume and understand from these small recollections... particularly with a character.

Still, the memories of the show are diluted, except for a few major scenes and the main characters' personalities.

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This way, my entire time, from the moment I opened my eyes in the hospital, my mind was in a constant battle of truth and lies.

At one point, I even assumed I might have gone insane.

Anyway, even with all the messed-up situation I am in now, if there is one thing that I am glad about and am damn certain about, it is-

Luckily. I mean, LUCKILY!!

I was a guy in my previous life too.

How, I am so certain you ask? Well, I just KNOW.

I mean, there is a particular genre where I have an abundance of knowledge about everything I have read, watched, and played.

You get what I mean, right? RIGHT!??

So I was DUDE, just like I am now.

…a-and also, a V-VIRGIN!!

Fu*ck, my accursed luck!

On second thought, I am grateful for not remembering my past life's age.

At least I can fool myself into thinking that I died early.

However, what I a–

"Um, why the long face, Big brother?" Komachi, who was patiently expecting a reply from me, commented, interrupting my train of thought again.

Uh? Was I making a long face? 

Shhuu! I think there are a LOT of things I need to work on myself. Otherwise, I might end up being a handful, even for myself.

"It's nothing. Anyway, you skipped school today?" I casually brushed it off and inquired as I noted her casual attire.

"What can I do? I have such an unreliable Big Brother. Who told you to be a loner? I bet no one will visit you if I leave now. So this little Sister of yours had to sacrifice her school life." Her voice, which initially started off with concern, shifted to one of sacrifice in the end.

–KRSSHT!!(:Imaginary Stab)

Her words felt like a direct stab through my heart. 

Being bullied for my 'loner status' by my very own Sister…?

…On top of that, I have no way to retaliate to her words either.

Apart from Komichi, only my parents paid me a visit. Given their perpetually busy schedules, I doubt I will see them again for another couple of days.

Dammit, at least visit me every day… 

…*sigh, my high school life was indeed turning out to be the worst. 

I had hoped that high school would be different from middle school and that I could get rid of my loner status.

I wanted to make new friends, blend seamlessly with my classmates, and leave my past behind. However, I was reminded of how things worked in this world, a world that I had assumed I was already numb to.

Yet, it seemed that the teenage hormones coursing through me were stronger than I had initially calculated. My mistakes had given me a broader perspective, and I wouldn't let my guard down again, no matter what.

But first, there is something I need to address.

"Hey Komachi…

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[To be continued….]

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