1 My New Reality

Lucas Asher is a 25-year-old half Russian and Japanese. He is your average salaryman. He wakes up, eats breakfast, and goes to work. He sits every day in front of a computer. Working and working until he realizes It's already morning. And that routine repeats every single day.

He was born in Russia, but when he was just six, his parents got into a terrible car accident. His Japanese grandmother, being his only relative, adopted him and took good care of him. He grew up pretty well.

He turned 18 and got a job.

One day he was walking on his way home and someone suddenly called.

"Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Asher?"

"Yes, it is."

"This is the hospital. Your grandmother... She died of heart failure."

He fell to his knees speechless.

After his beloved grandma died, his reason to live ran out. He became a workaholic hoping that it would fill the empty hole in his heart. He works and works until dark circles began to form under his eyes. He never skipped a day in his work even when he was sick. His colleagues pitied him but they just kept minding their own business.

He kept it all locked up inside his chest. But then.

"Sigh."

He had enough. He got on top of a chair and...

He hanged himself.

...

("Ugh. My whole body aches.")

I got up and opened my eyes.

I found myself shirtless on a huge bed in a spacious room full of expensive-looking things.

("Is this heaven?")

"Ugh."

Someone grunted and I know It is not me.

I looked beside me. Looks like someone is under the blanket.

I lifted it up and revealed a pretty blonde-haired man sleeping beside me without pants nor under ware on.

("Eh?")

[The depressed hunk was too stunned to speak.]

The person opened his eyes while facing me.

"Oh. Duke. You're awake. Did you have a good sleep? You were so rough on me last night.

He smiled.

("WTF... Is he talking to me?! What did he mean by rough???... What did I do?! Did I just lose my fudging virginity to a man?! I thought I was already dead?!! Oh, God! What is this?!")

[The hunk was panicking quietly.]

Suddenly, my head throbbed.

"Ugh!"

"Duke. Are you okay? Maids!"

A storm of memories flashed into my head.

("Oh... I remember. I am Duke Lucas Asher Hilkoff.")

("It is as if I am in the body of my alternate.")

("So this is not heaven huh?")

The maids barged in in panic and gave me a glass of water.

I took a glug.

"Ah~"

"All better?"

I silently nodded.

Lucas stood up in front of a mirror and the maids began dressing him up in fancy clothes. ("I still look the same huh?")

The mysterious person also put on some pants.

The maids are blushing. *Oy, what are you girls thinking?*

"Gerret."

Lucas hesitated.

"What is it, duke?"

"I can't seem to remember what happened last night. Can you tell me?"

"Oh. That? You were so rough drinking all night on the balcony. And when you finally dropped, I called the maids to help me carry you to your bed. That is all that happened, remember?"

("Oh. So that was what he meant by rough.")

("But that still doesn't explain why you don't have pants on and sleeping on my bed.")

("Sigh. Forget about it. He's my only and trusted friend. He's been with me even before I became the duke. He may be a 'bit' flirty but there is no way we would do something so unholy.")

I looked at Gerret and he just smiled.

Sigh.

Well, I guess this is my new reality from now on.