Fate Chapter 1: The ghost in the forest

This is the first chapter of the FATE story I was working on. It'll be a bit darker compared to cliche as the protagonists are different from each other. There will be cough! harem and incest.

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We, humans, have a habit of taking things for granted. Until something has gone far out of our reach, do we yearn to get it back.

My mind wandered as I stood before Mom's grave with an umbrella shielding me from the wretched downpour. Yesterday, while I was out working at my part-time job, my mother hung herself in her room.

It was all because of me that she had to work tirelessly as a teacher in the morning and bar attendant in the evening. Not the best profession for a beautiful woman, but she endured it to earn my school fees and other expenses.

To surprise her on her birthday, I started doing a part-time job, which made her more anxious.

I could’ve said so many things to her, like "thank you for working so hard for me" and much more. If only I didn't indulge in the manga and anime after reincarnating in this fictional world where the Magus and Servants battled for the ultimate wish-granting tool.

I just wanted a peaceful life with Mom after all the bullshit I went through in my last life.

After all, I had no cheats to contend against the all-powerful Magus. Even as a normal human, I tried my best to build physical strength and practice in many dojos.

And that was it.

It is too late now. Standing here alone with regrets and a handy umbrella, I realized how wrong I was. I’ll have to carry these regrets or crumble under their weight. That's all I can do. If a demon appeared here right now and offered me a deal to bring Mom back, I’d gladly offer anything, even my life.

I just wanted to say how much I appreciated her.

But that's not possible, is it?

It’s so not like me to be philosophical. I wracked my brain for a rational solution. The upcoming Holy Grail War. It might be a way to revive Mom but how am I supposed to become a Master?

I stepped out of the cemetery and wandered into the wide streets of Miyama Town. Staying in my home will drive me crazy. Mom’s bank account had about 3,50,000 yen while I had 30,000 yen. They might seem like a lot at first glance. However, a cheap room's rent was about 25,000 and above.

This wasn't the life I imagined after reincarnating in the FATE world, not even close. This must be the punishment for bullying my little brother in my last life. His immense talent was wasted with his passive demeanor. I just wanted to bring him on the right path to help the family business, but I went too far and made our relationship irreparable. He must have cursed me after his lady bodyguard murdered him and herself in cold blood.

Way to go out, Lil’ bro.

His death hit me more than I imagined. To fill the void left from his death, I tried reading the manga and anime he recommended to me all the time and ended up joining the weeb community. I didn’t care at that point after already giving a middle finger to my family and friends.

Even then, I couldn't comprehend my brother's fetish with lolis.

What did he even see in them?

Mature women are the best. That's probably one of the reasons I became so attached to my mother.

I shook my head and put an end to my thoughts. Coming to my senses, I found myself in a forest.

The outskirts of Miyama town.

I wrapped back the umbrella and sat on the nearby bench. As I cast a gaze at the cloudy sky, a sense of loneliness engulfed me. I held my head in my hands.

"When did I turn into such a momcon?"

“Haruki…” a ghostly whisper reached me. That's my name. Haruki Hayashi. But who said it? From the corner of my eyes, I saw an ethereal figure on the roadside. The silhouette reminded me of my mother, just for a bit.

I sighed and followed wherever it wanted to lead me. Two glaring lights peered through the fog. A truck steered right in my direction.

“A ghost taking me to Truck-kun. Does it want me to isekai? Or join the wandering ghosts community?”

I chuckled at the irony. The lore of Truck-kun could be real. I’d never imagined that reincarnation was real until it happened to me. I glanced down at my foot. One step away from the truck’s path.

“Should I?”

Maybe I’ll get another chance like Subaru and get back. Nah, that’s impossible. I took a step back.

Buzz! The phone in my pocket tingled my thighs. I fished it out and saw a missed call from none other than Yandere herself. As I reached the call back button, a loud screech pierced my ears.

...The truck slipped on the wet road, drifting uncontrollably off the road. It just so happened to be speeding toward my direction as if saying, ‘Bro, com’ere. It’s your friend, Truck-kun.’

Everything happened so fast I couldn’t react.

Oh dear lord, is this the closure to my second life?