The End Before the Beginning

Yaro lay in his hospital bed, the sterile white walls closing in around him. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor was the only sound that broke the oppressive silence. He stared at the ceiling, memories of a life filled with hardship flashing before his eyes. He was 28, but his body felt much older, ravaged by an incurable illness that had plagued him for years. He knew his time was near.

"Yaro," came a soft voice from the doorway. It was his mother, Ayumi, looking frail and worn. She had aged beyond her years, the strain of a hard life etched deeply into her face.

"Mom," Yaro replied weakly, his voice barely a whisper. "You should be resting."

Ayumi approached his bedside, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I can't rest while you're here, suffering. It's not fair, Yaro. You deserve so much more."

Yaro managed a faint smile. "Life hasn't been fair to us, has it?"

Ayumi shook her head, tears welling up. "No, it hasn't. But you... you were always so strong. Even after your father died..."

Yaro's mind drifted back to that day in high school when they received the devastating news. Hiroshi, his father, had died in a car accident. The loss had hit them hard, leaving Ayumi to fend for them with her meager income. The debts piled up, and despite her best efforts, they barely scraped by.

Somehow, Yaro had managed to graduate high school. He remembered the pride in his mother's eyes on his graduation day, despite the cloud of debt hanging over them. College, however, had been a dream too far. Yaro had taken up work as a shopkeeper, laboring long hours to clear their debts.

"I tried, Mom," Yaro whispered, his voice cracking. "I tried to make things better."

"You did more than anyone could ask for," Ayumi said, clutching his hand. "You took care of me, even when I got sick."

Her illness had come suddenly, just as Yaro had finally paid off their debts. The irony was cruel. He had hoped for a moment of peace, but instead, he watched helplessly as his mother withered away. The medical bills were another blow, and when she passed, Yaro was left alone in a world that seemed determined to break him.

Shortly after, his own sickness had surfaced. He fought it for years, enduring painful treatments and the slow erosion of his strength. Now, at the end of it all, he felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion.

"Mom, I..." Yaro began, but his words were cut short by a violent coughing fit. Ayumi hurried to get him water, her hands trembling.

As he drank, he felt a strange sense of peace washing over him. It was as if the world around him was fading away, the edges blurring into a soft glow. The pain receded, replaced by a comforting warmth.

"Yaro," a voice called out, not his mother's, but deep and resonant. He turned his head to see a figure standing at the foot of his bed. The figure was tall and clad in flowing robes, radiating an aura of serene power.

"Who... who are you?" Yaro asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"I am a being beyond your comprehension," the figure replied. "You may call me God."

"God?" Yaro echoed, feeling a mix of awe and disbelief. "Why are you here?"

The figure smiled gently. "You have endured much in your life, Yaro. You have faced hardship and sorrow with a strength that few possess. I am here to offer you a second chance."

"A second chance?" Yaro repeated, hope flickering in his chest. "You mean... I can live again?"

"Yes," God confirmed. "But this will not be a simple rebirth. I will grant you abilities beyond mortal ken. You will have powers to reshape your destiny."

Yaro's mind raced. "Why me? Why do I deserve this?"

"You have suffered greatly, and yet you have shown kindness and resilience," God said. "In your new life, you will have the chance to pursue your deepest desires, to live without the constraints that bound you before."

"I can have anything I want?" Yaro asked, his eyes wide.

"Anything," God affirmed. "But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. How you use these abilities will define your new existence."

Yaro nodded, determination hardening his features. "I won't waste this chance. I'll live my life to the fullest, no matter what it takes."

"Very well," God said, raising a hand. "May your new journey begin."

A blinding light engulfed Yaro, and he felt himself being pulled into a vortex of energy. The sensations were overwhelming, but then, just as suddenly, they ceased.

He opened his eyes to find himself in a small, familiar room. The walls were adorned with colorful drawings, and a soft bed with a teddy bear sat in the corner. He was back in his childhood home, in his kindergarten days. He looked down at his small hands, disbelief flooding his senses.

"Yaro, breakfast is ready!" called a voice from the kitchen. It was his mother, Ayumi, sounding younger and full of life.

Tears filled Yaro's eyes as he stumbled out of his room and into the kitchen. There she was, his mother, vibrant and healthy, preparing breakfast with a smile.

"Mom!" Yaro cried, running to her and wrapping his small arms around her waist.

Ayumi laughed, startled but delighted by his sudden affection. "What's gotten into you, Yaro? Did you have a bad dream?"

Yaro shook his head, sobbing into her apron. "No, Mom. It's just... I'm so happy to see you."

Ayumi knelt down, embracing him tightly. "I'm happy to see you too, my little boy."

At that moment, Yaro made a silent vow. He would use his newfound powers to protect and cherish his family, but he would also seize every opportunity to fulfill his ambitions. No longer bound by the constraints of his past life, Yaro was ready to forge a new destiny, one filled with power, wealth, and everything he had ever desired.

His second chance had begun, and this time, he would not be denied.