The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the university campus. Little sparrows chirped cheerfully on the green trees as students, freshly released from their lectures, filled the walkways. Some chatted animatedly with friends, others tapped away on their phones, checking unread messages. Most were already thinking about how best to unwind—whether it was a nice, cool shower or indulging in a favorite hobby to relax their minds after a long day.
Among them was a duo of two teenagers who had just wrapped up their own classes.
"Yo, Lucas! How about coming over to my place to play some video games?" one of them said with a playful smirk on his face.
Lucas gave him a side glance, clearly unamused. "Sorry, Eric, but I don't think I can keep your lonely ass company today. Go get a girlfriend."
Eric pulled an exaggeratedly annoyed face and shot back, "Tsk. Talking like you've got one yourself."
Lucas smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "You know that if I wanted to, I could get a girlfriend anytime I want."
An even more annoyed expression took over Eric's face—mostly because he knew Lucas wasn't bluffing. The guy practically received love letters like daily newspaper subscriptions.
Determined to switch topics now that he was losing the argument, Eric perked up. "Alright, alright. How about we watch that new isekai anime I just got?"
Lucas's face twisted into a scowl. He gave Eric a light punch in the ribs. "Don't you dare bring up anime right now. You know I haven't forgiven you for that trash isekai you forced me to watch last time."
"What's wrong with the anime I gave you?" Eric said defensively.
"Don't even get me started," Lucas groaned. "The MC is the most annoying character I've ever come across. He's a pervert, a simp, and a total coward. He literally gets a second chance at life and wastes it chasing after women."
Eric laughed. "Okay, okay! But come on, that's what makes it funny. It's kinda satisfying watching him suffer. Don't you think?"
"Funny? If anything, it was a waste of my time," Lucas muttered.
"You say that," Eric teased, "but you ended up watching every single episode I gave you."
Lucas sighed. "Only because I'm a completionist. I hate not finishing something once I've started."
Eric chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
"Well, whatever," Lucas shrugged. "Not really in the mood for anime right now. Anyway, see you tomorrow."
It wasn't until then that Eric noticed they'd reached the junction to his street.
"Oh wow, already? I didn't even realize we got here."
"Yeah, no kidding. Time flew."
"Alright, see you tomorrow, man."
"Yeah, catch ya later."
With that, Lucas continued his walk toward the grocery store. His plan was simple: buy a few things, head home, shower, make dinner, and get some much-needed sleep. The air was cooling down, and the breeze felt nice against his skin. He pulled out his earbuds and plugged them in, scrolling through his playlist until he found something that matched his mellow mood.
It didn't take long to reach the store. He picked up a few essentials, paid, and left with a plastic bag full of items in one hand and his phone in the other.
As he strolled down the street, he found himself daydreaming about the rest of the evening—hot shower, dinner, maybe reading a few chapters of a web novel before bed. The streets were quiet, the city calm.
Eventually, he reached a zebra crossing and waited for the light to turn green. A few seconds passed, the light changed, and he stepped onto the road.
That's when fate decided to step in.
Just a few steps in, the plastic bag in his hand tore open, sending groceries scattering across the road. Embarrassed, Lucas bent down quickly, trying to gather everything before anyone could notice.
But someone did notice—or rather, something.
From what felt like nowhere, a loud horn blared. Tires screeched.
Lucas looked up too late.
A truck barreled down the street, brakes screaming and horns wailing. But thanks to his earbuds, he hadn't heard it until it was practically on top of him. For a split second, everything moved in slow motion—the blinding headlights, the scream of metal against pavement, the panicked voices of bystanders.
Then pain.
Unimaginable, searing pain.
Lucas felt himself lifted, then thrown. Bones cracked. Something inside him twisted. Blood filled his mouth, his vision dimming rapidly as he lay on the other side of the road.
Multiple broken bones. Internal bleeding. His limbs refused to move. His thoughts were jumbled, fading.
And then—darkness.
Complete and total.