Adrenaline surged through my veins. My breath was coming in ragged gasps, my legs burning, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it hammering in my ears.
I could feel the cool rush of wind against my face, but it did nothing, absolutely nothing, to cool the fear that clung to me like sweat.
Something was chasing me.
Something... terrifying.
I glanced over my shoulder, the panic in my chest tightening into a vice.
I could not see it.
But I could feel it.
Oh boy, I could feel it.
I could feel the ground tremble beneath my feet, the air growing heavier with every step I took.
The sound of footsteps... heavy, rapid, and relentless... was getting closer, closer, and closer!
Oh God, this is it.
This is where it all ends, huh?
"Mom, Dad... I love you. Please forgive me," I gasped, my voice trembling with a mix of terror and desperation.
The fear consumed me as my legs faltered.
I was running as fast as I could, but every single step felt slower than the last.
My breath hitched, a painful burn clawing at my chest.
I could not breathe anymore.
It was too much.
My body was ready to give up.
This is it.
This is really the end.
But then...
Yup. It is me.
And you are probably wondering how I ended up in this situation, huh?
Chased by some horrifying monster, desperately gasping for air, with my life flashing before my very eyes.
Well, let me save you the trouble of asking.
How did I end up here?
Well, you see...
Hey, my name is Souta Tetsuya.
And trust me, my life has never been a fairytale.
In fact, if there were a kingdom of bad luck, I would be its king.
The King of Misfortune, if you will.
So let me tell you something...
Ever since I was born, everything in my life has been one huge disaster.
And I mean everything.
If you think your life has been unlucky, well, you have got nothing on me.
So, let us start from the very beginning.
I was born on a rainy day, which is probably fitting for the future King of Misfortune, right?
But get this... The doctor who delivered me?
Yeah, he had a heart attack.
A heart attack!
And the last words he ever spoke were, "Well, that is a wrap..." as he passed out right there in the delivery room.
Rest in peace, Doc.
Rest in peace indeed.
Oh, and it did not end there.
The nurses who took care of me?
They all caught the flu and nearly caused a hospital-wide pandemic.
That is right. Pandemic.
I swear I should have been quarantined the moment I was born.
But wait... there is more!
My dad?
Poor guy.
After I was born, he slipped on a wet floor, fell off the stairs, broke his leg, and was left unable to walk for the rest of his life.
Yeah. So much for my family being "blessed" with a newborn.
And still... still, they refuse to believe it is anything more than coincidence.
They just think I am a walking bad omen.
Sure, Mom says it is just "bad luck" and not some cursed fate, but deep down, I know.
But you know what? Despite all that, I love them.
They have stuck by me through all the chaos.
They are the only two people who did not run for the hills the moment I arrived.
And then there is my big sister.
Her name is Reika Tetsuya, and man, she has always been the angry one.
Never a smile.
Never a soft word.
Just... anger.
I swear, I could barely see her face when I was born, but I know she hated me.
That is how she is.
Always strict.
Always angry.
But here is the kicker...
I did not even do anything to her!
When I was born, my sister, Reika, was walking home from school, and out of nowhere, she tripped.
And when she hit the ground, face-first into the mud, the worst part was not the mud.
No, the worst part was the guy she liked saw it happen and laughed his ass off.
She did not go for romance after that.
She swore it off forever.
She blamed me.
Because I was born.
The day I was born, she tripped, and suddenly it was my fault.
My sister... she hates me.
And she is never going to let me forget it.
So, about earlier...
Why was I in such a situation?
Well, it is just another sunny day in the life of a person who cannot catch a break.
I was on my way to buy some groceries for Mom.
You know, doing something normal like a good son.
I was listening to some music on my phone, minding my own business, like it was just another regular day.
And then... it happened.
Out of nowhere...
I tripped.
Of course.
I always trip.
But this time? Oh, it was extra special.
I did not just trip.
I stepped on a stray dog's tail.
And that dog?
Pissed.
Off.
Now hold up.
Before you get all excited thinking I am about to get chased by zombies or a crazy serial killer, let me stop you right there.
It is just a dog.
A regular dog.
But here is the kicker...
I hate dogs.
I am terrified of them.
And you know what is even worse?
The dog bit me.
It bit me.
Holy ssshhhh...
Okay, here is the thing. Rabies.
You know, the worst possible thing that could happen to a person.
I cannot afford anti-rabies shots.
My family is broke!
What am I supposed to do, sell my kidneys to pay for this?
And all of this?
It is my fault.
It is always my fault.
Because I am the King of Misfortune.
If fairytales have chosen ones sent down to Earth to spread blessings and happiness, well, I have got the opposite role.
I was sent here to spread misfortune.
Isn't that just great?
I never asked for this.
I never wanted it.
So while I am over here being dramatic... yeah, I felt a sharp pain in my leg.
And yup.
The dog bit me.
DAMN THIS WORLD!!!