The Star Among The Shadows

Re:Born

                  Natsuki Subaru POV:

My name is Natsuki Subaru, your typical shut-in NEET just at the age of 17! A high-schooler dropout, a failure of a son and many, many things more. Just in one name - Natsuki Subaru. Surely, that sounds terrible right? But I wasn't always like that.

I can't quite remember how it started.

"You are definitely his kid!"

During my childhood, I was often referred to as a prodigy child. Always being better than any other child, faster, smarter and stronger.

My grades were the highest in the school, I was winning every school marathon or any other school related events.

I could tell that other parents really envied my parents for having such a child. Don't take me wrong, I was Natsuki Keochi's son! The only son of his! It was expected from me to reach such heights! I was his pride!

"You are definitely his kid!"

Surely, but it couldn't last long right? Fate can be... Unforgiving at times...

Slowly, some other people started getting better grades than me, I started losing in more and more school events. Everywhere I looked, there was always someone... Who is much better than me.

"You are definitely his kid!"

I stopped being "best" at everything I used to be "best" at. Slowly, some thoughts started creeping into my mind. What's the point of having the highest grades or being the fastest in the marathon when I can make people laugh? I thought it was much cooler, wasn't it?

I couldn't just make people laugh with only jokes, so I did this with actions. It all started with something small like knocking people’s front door and running away. But each time I have to take it bigger.

I wanted them to think that I could do anything. So the things I did became more reckless and dumber. As long as they realize that I am not boring to hang out with, that they couldn't have this much fun with anyone else.

I don't know what I was doing at that point but the next thing I know that no one was around me.

I've finally come to the truth - there was nothing special about me.

"You are definitely his kid!"

From now on I decided to be more restrained and quiet, trying not to stand out.

This is how my middle-school went. Come to think of it, I completely messed up high-school as well.

I didn't really have any friends since middle-school, so it was obvious that I would not gain any relationships with other people due to my failed Interactions with them.

And one morning, I just felt... Not going to school anymore.

I started skipping school once per month, then it turned once per week, once per 3 days and now I haven't attended school for a few months already.

I am sure no one misses me there or wants me back, I was labeled as a "weirdo".

And at this moment, I lost all of my hope...

I wasn't worthy of being his kid...

...

...

...

...

...However, something unexpected occurred.

It was late evening. I was in a convenience store, buying some potato chips and fast-made ramen for another manga session.