Your POV

It wasn't a dream.

For how many days I tried to sleep in hopes of going back to the reality I know but it seems like this is real. The fact that I didn't believe time leaping was a thing is a big factor, how much more with reincarnation?

Did I really reincarnate? Then did I die?

Maybe it's time to accept unrealistic things such as this. The past world I lived in was in shambles anyway. I can't count how many international internship offers have been canceled because of the pandemic. That was a devastating point in my past life.

But in this life, the most devastating part is that the baby beside has been so noisy at night. He would cry when I try to pry him off when he hugs. Based on the calendar I saw, it's September 10 so it means it's still summer season. 

Speaking of calendars, the year is 1990. So did I reincarnate in the past? Is this a combination of time leap and reincarnation?

But, the name of the monster beside me sounds so familiar. Manjiro was the name of the character in the manga that Chika-san made me read. At this point, I won't be surprised if I'm suddenly in that series. I won't even try to find any scientific reason on how and why. 

I heard footsteps approaching our crib and it is our older brother Shin. I may be physically younger, I'm mentally older. So when he tries to play with us I just play along from time to time. I remembered that he cried when I ignored him and just pretend to sleep. He thought I died.

"Psst, Michiyo, Manjiro, wanna play with nii-chan?" He asked as he showed his toy. My twin chuckled and tries to reach and even drooled. 

Eww

"Eww" Shin said and chuckled before wiping Manjiro's mouth and handing him the toy. I would say that he's a good brother for a 10-year-old. Ladies would fall for this guy when he grows up.

He looked at me with a sad look then sighed.

"Michiyo, how do I even make you smile?" He muttered.

Every time he comes, he would try funny faces and tells jokes. Does he realize that I'm still a baby? I can understand what he says but if I was a normal clueless infant, I won't understand the joke. He even tried giving toys but I don't really care and just give them to my twin.

How do you even smile anyway? I can't even remember when was the last time I ever smiled or laugh. 

Timeskip | August 20, 1991

Your POV

In front of the table, beside Manjiro, forced us to wear a pink dress while mother and father were taking pictures of us. Today is our birthday and there's cake and other food on the table. 

"One, two, three, smile!" Mother said before the camera flashed. I've never celebrated birthdays in my past because I don't even have time to bother. 

Also, how can I smile and even feel happy when I just realized what my full name is.

Sano Michiyo

When I said that I won't be surprised when I'm in the manga series that Chika-san recommended, I am. But, I'm devastated.

One thing, I've realized from reading that series is that, being a Sano is a death flag itself. Now I want to find a scientific explanation on why and how am I even here. Being reincarnated as a side character would be more reasonable but being Manjiro's twin? Really?

"Michiyo, what's wrong?" Shin asked and suddenly I teared up. I cried when he died, he didn't deserve that.

Shin panicked when I cried, then mother thought I was just hungry but I'm not so I just pushed her away and cried. Manjiro also cried so it was a mess.

Now that I see, these two will just leave us so it's a good thing I didn't get attached to them. Mother's milk doesn't even taste nutritious, maybe that's why Manjiro was so short even in the time skip versions of him.

I reached out to Shin who took me and tried to calm me down. I felt sorry for his efforts in making me smile every day, he's really a good brother.

As my and Manjiro's cries died down, I looked up to Shin while sitting on his lap. He was still trying to make me laugh with the funny faces, making my heart feel warm.

"Looks like your sister loves you, Shin." Father complimented while he approached with Manjiro in his arms.

"I love Michiyo too!" He exclaimed with a smile before rubbing his nose on mine.

When he backed away, I opened my mouth and made sounds. It's embarrassing but it's just normal for babies to struggle to talk but...

"nii-nii" 

I'll give you my first word's in this world.

He gasped and smiled when he heard what I said, Manjiro then did the same and said his first words but he said something different.

"chi-oh" He said.

Did he just say my name? 

The people around us gasped again and cheered for us for saying our first words exactly on our birthday.

They put us down on the floor and let Manjiro crawl towards me, tackling me to a hug. He was heavy though.

"Ji-oh" I said and tried to run away but he was chasing me around. It was so tiresome so I just gave up and let him do what he wants and hugged him back. I remembered he suffered so much too. 

Our parents kept taking pictures and Shin also joined in and played. He even asked me to call him again but I acted like I didn't understand what he said. 

Now that I know what's around me, I need to prepare since not everything in the mange shows what really happened. Since I'm already here, I can use the researches I've taken part into my advantage.

When I made sure that there won't be bad futures, I'm not letting opportunities go and pursue what I was aiming for in my past life.

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