Title: Reborn as a Shopkeeper
Genre: Reincarnation, Light Comedy, Modern Fantasy
Writer: Zaid Rehmani (14 Y/O Pakistani boy)
[Note from the Writer]This cover was created with the help of AI design tools, under my direction — but every word of this story is written by me, Zaid Rehmani, a 14-year-old aspiring Pakistani writer.This is my passion project — 100% human-written with heart, humor, and my dream for the future.
Scene 1: A Flash from the Past
SFX: "SHWICK!" (The sound of a katana piercing)
Voice 1: Guhh…! F-forgive me… all of you…
(The voice collapses with a thud. Only sounds fill the scene.)
SFX:[Body hits the ground]
Voice 2 (crying): Brotheeeeer!!
MC (faintly): e-ehh...
Scene 2: The Statue Event
(Our MC is at a statue event, taking a selfie in front of the legendary monument known as "The Half-Demon, Demon Hunter.")
SFX: "CLICK!" (Camera shutter sound)
(Suddenly, MC gets a jolt — a sharp glimpse of his past life. In his mind, he sees images of himself standing beside his old friends.)
MC (thinking): Not again… another glimpse of that past life. I just wish someone could understand who I really am.
MC (sighing): And the irony… taking selfies with my own statue. Hmph... Peoples doesn't recognize me. But maybe that's good, Haruto is just a name from the past anyway...
Haruto (MC): Whatever… I don't need them to believe me. I just need to find my friends.
Scene 3: The Shop
(Haruto is working as a shopkeeper in a small general store. He greets every customer kindly.)
SFX: "Ch-Ching!" (Register sound)
Haruto (smiling): Thank you for shopping with us! Please come again!
(A customer enters — a loud and slightly rude one.)
Customer 1: Hey! I asked for a drink and you gave me juice!
Haruto: No problem, sir. Let me switch it for you. Which drink did you want?
Customer 1: Why would you give juice when I clearly asked for something else?
Haruto: I believe you asked for this one, sir.
"Bell Rings"
**SFX: "**Tring!"
(Suddenly, a girl enters.)
Customer 2: Excuse me, do you have the "Demon vs Hunter" manga?
Haruto: Yes Mam! just a second!
(Haruto goes to get the manga. Meanwhile, Customer 1 turns toward the girl and starts flirting.)
Customer 1: Wow, you're absolutely beautiful. And your physique… stunning. Why don't you be my girlfriend?
Haruto (thinking): This guy again… he's a walking disaster.
Customer 1: So, what do you say—will you be my—
SFX: "BOOM!" (Punch lands straight on his face)
Customer 1: Nnnghh!!
Customer 2 (Angrily): What a nuisance!
(She leaves.)
Customer 1 (Stars swirling in the eyes): A-am i….Alive?
Haruto: That's what you get for bothering a strong-looking girl. I lost a customer thanks to you.
Customer 1 (groaning): If only I had my powers from my past life… I'd show her.
Haruto: Past life…?
Customer 1: Yeah, I keep getting these weird flashbacks. Like I was a demon hunter or something. I even get dreams about it every night. Total déjà vu.
Haruto: Wait… those same things happen to me too…!
Customer 1: Hold on. You're saying—?
Haruto (thinking, staring): That shameless face… the loud voice… no way.
Haruto: Naokiiiiiiiii!!
Naoki (suddenly grinning): Harutoooooo!!
(They rush and hug each other tightly.)
Haruto: I've been looking everywhere for you! Never imagined I'd find you in a random store.
Naoki: Same! And who would've thought the great "Half-Demon, Demon Hunter" would end up managing a shelf of snacks?
Haruto: And you still haven't changed. You're getting punched by girls like always! Haha!
Naoki (serious): Enough jokes. We need to find that girl who punched me just now.
Haruto: Huh? Why her?
Naoki: Because she's Reina.
(Both rush out of the store to catch up. As soon as they step out, they see the girl standing near the gate, waiting.)
Reina: There you two are!!
(She hugs both tightly.)
Reina: I've been searching for you guys everywhere. And here you were… arguing as always.
Naoki (grinning): Eh heheheheh~
Haruto (gasping): B-b-back off! I can't breathe!
Haruto: But… how did you recognize us?
Reina: I knew it was you the moment I saw how you fought… Welcome back, idiots.
Naoki: Let's celebrate! How about a trip somewhere fun?
Reina: Absolutely! Why not!
Reina: And Zenitsu… If you flirt again, I'll punch you. Harder.
Naoki (terrified, comedic tone): N-Not! Not again, please!
Haruto (chuckling): Hahahaha… Some things never change.
(The three of them walk off together, laughing like the old days.)