Not again.
Why is it always my fault?
"It's better if you tell the truth now, Mr. Kanzaki. I will only suspend you for one week," the principal said.
I stare at the principal and my homeroom teacher. Their eyes feel heavy — not just watching me, but judging me, like I've already disappointed them beyond repair.
"Shin, I know you're going through something," my teacher says gently. "But adding a lie on top of what you did won't help. Just tell the truth and it'll all be over. You'll only get a light punishment."
Tch. Even if I tell them I was set up, no one will believe me.
I glance at them again, then ask quietly, "Is it true? I'll only be suspended for a week?"
Their shoulders relax. They think this whole mess is finally coming to an end.
"Yes. Starting tomorrow, stay home. Even if you're suspended, you still need to fulfill your duties as a student. I'll prepare some printouts for you," my teacher says, tapping me on the shoulder like we just wrapped up a routine meeting.
I clench my fists.
"I'm sorry for what I did," I lie, feeling bile rise in my throat."I was short on money this month… and when I saw his wallet, I… I got blinded."
It disgusts me to say it — to confess to something I didn't do — just to make it stop.
"It's fine. The student agreed to forgive you, as long as you're suspended. You can go home now after receiving the printouts."
I scoff under my breath and walk out of the room.
The hallway is empty.
Lunch break's over. Everyone's already back in class.
I let out a long sigh, my voice echoing faintly through the corridor.
As I walk through the halls, memories start surfacing—ones I never asked for.
No parents.
No friends.
Getting bullied.
I sigh again, heavier this time.
I turn 18 tomorrow.
That means the shelter can't support me anymore.
I guess… happy birthday to me.
It feels weird walking outside this early. My part-time job doesn't start until 6 p.m. What am I even supposed to do until then?
I walk aimlessly, letting the wind guide my steps.
And then, I see it.
A poster taped to a cracked wall beside an old convenience store.
"Any bad luck? Maybe this game will change your reality."
How I really wish that were true.
I wish something—anything—could change my life.
I almost walk past it… but something pulls me back.
I step closer.
The poster's worn and slightly crooked, but the QR code is still clear.
I hesitate. Then, quietly, I lift my phone.
Click.
[Scan complete. Registering...]
The moment I scan the code, a soft ding echoes from my phone.
[QR Code Verified. Connecting to RE:Fortune servers...][Warning: Unusual aura detected.][Synchronizing with Host: Shin Kanzaki]
Wait… what?
I glance at the screen. My name is already there.
I never typed it in.
My thumb hovers above the screen as a strange chill runs through me.
[Welcome, Candidate.]
"Misfortune Level: High""Potential Detected: Class unlocked — ???"
Would you like to begin character creation? [YES] / [NO]
I hesitate.
It feels different — not like some regular mobile game ad or survey bait.
It's like the app knew me… like it had been waiting for me.
But I already said I had nothing to lose, right?
I tap YES.
Suddenly, my vision blurs.
For a split second, I feel like I'm falling.The world tilts.
The street noise fades. My heartbeat thunders in my ears.
When I open my eyes again…
I'm standing in an empty, starless void.
No street.
No phone.
Just… darkness.
And in front of me: a floating menu screen.
[RE:Fortune - Character Creation]
Name: Shin Kanzaki (Locked)
Age: 17 (Auto-detected)
Luck Attribute: -999 (Critical Misfortune)
Warning: Subject's misfortune level exceeds normal human threshold.
Adjusting system compatibility...
New Class Available: [Fated Anomaly]
(You are the statistical error. The system bends to accommodate you.)
"...What the hell is this?"
[Choose Class?]
[Fated Anomaly]
There's no other option.
I raise my hand, hesitant. Just before I select it, the void around me flickers like static. A soft, almost human voice whispers behind me:
"You were never meant to survive."
"But if you still want to play... then prove the world wrong."
I spin around — but no one's there.
Just that voice lingering in the air.
I turn back to the screen.
[Class Selected: Fated Anomaly]
Welcome, Shin Kanzaki. Your suffering has been recognized.Let us see if your bad luck… can finally become your greatest weapon.
The void shatters.
And the game begins.