Hyun sighed, plopping down on the carpet of the large living room. Ahhh, finally some time to myself! This family is way too chaotic for me. A week had passed since Hee-yoon had reincarnated as “Hyun.” Since his arrival, Hyun found himself constantly surrounded by his family members, who refused to leave him alone. But thanks to their exhausting meddling, he learned (well, more like observed) a couple of things regarding his new life. 

First, while this new world was quite similar to his old one, one difference he found thus far was that everyone had unique-colored eyes. He had thought that everyone, including himself, wore colored contact lenses as an aesthetic choice. However, that theory was quickly disproven when he nearly poked his eyes out when he tried to take out his nonexistent contact lenses. Hyun knew that there were probably other differences, but his observation of his new world was extremely limited, considering that he hadn’t left the house the past week. 

Second, it was the year 2009 F.D. From what Hyun could gather, ‘F.D.’ was a dating system (similar to BCE/ CE/ AD) that stood for “Finis Domini” or “the end of the lord.” Hyun found the term ironic since Christianity was still a very common religion in this world. Although, Hyun wasn’t too sure if he wanted to continue to support that stupid “God” of his. 

After learning that Christianity existed in this world, Hyun had religiously prayed  every single day (and night), hoping that the divine creator would heed his prayers. Yet, despite his efforts, Hyun received absolutely nothing from the Almighty. 

“I knew he was a phony! I mean, come on! Who reincarnates as a child?! Ugh!”

When Hyun had asked to be reincarnated, he expected to be a newborn, restarting his life completely anew. But here he was as a 4-year-old. Again. How was this a reincarnation when Hyun was robbed four years of his life? What kind of reincarnation was this?!

Grumbling how unfair his situation was, Hyun looked around the living room for his sketchbook. He reached under the coffee table and pulled out the small binder full of drawings— drawings that Hyun couldn’t remember making. Ignoring the inexplicable feeling stirring in his chest, Hyun quickly flipped to a clean, blank page. Let’s focus on the task at hand! I need to jot down the contents of my deal with God before I forget. 

Picking up a blue oil pastel, the little boy attempted to write down his thoughts. Yet, by the time Hyun finished, the page was filled with illegible scribbles. The boy stared at his sketchbook for a good second before flinging it underneath the sofa. Perhaps it was a bit too soon to assume he’d write legibly at his age. 

Hyun adjusted to a more comfortable position against the couch as he opted to think things through. If he thought about their deal frequently enough, there was no way he’d forget the terms. Okay, let’s see. According to my deal with God, this is supposed to be the typical reincarnation trope that I’ve read in my past life, but in a BL setting. At least, that was my understanding. Hyun frowned, realizing he had no idea which BL novel or webcomic God had been referring to.

But even if Hyun knew which story this world was set in, would he remember anything about the plot or characters? I’m screwed, aren’t I? How the heck do those characters remember everything about a story they read just once?! That part always annoyed me whenever I read those Isekai novels! Agh, whatever! I’m sure I’ll get hints along the way. God wouldn’t leave me hanging when we have a mutual agreement.

Hyun took a deep breath attempting to stay calm while sorting out his thoughts. If he learned anything from those stories, it was always best to stay positive when things started to get murky! Anyway, the main objective is to make Song Yoo fall for me. So, if I apply the logic in those reincarnation stories, does that make me the main character? 

Checking out his reflection on the nearby window, Hyun smirked with approval. Heh. If I look this cute as a kid, I’ll definitely be turning heads when I grow older! Ahahaha! Hyun devilishly chuckled, imagining all the attention he would receive. Huh, maybe wooing Song Yoo will be a piece of cake! 

Hmm. But if this world is modeled after the BL stories I read in my previous life, there’s bound to be a love triangle, right? Then, there’s two likely scenarios. Either I’m the “villain” of the story, or someone out there will try to take Song Yoo away from me. Hyun paused, his face slowly draining of color as he realized the possible futures awaiting him. Neither of those options afforded him a winning chance! No matter what, Hyun had to ensure that he was the protagonist if he wanted to continue to stay in this world with Song Yoo.

Burying his small head between his slightly pudgy arms, the little boy groaned, kicking his legs in the air. Why had he blindly waltzed into that elevator without going through the logistics of their “deal” first?! The least Hyun could have done was to negotiate the terms so that he would be guaranteed to become the “main character” of the story! But, then again, who was to say that this world was truly based on a fictional setting? It wasn’t like Hyun had any proof that he was inside one of the stories he had read in his previous life.

Letting out a defeated sigh, Hyun curled up into a fetal position. “Ugh, I give up. Too much thinking for today.”

The fluffy Samoyed, which had been basking in the warm sunlight, came trodding over to the fuming child as if it could sense the boy’s heightened sense of anxiety. Plopping down next to Hyun, Cloudy licked the boy’s rosy cheeks, as if to make the child feel better. Giggling, Hyun gently hugged the small puppy, drowning in the unbelievably soft and dense fur. Hyun felt all the stress he had been in earlier melt away like snow. Mmm, I’m glad you’re here with me. 

Feeling energized, Hyun jumped to his feet and plodded past his father, Sun-woo, who was completely unaware of his son’s brief (and self-inducing) mental breakdown as he pored over the stack of documents on the dining table. Hyun stopped in front of the huge bay window that overlooked a series of cute shops lining across the shore. Gazing at the outside world on his tippy toes, Hyun watched as families and couples flocked to the grand opening of a bakery across the street from his home. 

Hyun’s mouth drooled upon gazing at the to-go boxes people were holding. All he could think about was the variety of scrumptious cakes and pastries stored in those adorable basket-shaped boxes. Hyun, accompanied by Cloudy, crawled over to where his dad was busy typing away on his laptop. His father was a total pushover for his kids— the perfect accomplice for the mischievous child. Tugging on his father’s pajama pants, Hyun stared up with puppy eyes, begging for attention. 

“Hmm? What is it, Hyun?”

“Outside. I want cake, cake, cake, and more cake!”

“Erm… Hyun, do you remember what I said last time? Cake has a lot of sugar, so it’s a no-no, okay? Unless it’s a special occasion.” 

“But, but you pwomised!!! You said I can go out once I’m all betta!!!” Hyun pouted, his puppy eyes shimmering with unshed tears as he pulled on his father’s pant legs. 

Averting his gaze, his father awkwardly coughed before barely managing to mumble an answer from behind his laptop, “Ergh... No, I can’t. Eomma will get mad at me.”

“Pwetty pwease~?!” Hyun pouted even more earnestly. This time, he lay his head on his father’s lap. He looked pitiful, like an abandoned puppy out in the rain.

“Agh! Fine. But don’t tell Eomma, okay? Promise Appa* first!”

“Okay! Pwomise!”

“Hehehe~. So cute! Come on, let’s go get some cake, then! You too, Cloudy!”

“Yay~!!!”

~~***~~

Hyun giggled, ecstatic to be out of the house after being house-bound for nearly a week. Cloudy confidently led the way while Sun-woo tagged along next to them, making sure that Hyun didn’t let go of Cloudy’s leash in his excitement. The father and son strolled down the streets in matching pale blue hoodies and black joggers, turning heads as neighbors cooed at how adorable they looked. Hyun ignored his fans as his little head excitedly swiveled left and right. 

It felt like a dream to be out of the house! Hyun was finally free to explore and learn about his new world! As he stood in line with Cloudy, the bright, young child marveled at the picturesque weather. The warm rays of sunlight hit the blue ocean at just the right angle, making it sparkle and glimmer like a sea of sapphires. Combined with the backdrop of the mountains filled with blooming wildflowers, it was one of the most beautiful sights Hyun had ever witnessed.

“...Wow…!”

“Hyun, do you know what kind of cake you want?” his father ruffled Hyun’s mop of raven-black hair as the little boy shrugged his tiny shoulders.

“Mmm… I don’t know! Can I go look?”

“Sure! Give me Cloudy’s leash so you don’t disturb the other customers. Be careful, and make sure you can see me, okay? Promise?”

“Pwomise!”

Wiggling his hand away from his father’s grasp, the adorable child skipped towards the cake display– all the while avoiding the small crowds in the shop. Squeezing between the tight spaces, Hyun firmly planted himself in front of the large display. The refrigerator was filled to the brim with various delectable pastries and desserts that glistened under the bright lights. Hyun felt himself salivating as soon as he saw the fluffy cakes meticulously decorated with jewel-like fruit and whipped cream. Yum~! 

With his face nearly pressed up against the glass, he watched the part-timer carefully restock the refrigerator. Catching the sparkling, ruby-red eyes of the young patron, she stifled a chuckle at the face Hyun was making. What a cute child!

“Woah there, Hyun, back up a bit. Did you choose which cake you want?” Sun-woo asked, his deep but gentle voice oozing with love and affection for his youngest son. 

Excited, Hyun turned to face his father when he froze, tilting his head at the pink flower petals falling down at his feet. Huh…? Why were there random flower petals fluttering around? This wasn’t a flower shop and a bakery, was it? But more importantly, was it just him, or did everything suddenly seem so bright and magical? 

Slowly, Hyun gazed up at his father, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Hyun gawked at the twinkling sparkles and the ring of flowers poofing out from behind the handsome, black-haired man. Hyun could literally see the words, “sha-la-la-la~” accompanying the pretty-boy effects he had often seen in webcomics. Wait, no way.

Was this new world of his… a fictional setting?!!!

“Oh, for God’s sake…!”

SIDE NOTE:

*Appa: Appa means “Dad” in Korean :)

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**