Reborn: Beast Tamer's Journey

The air in the small studio apartment was still, save for the soft rustle of pages as Ashura finished the final read of his novel.
He was waiting for his little sister, Yuma, a routine that anchored his quiet life. The door bursting open shattered the calm, and a familiar small force tackled him.
"Onii-chan!" Yuma’s whine was a comforting sound.
Their easy banter about ice cream and his book was abruptly cut short on their walk. A truck, a red light, and a desperate shove. Darkness.
Then, a screen in the void: "Would you like a second chance?"
Followed by another: "Would you like to be reborn in another world?"
A hesitant 'Yes' sealed his fate. A blinding light, a shout, and then... feeling something scaly licking his cheek. He opened his eyes to sunlight, a forest clearing, and a small, black, lizard-like creature nuzzling his hand. A high-pitched, soft voice escaped his lips as he fell into a lake. Looking into the water, he saw not Ashura, but a young woman with white hair and golden eyes.
