"What am I doing with my life?"

I ask myself every morning the exact same question.

Couldn't remember most of my daily activities, except hanging out with friends and studying at school. Hobbies were a thing too.

"I, Ore, could've done anything I want! Yet here I am...in this white void...literally.....wait."

And that's when I realized: "WHERE I AAAAAAMMMMM?!"

Pure white space. That's all I could see. Floating in the air, hearing nothing except my own thoughts.

"Oh no oh no oh nooooo! I can't believe it's the end!"

I tend to press the panic button unconsciously.

"Man, it's like I'm dead or something!"

Apparently I was, or wasn't. There was no way to confirm it.

"I can't believe I'm dead....If I knew something like this would've happened, I should've prepared in advance! Like, writing something for my family or at least taking food for the afterlife!"

There's no food in the afterlife.

"Wait...there's no food in the afterlife."

Took me quite longer to realize that back then.

"Okay, so considering I'm dead, It would've been nicer if I had some company here!"

Putting my pride aside, I screamed to the white void.

"Helloooooooo?"

*Nothing but an echo. Sometimes I tend to get amused by these things*.

"I guess I'm alone, huh. Okay Ore, don't give up. Trust your guts. If you're gonna spend time alone here, do it in style!"

With even more pride to throw away, I started dancing to the music in my head.

Hip-Hop, Rock, Techno, There were memories of legends that I never managed to meet, but I always listened to their music.

"....Hmm, it's not the same as actually listening to music. If only I had my phone....wait, I DON'T HAVE MY PHOOOONE?!"

Sounds like I put my mind on silent mode. It was too late.

"Now it's gonna be soooooo boring in the afterlife! No internet, no funny videos of cats, no more communication!"

I was very attached to my phone.

"Oh well. Looks like there's nothing left to do about it. I'll pass the time by staring into the white space....maybe it'll stare back to me."

With nothing left to try, I kept my eyes over nothingness.

After a few moments, I had a thought.

"Thinking back, my life was pretty average, huh..I mean, maybe I could do something better! Like playing basketball in an official team!"

And suddenly, a strange but very convenient gate appeared.

"OH! This must be the very convenient way back home! SO I'M NOT DEAD! Thank the heavens...."

As I walked into the gate with a happy face, I've yet to realize that this was only the beginning of many opportunities to come...

"Whoever did this to me, I'll make sure they're gonna pay- .....Wait, I don't remember living in a basketball stadium."

...But ironically, realization escalated quickly.

When you wake up, you already know your daily routine. You gained it through effort, even if that effort is as small as an ant.

My daily routine was very average. Except inviting friends in rare occasions, most of the time I was stuck into my average hobbies.

You know, these normal things people do, such as watching TV and reading newspaper in the morning.

One of the things that I learned from newspapers is how complex are sport activities when it comes to the competitive scene.

Basketball was my main curiosity.

"...Hey, you're telling me that curiosity killed the cat? I AM THE CAT?!"

It took me a long time to realize that's not how it works.

"Okay, so there's a basketball stadium, and I'm back in the real world. Which means.... wait, that still doesn't mean anything!"

"The very convenient gate led me here immediately after I reflected on my life. So because I mentioned playing basketball...it actually led me to an opportunity?"

That basketball stadium had preparations for the national grand finals. Many people gathered inside, many cheers were released onto the field.

I was stuck with the masses of the crowd, trying to get out.

"Umm, excuse me! Ah, sorry! Gee, if I could only- ah, take your time!"

A physical, but accidental torture.

"Great. I got out of them. Now if I could just take a shortcut-"

"Hey you there!"

It was at this moment, when I started seeing a different side of myself for the first time...literally.

"Did I make it? I'm Ore, from the Gemstones team! Gee, I hope my coach won't get mad- ...eh?"

"eh?"

eh.

"You look just like me...BUT WITH A COOL SHIRT!"

Not gonna lie. their team shirts were really cool.

"And you look just like me... WITHOUT A SHIRT!"

"Wait what?!"

"Hahahaha. Just kidding!"

Another Ore. Looking like me, sounding like me...but took a different path in his life.

I explained to him my whole situation. About my average life, how I ended up in the pure white space, and my own assumptions.

"So you are me, and I am you...and you're dead."

"Yeah, but I'm still investigating that case."

"COOL! It's nice to have another Ore around here! Even though you're not playing basketball. AH! Sorry man. I gotta run! This is the grand finals! Come watch us, other me!!!"

I didn't get the chance to wish my other self "good luck", but I still cheered for him and his team. Their team, the Gemstones, need to beat the other team, the Pinwheels. If they'll win, they're going to aim for the world.

After a long intense fight, the Gemstones lost in a close gap of 4 points. I thought they'll start crying or put a sad face, but surprisingly, they kept a strong morale and shook hands with the other team.

Shortly after, both of us sat on a bench in front of the stadium.

"Is everything OK? Must be hard to lose in such a big competition, huh..."

"Oh, that? Yeah, it sure feels disappointing..but it was so much fun!"

"Yeah, I get what you feel- wait a minute. fun?

Fun. Having fun despite losing, was something I didn't consider possible. Then again, I haven't done anything that could lead to victory or failure, except in video games and trivia.

"Yeah! It was so intense, but it was the most intense match I had so far! Now I'm even more motivated to try again!"

"Heh. Good for you, man. To be honest, playing basketball sounds fun, but I don't think it's something I can handle."

"Yeah. Probably."

"WAIT BUT AREN'T WE THE SAME?!"

"Uh, sort of. Let's make it simple: Because I became a basketball player, I'll be Basketball Ore. And until you'll decide what you want to do for real, you'll be Average Ore. Sounds good?"

I raised a smile. Not a simple smile for being polite...but because he inspired me.

"Yeah. Thanks, Basketball Ore!"

"You know, Average Ore. There are plenty more fish in the sea. If that path doesn't fit you, there are always more to choose from!"

"Heh. I'd love to catch those fish myself, if you know what I mean."

"Of course I do. I am you, after all."

At that moment, the very convenient gate appeared.

"Wait, why there is a very convenient gate right here?

"Ah, don't worry. It's my ride. Good luck in the next tournament, Basketball me!"

"You too, Average me!"

A travel inside the very convenient gate takes about 10 seconds.

It wasn't enough to realize the mistake I've made.

"Hey...is that a lake? There's so many fish...wait. Fish?"

I was too late to learn that I should be careful of what I wish for.

"IT WAS JUST A JOOOOOOOOKE!!!"

Comedy. One of the biggest treasures of culture. To my belief, no one can survive without a sense of humor.

Sometimes, comedy can create unexpected situations that make the crowd laugh...I was in one of these.

"WHAT HAVE I DOOOOOOOONE!!"

But there was no crowd.

"I didn't imagine I'll get an opportunity to LITERALLY catch fish! Wait...do I even need to do this in the first place? I don't wanna go fishing. I'll just go elsewhere until the very convenient gate appears again-"

"Hey there, buddy! Are you trying to take an opportunity today too?"

(Oh no. I can't get away! I'll look suspicious that way..) "Umm, y-yeah! Boy, am I glad there are so many fish in the- ..sea...eh?"

"eh?"

eh.

"Wait..don't tell me you're..."

"Me? I'm Ore! I'm fishing for a hobby, and the hobby takes the bait! hahaha!"

Comedy comes in many different colors.

"Jokes aside, I'm actually making a recorded collection of fish I caught."

"Oh, that's cool. Now, if you'll excu-"

"Say, are we the same person?"

Bullseye?

"....Have a seat."

After explaining everything, the other Ore was full of shock.

"Basketball? Hard to imagine! I've been fishing since I was just a little penguin, if you know what I'm saying. Heheh."

That's not how human evolution works.

"That's not how human evolution works!"

My sense of humor sometimes turn itself off.

"Wait. Did you hear that?"

My other self's ears were sharp. He detected a strong sense of danger nearby.

"She's back.....my nemesis."

"Back from where?"

"The sea...the deep sea."

It was a fish. A very big fish.

"Quick. Grab my gear! The time has come!"

"W-Wait, but when can I-"

"HURRY!"

Despite my hesitation, I quickly took everything and ran ahead.

"Fishing Rod? Check. Fishing bait? Check. Fishing snack? ...fully loaded.

He was eating chocolate cigars.

"Now be quiet. I need maximum focus."

It was like a movie about the old wild west. Whoever shoots first, wins.

"SHE TOOK IT!"

"No way!"

"Today I'll defeat you...Ruby Slider!"

Entering the den of those who are fishing with power, it was the Ruby Slider, a red fish that has the color of a medium-rare steak.

"Finally, a worthy catch. Our encounter will be legendary!"

The Ruby Slider turned the tides...literally. It's a big fish, after all.

"Don't let her swim away!"

"Grrr... DON'T UNDERESTIMATE MY POWERRRR!!"

And without a miracle, he pulled at full power, defeating the Ruby Slider.

"You did it! Now we can eat the Ruby Slider-"

Suddenly, I saw him taking a camera. After taking pictures of the Ruby Slider, he went ahead and-

"Off you go! Get back to your home."

...dropped the Ruby Slider back to the lake, still alive and kicking.

"B-BUT WHY?!?!"

"Huh? What did you think of me? That I kill them and eat their flesh? Ha! My desire is to record evidence of my accomplishments! The fish shouldn't be sacrificed for that kind of goal.

"A goal, huh...."

"...Fishing Ore. Your goals are very inspirational. Thank you!"

"You're welcome! Although I just finished my collection."

"Ah, then congratulatio-"

"Just kidding. I have at least hundred more fish to encounter from now on!"

"HOW MANY?!?!?"

It seems there are literally, plenty more fish in the sea.

"Man, that many..."

"Yeah. It was easy math when I got used to recording them. At first, I never imagined there would be that many in total! But I'm already halfway through."

"Eh, math isn't that hard anyway. I can easily teach the basics to anyone in a matter of a few minutes!"

We both laughed together.

And then, the very convenient gate appeared once again.

"Gotta go! I hope you'll be able to finish your collection, Fishing Ore!"

"W-Wait, aren't you gonna catch anythi- aaaand he's gone...oh well. More for me!"

I should've thought twice before taking the bait. It seems the weakest fish in the sea was actually myself.

"Math, huh....Oh no."

I went back to school.