Kazuki’s consciousness flickered back to life, enveloped in the sensation of floating in a giant, plush marshmallow. Slowly, his surroundings came into focus—he was nestled in a cushy crib, surrounded by soft padding and the gentle hum of a lullaby. Bewildered, he tried to make sense of his situation. The last thing he remembered was a piano falling from the …

Meet Kazuki Gotame, a man whose luck is as elusive as a cat’s willingness to take a bath. If there were an Olympic event for tripping over banana peels, Kazuki would be the Michael Phelps of the sport, earning gold with a perfect, face-first dive into the nearest puddle. And if birds had a personal vendetta against humanity, Kazuki would …