Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho Vol 2 Chapter 6

The next morning, after waking up and opening up the window, a comforting breeze blew in.

 Great, a good weather. Let’s settle it today. The duel!

 I kept all sorts of secret weapons inside my uniform skirt and crammed my leather shoulder bag full with other tools too.

 While it’s morning, let’s settle the duel today! I shouted with a lively spirit. The fifth period ended, and we met up at a rear garden found in the inner parts of the campus.

 There were a total of three of us, the duelists Alan and I, and the judge, Cain-sama. From here on, a divine duel shall begin.

 “And so, this time too, the person to have his butt fall to the ground or fall to his knees would lose, is that agreeable? Also, is it accurate for me to say that any tools and equipment can be used, yes?”

 Alan nodded in assent.

 “If Alan has any required items, please get them ready as well.”

 Alan looked on at my bag that was blatantly packed full with things, and made a slight frown while nodding. From the pocket of his robe, he took out a fist-sized crystal.

 “Kimigatame harunononiidete wakanatsumu wagakoromoteni yukihafurutsutsu”

 As he sung his chants, the crystal that he was holding onto transformed into a shield.

 Alright, now it is perfect.

 “And now, it looks like my preparations are also completed, can we begin?”

 I said, after securing an upwind position in the garden.

 The secret weapon I had wanted to use during the battle against Ryuki-san. A cylinder made from baked soil and packed with fine pepper powder.

 Behind me was Cain-sama who was worried for Alan who was in distress suddenly.

 “A-Alan, what in the world……?”

 “The pepper powder that I had thrown when inhaled deeply, would cause throat pain. Also, it had gotten into his eyes I believe. It was because this place is in a downwind position.”

 I had considered the possibility where Alan dodges the pepper bombs and moves away but as soon as they struck his shield and fell, I did not have to pull any other tricks since my very first move had him checkmated. Having this match decided so quickly made all my preparations unnecessary.

 I patted Alan on his back and made him drink medicine to help with the inflammation.

 “Alan-sama, are you alright? Can you speak?”

 He spoke in a hoarse voice but hearing him say something was reassuring.

 “Trying to beat your boss hm? You are still 10 years early.”

 “Is that so……Ryou is really awesome,” said Alan as he hanged his head in despondency.

 Ah, Alan is feeling more dejected that I had expected! Wasn’t this not a better outcome than allowing an unfettered boy’s pride be on display like how a cricket chirps!?

 “I got it! That, if it is Ryou, no matter what happens, you would be fine, that you would be able to solve your problems alone. I got it in my head already! Just like how you managed to live on well after being kidnapped by the bandits, even being adopted by an Earl too!” 

 At this point, Alan held his tongue back. Somehow, he seemed like it was difficult for him to continue and he started mumbling. Later, he again opened his mouth while facing downwards. He lost the vigour he had a moment ago, and was dispirited yet again.

 “When I heard that you had been kidnapped by the bandits, I thought I was the only one who could save you. I was sure Ryou was waiting for my rescue and practiced tirelessly for that, and that was when we got news that Ryou was safe. Still, I never once believed that Ryou was okay until I saw Ryou in person. I was convinced that you would be in despair, all worn out, waiting for my rescue……In the end, the actual Ryou became prettier, and was not actually waiting for my help at all. I did not know what to do after that.”

 Once again, he held back his tongue abruptly, stopping to look at me. Earlier, his eyes became moist in order to expel the pepper but it has gotten even wetter now.

 Ah, it must be my fault. I made someone worried for me because all I focused on was how to stop my suffering and was selfishly thinking only about myself.

 That you reflected and understood on your own that, in the end, you were overly self-centric; isn’t that great! Also, what’s wrong with being narcissistic?! Well, I cannot really say I can commend you on your stalking activities but, isn’t it natural for everyone to hold such guilty feelings……”

 As my words quickly lost their strength, Alan revealed a vague smile. Still, that wasn’t a smile of a person who forgave himself.

 Throughout, I have not mentioned a word for Alan.

 Who was I trying to pretend to be?

 “Having corrupt thoughts should be okay,” “what is that you are saying?!” “isn’t it natural for everyone to hold such guilty feelings.”

 The things that I said to Alan were all the words which I had wanted to direct to myself.

 “Moreover!”

 I raised my voice in an attempt to win over my powerlessness.

 Whereas for me, all I did was ready myself and blabber about all those nonsense.

 “I was the one at wrong. I was the one that was being self-centred. Alan-sama, and the feelings of the rest, I did not contemplate them at all. I had placed my emotions at the forefront……that I would hurt someone, I never considered them at all……! In addition, I buried my egoistic self, and acted all innocently, imagining naively that we can get along well like that……! I was the one who cared about no one but myself! If Alan-sama is saying that he is the worst, I should be the one that is the worst!”

 I confessed all in one breath, and tried to maintain eye contact with Alan but my vision grew blurry and my eyes could not focus.

 All of a sudden, someone from behind ran straight and collided with my back.

 Timidly, I moved over and noticed that that was Cain-sama.

 Oh right, these two are brothers. The way their faces are tinged with red were very similar. My mind drifted to the trivialities.

 “Alan, Ryou! I……no, when I was not around, both of you have grown so honestly! Thank you, thank you!”

 Out of nowhere, Cain-sama broke into tears as he expressed his magnificent gratitude. He proceeded to face both of us and hug us.

 “Alan and Ryou, it is alright! Just as I have previously said, the thing known as human progress into adulthood through mutually hurting one another. Each and every time we hurt ourselves and hurt others, if we stood still and stopped advancing, we would not be able to grow at all. The two of you are good kids. I can guarantee that! Now, wipe off your tears on my chest, and reconcile with one another!”

 Cain-sama voiced out as tears streamed down from his cheeks.

 Our eyes met in the midst of it.

 Something is telling me inside my chest, that Alan is equally as refreshed and clear-headed like how I am right now.

 By verbalising my confession, I might have been trying to seek out forgiveness. Releasing the cap over my sinful self and inferior self, I was able to apologise and cleanse myself by doing so. At the very end, even that might have been an act of selfishness to reinvigorate myself. Still, I am glad I was able to say it.

 “Ryou, even you had regrets and cried as I did……it looks like I am not the only kid here.”

 Though Cain-sama was bawling his eyes out, I was still able to clearly hear Alan’s voice due to the small distance between us.

 That was obvious. Even I am a human. Because I remember my previous life, I imagined that I was somewhat of an adult already but perhaps, I died in my previous life not knowing anything at all. I had never felt this feeling before in my previous life.

 Alan and I both narrowed our eyes and laughed. By narrowing our eyes, more tears fell from our eyes but right next to us was the chest that had been loaned to us for wiping. No worries there.

 And that was how we were able to reconcile with one another.

Chapter end