I Play the Role of (Villain/Heroine) in a Japanese-style Otome Game - Chapter 22.1

Chapter 22.1

What is a past life?


The passing of time as the soul swirls and one turns into different creatures through metempsychosis .
Chako talked about hiking, so she might be a human in a past life .

　Perhaps I should’ve asked for more details when Chako spoke about her past life, but I didn’t at the time .
Because her hands didn’t stop trembling .

　She was afraid of something .
Desperately putting on a brave front, she climbed the mountain .
　It was unusual for Chako to be so anxious…
She probably wouldn’t have answered if it was the usual .
She would’ve laughed “Ehehe” and glossed it over .
Not letting the anxious Chako escape, the information I finally got out of her was about a past life .
Hearing that, I finally understood a bit of the cause of Chako’s fear .

　Remembering a past life, means remembering the moment one died .

　How would that feel?
It was something I could only imagine…
I should have better conveyed my thoughts to Chako, but I didn’t say much .

　It’s alright, don’t be afraid .

　I intended to convey that with all my might, but I don’t even know if it was right .
Nonetheless, because I felt Chako’s heart moving a little .
I will work hard at the things I must do .

　Summer vacation has arrived in the blink of an eye as I lived an enjoyable school life .
I went to the pool, that I couldn’t go before, with everyone .
Going to the pool with Chako was really fun…
Although I wanted to stay with her, there was something I needed to do .

　Waving at Chako who asked me not to go, I first returned home .
Then, changing into the school uniform, I headed to school .
There were several people doing Student Council work silently in the room .
As we continued to work hard till evening, only Tomotaka-senpai and I were left in the Student Council room .
Light, from the sun that has yet to sink, illuminates the Student Council room as the air-conditioner emits a soft wind .

“Today, I went to the pool with everyone . ”
“To the pool?”
“Yes . It was super enjoyable, you know?”
　I speak to Tomotaka-senpai while tidying up the documents on the desk .
Tomotaka-senpai looks at me in surprise .

“But, weren’t you here since past noon? You could’ve taken a break at least today . ”
“Exactly… However, I thought that I must speak to senpai . ”

　Returning the ballpoint pen to the right drawer, I place the file containing the documents into the left drawer .
With that, the tidying up is done .
Placing a hand on the desk that is cleared, I stare at Tomotaka-senpai .
The corner of Tomotaka-senpai’s mouth is slightly raised as he returns the gaze .

“Speak to me?”
“Yes… Senpai likes phantoms, right?”
“… Aa, I suppose . ”
“Today, I, together with Chako, Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun . The four of us went to the pool . ”
　”And what about that?” goes Tomotaka-senpai, looking at me without a change in his expression .
… However, flames have risen in those eyes .

“Chako, had a lot of fun . Because I left first, she’s surrounded by 2 boys now… Is that okay?”
“… What is?”
“Kousuke-kun likes Chako, you know? Probably without a doubt . While I don’t think Yuusei-kun’s like that, Chako gets really mischievous around him, like a child . She probably enjoys being with him . ”
“And?”
“Tomotaka-senpai . Is that okay?”

　Again, I deliberate the same words .
Staring firmly at the flames rising in Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes .

“She’s not with senpai even though she’s your familiar . ”

　The moment I said those words, Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes widen .
However, they immediately narrow and he looks at me in amusement with a smile on his face .
“… Chako didn’t say that, right?”
“Yes . Chako didn’t say it . She’s stubborn after all . Properly abiding by senpai’s words . As a familiar, she gets close to me, making sure phantoms will like her so that I… the Priestess of Ominous Clouds, doesn’t get too close to them .

　Recalling Chako and Kousuke-kun, I laugh a little .
Getting unnecessarily close to him, laughing mischievously, trying to say heart-throbbing things .
The Kousuke-kun turning red and panicking in those occasions is rather amusing .

“… Why didn’t you tell the fox if you knew so much?”
“Because, there’s no merit for me to tell Kousuke-kun or sensei . ”

　Senpai sends the smiling me a piercing look .
I receive that from the front and chuckle even more .
“Senpai . I’m an awful woman . Why must I tell others the information I worked hard to obtain? If Kousuke-kun or sensei want to know anything, they can ask Chako directly . They can make their own moves and catch hold of it themselves . I won’t cheer them on or help them out . ”

　My awful side is exposed when I say it out loud like this .
Ah, I really am an awful woman, I sigh and feel like closing my eyes .
Nonetheless, I look at Tomotaka-senpai directly .

“You… how long have you known?”
“From way, way before . ”

　By the way, it was senpai who told me, you know?
Still looking at Tomotaka-senpai, I smile with only the corners of my mouth raised .
There’s a bit of bewilderment in his eyes…

“Why, did you not tell Chako?”

　Why not tell Chako, why stay by her side?

“… Because if I say it before becoming close, Chako will disappear . Knowing that your plan isn’t going well, senpai will remove Chako from school . ”

　The 4th round . When I first became friends with Yuusei-kun .
Chako disappeared during summer break, not appearing until Valentine .
I don’t want to repeat that period when I couldn’t do a thing .

“Chako thinks something is strange . However, she wouldn’t ask me . Senpai, too, by no means thought that I’d know . Therefore, I didn’t say I knew Chako’s a familiar and became close to her . We did many fun things, and got involved with various people . ”
　It’s convenient for me that Tomotaka-senpai told Chako to get close to me .
I just have to make use of that .
How much fun it is to be with me, I’ll make Chako realise that .
“――So that she’ll think of wanting to stay with me . ”

　I did tons of fun things with Chako .
In case it wasn’t enough with just me, I got Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun . Sensei and Tomoyuki-san too, I got everyone involved .

“I believe Chako holds an interest in her current position . I can also feel her heart opening bit by bit . ”

　The Chako who is quick to hide her heart and doesn’t face others .
I felt her finally facing us during that hike .
From now on . My hand can finally reach Chako’s heart .

“However, with this, it is still not enough . ”

　I put strength in my eyes and stare at Tomotaka-senpai .
The deep blue eyes shake with vigilance towards me .

“… Senpai is unfair . ”
“I’m unfair?”
“That’s right . Senpai is unfair . You found Chako before us, and attained her before she could meet us . ”

　That’s right . It’s unfair .

“Even if I do tons of fun things with Chako, and Chako wants to stay with me . A single『Let’s leave』from senpai and Chako will immediately part from me . ”

　Tomotaka-senpai’s orders are absolute .
I can’t win against Tomotaka-senpai no matter how much I struggle .

“It’s the same for Kousuke-kun and sensei… For Yuusei-kun and Tomoyuki-san . We’re not a match from the beginning . It’s senpai’s win by default . ”

　Yes . Chako’s number one is Tomotaka-senpai .
Since long before .
And even now .

“That’s why, I will break the contract between senpai and Chako . ”
“… The familiar contract lasts for a lifetime . ”
“That’s right . A lifetime . ”

　That word . I heard it from senpai previously .

“But did you know? It seems that this is already Chako’s 2nd life, you know?”

　She has a past life .
You didn’t know, right? I implied, chuckling .

“I will, have Chako be born again once more . ”
　The familiar contract lasts for a lifetime .
However, sensei showed us, and Yuusei-kun mulled over it .
I just have to erase Chako’s body .
I just have to grant her a new flesh(life), again .

“… However, if I hide Chako before that, you lot will be completely helpless . ”

　That’s right . Senpai already attained Chako . Carrying Chako in his arms, and locking her up . He just has to pull her away from everyone else .

　I don’t avert my eyes, not even from those words of Tomotaka-senpai .
Looking at such a me, Tomotaka-senpai’s face warps painfully .

“Chako’s mine . ”

　There are flames in the deep blue eyes .
They burn violently .
Staring at those eyes, I bite my lip tightly before opening my mouth .

“Chako… I will save Chako . ”

　What a pretty(clean)-sounding word .
However, I know the dirtiness within that word .
‘Save’, that’s just on the surface .
At the core, I’m taking Chako from Tomotaka-senpai and hurting him .

　I will accomplish my purpose, by hurting someone .
I don’t mind .
These 4 years, I’ve always, always, been doing so .

　I don’t mind hurting others for Chako’s sake .

　Because .
Because――

　『Chako’s mine』

　――My heart, is saying that too .