Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho - Volume 3 - Chapter 71

71. Freshman 22 – Life in Rubyfallen, Part 2

In the end, I centered my bird and beast countermeasure plan around Tagosaku’s knight followers and went to teach them about chili pepper hedges, scarecrows, and hunting techniques. He he he, I watched to see if Tagosaku was disheartened by his loss of followers, but he didn’t seem particularly shocked. Hey, I’m ashamed I got so worked up! Well, it’s fine. Let’s just go with the flow!

While I was spending time at the mansion, I realized that the number of Mr. Tagosaku’s followers has increased a lot since last year… Because as soon as anyone sees me, they shove their foreheads into the floor! Scary! It seems the Tagosaku-virus has spread nearly everywhere, including the servants working in the Rubyfallen mansion. Wait, even though I scattered Mr. Tagosaku’s knights across the territory, I feel like his power isn’t diminishing.

Bash, please do something about Tagosaku’s eccentricities yesterday! When I asked, he said, “Ha ha, don’t worry about it! That’s just how Mr. Tagosaku is!” and refused to discuss it. Bash is too lenient with Tagosaku!

“What’s wrong, Ryou? You’ve been moaning for a while now…”

As I was leaning against Mama Kou’s back wracking my brains over the Tagosaku religion while pretending to read, I heard Mama Kou’s worried voice. I guess the problem of Tagosaku’s teachings was so serious I had been moaning unintentionally.

“Oh, nothing much… I was just a little worried about Mr. Tagosaku…”

“Oh? In love?”

“Of course not!”

“I’m kidding!”

Mama Kou laughed, then turned to face me fully, looking a little worried.

“Well, it’s just Mr. Tagosaku. He’s the same as always, just a little more…”

Mama Kou is worried about the problem of Tagosaku’s teachings just like me! If it’s Mama Kou, I know she’ll understand me!

“That’s the thing! Whenever I see someone, they rub their foreheads on the floor, and last night I heard a voice saying “Lady Ryou, Lady Ryou,” out of nowhere, and the other day when I washed my hands before a meal, one of the mansion’s servants collected and bottled the water I used! What did they do with it?! I’m scared!”

With Mama Kou’s sympathy, I let out all the feelings I’d accumulated until now.

“Ryou, let’s get rid of Tagosaku before we leave! I have to say that baldy is just useless. I’m on your side.”

“Mama Kou…! Actually, I’m going to have a talk with Mr. Tagosaku today! It would be encouraging if you come with me!”

I stared at Mama Kou with excitement. I knew you would understand! With Mama Kou on my side, there’s nothing to be afraid of.

To get my head back in a good place, I hugged Mama Kou like a koala. I’m only ten years old, so it’s fine to be spoiled. I’m sure I’ve made it to safety! And since I’ve been so scared by Mr. Tagosaku’s mysterious behavior recently, surely it’s fine to seek this much healing! So I’m not particularly ashamed of it, I’m still safe! I’m desperate, so even though I used to be a high school girl, it’s fine to be a spoiled child, right?! It’s fine, right?! As I was giving myself excuses for the relaxation, Mama Kou spoke in a voice that seemed a little depressed.

“Ryou, did you have more fun at Rainforest? Your friends are there, too.”

Wondering what happened, I looked up at Mama Kou’s face, but she still didn’t look happy. Rainforest was pretty fun, but then Mr. Tagosaku wasn’t there.

“I had fun at Rainforest, but it’s also fun to help Mr. Bash here, isn’t it?”

When I answered her with a cocked head, she said, “Okay,” but didn’t seem to feel better.

Hmm.

“And with Mama Kou here, I can relax and feel safe. I haven’t spent much time in the Rubyfallen mansion, but this feels like home. I think it’s because you’re here?”

He he he, when I looked at her with such a cute upturned face, Mama Kou couldn’t stand it anymore! She just hugged me and patted my head.

“Oh no! How cute can my baby be! As expected of mine and Alex’s child!”

If Boss Alex heard that, he’d probably say, “I don’t remember having a child with you!” or some retort like that. Ha ha, I’m glad Mama Kou is feeling better. I’m satisfied with this after such a long time.

“I was a little worried. I thought you might want to start being a child of the Rainforest household…”

“Absolutely not!”

Really, she has no need to worry about that. My old foster father was from Rainforest, to be sure, but I just broke off my engagement a few days ago!

Anyway, Mama Kou is amazing. Just like always. When I’m sad, she’s sad with me, and when I’m in trouble, she knows I’m in trouble. When I want her to tell me I’m cute, she’ll say I’m cute. Mama Kou knows everything about me.

This has been a really fun year. I made friends, I made a friend out of a stalker, I got in duels and reconciled, I was able to study with my friends, have lunch, study and talk after school, and have crazy fun sleepovers… And it’s all thanks to Mama Kou. I think no matter what happens, Mama Kou will always understand.

“Hey, Mama Kou. Do you think the boss will settle down like Mr. Bash said? It doesn’t seem like he’d be satisfied just making swords.”

I feel like the boss won’t be satisfied just making swords. I think he would take immediate, reckless action. I’m not sure if Bash didn’t know, or knew and just said that to me…

“Yeah…” Mama Kou muttered, looking a little lonely and far off. She’s probably thinking about the boss. Mama Kou sometimes makes that kind of face.

“…Well, if something happens to the boss, Mama Kou, don’t worry about me. Please just go to him.”

“Ryou?”

“I’m really glad that you left the boss to come with me. But I thought I might be tying you down after all… Besides, I have my friends and school is a lot of fun, so I’m fine.”

I heard a drawn breath above me. Frightened, I kept my face buried in Mama Kou’s chest. I couldn’t convincingly say, ‘I’m fine.’

“Ryou, as I’ve said before, I like being with you. I don’t think I’m being tied down.”

“…Even so, if you ever want to go back to the boss, I’m fine with it. Because Boss might die without Mama Kou, and I’ll be okay.”

“Ryou, do you really not want to be with me that much?”

“It’s not like that!” I took my head off Mama Kou’s chest and corrected her loudly, since she joked like that.

“He he, I’m joking. But I’m going to stay with you. Forgive me. Also… thank you for being concerned for Alex.” Saying that, Mama Kou pulled my head with her hand, and I obediently put my head back on her chest.

–Knock knock.

There was a knocking sound. Maybe it’s Tagosaku. Wanting to talk to him, I’d asked him to come when he was free that morning. Even so, to come during a family moment… Tagosaku’s got bad timing as usual. I left my position clinging to Ms. Kou, straightened my back like a Count’s daughter, and called to the door. It opened. And Tagosaku came crawling into the room.

Sadako? Hey, is that Sadako? Did you come from a well? But since Tagosaku’s hair is so thin, I can’t really say he’s like Sadako, can I?

“My lady! I’m sorry to have kept you waiting! What would you like to discuss?” Tagosaku said, genuflecting, when he got all the way into the room.

“Before that, I need to ask… What are you doing? Moving like that…”

“I decided earlier that this is how I should walk in front of my lady.”

“Uh, isn’t it hard to move?” I mean, is that even walking?

“It is indeed harder than I imagined. I apologize, my lady, but would you permit me to walk normally when I approach you?”

No, no, no, I never told you to walk that way! Why does it seem like I’m the one who told you to walk Sadako-style? Next to me, Mama Kou shook her head in surprise, as if to say, “She didn’t say that, she didn’t say it!” She also nodded as if to say, “I get it.”

“Mr. Tagosaku, please just act normal. I didn’t especially want you to do that, did I?”

When I said that, Tagosaku stood excitedly for some reason. His forehead was red. He had been rubbing his forehead against the floor… I asked the now-standing Tagosaku to sit, and sat down opposite him. At last, the main subject.

“Mr. Tagosaku, please stay calm and listen to me. I’ve told you this several times, but I am not an angel from heaven. I am a human being. Nor did I spring from the bud of a dandelion. Therefore, I want you to stop using my name to tell lies and spread weird stories.”

I tried to tell him I am a human being, just like always. But since it’s Tagosaku, I’m sure he’ll try to divert the conversation by saying something that makes no sense. But today will be different! Mama Kou is next to me, and I think I can respond to any pattern!

“My lady… That is certainly true. Directly speaking the sacred name of Ryou… I had also suspected that might be wrong.”

Eh? That’s a different reaction than usual. Well, really, did finally get it? Although I’m a little worried about the ‘sacred name of Ryou’, it seems like he’s properly reflecting on it!

“Yes, I want things to be normal. Normal. You don’t need to press your head against the floor like you just did. I’m just a human being.”

“Yes, I’ve gone too far. It should be a more refined gesture.”

A refined gesture? Well, since I’m the daughter of an aristocratic, isn’t that a reasonable response? Goodness, Tagosaku, what’s this! You can speak properly! Whatever’s been said so far, I haven’t heard anything inconvenient… I’m so glad!

“I’m very happy that you understand, Mr. Tagosaku! I’d appreciate it if you could rescind the delusions you’ve spread so far, as much as possible.”

“Yes, of course. We’ll get those corrected immediately! I apologize, I’ll correct them immediately.” Tagosaku said, and left the room.

What a special day. Today is the day I was able to communicate with Tagosaku for the first time. Although I’m a little uneasy at how quickly he understood. But it’s fine. Tagosaku understood my feelings! For sure!

It’s been a few days since Tagosaku and I understood each other, but so far there’s been no visible change in his followers. Some of the people in the mansion are still Tagosaku’s followers, and they kneel and press their forehead against the floor if they happen to see me. Maybe Tagosaku’s correction hasn’t sunk in yet. Mr. Tagosaku also seems the same as usual. He no longer calls out, “Lady Ryou, Lady Ryou,”, so I guess it’s fine… Oh, did we actually understand each other that time? Meanwhile, I had to leave Rubyfallen soon. I’ll be late for the new semester.

When I left Rubyfallen, all the followers were still pressing their foreheads on the ground and saying, “Farewell!” Hey, weren’t you going to stop that behavior? Isn’t that so? Didn’t you promise? Next time I come home, that kind of thing will be gone, right? I left Rubyfallen with a bit of anxiety.

Character List
Charlotte

The first female friend the protagonist has ever made. A spiritualist girl. Her favorite magic is spiritism, an element that isn’t welcomed among magicians.

Not from a noble family, but from a pioneer village. She was recognized as a magician and admitted to the school.

Katerina Genesis

A female magician. The daughter of the earl who governs the Genesis territory, which is currently the most powerful. Unsociable and domineering, she treats Charlotte harshly and glares at the protagonist. The boss of the first year student’s largest female faction.

Salome Montes

Daughter of a Knight’s household. A girl who is not a magician.

An entourage member of Katerina, who is the boss of the first-year female students. Always by her side, like an aide. She told the protagonist that she’d better be prepared after the vacation.

Ritz

A spiritualist boy. Alan’s friend. He’s got a simple aura, but because of that he gives off a friendly impression, and can get along well with everyone.

Henry Castor Gasfomtal

A boy magician. Younger half-brother of the current king. A magician, a royal, and a beauty, but has a friendly atmosphere. He gets along well with Cain and they’re often together. Although he seems like a good person, he calls the protagonist Chicky and is a little prone to pretentious airs.