Author: TA☆KA	Original Source: Kakuyomu / Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

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“It’s been quite a while since you started. Your body’s bulked up nicely as well.”
“Really? Now that you mention it, it has been 2 years.”
“Your performance of casual, everyday movements has improved considerably as well. Doesn’t it feel easier on your body now?”

“It does. I can walk normally now. I don’t feel tired, nor do I feel sleepy. It’s like I’ve gone back to being 10 again.”
“Well, the final goal is to have the resilience of a five-year-old, so there’s still a long way to go.”
“Are you crazy?!”
“But your body is already comparable to that of masters, senior.”
“What? Really? I don’t feel like I’ve gotten stronger at all.”

“Well, you can’t suddenly become strong if you don’t train to be strong. You’ve just established the base. From here on out, you can choose different specialties to train in. Be it baseball or tennis. If it’s martial arts, you now have the foundation to become a master. You’re basically at the starting point.”
“Really? That’s neat. I wonder what I should do then. Maybe Aikido or Iaido?”

“You can go for whatever you want. Do you feel like learning a martial art?”
“I wouldn’t say that’s the case. I just want to find something that I’ll like.”
“In that case, you can wait until you find something you want to do. You can also become a master at everyday life.”
“That’s nice. The most beautiful thing is being able to live a simple life every day. I believe living day by day is what life is all about.”

“You sound like an old man.”
“Well, I’m not that far off.”
“I guess you’re right. I suppose the saying that the mind follows the body’s changes is true.”
“What’s with that? Are you trying to say that both my mind and body are like that of an old man’s?”
“Of course not. Your body’s performance has improved drastically, so your mind should also begin to feel more relaxed.”

“Really? I don’t get this mind thing. Does it have so much leeway?”
“It does. Think of your mind in terms of water.”
“Water?”

“That’s right. Water. It’s a container for water. Those with a closed mind can only hold about the size of a cup. If your vessel is larger, you may be able to hold enough for a bathtub or even a pond. But that’s still quite small. If the surface of the water is shaken, be that because of wind blowing, waves will form, and the water will rise to the surface of the vessel, eventually spilling out. And if you throw a stone the size of your fist into the water, a cup will break, and the water inside will completely flow out. If the stone is big enough, even a bathtub will overflow. A pond can also be in trouble if waves appear. However, if it’s as big as a swimming pool, it’s unlikely to overflow.”

“Are you using the wind and stones to refer to outside stimuli or attacks?”
“That’s correct. Basically any external influence on your mind.”
“But don’t such external psychological attacks become less effective the more you’re subjected to them? You can always build walls and fences, no?”

“That only paralyzes the mind. If you put up a wall or a fence, you’ll repel everything, not just attacks. I’ve already told you this before, but pain is a valuable source of information. True strength is being able to accept those hardships and endure them. Not feeling pain is different from strength. However, I’m also not saying you should take in an attack that you aren’t able to deal with. The important thing is to nurture yourself so that you’re able to take such attacks. If your lake is deep enough, it’ll calm down almost immediately even if you throw a rock or even a car in it. No waves will reach its surface. If your lake is as wide as the ocean, even if a storm is to appear, it will only shake up a part of it. The rest of it will remain calm, with not a single wave in sight. Even if the wind tries to stir up the surface, it will only create small ripples, which will inevitably disappear, and the water will quickly return to its mirror-like state. That is the ultimate goal.”

“Whoa! A clear and serene lake!”
“As our physical abilities develop, so does the depth of our lake follow. Even if you don’t notice it on the surface, the depth and width of your mind will gradually change. Changing your very way of life. Remember, the mind and the body are one. Never forget that.”

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“Another dream…”

Susie awakened to an unfamiliar ceiling—high, white, and adorned with a one-meter-square wooden frame that formed a lattice pattern across its surface. The intricate latticework, decorated with circular, plant-like motifs, gave a sense of luxury to the room. The massive, meticulously carved wooden frame reflected the prestige of the space.

Lying in bed, Susie gazed up at the ceiling, feeling the soft embrace of the sheets and clean linens wrapped around her.

(This is my first time sleeping in a bed since coming here. No wonder I slept like a baby; it’s so comfortable. That’s right, I fell asleep right in the middle of dinner, didn’t I… Why does it feel like I’ve reverted to a baby since coming here?!)

Yesterday, Susie had found herself overwhelmed with tears, prompting Howard to lift her in a moment of panic and take her home.

When she’d told him how moved she was by the sunset, Howard had looked mortified, and Sonia had gently explained to him, remarking, “There are times when girls are like that.”

Later, at dinner, Susie had again teared up, moved by the deliciousness of the venison steak and venison tongue stew, and she’d fallen asleep shortly afterward.

(I keep showing my embarrassing side to those two! I get embarrassed just thinking about it…)

Outside, the sun had yet to rise, but the sky was beginning to lighten with the approach of dawn.

Reflecting on the changes, Susie got out of bed thinking, (Since I came here, I’ve been living a very natural lifestyle, going to bed after sunset and waking with the sunrise.)

It seemed that she had even been dressed in her nightgown before being tucked in. Her nightgown was made from a light blue cotton fabric. She couldn’t shake the soft and pleasant feeling against her skin.

(I fell asleep while eating, was changed into my nightgown, and was carried to bed. I really am a toddler!)

Susie thought, feeling a bit depressed.

In front of her, a small desk stood against the wall with a full-length mirror propped beside it. On the desk, her change of clothes had been neatly folded.

The full-length mirror was encased in a pink-tinted wooden frame with intricate designs. It even had a ribbon carved into the top—a touch that didn’t entirely match the room’s prestigious decor.

Susie assumed that Elrose had thoughtfully left the clothes there for her in case she needed them.

She took off her nightgown and stood in front of the mirror wearing only a pair of shorts.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten a proper look in the mirror. This body really is way too mature for a 13-year-old.”

Standing there, Susie took in her appearance. She was 153 cm tall and looked to be about 20 years old. She observed the various parts of her body—her breasts, hips, and buttocks—giving each area a contemplative look as she assessed her reflection.

Susie observed herself in the mirror, noting her delicate features. A slender neck, petite shoulders, and a well-shaped pair of breasts that were anything but small. Her waist was narrow and tight, her belly button long and slight. Her small, rounded buttocks curved outward just enough to add a gentle dimension to her figure. The line from her slender ankle up her calf, arching inward before rising from her knee to her inner thigh, was both graceful and alluring¹.

(Cute! Sexyyy! What a great figure!) she thought.

“Now that I look at it, my hair is beautiful as well. It’s red… or more like ruby when the light shines through it.”

She twisted her head left and right, watching as the strands of hair bounced, scattering a warm, red glow. The hair’s glow, from being fresh, enhanced the vibrant color, deepening the crimson hue.

“My face is doll-like as well. How pretty. But I can certainly see it being somewhat youthful. I’d easily be mistaken for a middle schooler. Having said that, my eyes are so pretty! You’re beautiful, Susie…”

She placed a hand on the mirror, her gaze resolute.

“Now then.”

Blushing slightly, Susie coughed softly and stepped back, feeling a hint of embarrassment.

Then, with a newfound sense of confidence, she faced the mirror once more and struck a pose. Her legs shoulder-width apart, with her hips angled slightly left, her right shoulder raised, and her left shoulder lowered. Her right arm extended down along her body, palm facing back, fingers splayed gracefully. Her left arm rested at her side, bent under her chest with her hand in front of her face, the back of the hand facing forward, fingers parted, and her index finger aligned with the bridge of her nose. She gazed straight ahead.

Her flashy pose was finally complete. A stance that would certainly impress any JoJo fan².

In that dramatic posture, she stared into the mirror.

“Since when did you realize this wasn’t a dream?!” she exclaimed to her reflection.

The onomatopoeia SHOCK could be seen behind her. She backed up, step by step, until she flopped onto the bed, landing flat on her back.

“I’ve known for quite some time.” She mumbled, letting out a long sigh. “I guess meeting other people does make you realize that you’re not in a dream. Aaaah.”

She thought, rolling around, her mind spinning with questions.

“What am I supposed to do now? I’ve turned into my female game character. And now I can even slash through mountains? I can wipe out monsters? Is this really okay? Am I really human? Can I really be here? Is it okay for me to even be alive?”

She pondered, waving her arms and legs in exasperation.

“Still, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m here and that I’m alive. If that’s the case, I want to live even more. Sir Howard is nice, and Miss Sonia’s cooking is delicious, and delicious is justice! Deliciousness makes my body happy! It makes me crave to live! So I’ll live! I’ll live properly!”

Although it all seemed obvious, Susie felt like she had to say it to cement it further.

“People sometimes need to say things out loud to convince themselves, no matter how strange it may seem. Still, this is so tedious!!!” She sighed, rolling onto her back and letting out a deep breath, ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

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