Leave a comment

That’s where things connect? True, Kotone seemed to have felt so liberated when we were together. I thought she probably had some stress piled up, but my thought process was that she was probably stressing out about minor stuff like kids tend to do. Now, my thoughts on this have completely changed.

「That’s the part I don’t get. Why did my death influence you? To start with, how did you know I was dead?」

The death of a person you met only once isn’t something easy to discover. It might have made the news, but I don’t imagine that my name would be on it. Besides, Kotone was in middle school then. How big of an influence was it that it affected her at a time when you start sorting things out.

「Mother told me about it. Perhaps she had some plan with you? For example, like having you be my future husband?」
「The age gap is pretty big, though. Besides, did you even like me that way?」
「I wonder. Even after meeting you again like this, I can’t tell. However, I don’t dislike you, mister. Being with you is fun, after all.」

With her first love being her father, she must be under the impression that love doesn’t go anywhere. That’s why she might be insensitive to feelings like that. Maybe she’s also convinced herself that she would never fall in love with anyone other than her father. Still, what the heck is that mother of hers thinking?

「I’ll try to ask mother later.」
「She probably wouldn’t keep secrets about it. As for why I changed, that was just how much of a mark your death left on me. People die easily. And people even I know can just die out of the blue. The shock and fear majorly influenced Kotone’s personality.」
「So you overlapped me with your father?」
「That was the result. From then on, Kotone’s goal was clearly set. To leave an impression on her father. Completely opposite to me. If she did something deplorable, father would look at her. And then when she dies, part of her will remain in father forever. That’s her belief.」
「Though the result was nothing remained in him at all.」
「Even a love of a hundred years wouldn’t survive that apathy. That’s why the second Kotone disappeared. Originally, I should have resurfaced again, but I ended up having a certain thought.」
「How I would act in your situation, right? And that’s the third Kotone.」
「That’s right. If it was mister, what kind of me would he act out? And then for some reason, you went inside me so I was really surprised.」
「I’m surprised too. Like, why did I become a woman?」

So in the end, neither Kotone or I know why things ended up this way. A mystery of the world here, everyone. There’s no other way of describing it other than a girl’s wish being somewhat granted. Though because of that, we’re in a complicated situation.

「Moreover, you didn’t act me out at all and just did as you liked, mister. I was speechless here watching from the inside.」
「Well, I only had the previous Kotone’s memory and there’s no way I could imitate that. Copying her with no other knowledge or information would be a straight road to destruction.」
「Well, true, I suppose. You were doing as you pleased, it was personally a lot of fun for me.」
「Even though you’re not the one on the surface?」
「If I was, it wouldn’t result in anything interesting. I’m aware of that. I would likely just meekly and innocuously live life.」

In my case, it’s either I cause trouble or trouble comes crashing to me. The Kotone in front of me can probably resolve the same issues, but she likely wouldn’t take the initiative to do so. I guess she’s the type that needs someone leading her along.

「It’ll probably be interesting to have you team up with Hadzuki.」
「Please don’t. I’ll be exhausted from the stress.」

He might be actually the best to pair with her. He always leads and drags people along, after all. Kotone will probably be more stressed than Kishita though. Still, having met Udzuki first was a big mistake. Maybe they met right after she changed.

「I’ll ask one more time, don’t you regret not resurfacing?」
「I’ve been here for years already, I’ve grown accustomed to being here. Watching the second me’s actions was painful but on the other hand, you’re a lot of fun to watch.」
「I don’t mind if you take over, though.」
「Allow me to absolutely refuse that offer. I completely refuse to take your place. Just how much trouble do you plan on causing?」

She’ll inherit all of my current relationships, after all. Like with the twelve families and my personal friendships. There will probably be situations the meek Kotone won’t be able to adapt to. Also, my work relations. In hindsight, I can clearly see how different I am from other high schoolers.

「Any other questions?」
「None on my part, I guess. Still, I’m surprised about the multiple Kotones.」

Three including me. Still, that explains the Kisaragi phenomenon of people changing into a practically different person. It’s not that situations like mine happen in the Kisaragi family. The chances of me getting noticed even by the grandfather is low. The other issues are still ongoing, though. If there’s any problem, it would come from the grandmother.

「Well then, mister. This is our goodbye.」
「Seems like it. Let’s chat more if we meet again. Just like back then.」
「Right. If we get the chance.」

In front of me, Kotone is getting blurry. The dream is probably about to end. In the end, this space doesn’t exist in reality, so it can’t be helped. With a slightly reluctant goodbye, I said farewell to Kotone and lost consciousness.

「There won’t be another chance, though.」

I likely don’t have much time left. Mister isn’t a personality of mine. The second me disappeared and I should have returned to how I should be but with that in disarray, me disappearing is the natural course of events. However, I didn’t tell him about it. I know that it’ll definitely worry him, after all.

「I don’t want to become a burden to him.」

I want the good mister to enjoy his second life. What happened this time wasn’t something I actively aimed to happen. It’s nothing more than a coincidence by some whim of fate. I don’t believe that this miracle can happen twice.

「Still, I’m happy that we could talk.」

As expected, he didn’t change one bit. But it seems like he still has a lot of anger towards his real mother. In the past, I accidentally pushed his buttons and saw hell.

「Still, I guess it’s just like him to not lose his way.」

I have absolutely no idea why there’s no change with how he behaves even after becoming a girl. In a sense, he’s a weirdo at the level of the twelve families. I don’t know anything about his background. I guess it’s my mistake not even thinking of researching it. With the twelve families information network, I could have gotten something.

「Now then, it’s time for my work to begin.」

Aim for the completion of this jigsaw puzzle of memories. Still, I guess I kind of regret this. A puzzle that includes incorrect pieces is just too hard. Even if the said pieces are my own memories.

「You can do it, me!」

I only have little time left, so I mustn’t leave any regrets. And also so that he can enjoy this life. Okay, now I’m a bit more motivated.