I Don’t Want to Die as a Mob in My Second Life! ～A Story Where I Kept Training from Inside the Womb and Ended Up Being Mistaken for a Monster～ - Chapter 47: The Older Brother Whose Junior Became His Boss and Got Married First – Michio! (A Living Hell)

Chapter 47: The Older Brother Whose Junior Became His Boss and Got Married First – Michio! (A Living Hell)

“There, there~. Hinami, you’re just the cutest~♡”

“Suu… suu…”

Exhausted from crying, my sister had fallen asleep in Mom’s arms.

Seeing that, Dad let out a gentle smile before lowering his voice slightly and starting a serious conversation.

“Now then, Kanata, Michio. Since you two are officially Reisoushi now, it’s time to talk about your ‘affiliations’.”

Oh, right. That’s a thing.

“Each prefecture has at least one Spirit Conductor Agency branch. Every Reisoushi must be affiliated with one of these branches—it’s basically like choosing a company to work for.”

In my first life, I was stationed at the Tokyo branch.

Reisoushi are free to choose their branch, unless, of course, their family head gives them direct orders.

“I myself belong to the Saitama branch. There’s no obligation to show up at the office every day, but if you want to travel outside the prefecture, you need to submit a request first. Do you know why, Kanata?”

“If Reisoushi were allowed to wander around freely, missions wouldn’t be assigned properly.”

“Correct. Kanata, you really are smart.”

He ruffled my hair.

S-Stop it! That’s embarrassing!

“Another reason is for safety. If someone suddenly goes missing and it turns out they were found dead in a ditch somewhere, or worse, they became a Medium, that’d be a huge problem. That’s why Reisoushi need to check in regularly—otherwise, the Agency launches a full-scale search.”

With that, Dad let out a wry smile before continuing.

“Your face will be on TV 24/7! And it’ll be there… all the time… in the corner of the screen…!”

Ahhh—yeah, that happens sometimes…!

If it’s because you got caught up in some incident, that’s one thing.

But if you just forgot to submit your travel request and went on a vacation, and then this happens?

That’s straight-up embarrassing.

Imagine getting blasted online for interrupting someone’s anime—absolute disaster.

“Anyway, Kanata, you need to decide on your branch affiliation. As for Michio, since he’s still in school, he’ll be under the academy’s jurisdiction. Anyone under eighteen who qualifies as a Reisoushi is automatically affiliated with the academy, and any missions they take are carefully selected by the school. Do you know why, Michio?”

“Hmph… It’s just like you said earlier. They want us to gain experience gradually instead of rushing in.”

“Correct! As expected of my eldest son!”

Dad reached out to ruffle Michio’s hair.

But Michio, with a dramatic “Hnnngh!?” twist, dodged at the last second.

Dude, you’re gonna pull a muscle at this rate.

“Brother, you really hate being patted that much?”

“O-Obviously! Not in front of my little brother!”

Ohhh~?

“So if I wasn’t here, you’d be okay with it~?”

“Wha—!? H-Hmph…!”

Michio turned away in a huff.

…Huh. This guy’s kinda adorable now.

“Hahaha, it’s good to see you two getting along.”

Dad chuckled before turning back to me.

“By the way, Kanata, you’re also under eighteen, but… haha, we had to hold a meeting about your case. There’s never been an instance of a preschooler qualifying as a Reisoushi before. After some discussion, they decided that since you’re already at a Special-Rank, you’ll be treated as an adult.”

Ohhh. I feel kinda bad that they went out of their way to discuss this.

Must’ve been the Elders’ Council that made the decision?
I should probably go thank them later.

“Well, I understand the situation now. I have no issues being assigned to the Saitama branch, just like Father.”

“W-Wow, you made that decision pretty fast. Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

In my first life…

I chose the Tokyo branch for one reason.

I wanted to get away from home.

After Dad died, Michio and Hinami took over as co-heads of the household.

And as the family heads, they had to be registered under the Saitama branch—that was the custom.

So I ran.

Every time I saw my genius older siblings, they tormented me.

After Dad passed, Mom also fell into depression, and the house felt like a tomb.

I moved into the Tokyo branch dorms, and by the time I died, I barely ever came back home.

But this time—

“Father, if you and Mother will be stationed at the main headquarters, and if Big Brother and Sister are going back to the academy… Then there will be no one left to protect this house. So I will be the one to protect it. Because I love this home.”

“Kanata…!”

That settles it.

In this second life, I’ll stay in Saitama. I do have a bit of curiosity about the Tokyo branch, though. But the people I used to know there… They’d be babies or little kids right now. Even if I joined, it wouldn’t feel the same.

…That said, there should still be some veteran Reisoushi there. Maybe I’ll pay them a visit someday. There are a lot of places I want to see.

“So then, I’ll be living alone for a while, huh? Well, not exactly alone—I’ve got my spirits with me.”

Honestly, with all these organizations possibly targeting me, it’s probably better this way.

“Ah, yes. That’s the last thing we need to talk about.”

Dad smiled at me warmly.

Mom, on the other hand, was giggling like a schoolgirl.

“Ufu-fufu~♡” 

…Wait, what’s going on?

“Actually, our family is about to grow a little bigger. Kanata, you’ll be living with someone from now on.”

“…Huh?”

“Ufufufufu~♡ I already called them over!♡”

Mom spun on her heels, dramatically pointing at the sliding door.

…Wait. WAIT. WHAT?! 

Before I could even process what was happening, a high-pitched, nervous voice rang out—

“S-S-S-Scuse meeeEEEHHHHHHH!!!”

The sliding door BURST open.

And standing there, face red as a tomato, lugging a MASSIVE backpack, was—

“M-My name is Setsuna Kirisame. A-And I have returned as… Kanata’s… W-WIFE!”

The ice-cold beauty, now blushing furiously, had just declared something outrageous.

…

……

………

“HA—”

W-W-W-WIFE?!!?!

◆　◇　◆

“Kanata! Say something already…!”

“――Huh?”

I think… I blacked out for a second while standing.

When I came to, Setsuna had already dropped her massive backpack and was standing right in front of me.

Huh.

“…Is this some kind of illusion-based mental attack?”

“WHO are you calling an illusion?!”

She grabbed both of my cheeks and squished them between her palms.

“Uyuyuh… (Soft… and kinda cold…)”

Okay, so she’s real. Wait, she’s real?!

“S-So that whole thing about being my wife… that was real too?”

“Ughhh!?!”

Setsuna visibly recoiled, her entire face turning red.

Before she could form a proper response, Dad chuckled and spoke up.

“Ahaha, well, yes. I had a talk with Lord Kagero, the head of the Kirisame family, and we discussed—”

“W-WAAAHHHH!!” 

Setsuna suddenly SHOUTED, cutting him off.

“F-FROM HERE ON, I’LL DO THE EXPLAINING!! Lord Michitaka, SHUT UP!!”

Then, before I could even react, she grabbed my hand and started dragging me away.

“Kanata! Just come with me for a bit!”

And with that, I was forcefully escorted toward the veranda.

Meanwhile, from behind me—

“M-My… my ZERO-YEAR-OLD BROTHER… ALREADY HAS A WIFE?!?! A-A-And not just anyone, but THE ‘ICE BEAUTY’ HERSELF…?! D-DO I LOSE… EVEN AS A MAN…?!”

Michio looked like he had just been struck by lightning.

He clutched his chest, eyes filled with despair.

…What the hell is he going on about?

◆　◇　◆

“――Alright, Kanata.”

I was pulled out onto the veranda, where I could see the garden.

Setsuna crouched slightly to meet my gaze.

Her expression was tense, her cheeks flushed red.

Then, she took a deep breath and—

“I-I… I have been ordered to b-become your… y-your wife— N-No, WAIT! NOT REALLY!”

…Huh?

“Yes, that’s right! I was told to be your FAKE wife! A complete fake! A phony! A sham! A stand-in bride! Just like— you know, those inflatable ones people joke about online! That’s right, I am Kanata’s inflatable wife!”

What? 

“Uh, I’m not really familiar with internet slang, but… fake wife? Why?”

Then it clicked.

I narrowed my eyes.

“…I see now. The reason behind this fake marriage— it’s to lure out Mediums and foreign organizations, isn’t it?”

“—!?”

Setsuna visibly flinched, her body tensing up. 

Bingo.

“…A-As expected of Kanata.”

She let out a deep sigh, nodding reluctantly.

“Yes. That is one of the reasons I was sent here.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she frantically waved her hands in front of her.

“B-B-But remember! It’s all just an ACT! I am only pretending! P-R-E-T-E-N-D-I-N-G!”

“You don’t have to keep repeating that.”

Seriously.

Considering how sought-after she was, it’s obvious she wouldn’t want to be associated with someone like me—
a “monster.”

“This was Ouma Shiranui’s idea, wasn’t it?”

“…Yes, exactly. That man made the proposal to my grandfather, the Kirisame family head.”

Setsuna nodded hesitantly before finally confessing.

“Lord Ouma  plans to use you as bait, Kanata, to lure out those reckless enemy organizations.”

Hah.

“Now that’s exactly like Ouma. He must have been planning this for a while.”

From the start, he must have intended to broadcast my power.

Even on the day of the exam, I’m sure the TV crew was already arranged in advance.

And that guy, Shina— vice-captain of Ouma’s personal death-row convicts, “Yatagarasu“— had made some suspicious remarks as well.

“Hmm… (So that’s why my surveillance was loosened, and Maro was pulled back.)”

It was all to create an opening.

“I see. So, instead of a direct guard, they send in a ‘wife’ instead. If I stayed alone, the enemy might be wary. They’d think ‘Kanata Soranaki is always on guard.’ But if I had “family” around…”

“The enemy would see Kanata as more ‘human.’ They’d think, ‘If he’s happily spending time with a cute wife, there might be a moment where his guard is down.'”

“…Cute, huh?”

She just casually threw that in there.

“W-What!? Are you saying I’m NOT cute!?”

“Hmm…”

“M-Mmm!?”

“I’d say you’re more of the elegant type than cute.”

“P-Pukyuuuuu!?”

She let out a weird sound and staggered back.

But that’s not the issue here.

“…I see. However, Setsuna— doesn’t this put you in danger?”

She’s one of the top-tier First Class Reisoushi. 

Even her Charm Crafting Canopy is at a high level.

She’s several times stronger than my parents.

But if an enemy at Special Class level were to show up from another country…

“This house could turn into a battlefield. Are you really willing to stay here despite that?”

I don’t like people throwing their lives away.

That’s why I warned her.

But—

“No need to worry.”

Setsuna replied firmly—

And then, right before my eyes—

She dropped to one knee.

Hah!?

“I am a daughter of the Kirisame family. Since the Edo period, we have served those who shape the future of this nation. As a true retainer, I will not die until my lord does.”

Wha—?! Did she just call me her lord…?

She sees me as some kind of hero shaping the future of the country or what?

“Who are you calling a hero? That’s way off the mark.”

“Oh, absolutely. You’re not a hero— you’re more like a demon king.”

The hell!?

“But I do believe… You are this country’s new hope.”

“Ridiculous. You must be confusing me with Ouma.”

“No. Lord Ouma is certainly amazing, but… That man is marching straight toward destruction.”

She sighed, eyes filled with exasperation.

—Considering how much the entire nation idolized him, there probably weren’t many women who looked at him like that.

“He despises the Holy Libertarian Empire for what they did. ‘I’ll burn away my own body if I have to—I’ll make Japan stronger, and use that strength to beat Libertaria into submission.’ …Honestly, he’s so extreme, it’s exhausting.”

Setsuna sighed. And then, she turned to me.

“Kanata, you, on the other hand—yeah, no. You’re just as bad. Absolutely ruthless. I think I’ve figured you out now. You’re planning to brainwash everyone and take over the country, aren’t you?”

LIKE HELL I AM!!!

I don’t want a damn country! And I haven’t brainwashed anyone!

“But… Unlike Lord Ouma, you actually try to make people happy—even the ones you manipulate.”

“…!”

She stood up and met my gaze once more.

“That’s the difference between you and Lord Ouma. He saves people too, but only to fuel his own war of revenge. They’re just logs in the fire he’s using to burn himself down.”

—That’s basically a slow-motion double suicide, isn’t it?

She laughed bitterly. 

“That’s why I think you’re the better option. After all… You have no intention of burning out. If Japan needs a future, then—A never-ending darkness is better than a fleeting light, isn’t it?”

…She’s wrong.

I’m not darkness.

I don’t care if she believes it or not, but I’m not trying to rule or brainwash anyone.

But—

“You’re right about one thing. I have no intention of burning out.”

I refuse to die in this second life.

I’m a coward. I just want to live in peace and prosperity.

That’s why I don’t need any of the disasters waiting to hit Japan.

The supreme-class Conceptual Spirit [Extinction]. Libertaria’s grand invasion. The revival of the Medium organization “Inverted Cross”. The birth of the most terrifying Medium, Toudou. House Hououin’s Evil God Summoning. A betrayal from a Special-class. The Yokohama Dungeon Stampede. Or Hokkaido turning into another world…

I want nothing to do with any of it.

I’ll crush them all.

For that—

“…I need strong and wise Reisoushis to become my soldiers. I’ll take away every last one of their burdens.”

That much, I’ll admit.

It’s not brainwashing, but I am keeping them alive for my own benefit.

“See? I knew it. Kanata, you really are a Demon King~. Even online, your following is growing.”

“I’m not.”

“No need to deny it. I’ve already made up my mind about this.”

“I’m not denying anything.”

Damn it.

Setsuna just smirked and let out this annoying laugh—“Ufufufu~”

Like she knows everything.

Like she’s saying, “Oh, poor thing, this big sis understands it all~”

Tch.

“You damn sow.”

“HAAAーーーH!? I AM NOT A SOW!!!”

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[Tips]

Spirit Conductor Agency Branches:

Each prefecture has at least one Spirit Conductor Agency branch, though larger areas with more people may have multiple locations.

Reisoushi are not required to report for duty, but non-certified spirit users known as “Black Coats” are always stationed there. They assist Reisoushi as needed.

“Uyuyu”:

The sound Kanata makes when someone pinches or rubs his cheeks.

Since he doesn’t let anyone but close family touch his face, Kanata worshippers should only attempt it when they truly believe they have maxed out his affection level.

Failing to do so will result in a cold stare and a muttered “Get lost… (What the hell is this guy…?)” as he distances himself from you.

Inflatable Bride:

A term from Setsuna Kirisame, a certified internet addict.

As expected of someone who spends way too much time online, she boldly misused the term without realizing it.

“I am Kanata’s inflatable wife!”

…Depending on the listener, this statement is questionable at best—especially since her “husband” is a literal infant.

The Exquisite Ice Beauty:

Setsuna Kirisame’s title.

Though she’s normally noisy, as seen in Chapter 5, she is surprisingly cool and composed while working—especially around strangers.

Her breathtaking beauty further adds to her popularity among men.

However, her bizarre habit of licking her little sister Sharo’s cheeks has led to people dismissing it as “some kind of mental attack illusion.”

Michio:

He’s turning into the “adorably pitiful” character.

A man who has been completely left behind in every way by his younger brother.

Truly, a tragic case.

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