The Case When Strange Things Started To Happen When I Reincarnated As A Guy Whose Life Ends After Attacking The Heroine - 73 - A Day for Gratitude

Chapter 73: A Day for Gratitude

“Alright, it’s time for battle.”

I declared, rolling up my sleeves and diving headlong into preparations. 

A day had passed since then, and the day I had been wanting to thank both of them for everything had finally arrived.

“Let’s see… I aim to get at least some of it done by evening.”

I didn’t have any special plans; I just wanted to express my gratitude.

After all, what I can do on my own without relying on Shirayuki and Hisui is limited. 

Hisui’s birthday was not long ago, and Shirayuki’s is coming up in a few months, so there’s no grand gift prepared or anything like that.

“…I’m feeling a bit nervous.”

Before me lay several heartfelt letters.

While my handwriting isn’t the best, I had poured my energy into writing multiple lines. 

They contained my thanks for everything up to this point and my resolve for our future together—I hope they read it when I’m not around.

“It reminds me of my previous life.”

As I cooked alone like this, memories of my past life and my initial arrival here came flooding back.

While I might not have been capable of creating gourmet dishes, I realized that a heartfelt pot meal would be just right for creating a different ambiance.

“Shirayuki and Hisui… probably Shirayuki would be the first one to return home.”

It remained uncertain who would arrive home first, but I diligently prepared everything while tending to the house.

Although both of them likely sensed that I was up to something, they probably didn’t know exactly what I was doing. Even if I were an open book in some respects, if they could guess it to that extent, all I could do was laugh.

“…”

It’s quiet.

When I cooked alone, that was the genuine feeling that washed over me. I was reminded of the days when I knew nobody would return home.

I knew that those memories no longer held any relevance to me, yet they emerged, prompted by a fleeting dream from my childhood.

“Jeez… showing me dreams of a time when things were still good.”

If there truly is some god-like entity out there trying to send me back to where I came from, it’s a futile effort.

I’m not leaving this world anymore. 

No matter what happens, I believe the world where they are is where I should be now.

“But cooking alone for the first time in a while isn’t so bad.”

My tasks were simple—cutting vegetables, evenly slicing tofu, or maybe thawing some frozen meat—but even these mundane activities felt surprisingly enjoyable. 

I’d like to learn how to cook along with Shirayuki and Hisui, but essentially, both of them just want me to enjoy their homemade meals.

“Such a luxury, really… Alright, let’s pause for a moment and prepare the bath.”

To ensure everything went smoothly, that day I took charge of the household. 

After finishing various preparations, all that remained was to leisurely wait for their return. But then, the doorbell rang.

“Who could it be?”

I checked the front door camera from the living room, expecting a courier or something. There stood an unfamiliar figure. 

It was clearly a man judging by his height, but who?

As I felt a slight sense of dread and reflexively reached for my smartphone, the man on the camera lifted his face—his expression boiling with what seemed like hatred.

▽▼

It was also a chance encounter for Shirayuki.

Pretending to be invited by her friend Risa, she participated in Touma’s scheme today to fulfill his wish.

As Touma had anticipated, Shirayuki had sensed that he was planning something but hadn’t known exactly what it was.

“…Ara?”

Finally, when everything was settled, and she was about to head home, the person before her eyes turned out to be that girl.

There, in a park she happened to pass by, sat a girl idly swinging alone—Kana, who was Arashi’s sister.

The girl didn’t display any of the cheekiness or the strong temperament that she’d heard of or occasionally noticed before; she seemed completely deflated. Unsure of what she felt, Shirayuki approached her.

“Hello… or should I say good evening, as it’s almost 6 PM?”

“Eh? … Ah, you are—”

Kana seemed to recognize Shirayuki right away. However, she appeared subdued, clearly affected by recent events at home.

“I can guess what’s been happening to you. To be honest, I thought you might hold some grudge against Arashi-kun.”

“…”

A glint of anger appeared in Kana’s eyes at the mention of Arashi’s name. 

Shirayuki almost sighed, thinking ‘So it’s like that,’ but the anger in Kana’s eyes vanished just as quickly.

“…everything’s a mess now.”

“I see.”

“I was so happy, so content just a little while ago… But then Mom went crazy and… now she and Dad are getting a divorce… Everything’s just gone wrong.”

“…”

A tear dropped onto Kana’s knee. 

Despite seeing Kana desperately holding back her sobs, Shirayuki felt no emotional sway.

This family had always ridiculed Touma, treating him as if he didn’t exist, even acting as though his birth was a taboo.

If Touma had even once said that he wished them gone, there’s no doubt that Shirayuki, in collusion with Hisui, would have meted out severe punishment.

(…Is this also thanks to Touma-kun? Since he thinks nothing of them, I should also remain indifferent. Moreover, piling on would go against his wishes, and more importantly, it feels like stooping to their level.)

That’s why she was indifferent, in a sense. But still, she had something to say.

“As for your current situation, I honestly couldn’t care less. However, your actions toward Arashi-kun won’t just disappear, you know? Are you still not willing to acknowledge that?”

It sounded like a compassionate question, but Shirayuki’s eyes weren’t smiling.

Seeing those eyes, Kana shivered with fear but didn’t offer any reply, as if acknowledging the point.

(Perhaps she is also a victim in all of this. She might have had some opinions about the old Arashi, but it’s likely the other family members who allowed and fostered those thoughts.)

But she’s nearing the age of a high school student. If she can’t understand the pain of others by this age, Shirayuki believes she’s likely to continue the same behavior.

“…I don’t want to admit it… I don’t want to. But I can’t say anything. I knew that if you do something terrible to someone, it comes back to you. And yet I…”

“That’s only natural. What you’re facing now is the result of your own actions.”

“…Yeah, maybe that’s why. Lately, my brother has been appearing at my bedside, just standing there and laughing at me as if to say, ‘serves you right.’ Even though I despised his appearance, I can’t say anything back. His laughter just keeps ringing in my mind… and I can hardly sleep anymore.”

On closer inspection, there were dark circles under Kana’s eyes. 

While Touma had also mentioned that Kana was somewhat of a beauty, those dark circles significantly diminished her charm.

As Shirayuki looked at her, she saw him standing behind her—him with the same body he always had, ugly and laughing, reminding her of the revulsion she felt the first time she was attacked by him.

“…Ah, I remember now. The one I like is Touma-kun. And despite having the same face as before, I truly hate you.”

“…Eh?”

Kana didn’t understand what she was talking about.

Slowly approaching her, Shirayuki gently touched Kana’s cheek, making sure not to look behind her. Then, Shirayuki glared fiercely.

“Get lost—You’ve achieved nothing; what you’ve done is merely torment others in a way led by Touma-kun. I’m not indifferent to what you’ve done, but let me be cold and say this — I hate you. I couldn’t care less what happens to you.”

He wore an expression of rage, but averted his eyes under the intense glare from Shirayuki.

Shirayuki had her own thoughts and feelings, but her past memory of being attacked by him only deepened her dislike for him.

Even if he had the same face as Touma, if he’s not Touma but that previous person, she had plenty of reason to hate him.

“Let me say it again: disappear, you deluded fool. Don’t ever show me that ugly face of yours, sneering as if you’ve accomplished something.”

With that, he vanished as if crushed by her words.

This wasn’t really about helping Kana; it was simply a whim of Shirayuki’s, who was slightly irritated.

“Goodbye, we likely won’t meet again.”

With that, Shirayuki left the scene.

However, she was gripped by an inexplicable sense of urgency—repeating “Touma-kun, Touma-kun” to herself, she hurriedly made her way home.