When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 19: An Unchanging Past, Both Now and In a Previous Life

Chapter 19: An Unchanging Past, Both Now and In a Previous Life

At the same time that Ren and Arika were causing a stir at school, the two of them were at the Kamisato residence. It was a weekday, but unusually, both had taken the day off work and were at home. Asami, humming a tune while washing dishes, was being watched by Ryo with a serious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just…” 

Even though they were both envied for their beauty, these two often argued whenever they met. However, this time was different. Feeling Ryo’s gaze, Asami sighed softly and spoke with certainty.

“Ryo, you remembered too, didn’t you? About our previous world?”

Surprised by Asami’s question, Ryo quickly nodded.

“Seeing Arika’s face, something bothered me… and then I remembered.”

“I see.”

Asami murmured, as if she had expected it.

She had noticed something odd about Ryo’s reaction to seeing Arika, but she hadn’t actually believed he would remember. Of course, this was a unique situation, involving Asami and Arika.

Ryo, sitting on the sofa, continued his thoughts about Arika.

“She hasn’t changed, has she? Even after being reborn, she’s still in love with Ren.”

“Fufu. Isn’t that wonderful? I don’t know if it’s right to call it a past life, but to continue loving the same person even after being reborn is quite something.”

Having finished the dishes, Asami wiped her hands and sat down next to Ryo on the sofa. Ren would probably say that the sight of these twins sitting amicably together on the same sofa was like a harbinger of a natural disaster. However, the atmosphere surrounding them now didn’t give off any sense of their usual animosity.

After a pause in the conversation, Asami started speaking again.

“This world is almost the same as before, but there are some differences, aren’t there?”

“Yeah. Especially Ren, right?”

“Yes… Somehow, he seems much brighter compared to his previous self.”

In the previous world, Ren, who was also family to Asami and Ryo, was an incredibly important presence. Even though Ren occasionally showed a shadowed expression, much like Arika had noticed, he was affectionate towards them as family, and they truly cherished him.

Compared to that time, the current Ren is more expressive and has a brighter personality. This change is enough to bring smiles to Asami and Ryo’s faces, making family moments something to look forward to. They never intend to say or even think that this Ren is not the real Ren just because he’s different from the Ren of the past world. To them, the Ren of this world is undoubtedly family.

“I love Ren for saying the food is delicious. It’s cute how he blushes and gets embarrassed when teased a little. The way he hugs me, saying he won’t go far away, is so dear to me… Fufu, I really am smitten, aren’t I?”

“…”

Ryo looked at Asami with an indescribable expression as she blushed, revealing her feelings for Ren. It wasn’t a look of disbelief, but rather one of understanding, realizing the depth of Asami’s genuine feelings.

“After what you said to Arika, you… you’re not thinking about being with Ren, are you?”

“Of course not. That’s obvious and it’s too late for such things.”

Despite Asami’s declarations of love for Ren, these words might seem confusing. The truth is not that Asami is indifferent towards Ren. On the contrary, she deeply loves Ren and has even wished to be with him. Her feelings have grown stronger by spending time with the Ren of this world, but her current stance is as Ryo put it.

“In what world would a man accept a woman who was violated by her own father?”

“That’s…”

Ryo, unable to find the right words, just looks on. Asami, without any anger, weakly smiles and looks up at the ceiling. She recalls the time when her father was still alive, back when she was in middle school. The memory, filled with sadness and disgust, never fails to overwhelm her, especially since Ren had regarded that father as his real parent. Young Asami, manipulated and threatened with Ren’s safety, had no choice but to comply.

“But he’s gone now. Arrested by the police… and then died of illness, but he’s gone. So shouldn’t you be able to let go of that and be honest with your feelings…”

“It’s not just about him. I’ve been with many men. Even if I felt nothing, even if I found no meaning in those acts, the fact remains… my body is tainted.”

Wishing she had remembered sooner, Asami concluded her thoughts. Ryo, feeling a surge of irritation at her reluctance to open up, found himself unable to speak, understanding her feelings all too well. As he clenched his fists tightly, Asami gave a wry smile and shifted the conversation to Arika.

“Even after being reborn, Arika continued to love Ren. From her behavior, she probably realizes the differences in this world’s Ren. But I can tell from looking into her eyes – she certainly remembers her past life, but the one she loves now is undoubtedly the Ren of this world.”

Asami felt a sense of relief when she saw Arika, desperate not to lose Ren, grabbing his arm. She was happy to know that Arika continued to love Ren even in this new world. Asami empathized with Arika, who had become reckless after losing Ren, even declaring her own body worthless.

“She’s different from me, untainted, pure. When I think about it, Arika is much more suitable for Ren than someone like me.”

“It’s not certain that Ren will fall for Arika.”

“You’re right… But I doubt Arika will give up. Even in the face of someone like you, who had charmed many women in the previous world, she stood her ground until the end. Do you think someone with such strong willpower would just give up?”

“…”

“She definitely won’t give up. I know it because I’m a woman too – I can understand her feelings.”

Even as blood-related twins, Asami’s smile was so captivating that it could mesmerize anyone. Her beautiful smile indeed signified that her heart remained unchanged. For Ryo, Arika was a comrade with the same goal, a close presence. But more than that, he found himself wishing for the happiness of this stubborn, infuriating fool who seemed determined to hide her true feelings.

“…Sigh, well, it’s none of my business anyway.”

“Yes, please keep thinking that way. It’s better that way.”

Standing up, Ryo gave Asami one last look. 

He returned to his chores with an unaffected expression, but inwardly, he was grumbling about how un-twin-like they were behaving. Ryo knew that probably nothing he said would change Asami’s mind. However, he also knew that there was someone nearby who could shatter Asami’s resolve. The future was uncertain, but Ryo couldn’t help but hold onto that ‘maybe’. Yet, just like Asami said, he also wished for Arika’s happiness, a dilemma in itself.

“Ah, right. I saw your manager the other day. Even in this world, the words you said when you entered that bar haven’t changed.”

“Staaphh!!!”

Ryo loudly interrupted Asami, not wanting to hear more. Though he hadn’t told Ren the details, Ryo was quite a famous host. His sales might not be the highest in the bar, but his cumulative earnings were considerable. He had many juniors who admired him and numerous women who desired to spend a night with him.

“Maybe I’ll tell Ren.”

“Stop it, I’m serious. I’ll really kill you if you do.”

No matter how many times he recalls it, Ryo can’t help but feel embarrassed. In both the previous and current worlds, he said almost the same thing to the bar manager. Initially, it was the manager who took a liking to Ryo’s appearance and approached him. Their conversation back then has led the manager to hold Ryo in high regard even now.

Not wanting to discuss the topic further, Ryo left the room, but not without warning, “Seriously, don’t say anything,” before disappearing. Asami, amused by Ryo’s uncharacteristic behavior, couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her shoulders. Whether Ren will ever learn about what Ryo said remains uncertain.

“I’m confident in handling women. I think I can contribute to the sales.”

“Good to hear. It wouldn’t make sense for me to approach you otherwise. So, what’s your real reason?”

“Huh?”

“Your true motive.”

“…”

“I know that’s truly what you think, but it’s not your main reason, right? Go on, say it.”

“…I have a younger brother who’s dear to me. I want to earn enough so he doesn’t struggle with things like tuition.”