When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 21: Reincarnation

Chapter 21: Reincarnation

“That cake looks delicious. Hey, can I have a bite?”

“Sure. Here you go.”

“…Right. But, thank you♪”

After school, Arika and I were at a family restaurant in town. It was natural to go home after school, but Arika had tagged along as if it were the most normal thing, so we decided to stop by for some cake. Arika seemed a bit displeased when I took the cake on the plate directly, but she smiled delightfully as she tasted it.

“…It’s kind of become the norm for us to come to places like this together, huh?”

“Why not? It’s like an after-school date. I’ve always dreamed of spending time like this with someone I love.”

…She really expresses her feelings for me so directly. Just her words alone make me feel embarrassed, and it’s even harder to look at her when she gazes at me with those beautiful eyes. I gulp down my juice to hide my embarrassment, and Arika smiles at me.

“Ren-kun, you have a habit of rubbing your eyes when you’re embarrassed, you know?”

“Huh? Really? No way.”

“Nope, just kidding. Fufu, sorry, you’re just too cute.”

“…”

Being called cute as a guy is a bit… But, anyone would probably feel embarrassed being told that directly. I rub my eyes unconsciously, trying to disguise my expression… Ah.

“…Arika, you’re amazing.”

“Sorry, I really meant it as a joke. I’m so surprised.”

Let’s just call it mutual surprise then… What’s that, huh? After that, we spent some time chatting at the family restaurant and eventually left when it was time to head home. I had once dreamed of walking to and from school with a cute girl, and experiencing it now, I realized that this aspiration was not misplaced.

“Yeah, so then, at that time he said—”

“Wow, oh! So that’s why Ren-kun was—”

The initial embarrassment seemed to have vanished, and spending time talking with Arika was truly enjoyable. It was refreshing since I usually go home with Kenichi or alone, and more than anything, this warm feeling in my heart was comforting.

It was about to get dark.

“…?”

Something flickered in front of me as I looked at Arika. It gradually took on the shape of a person, forming the most familiar figure to me. There stood Ren Kamisato, my own form. I was taken aback by this sudden apparition, and Arika, noticing my gaze, looked in the same direction. However, the figure melted into the air and disappeared as if reacting to Arika’s movement.

“Ren-kun? What’s wrong?”

“No… I think it was just my imagination.”

Maybe I’m just tired… But did I really see a sinister smile filled with malice, something I would never normally display? Or perhaps even that was just a trick of my eyes.

Well, now that we’ve reached this point, all that’s left is to part ways. But then, Arika gently grasped the hem of my shirt.

“Ren-kun, I want to stay with you a little longer… Is that okay?”

When she looked up at me and said that, I found myself unable to say no. In fact, I doubt there are many guys who could refuse when asked by a girl in such a way, especially if it’s a girl like Arika. It had gotten a bit darker, but it was still okay for a little while longer. I promised her that I would walk her home if it got too late, so we decided to spend a bit more time together.

Thinking it wasn’t good to just stay in one place, Arika and I headed to the park. It was conveniently located just before her house, making it the perfect spot to pass some time.

“There really aren’t many people around.”

“Yeah, it’s about time for kids to head home.”

Normally, the park would be filled with the lively voices of children, but since it was already evening, it was quiet. There were a few people scattered around, but they were sparse enough that you wouldn’t notice them unless you were really looking.

We sat down on an empty bench, and Arika snuggled up to me, hugging my arm.

“…Hehe, it’s warm.”

Just as Arika had said, I too could feel the warmth from her. At school and even now, Arika openly expresses her affection. Seeing this side of her that I had never seen before was more refreshing than heart-pounding… probably because I’ve always had Nee-san close by.

“…Hey, Arika.”

“Hmm?”

She tilted her head adorably as I asked, and seeing that gesture, I thought again how cute she was. I wanted to take advantage of this calm moment to ask her something I had been curious about.

“Why do you care so much about me, Arika?”

I knew that part of the reason she liked me was because we had met in the past, but I couldn’t help feeling that there had to be more to it than just that. It wasn’t just about that one encounter; there had to be some other reason for her to hold such strong feelings for me.

“Why? Because I like you. But, looking at your expression now, I can tell… You think it’s not just because we met in the past and you helped me. Is that what you’re thinking?”

Her accurate observation surprised me, but she was exactly right, so I nodded. Arika smiled and said, “I thought so,” then moved away from me. She stood up from the bench, took a small deep breath, and then faced me squarely.

“Do you believe in reincarnation, Ren-kun?”

“…Reincarnation?”

“Yes.”

The word ‘reincarnation’ that Arika uttered was something I couldn’t deny believing in… I couldn’t possibly say I didn’t. Because I myself had experienced it. That’s why I firmly replied that I did believe in it. At the same time, things started to connect in my mind. The word ‘reincarnation’ that Arika mentioned, the dream Nee-san had told me about… and the coincidence, or perhaps not, of what Shinjo-san said about being hit by a train.

This life is my second one for me. I remembered my previous life when Ren-kun gave me the frog keychain again yesterday.”

“…Ah.”

So that’s why Arika’s demeanor seemed to change so suddenly at that time. Of course, even though I myself had experienced reincarnation, it was still strange to believe it so readily. However, from Arika’s behavior, it didn’t seem to me that she was lying or joking.

“In that world, my meeting with Ren-kun was the same. The difference was that you remembered me from the moment we entered high school.”

I felt apologetic and lowered my head, remembering that it took me months after starting school to notice her… Arika, seeing this, laughed and told me not to worry about it.

“As I interacted with Ren-kun, the curiosity I felt when you helped me gradually turned into affection. I wanted to be by your side, to be someone special for Ren-kun alone… I yearned to become your lover.”

Arika continued.

“However, those days came to an end when Ren-kun was hit by a train and passed away. After that, a lot happened, and I ended up following Ren-kun… and now here we are.”

She tried to end her explanation playfully, but when she mentioned me being hit by a train, she looked like she was about to cry. Instinctively, I wanted to stand up and hug her small frame, but frustratingly, I couldn’t move.

“When you saved me that time, Ren-kun, I felt something. Even though it was our first meeting, I couldn’t look away. I wanted to stay by your side. I was confused, but it wasn’t unpleasant. I didn’t remember at that time, but deep in my heart, the part of me that knew Ren-kun was probably shouting in joy, ‘We’ve met again.'”

Even though recalling these memories seemed painful, she quickly replaced it with a beautiful smile. I genuinely thought she was strong.

“When I reunited with Ren-kun in high school, I felt like the feelings I had been harboring were about to overflow. I wanted to get closer to you, to know more about Ren-kun, and wanted you to know more about me… That’s probably why I kept talking to you so much.”

“…I see.”

“…I ended up sending weird letters and stuff… but no, let’s not talk about that now!”

“O-Oh…”

I was slightly taken aback by Arika waving her arms around. I heard something about letters, and while I somewhat understood, her words weren’t in vain… It was good to have one mystery solved. I think I even felt a bit lonely when the letters stopped coming.

“Spending time with Ren-kun like this, I truly regained myself yesterday. But, there was one thing that made me anxious.”

“Anxious?”

Arika nodded and then spoke about her worry. It was about whether she was superimposing the me from the previous world onto the me who is alive now.

“I’m not free from the influence of the previous world. So I worried if my feelings were just superimposing the Ren-kun from that world onto the current Ren-kun, if I was being disrespectful by doing so. But then I realized that wasn’t the case.”

Arika held my hand. The wind blowing through the dimming evening was cold, but Arika’s hand was so warm that it made me forget the chill. Holding my hand with both of hers, Arika smiled gently and looked straight into my eyes as she continued.

“Because I had fallen in love with the Ren-kun in front of me even before my memories returned.”

My heart thumped loudly. No matter how much I tried to hide it, my face might have been red with the warmth gathering in my cheeks. Even the beating of my heart might be loud enough for Arika to hear.

But then, I reached a conclusion. If Arika’s story is true, and the fact that Nee-san and Arika greeted each other as if they were long lost acquaintances means… perhaps Nee-san is in the same situation as Arika. Arika nodded, as if understanding my thoughts.

“Asami-san might also have remembered. Hey Ren-kun, I love you. There’s no point in saying unnecessary things or making unwise decisions. But at the same time, I understand her pain – so please, Ren-kun, talk to Asami-san. I believe you’re the only one who can draw out her true feelings.”

“…”

“― And after that, please tell me your answer.”