[TTH] 17 – Will I be able to safely return or reincarnate, above the clouds, a week later? (1)

A faintly foggy world reflected in my view, bathed in gentle light. I realised I was again floating, my back supported by a fluffy sensation.

I had returned above the clouds.

After tightly closing my eyes, I opened them wide and sat up, meeting the person's gaze in front of me.

Seeing Rin dressed in the summer loungewear I'd brought out every year - a white camisole and grey shorts - a wave of nostalgia washed over me.

Her hair, a pinkish brown, reached her shoulders, and her face, though childlike, was makeup-free.

I wish I could have seen my face beautifully made up one last time.

Huh?

The last time?

Why did I think this was the end? I was taken aback by this thought that had suddenly arisen.

Just a while ago, I had fallen asleep, intending to wish to return to my original self, Rin.

"It's been a while, Richeli. A week has passed. How is your new world?"

At the voice from the heavens, I jerked my head up.

The God, who wasn't exactly sparkling but was incredibly bright, was standing diagonally across from me and Rin before I knew it.

As always, enveloped in light, he asked me in a tone resembling bells' harmonious ringing.

"It seems to be going smoothly, somewhat better than when I was there," Rin said, her lips forming a slight frown as if she found this amusing.

Her slightly brown eyes seemed to contain a smirk as if we were co-conspirators.

But did Richeli say it was going smoothly?

"It's not going smoothly at all. I've been homesick in that world. That's why I've been waiting today to make a request. God, can't I return to being the original Rin and return to my world?"

As I spoke, I felt strangely bewildered by my own words.

Why did my words feel so out of place as they left my mouth?

Richeli, in the form of Rin in front of me, and God were looking at each other.

Richeli's expression was incredibly calm and composed, which filled me with anxiety.

"Hey, Richeli, don't you want to go back? You want to see Julian, Grandma Wanda, your father, and your mother, right?"

At my words, Richeli looked up at the sky with Rin's brown eyes, showing signs of thinking, before returning to me.

"It's not that I don't want to see them. But I died once and was reborn, so in my mind, Richeli is already a part of my past life. So now, I am Rin. Of course, I still feel like I'm borrowing this body, and I'm not fully accustomed to this environment yet."

At Richeli's unexpected calmness, I felt frightened by the world moving forward, leaving me behind.

"I... I can't think like that. I mean, I've reincarnated into an otome game world;... I don't know why the game characters exist in my world, but Richeli is supposed to be sent to a convent after Zinon breaks off their engagement, right? Becoming Zinon's queen and having his child that's a lie."

At my words, Richeli's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait a minute, Richeli, are you planning to give up without a fight? In light novels, when people reincarnate into the world of an otome game, everyone challenges the situation bravely. It's okay that the other world has become a game here. It's even kind to reveal the scenario beforehand. Isn't it more helpful than my new life as Rin? Don't you have the spirit to use it to your advantage?"

As she stood there, hands on hips, looking at me with disbelief, I felt even more pathetic. But...

"That's just me. I just wanted to live a peaceful life and become a preschool teacher."

Richeli looked down at me as I hung my head, sighing and tilting her head with her hand still on her hip.

Why does she, despite looking just like Rin, seem entirely different? I felt complex emotions and was on the verge of tears.

"Well, well. Richeli, your life this time around is indeed challenging. After all, you've reincarnated into a magical world, and while you're still Rin inside, you naturally don't have any magical power. So, instead, you have the memories of Rin and the otome game. Being the daughter of a duke and the fiancée of the crown prince is already a blessed reincarnation in itself."

Was God trying to comfort me? Unfortunately, his words did not affect me.

"Can't I go back to the way I was?"

"Do you want to go back?"

When asked this, I found myself at a loss for words again.

Why is this happening?

What's happening? Why have I been feeling this way?

"Richeli, if you go back, you know it's going to be tough, right?"

Richeli, silently listening to our exchange, peered into my eyes.

"Huh?"

"I've enrolled in a prep school, you know? I've already paid the tuition for the classes until the next college entrance exam; it's quite a Spartan school; are you okay with that?"

"Huh? Did you drop out of the Department of Child Studies?"

"No, not yet. Your mother said to take a leave of absence for now, and if I'm to quit, do it only after I get accepted to a university."

Nice! Mom!

"That's a relief... But the prep school, did dad pay for it?"

Richeli let out a sigh.

"Oh, and I have another question," I said, a sudden doubt surfacing. Richeli gave me a sly smile.

"Even though I've become Rin in your world, I'm still completely Richeli, with all my abilities and magic power. So, I converted gold into cash using alchemy. Of course, not just for the prep school fees. I can pay for my tuition fees. I didn't understand the value of money and made too much, so I became wealthy."

"What?!"

"I'm not a very friendly person, am I? So initially, the atmosphere was awkward with your dad, mom, Kokoro, and Yuu. I couldn't get close to them easily."

I see, I thought, piecing the puzzle together.

After all, just a smile from me in that world would surprise Julian, Zinon, and others.

It's not unreasonable for Dad, Mom, Kokoro, and Yuu to be surprised by the sudden change in Rin.

"So, to get them to accept the new me, I had to resolve it quickly with money."

Huh?