[TTH] 18 – Will I be able to safely return or reincarnate, above the clouds, a week later? (2)

"When they suddenly saw a lot of money, everyone was happy. I gave them money and told them to use it however they wanted; your dad and mom are now excitedly looking at properties daily to buy a new house and land. Kokoro and Yuu shop online to their hearts' content, and packages arrive at the house every day."

As Richeli spoke hesitantly, I was so surprised I couldn't close my mouth.

"Money really does change people. They think it's lucky that Rin woke up with cheat abilities in exchange for a change in personality after her heart stopped once. Kokoro and the others are all excited about it. Can you afford the property tax in the future if you go back?"

What?

After going back, my image of reuniting and celebrating with tears of joy with Dad, Mom, Kokoro, and Yuu crumbled into pieces.

How can Dad, Mom, Kokoro, and Yuu be so pragmatic? I hate their easy-going personalities, accepting the stranger Richeli so quickly.

"I'm taking online prep school classes and can take them from anywhere in the world. So, I've already set up an Instagram account and am going on a world tour starting next week. I'm looking forward to it."

"What?!"

"Oh, and I have a boyfriend. We met when I went to visit the prep school. I'm sorry, but we've already had s3x. Richeli, you were a virgin too."

"!!!"

I received the biggest shock of the day.

"Oh, but don't worry. Thanks to you, it didn't hurt that much. I'm sure it's because Rin was always stretching and loosening herself with her fingers..."

"No, stop it! I get it! I won't go back! I can't go back! I don't want to go back!"

"Rin, calm down."

God tried to calm me down with a troubled face, but my shock would not subside quickly.

"You're terrible, Richeli! I wanted to go back. We can't go back, can we?"

"Actually, Rin, you can still barely go back if you want to."

"What?"

At God's words, which seemed like a miracle, my eyes widened, and my face lifted, the tears receding. At the same time, Richeli clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Yes. That's why we set up this opportunity to meet here a week later."

As God smiled gently, I was enveloped in a mist, feeling cold as I was sprayed with droplets.

As the mist shrouding me receded, Richeli stood before me. Her peach-coloured translucent eyes and plump cherry-pink lips were slightly pouted, and she was a beautiful girl with her hand on her hip, dressed in a fluttery white negligee. The line from her ample bosom to her slender waist was very sensual.

Looking down at myself, my pinkish-brown hair swayed above my shoulders. I was in my familiar white camisole and shorts. The scent of the fabric softener from my home filled me with relief. Could I go back? Could I return home? Really?

Just as I pondered these questions, something strange welled up within me. It wasn't relief or joy. Something in my heart glowed a transparent blue. It was something vital and seemed to reel me in, holding me back.

I didn't understand why, but something was expanding within me. It was connected to the magical world I had only spent a week in. Why? Why?

When I raised my head, God was looking at me with a gentle expression.

"It's strange, isn't it? You've completed your life, made a choice with your soul, and here you are now. Even if you're sceptical of your own understanding now, you had already chosen to reincarnate as Richeli and Rin."

As God said this, Rin stood before me again, smiling beautifully. Looking down at myself, I had become Richeli again, with my glossy platinum-blonde hair flowing around my chest.

Really? It was hard to believe. Did I really choose this? To be reborn as Richeli, to have my engagement with Zinon broken off, and to be sent to a convent?

Those were far from what I would consider happiness, but when I returned to being Rin just a while ago, I felt something was different within me, and that was a fact. And now, looking at myself as Richeli again, my heart felt at ease.

That blue glow in my heart, what was it? It was mysterious. Even if the future strayed from what I desired for happiness, did I choose this?

"Have you made your decision?" With her hand on her hip, Rin looked down at me with a satisfied expression.

"Well, it's about time. Richeli, Rin, this is the last time we'll meet here. The next time we meet will be after each of you has finished your lives and returned to the world above the clouds. Take care, both of you."

"W-wait a minute," I panicked. There were so many things I wanted to ask.

"Richeli, knowing that you're the villainess in an otome game and that you're destined to go to a convent after acting like a bitch, were you embarrassed?"

"I couldn't stand the humiliation. That's why I'm determined to be happy and shatter that disgraceful future."

"By the way, what kind of 'bitch acts' were in the otome game? All I can remember is using aphrodisiacs and some weird symbols. Using magic to put it on my body... Oh, but I can't use magic, so I can't do that, right? Will I be okay?"

Richeli looked at me in disbelief as I panicked.

"Rin, you're not seriously going to try to faithfully recreate the 'bitch acts' from the otome game, are you?"

"It's the only way I can be sent to the convent. I think there are a lot of things I can't do when it comes to 'bitch acts,' but I want to ask anyway."

"You're ridiculous... You're really hopeless." Richeli sighed exasperatedly and then started to laugh.

"Are you both ready?" God asked.

"W-wait! Richeli. Please care for Dad, Mom, Kokoro, Yuu, and Yukine. Treat them kindly and cherish them."

"I can't promise to pass your message, but I understand. Fortunately, I don't dislike your family and friends."

"That's good. Thank you, Richeli. Take care."

"You too, Rin. Occasionally, I look back at my diary. You might be overlooking something."

"Okay, I understand." Our conversation came to a halt. Richeli and I stood face to face. As we disappeared into the mist, slowly fading and distancing from each other, I couldn't take my eyes off Rin, realising this was my last chance to see her.

As I gazed at her with a sense of longing, Richeli, as if remembering something, opened her mouth.

"Oh yes, about the otome game. It's become a topic on Twitter that the Zinon route has become more difficult to conquer."

"What?"

"Kokoro and Yukine are wondering why while they play. It's interesting," Richeli said.

"Hmm...?" As someone who had never played Magic Eyes, my reaction was like that of a bystander.

Richeli chuckled lightly. "Richeli," I called out.

"Yes?"

"You, too, should try a little harder. I'll enjoy swimming through gems in your world, maintaining my high specs and powerful magic. Don't worry."

Richeli threw back her head and gave a charming smile. It was as if the world revolved around her. "See you, Richeli," I said. Richeli called me by my name. "Happy birthday," she stated. Then, the world before me was again covered in the cloud of mist.

***