Chapter 61

Supporting the original work’s protagonist is the mission of original protagonists

(before every chapter, I think, "I'm getting better at this," but then I find out there's no improvement at all as I still have to look words up in a japanese dictionary hundreds of times.)

The light faded away.

It was after an hour after T.P. Eight Olishua had come into contact with the Wisdom of Kabbalah.

To endure for such a length of time must mean her capacity was in a completely different league. Binah marveled at the sheer depth of wisdom she had drawn forth.

But what shocked Binah even more was the expression on Eight's face when it was over.

She was crying.

Tears of sorrow flowed down as she wept.

Seeing this, Kabbalah-chan, who had been waiting by Binah’s side, hurriedly ran over, leapt onto her shoulder, and gently licked away her tears.

Eight softly stroked Kabbalah-chan’s head and smiled. I’m okay, I’m okay, she told her… She wore a brave smile, trying not to cause anyone worry.

『It seems... you’ve discovered the truth.』

A truth so devastating it brought her to tears──that is, she must have seen it.

Kazaoka Tsubasa's past.

The angel Raphael’s final moments.

Eight gave a small nod, holding Kabbalah-chan as she stood up and faced Binah.

"I’ve seen it with my own eyes. The truth I most wanted to know... along with the past we must overcome together."

The Wisdom of Kabbalah bestows different wisdom depending on who comes into contact with it.

She, who sincerely wished to know Tsubasa’s past, seemed to have reached that truth.

The truth that was far too cruel for him.

『...Maybe it would have been better if he just forgot about it...』

Binah muttered to herself, recalling the tears Eight had just shed and the expression of despair Tsubasa once showed here.

For Tsubasa to activate Fairy Burst, regaining his lost past had been indispensable.

But seeing him suffering so much now made her wonder if that decision had been a mistake.

"The Wisdom of Kabbalah bestows infinite knowledge."

Eight said to Binah.

"Tsubasa prayed at the Root of the World Tree to retrieve his sealed memories, didn’t he? That means, even with his memories sealed, somewhere in his heart, he has been always yearning for them. The memories of his kind older sister."

…That’s right.

Tsubasa also came in contact with the Wisdom of Kabbalah. As a result, he remembered the information he desired more than anything from the bottom of his heart──his encounter and parting with Raphael. It was exactly as Binah had intended to lead him to Fairy Burst, but it was also Kazaoka Tsubasa’s own wish.

"It’s fine, Binah. He will definitely overcome it… If it’s the Kazaoka Tsubasa I know, he definitely will."

Eight, with clear eyes, declared this to Binah, whose face showed anxiety and guilt.

The lack of hesitation in her words caused Binah to flinch.

Those eyes, filled with complete belief in him, were reminiscent of Raphael when she was alive.

"Even if he can’t overcome it alone, he has friends who believe in him. And… I am here. As long as I’m here, I’ll solve any problem. I hate bad endings."

As she walked past Binah, she placed a hand on her shoulder.

Her words, brimming with confidence, carried such assurance that she even felt a sense of relief.

As expected, if it’s her, she can save him. That’s what she thought.

In T.P. Eight's unwavering eyes, Binah saw certain hope.

『Daat…』

“Fu…”

When she called her true name, Eight gave a small, troubled laugh.

T. P. Eight Olishua had never once affirmed that she was Daat.

However, she had never explicitly denied it either. It was as though she were saying that the name "Daat" did not refer to a person──but to something shown through their actions.

In the human world, there is a saying: "A man speaks with his back." It means that a truly strong man taciturnly demonstrates not through words but through actions. Though she was not a man, it felt as though this saying applied perfectly to her back.

『I’m no match for her…』

Daat, the primordial archangel Keter had loved.

Binah had thought that if she could become even slightly closer to the girl she had heard of, Keter might awknowledge her.

But it was no use.

That notion had been a mistake.

Seeing the "real thing," Binah understood why Keter had been so enraged back then and got rid of one of her wings.

It was no wonder Keter had been furious. She only looked similar, she could never come close to being the "real thing."

Because the real Daat was a noble, beautiful, and proud being.

"I'm going."

And with that, T.P. Eight Olishua flew away from the Ruins of Kabbalah.

She must have used teleportation to head once more to Kazaoka Tsubasa’s location.

Binah found herself wanting to place her bets on that reliable back of hers.

Oh no... I forgot to ask about Daat…

I-it couldn’t be helped…!

I thought I had suddenly been thrown into my previous life's Earth, but then I reunited with my friends and my sister, and even got to see my niece, whom I’d only dreamed of meeting. It’s like I’m in heaven.

After that, I met the goddess-like person, Charon-sama, and learned about the unexpected reboot of Fairy Savers. I even got to watch the anime Fairy Savers ∞. And after finishing the emotional Kazaoka Tsubasa Recollection Arc, my brain just couldn’t think of anything anymore, okay!?

It’s because just about every shock I experienced there was just too heavy.

Compared to all that information, the truth about my own body was a low priority. So it couldn’t be helped that I forgot to ask Charon-sama about it. It couldn’t be helped! So it's not my fault.

...Who? The one who just said Megaton Coin. (tl note: Don’t know what this means. It’s an item that appears in the Famicom software "Juubei Quest" released by Namco)

W-well, it’s fine.

I missed the chance to ask about my body’s true identity, but I did learn about Charon-sama’s true identity.

Her true identity is something like the control persona of the "World Tree Sefira." Her main unit is in the World Tree. Which means that if I go to there, I’ll be able to meet her again.

At that moment, I can ask her about "Daat." Besides, it seems Binah-sama isn’t prying too much for me. In RPG terms, it's just a side quest.

When I play games, I’m the type of player who tackles all the main quests first, then methodically completes the side quests. When I play at a level well above the recommended level, I feel like TUEEE (slang for overpowered) and it's fun.

Therefore, the main quest in this situation──the thing I should prioritize most right now──is resolving Kazaoka Tsubasa’s troubles.

In that sense, the knowledge I gained during my meeting with Charon-sama was immensely helpful.

Whether it’s comforting him or motivating him with rough words… it's difficult to do anything unless I understand his past.

I still haven’t decided on a specific course of action, either. I’m thinking of talking to him again and adapt based on his reactions.

And so, I’ve returned once more to where the oasis is.

I feel like I spent a lot of time over there, but I guess not much time has passed here. The sun is still high, and the sky is bright.

Now, where’s Tsubasa? I sense his presence around here, so he must be close… hm?

"Uwaaaaah!!"

…Kazaoka Tsubasa and Akatsuki En were rolling down a slope, grappling with each other. What are those two even doing?

"You’re so persistent! Just stop meddling already!"

"…!"

Ah, En-kun got thrown.

With a beautiful shoulder throw, he splashed into the oasis’s spring! Wow, what a great throw.

After spitting those words in an agitated tone, Tsubasa glanced at me briefly, his eyes widening for a moment before surrounding himself with wind and flying off. Oh dear, he ran away. How unfortunate.

…Looks like En messed up. This guy is so bad at communication.

But if their argument ended with Tsubasa getting angry, then it’s still salvageable. Indifference is the worst outcome, after all. As long as he’s angry, there’s still a chance to persuade him.

Especially since Akatsuki En is still the protagonist in the new anime Fairy Savers ∞, just like in the original series. I don’t know what happened between the two of them while I was in contact with the Wisdom of Kabbalah, but I’d like to think there’s been some progress.

"…Tsubasa… you…"

"You okay?"

"…Eight?"

"Kabbalah-chan is here too."

"Kyuu."

En, who was emerging from the shallow part of the spring, was greeted by me and Kabbalah-chan.

Ah, this spring really is very beautiful. You can see right through it.

I'm sorry for not reading the mood, but seeing him submerged up to his shoulders in the spring water, I couldn’t help but think it looked very pleasant.

Honestly, I kind of wanted to put on the swimsuit I’d brought in my Item Box and go for a swim, but it might be prohibited, so I’ll give up.

Being modest, I just take off my boots and wade into the shallow part barefoot.

Phew... it's cold and feels good. I've hardly ever been to the sea or a river. Eight-chan is a cool original protagonist, so she doesn’t run around innocently, but I’m interested in playing in the water. Oops, better make sure the splashing doesn’t get on my skirt.

“What about everyone else?”

“They went back to the nearby town of Heit. I found out he was here and ran after him, but… it didn’t work out.”

“I see.”

Lifting the hem of my skirt to my knees, I kicked the water, enjoying the cold sensation on my feet.

While I was doing that, En rose from the spring, sat down on the ground, and used the flames ignited on his fingertips to dry himself off, clothes and all. Hmm, how handy!

“I’ve also been taken care of that before, but your power is really handy. You can dry yourself even in the middle of the rain, can’t you?”

“...Aah.”

Remembering the time when Chouta rampaged, I praised his ability again, but all I got was a weak response from him.

How unethusiastic! Since you got into a scuffle and were thrown into the spring, I can tell you tried to persuade Tsubasa and failed spectacularly. But there’s no use moping, you know?

As he dried himself with a flame flickering on his index finger like a matchstick, En stared at the spring with a dejected look. He had the vibe of a boy passed his prime and in decline. It feels like a page from youth, which would be nice… if only the story wasn't so heavy.

Yes, it's heavy.

En is probably also bewildered by the heavier than expected circumstances Tsubasa revealed during his attempt at persuasion. I understand how that feels.

But you’re the protagonist. I’m also an original protagonist, but you can't afford to get dispirited by that.

"There's no rain that never stops, En."

"...?"

As I danced lightly across the shallows, Kabbalah-chan, seemingly intrigued by the water, descended and began floating on the surface of the spring. I thought the same thing when we were at the hot spring, but you sure are a good swimmer… you really seem like you could easily swim for 30 minutes. I couldn’t manage that. Back in elementary school, I thought swimming classes looked fun, so I regret that I didn't participate much.

In that sense, getting to properly play in water like this was a rare experience for me.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“…! Hey!”

Ah, oh no, I got too excited and wandered into the deeper part.

I-it’s fine! I didn’t slip or fall, I jumped in on purpose. I’m Swimming Eight-chan.

Now fully submerged, not just my feet but my whole body, I decided to make the best of it and enjoy the scenery under the spring’s surface. Then, I stepped out into shallow water, took a deep breath, and walked toward En.

As expected, the underwater view was beautiful, too.

Hmm? What’s with that look…? Ahh… I’m sorry.

When I went over to him, I wasn’t so thickheaded that I didn’t notice En’s state where he was in trouble on where to look.

Uwah… this is worse than when Chouta went on a rampage.

This isn’t good. The structure of the costume means it is not transparent, but the costume’s soaked, clinging tightly. It’s a sight that would make any innocent boy reflexively look away.

So, with that in mind…

“Dry me off.”

“A-aah.”

I grinned and requested. Oh dear, sorry about giving you extra work even though you’re also wet.

But this is all because this spring is just too beautiful. There are kids who get mesmerized by perfectly clear rivers or seas and jump in without thinking, right? I’m not a child, though.

Ahh… En-kun's flame is so warm. It’s like a heater in a house turned on during the dead of winter. I feel like saying, “One Akatsuki En per household this winter season, please!”

“There we go…”

“Hm…?”

I calmly plopped myself down beside him, sitting cross-legged, and gazed at the scenery of the spring.

Yep, it’s beautiful. Also, the sight of Kabbalah-chan backstroking across the water’s surface is a bit funny.

And sitting this close to En makes his flame feel warmer and cozier.

Letting out a soft chuckle, I praised him.

“Your flame is warm.”

“…Because that’s the kind of sepernatural ability it is.”

Hey, hey, your response to the supernatural ability you use is too cool.

That’s not exactly what I meant, but… Now that I think about it, his personality might be a little different from the “ late stage Akatsuki En of Fairy Savers” I know. If you asked me exactly how, nothing comes to mind immediately.

…Alright, as an original protagonist here, let me objectively evaluate you.

“The nature of supernatural abilitys changes depending on the state of one’s heart, En.”

“The heart…?”

“Your flames aren’t just the power to reduce your enemies to ashes. They can also gently warm others without harming them… like this.”

“! Hey!”

“It’s fine.”

While saying that, I enveloped his right hand with both of mine.

Bright red flames still burn from the fingertips on his right hand.

En panicked that doing so will burn my hands, but there's no need to worry.

His supernatural ability has achieved Fairy Burst. The power of his supernatural ability should be something he can control freely with his own will.

As if to prove that, the flame flickering at his fingertips did not even leave so much as a single burn on my hand but continued to gently warm our bodies.

"See?"

I told him with a smug smile.

That his flame was warm not because he had that kind of supernatural ability, but because he himself possessed that kind of heart.

"You're a warm and kind child."

"..."

Essentially, he was someone better suited to protecting others than hurting them.

How many years do you think I’ve been a fan? If it's Akatsuki En’s ability, I can see through it even if it’s a reboot.

"You...did you plunge in just to tell me that?"

?

A-ahh, yes! Of course! There’s no way cool older sister like me would ever do something childish like accidentally falling into the deeper part of the spring because of too much energy! Haha…

…That’s how it turned out.

Yes.

That’s how it turned out, but it did feel a bit off for my mysterious self-insert character to have hit the mark so perfectly, so I decided to dodge the question as usual.

"Who knows… Maybe I just wanted to take the chance to be spoiled by you like this?"

"…Don’t tease me too much. I’m not capable of such things."

"Is that so? You’re a bit clumsy in places, but I think you’re a very broad-minded man."

If he wasn't broad-minded, there’s no way he’d have such a good-natured partner. Even though Akari-chan seems like a girl of firm character, but when she wants to be spoiled, she's the type to be spoiled. They truly are the perfect couple!

I said that with such intentions, but En didn’t seem to get it. Hmm… Maybe it’s just how people are when it comes to themselves.

Still, as far as I’m concerned, I’d like him to put his broad-mindedness to use for the sake of his companions.

"Right now, Tsubasa is like a little puppy wandering through the rain, sopping wet. I’m sure your flame can warm him up."

"...My flame, huh…"

"That’s something only you can do."

"Something, only I can do…"

I suppose it’s something an original protagonist could also do, but I’ll read the air and not say anything about that.

Right now, it’s important to say something that will motivate him. Come on, you can do it, you can do it!

I clasp his hands tightly with both of mine and tell him a stylish line.

"You’re the leader, aren’t you? If your teammates are feeling down, you’ve got to encourage them."

"Aah… You’re right. That’s exactly it…!"

Oh, strength is starting to return to his eyes.

Giving the nervous protagonist of the original work a pat on the butt to cheer them up is also the role of original protagonists.

Now that he’s back on his feet, let's go to Tsubasa's place.

What, when an original protagonist and the original work’s protagonist are together, handling a wandering puppy is a piece of cake.

My clothes are dry, my hair is dry, and Kabbalah-chan has emerged from the spring and is all ready.

Alright, let me use Clairvoyance on the town of Heit... Oh?

…It looks like, the town is covered in a very ominous, pitch-black fog... What the heck is that?

Eight-chan is filled with dread at the numerous unfamiliar events, but I no longer lose my composure.

Since the original work of this world isn’t "Fairy Savers," but an unknown anime called "Fairy Savers ∞," it’s only natural that irregularities occur.

If anything, knowing the truth has made things easier.

Because it’s increasingly likely that the goddess-like Charon-sama, whom I worship, isn’t some reckless advanced practitioner shoving original elements in every which way, but a reliable author who prefers fanfiction that stick with the original work.

Seriously, cheat original protagonists are the best!

With a nihilistic grin as I put on my boots, I thought of the endless original protagonist life ahead.

My original protagonist is just beginning!

(author: 【Illustration】

I received fan art from Yoronimo-dono!

It looked exactly like the image in my mind and was so perfect that I chose it as the cover of this work!

What's perfect about it is not only the design, but also the thigh line visible from the long skirt that rises just the right amount... this is the perfect cheat original protagonist. Truly, thank you very much! I’m deeply grateful for Yoronimo-dono’s wisdom.)

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