Chapter 57

A Story of a Certain world Line and a Reincarnated Original Protagonist

Origin

(author: It’s a serious story this time.)

It's a plateau I know.

How did I end up returning to this world?

It’s as if everything that happened after being reincarnated into the world of Fairy Savers was nothing but a dream.

gasp... Could it be that world was inside a VR game? Nah, no way.

That possibility doesn’t hold up, considering my current body is still “T.P. Eight Olishua” rather than my previous life.

If it’s neither a “it was all a dream” or VR ending, then it’s an even more incomprehensible development... Could the so-called Wisdom of Kabbalah be showing me a hallucination?

In any case, I’d better tread carefully here.

With that decision, I took off my cape and stored it in my Item Box.

Wearing a cape in this world would make me look like a cosplayer, but without it, I could pass as a stylish university student. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and I know what appropriate for this area’s TPO.

Even so, coming to this place...

It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve come here.

Not much time has passed since I was reincarnated, but the scenery I see as Eight feels nostalgic.

In my previous life, I often admired the view of Mount Fuji visible from here.

Thinking back, reaching that summit was my goal when I was little. Now, I can fly not just over mountains but even in the sky. In that sense, cheat abilities can be pretty wearisome. Of course, that's exactly why they’re called "cheats."

...Oops, I should save the sentimentality for later.

Having been separated from the world of Fairy Savers, I can’t think of any template course of action to deal with this situation. Honestly, I feel like I want to despair.

But I’m an original protagonist who switches gears quickly. Sitting idly won’t move things forward.

For now, I’ll head into town and check things out more closely.

The scenery visible from here could potentially be imitations by Binah, much like the mish mash of plagiarized structures we saw when we landed at Elohim.

Just as I was about to turn away from the view of Mount Fuji with that thought,

My "Search" ability detected hurried footsteps running in my direction.

“It’s Mount Fuji!”

It really feels like dadada. (tl note: onomatopoeia for loud footsteps)

This… Oh, it’s just a child.

Too bad it’s not Binah-sama or Kabbalah-chan.

But he’s full of spirit. Seeing someone get so excited about Mount Fuji makes me happy as a fellow Mount Fuji fan.

Judging from how he looked at Mount Fuji with fresh eyes, he’s probably a tourist from another prefecture.

A small boy, looking to be in the lower grades of elementary school, was wearing a backpack with a design on it… Wait, isn’t that a Fairy Savers illustration!? They still sell them as merchandise?! Amazing!

"Ah."

Just as that thought crossed my mind, the boy’s body tilted sharply.

He’d been so focused on Mount Fuji that he didn’t notice the small depression at his feet. At this rate, he’d fall flat like a rice ball rolling over.

But──I won’t let that happen, you know?

Aren’t you glad I’m here?

With a soft poof, the boy’s body landed in my arms.

“...Huh?”

The boy, who probably expected to fall, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Even an Olympic athlete wouldn’t have made it in time to prevent that fall. But I’m a cheat original protagonist. Catching him with lightning-fast reflexes is no big deal for me.

Having someone fall right in front of me is a bad omen, and I didn’t want him to leave with a painful memory of his sightseeing trip.

It was just a whim, the kind of thing original protagonists do. I’m sure the original protagonists I know would’ve done the same in this situation.

That said, letting it slide just because it ended safely isn’t the right call.

I looked the boy closely in the eyes and gently admonished him.

“Mount Fuji is indeed wonderful, but make sure to watch your step too, okay?”

"Ah... Y-yeah..."

“Good boy.”

“Th-thank you...”

“You’re welcome.”

Fufu, it's great that kids at his age are so obedient.

When I scolded him with a “no!,” he nodded without a frown.

It’s evidence of his parents’ good upbringing. Praising him for immediately expressing his gratitude, I gently helped the boy who had lost his balance back to his feet. While I was at it, I adjusted the strap of his backpack that had slipped. Perfect cheat protagonists are also perfect at aftercare, after all.

…Still, falling over in a place like this is, how should I put it, it makes me feel nostalgic.

When I was little, I would also get so excited by the view of Mount Fuji that I’d trip over bumps, just like him.

I remember crying my eyes out because of the pain in my scraped knee, and my sister scolding me as she helped me up. “Boys shouldn’t be shamefully bawling like that” she would say.

“Fu...”

The boy's appearance reminded me of my younger self, and a smile crept onto my face.

Oops, how rude of me. The boy was dumbfounded and stared blankly at me, confused by my sudden laughter.

Trying to cover it up, I patted his shoulder and stood up from my crouched position to look him in the eyes, preparing to leave the scene coolly.

Just then, I saw two adults, presumably his parents, approaching us from ahead.

“Hey! You’ve got to be more careful! I’m so sorry about my child…”

“Well, seeing such a beautiful Mount Fuji, it’s natural for a boy to get that excited. I’m sorry for that, and thank you so much!”

It was a married couple consisting of a wife exuding adult pheromones, and a lanky husband.

The two of them bowed their heads to me repeatedly in gratitude for preventing their son from getting injured.

Normally, I’d respond with a refreshing “No problem at all,” but the moment I saw their faces, I froze, losing the chance to say it.

“Fufu...”

After adjusting my silk hat to hide the deep smile on my face, I turned back toward the affectionate couple.

“Yes, I think so too. From the perspective of a typical Japanese boy, it’s a sign of good health, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you understand?”

I said it in an actor’s tone.

Particularly, looking at the husband’s face made the words spill out. “From a ○○ perspective”──was the tone he's used ever since we met.

With his pale complexion, lanky build, and that manner of talking… it was obvious to me. That’s why I started calling him by the nickname "YARANAIO."

Calling her by that name even caught on among our classmates. Fufun, even though there were many days when I couldn't come to school, I was quite the central figure in class! ...Well, it was probably thanks to the influence of my older sister, who was the class’s number-one beauty.

“From a commonsense perspective, Mount Fuji is the best, isn’t it? Don’t you agree, kiddo?”

“Yeah! I love Mount Fuji!”

“Oh, I see. That makes me happy as a local.”

“Oh, you’re from here? We actually grew up in this town too.”

"Is that so?"

“Aah, we came back to show our son the scenery we grew up with!”

“From here, you get the best view in town. It’s great that the weather’s so clear.”

“Yeah!”

No way… surely not, surely that’s not what’s happening.

According to Binah-sama, the Wisdom of Kabbalah gives those who touch it the information they desire.

That means... maybe this is──exactly what it is.

As the hypothesis formed in my mind, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

You've got me there. Of course, it’s the information I wanted most. Sorry, Tsubasa and Binah.

With all the tension in my face now gone, I looked into the boy’s eyes and spoke, reminiscing about memories of my past life.

“When I was about your age, I used to fall a lot and cause trouble for the people around me.”

“...Onee-san, too?”

“Yep. Looking back on it, I was a handful for a lot of people... Boy, please try not to make your mom and dad too sad, okay?”

“? Okay!”

“Good boy.”

Thankful for the boy’s honest and cheerful response, I patted his head, then finally turned to leave the place.

If I stayed any longer, I felt like I might stop being T.P. Eight Olishua entirely.

...Sneak attacks like that are unfair. I almost got emotional.

“Was she a college student? She seemed like a  levelheaded young lady...”

“...But I feel like I've seen that girl somewhere before...?”

“Hm, you think so?”

...Didn’t the goddess-like person learn from her mom and dad not to mix real-life materials into the fanfictions she’s writing?

Honestly, what a troublesome author. It seems only I, Eight-chan, am fit to be the protagonist of her fanfiction. Good grief.

──Good grief.

It was a completely unexpected reunion with my married couple friends, but thanks to it, I was able to confirm it.

This world is undoubtedly the one I lived in during my previous life.

To be precise, it’s probably a world several years after my death. Their son had grown much bigger than the one I remembered, and the two of them seemed even more like a married couple now.

The wife’s beauty was as stunning as ever… or rather, it seemed to have become even more refined. I can’t help but envy him, even with his lanky frame. They truly are a perfect match. May they live happily ever after.

Looking around the town with that knowledge in mind, I noticed some things that had changed.

There were houses and shops I didn’t recognize, and others had closed down and disappeared.

Seeing this world continue to move forward without stopping, even after I was gone, makes me immersed in some deep emotions.

I suppose only someone like me would feel this kind of sentiment. In a way, it’s a precious experience.

...I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well.

I used Clairvoyance to check on the downtown area and was relieved to see that both my father and mother haven’t changed, still running their business lively as they always had.

When they attended to me in my last moments, they both looked so apologetic… True, I had a short life, but it was one I had fully enjoyed, so I never wanted them to feel sorry for me. If anything, even now, I’m nothing but grateful to them.

I’ve mentioned before that Eight-chan isn’t an original protagonist with a tragic past, right? That’s the truth.

After all, I was incredibly happy.

I was positive from beginning to end so I didn't feel sad about my previous life, where I struggled so desperately to survive!

…Well, I do feel genuinely sorry for having passed away before my parents and for making everyone around me cry. I don't even know how to apologize for this.

──And so, I arrived. To my own grave.

After a 30-minute walk from the plateau mentioned earlier.

At the end of a quiet road with little foot traffic, there was a cemetery offering a panoramic view of Mount Fuji.

In one corner of it lay my family's ancestral grave, where generations of my ancestors had been laid to rest.

Everyone knew I liked high places, and in that sense, this cemetery was the perfect place to inter my remains.

In my previous life, I used to get completely exhausted climbing the slopes here, but... even so, I wouldn’t want my bones interred anywhere else.

If I ever returned to my original world, I had always wanted to visit this place at least once.

No matter how vast the world is, there is probably no one who has ever visited their own grave.

As the very curious Eight-chan, I wanted to have that kind of experience at least once for future reference.

And so, I entered the cemetery and made my way to my grave──only to find the area around it surprisingly lively.

The flowers in the vase were fresh and youthful. Someone must have visited recently.

Could it have been that couple?

Both sides of the grave were adorned with colorful bouquets, and a row of drinks had been placed between them. There was even alcohol. In my previous life, my weak liver had put me under doctor’s orders to stop drinking by the time I was 22, but maybe that restriction doesn’t apply after death? Next to the vase was an offering of the brand of alcohol I wanted to drink.

Hmm, it seems I’m loved, doesn’t it?

"...Thank you, everyone."

Uncharacteristically, a solemn emotion welled up inside me.

And just this once, I didn’t bother putting up a good front like I usually do.

After wiping away the tears that had trickled down my cheeks with my sleeve, I knelt on one knee and offered a silent prayer.

But, of course, the prayer wasn’t directed at my own bones.

Originally, I was supposed to go to the same place──where my ancestors are.

My grandfather (ojii-chan) and grandmother (obaa-chan) passed away before my previous life even started elementary school. Still, I remember how much they adored me when I was little.

I wonder if they feel lonely because my soul hasn’t joined them yet. Or maybe they’re relieved? I’d like to think it’s the latter.

Even though I’m an unfilial son who passed away before my parents, I want to at least put my ancestors at ease.

I want to tell them, “It’ll be a little while longer before I truly join you.”

Thanks to the goddess-like person, I still have things I want to accomplish.

“I’m here, ancestors. As you can see, I’ve been reincarnated as a beautiful girl, but… I’m still giving my all to pursue what I want to do. I’m still following the instructions ojii-chan and obaa-chan gave me, you know?”

No matter what happens, we will eventually die. That’s why you should put your full effort into what you want to do so you leave no regrets behind. That is our family precept, passed down from generation to generation.

As for what I want to do, well, it’s obvious that. The perfect cheat original protagonist──the greatest, coolest version of myself will continue to emit my presence.

I’ve always loved acting out a cool version of myself. Even in games of make-believe with friends, I gave my all in every role, whether as a hero or a villain.

Back when I feared nothing, I dreamed of becoming a Hollywood star and even aimed to become an actor.

Of course, that dream didn’t come true because of I was too frail, but… one day, when I couldn’t leave my room because of yet another sick day, so frequent I’d lost count, I was utterly bored. With nothing else to do, I fiddled with the flip phone I had gotten just a few days earlier with my sister, lying in bed.

It was during a promotional period where packets for new registrations were free.

──That’s when I discovered the world of web novels, that is to say, fanfictions.

And that’s how I ended up falling into the fanfiction rabbit hole.

Back then, I voraciously consumed content from mobile novel sites, "Yaruo" threads, and pretty much anything I could find, roaring with laughter.

When I became so engrossed that I lost track of time, my sister would give the sound argument of, “Get a grip already! You’re sick, so just lie down obediently!” and scold me while kicking the door. It's best to do everything in moderation, but as a middle schooler, I couldn’t hold myself back.

Eh? Huh? You’re saying it doesn’t work even now? You’re making me blush.

Oh? …Speak of the devil, here she comes.

My beloved──the greatest sister.

“──!?”

Rising to my feet after a moment of silent prayer, I turned to face a woman who had just arrived.

She has glossy glossy black hair, untouched by dye and large pale greenish eyes.

Even as she matured, her appearance hadn’t changed from her teenage years. Her chest can be said to be on par with Eight-chan’s, and she remained almost identical to my memories.

Wow, she looks like she's only in her early twenties. As expected of my sister. I’ve heard many mothers’ bodies change drastically after having children, but she seems to have kept her figure intact. I guess it’s enough for her husband to be in charge of the chubby role.

…Come to think of it, I wonder if he’s really quit those otaku hobbies of his since then? It’d be super funny if he turned out super slim now.

"Hello."

"H-hello!"

When I took the initiative to greet her, the woman—my big sister from my past life—looked flustered, her hair swaying as if she had been caught off guard. Well, if you found a girl you didn’t know standing in front of your family’s grave, I suppose you’d react the same way.

However, for me, this wasn’t a coincidence.

I already knew, thanks to Clairvoyance, that she would come to visit the grave. I knew that and went ahead of her.

Because I wanted to see her.

Truly… I’m so glad she looks well.

Wiping away the tears still lingering at the corners of my eyes, I put on a refreshing Eight-chan smile.

Whether it was the goddess-like person or the so-called Wisdom of Kabbalah that gave me this opportunity, I’m not sure, but… they sure do cruel things.

Or perhaps, this is meant to be some kind of trial? To see if I can sever the lingering regrets of my past life and become the perfect cheat original protagonist.

If that’s the case, that’s kind of disgusting... From now on, I won’t call you the goddess-like person but the devil-like person.

Eight-chan hates people who toy with others' hearts.

Huh… you’re telling me I’m one to talk? Why’s that?

(author:

Before TS, nerds was the better faction.

Before TS, jocks was the better faction.

Before TS, normal boys was the better faction.

Before TS, good muscular men was the better faction.

Before TS, feminine boys was the better faction.

Before TS, older men was the better faction.

Before TS, no depiction was the better faction.

Everyone is different, and everyone is great in their own way… that’s what a celebrated personage once said about TS.

By the way, Eight’s past self was slender due to their constitution, so he apparently looked just like his twin sister, who was the most beautiful girl in class.)

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