Chapter 12

Misunderstanding-type fanfictions are really difficult

Accompanied by the self BGM (Fairy Sabers OP), the legendary super original protagonist, Eight-chan, makes her appearance!

 

Honestly, I wanted to raise my voice in celebration with a resounding "Endaaaiiyaa!" but it seems that the happy kiss will have to be postponed, which is a bit disappointing. Though, perhaps I should say that it leaves me something to look forward to later... Once again, this original protagonist is in high spirits today.

 

Man, what a great show! To tell the truth, I had been waiting in the shadows, but I got so caught up watching the canon couple move ahead faster than in the original work that I almost missed my timing again.

 

Kah! if only I could have gotten involved from the first cour! I wanted to see the build-up of their heart-pounding scenes from the beginning! Jumping in from the second cour is really tough, after all! Kah!

 

By the way, during the earlier harp performance, I used a supernatural ability akin to a magic that enhances finger dexterity.

 

Even I wouldn’t have been able to perform that well without the support of some kind of supernatural ability. Even so, it wasn’t easy to reach a level where I could perform in front of others in such a short time... Someday, I want to be able to play without using abilities. It all started when I saw a homeless guy doing a guerrilla live show in town, and I impulsively thought, "That’s so cool!" and stole his ability. Before I knew it, I had become quite fond of it as a hobby. In hindsight, I kind of wish I’d taken an interest in music back in my previous life.

 

Eh? You’re asking when I found the time to practice the harp? Training scenes for original protagonists are usually glossed over. Even in commercial manga, repetitive training arcs often look dull and don’t win much reader popularity. That’s why I really respect battle manga that manage to handle those parts well.

 

There was one time I snuck into a random school's music room to practice the harp, but I forgot to lock the door and almost got caught by a student. Luckily, I managed to talk my way out of it.

 

Well, that’s a story for another time.

 

"So, what do you think? Will you accept my help?"

 

…Now, I’ve barged into this pivotal event right before the final battle, but I judged that this was the best timing to offer my cooperation to the main cast.

 

Looking around, I see the whole cast assembled: not just Commander Akihiro, but the twin operator girls who play the sub-heroine roles, the somewhat shady but really nice Deputy Commander, and even the familiar faces of the mobile unit team from the Savers’ main base. With all these named characters gathered, it would be rude not to show my face.

 

"Are you... offering to assist us?" [Akihiro]

 

"Yeah. Due to certain circumstances, I know a fair bit about the Fairy World. I think I can help fill in the gaps in Mea's hazy knowledge." [Eight]

 

"Circumstances, huh?" [Tsubasa]

 

Yes, "certain circumstances"—those being, of course, the reincarnated original protagonist's biggest advantage: knowledge of the original work.

 

Tsubasa Kazaoka, who suspects me of being one of the ten angels of Sefirot, is eyeing me suspiciously, but come on, stop staring so much—it’s making me nervous.

 

Naturally, I’m not going to reveal that I’m a reincarnated person with "knowledge of the original work." While I personally like honest original protagonists, I must be careful not to break the immersion of the original work’s world with careless comments.

 

Therefore, I keep any sudden meta perspectives strictly to myself. That’s why I decided to use my convenient cheat ability, the "Phantom Thief Notebook," to dodge their questions.

 

"I foresaw the future. If you five go to the Fairy World, this is the future that awaits you."

 

"...One of the abilities you stole, I assume?"

 

"You can think of it that way. But my predictions are highly accurate… If nothing changes, it will come true 100%. No matter how much you or I try to deny it, it’s a fact that's already been set in motion…"

 

"...I see."

 

Honestly, in a world like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if such an ability existed. While I haven’t actually acquired any future-seeing abilities yet, I’m the only one who knows the full extent of my stolen abilities, so there’s no one who can see through this bluff. Schrödinger’s Eight-chan—no one will know until they take a peek.

 

Still, as expected, just telling Akihiro about his destined death wasn’t enough to shake him. Though, Akari-chan behind him looks incredibly anxious… Sorry, I thought I’d be able to avoid putting you through as much misery as in the original work, but it seems I’ve already made you worry. Just a little longer, okay? Hang in there.

 

Come on, me! Convince them somehow!

 

"The result of losing you halfway through your journey... is that Mea and the others won’t reach the holy dragon, Keter’s plan will be carried out, and the world will suffer devastating losses under the holy beasts' full-scale assault. Many lives will be lost. That’s what my prediction says."

 

There’s a real chance of that happening. Depending on Mea's efforts, there’s also a chance it might not, of course.

 

With the key figure, Chesed, missing, I didn’t know how much Mea could fulfill his role in his absence.

 

Still, if the difficulty of the original work was 100, I’d estimate it’s now around 150 on hard mode.

 

As someone who’s a sucker for happy endings, I absolutely can’t allow that.

 

"I love this world. That’s why I can’t let that future happen."

 

"........."

 

Now, the reaction... hmm, is it no good? He’s still giving me that skeptical look.

 

So, even with this, he’s not convinced.

 

I have no choice. I’ll have to resort to force. Even though I’m an original protagonist, I’m not a good person—Eight-chan is a bad girl, after all.

 

I manifested the Phantom Thief Notebook and activated one of the abilities I stole.

 

By combining the barrier-generating ability, "Barrier," with "Curse of Darkness," I created a shadowy barrier and trapped his body inside it.

 

"What!? You...!"

 

"Commander!?"

 

Sorry, everyone.

 

But if I didn’t go this far, this commander would’ve broken through with brute strength... I also sealed the movements of those who rushed to rescue him with the same dark barrier. Wow, I look like such a villain right now… I’m disappointed in myself; I’m becoming an anti-hero.

 

But still, I mean you no harm.

 

"I’m sorry... Don’t worry, it’ll disappear in a little while. Please, just believe in me and the other saviors."

 

"And you think I can trust you?"

 

"But there’s no other way to save this world."

 

"……!"

 

That’s right—there really is no other way.

 

Echoing his own words back to him, as someone who thinks rationally as a commander, Akihiro clenched his teeth and swallowed his words.

 

Man... I keep saying I’m trying to help, but I’ve been making everyone gloomy this whole time. This really comes down to communication skills, huh? Apparently, stealing abilities can’t cover that.

 

I’ve got to smooth things over somehow… Ah, I’ve got it!

 

"After the En and the others depart, a large number of 'enemies' will be sent here from that world."

 

"What?"

 

"If you don’t stay behind, the sacrifices in this world will only increase… That’s why I need you to stay and protect this world. Protect the human world… the place where you all live."

 

"Eight Olishua... you..."

 

"I want you to understand."

 

I need to show my sincerity! Even though Mitsui Akihiro looks tough, he’s got a soft spot for people. Look at me—do I look like I’m lying?

 

I took off my hat, bowed deeply, and pleaded with all my heart.

 

Then, just to be safe, I whispered the events that would unfold on Earth for those who stayed behind in the original work into Akihiro’s ear as he remained trapped in the dark barrier. After a moment of reflection, he raised his head with a determined look and questioned me.

 

"Just… who exactly are you? Did you steal all those abilities for this moment?"

 

He was no longer looking at me as some shady, unknown figure.

 

His words were directed at me, and me alone, standing before him.

 

It felt… familiar somehow. It reminded me of how my father once scolded me during his rough days.

 

...How pitiful for a reincarnated original protagonist to be reminded of memories outside of the original work.

 

Raising a finger, I honestly answered his question.

 

"I’m a phantom thief. I’ve come from a different dimension to guide all of you… I’m a shameless, arrogant little girl."

 

Most likely, those words would be taken to mean that I’m some sort of being from the holy beast side, sent to help this world.

 

He stared seriously at me, as if to see if I was telling the truth.

 

I wasn’t lying, but I wasn’t telling the whole truth either.

 

I truly am a fraud. I think the reason there are plenty of misunderstanding-type fanfictions out there while there are so few where the protagonist is actively deceiving people is because readers feel uncomfortable with intentional deceit. It’s surprisingly hard to pull off a protagonist who’s a liar.

 

 

 

Good grief. Even before, I was worrying about multiple reincarnated characters—my personality itself is the biggest problem, huh?

 

But since I’m aiming to be the ultimate cheat original protagonist, I have no intention of changing myself. Like a phantom thief, I’ll keep this pointless truth hidden from everyone and, at least until the story of that goddess-like person’s fanfiction is over, I’ll continue as a double original protagonist alongside Mea.

 

I wasn’t good at it, but I’ve always kind of liked being at the center of things and moving everyone around like this.

 

After saying that, I turned on my heel and headed toward Mea and the others, who were boarding the giant bird of light.

 

Honestly, I was worried that they might attack me to save Akihiro, but fortunately, Tsubasa Kazaoka stopped the other three, thanks to the groundwork I’d laid earlier.

 

"That's the situation, so can I count on you?"

 

Akatsuki En let out a sigh in response.

 

"I owe you one. If you're coming with us, honestly, it’d be reassuring... but I’m going to hear you out. Your true identity and your real objective."

 

"Sure, I’ll tell you once we get there."

 

In fact, even from their perspective, I’m more suited as a combat asset than Akihiro. Plus, with the suspicion that I’m connected to the holy beast, I might be able to act as a guide to the Fairy World alongside Mea. When you think about it that way, it’s more logical for me to go to the frontlines than for the commander himself.

 

Though, leaving a mission that could determine the peace of the world to a bunch of minors? And not to mention, my own track record as a full-fledged criminal. That’s a different story entirely.

 

So, I decided to thank the detective for quietly de-escalating the situation.

 

"Thanks, Tsubasa."

 

"Now, what are you talking about? I just figured it’d be nice to have at least one good-looking girl joining this group of rough guys. Mea-chan’s still just a kid…"

 

His playful tone matched perfectly with how I interpreted his character from the original work. But I knew it was just his way of lightening the mood.

 

In reality, though he might come off as carefree, he’s actually quite the guilty charmer.

 

With a mischievous smile, I casually extended my hand toward him. He looked momentarily surprised, but quickly composed himself and gallantly took my hand, escorting me onto the back of the Lightning Garuda.

 

"Thank you."

 

"You could’ve hopped on by yourself, couldn’t you?"

 

"Don’t say something so unnecessary. It’s my way of showing that I trust you guys."

 

"Is that so?"

 

Also, hopping up from this height would likely flip my skirt in a rather bold manner.

 

I don’t have any girlish modesty as a TS original protagonist, but I do think it would look pretty uncool.

 

When I finally boarded, everyone seemed to have something they wanted to say.

 

"If we had left with just the four of us, you’d still find a way to catch up on your own, wouldn’t you?"

 

"...Fufu."

 

I guess I couldn’t fool them.

 

I adjusted my hat to hide my amused smile and looked away from the sharp-eyed detective, catching the gaze of Mea, the proxy of Chesed.

 

A silver-haired, heterochromatic angelic girl… without a doubt, she’s an original protagonist. It’s rare to see such an obvious trope these days, though the popularity of silver-haired female leads remains as strong as ever.

 

She looked confused, as if she didn’t know how to react to me. It was kind of cute, really.

 

Gently placing a hand on her shoulder, I spoke to her as a fellow original protagonist.

 

"Let’s go together. Beyond where you and I lead, there’s a future where everyone can smile."

 

"...! Yeah…!"

 

That’s right—there are no stepping-stone reincarnators. Every original protagonist is an original protagonist in their own right. Both you and I are original protagonists.

 

In this isekai arc, with Chesed, Akari, and Akihiro are absent, only we can lead this story to a hopeful conclusion. You and I are both essential to this.

 

By showing each other our purpose, we can make this story, with multiple original protagonists, work. That’s what I believed.

 

"Alright, let’s go! To Fairy World!"

 

Oh yeah, Rikidou Chouta’s cheerful words felt invigorating.

 

Let’s do this! Onward to the sacred Fairy World!

 

As the Lightning Garuda took flight, our group, the "Protect Mea-chan Squad," soared through the gate in the sky.

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