Daily Life

Several days had passed since the shocking experience of waking up in Fren's lap.

After resting for a while, my body had completely recovered.

For a few days after waking, Fren kept trying to fuss over me, which was exhausting.

When she tried to follow me into the bath, I stopped her in a panic.

That was way too close. If I'd actually seen my oshi naked, I'd have achieved enlightenment and ascended to nirvana for real this time.

With Fren insisting on accompanying me because she was worried about my health, we headed to the dining hall together.

I really wished Fren would ignore me and go on a date with Gil instead, but…

After chatting and finishing our meal, Fren suddenly spoke up.

"—By the way, Bloom-san. Don't you think you have something to apologize to me for?"

"…"

Fren's eyes were staring directly into mine, so I averted my gaze.

Fren continued watching me, her smile perfectly artificial.

Eventually, unable to withstand her stare any longer, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

"Um… sorry for leaving without saying anything."

"I'm glad to hear that. Then, don't you think a little punishment game would be appropriate?"

"Huh? Punishment… game…?"

Fren's smile deepened.

Feeling an instinctive fear at that smile, I timidly asked her to elaborate.

"Yes. From now on—Bloom-san, you'll become my doll."

Doll…?

I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I trembled with fear.

Leaving the dining hall, I followed Fren as she walked purposefully.

Apparently, she had a destination in mind.

"Here we are, Bloom-san."

Inside the shop, an array of heavily decorated clothing was lined up on display.

I was overwhelmed by the ornate garments, like ballroom dresses.

However, to my eyes, they seemed somewhat… girlish.

"F-Fren. Did you pick the wrong store?"

"Bloom-san, dolls don't talk back, do they?"

S-scary… Fren's smile had never been this terrifying.

As promised, today I would apparently be treated as a "doll."

Trembling internally, I followed her.

She quickly picked up one dress.

"This should fit your size, Bloom-san."

"… What is this?"

It was the kind of outfit you'd put on a little girl's dress-up doll.

If I had to describe it, "gothic lolita" would be the closest term.

The black-based dress had white frills generously adorning the cuffs and collar.

The skirt puffed up significantly above the knees.

The lace gloves that came with it were also black, covering up to the elbows.

And was that a headdress included with the set? It had large frills attached and was quite eye-catching.

"… What is this?"

I asked again as Fren handed it to me with a beaming smile.

"Clothes for the doll."

It was no use. I could feel her iron will—no objections would be accepted.

So I really did have to wear this.

This, huh…?

I looked again at the outfit being shoved into my hands.

Honestly, if I saw someone wearing this on the street, I'd definitely do a double-take.

It was that level of… fairy-tale getup.

"Fren, that's cruel…"

"Ugh… E-even making that face won't work. This is a punishment game, so what's decided is decided!"

Taking the gothic lolita dress, I headed to the changing room.

Changing while being careful of the unique decorations took quite a while.

"… Here."

I slowly opened the changing room curtain.

Seeing me, Fren's eyes sparkled.

"W-wonderful! Just as I envisioned! Come on, Bloom-san, to the mirror!"

I was pushed toward the mirror I'd been avoiding.

My reflection looked like something that had stepped straight out of a fairy-tale world.

The frills were shamelessly eye-catching. The headdress was way too flashy.

My gut reaction was "surely this is embarrassing, right?" but apparently it met Fren's approval.

"Let's go get your makeup done like this too! I know a shop that specializes in this kind of look."

"Huh… like this?"

There was no response.

Fren grabbed my hand and strode onto the main street.

… Ah, people were definitely staring. Everyone seemed to be looking at my outfit.

How embarrassing. This was public execution.

I protested to Fren.

"Fren. Everyone's staring. It's weird after all—"

"Everyone is simply amazed by how adorable you are, Bloom-san. Look, their eyes are positively sparkling, aren't they?"

"No, that's not—"

"Have confidence! Bloom-san is very adorable!"

No good, she wouldn't listen…

There was no way to stop Fren once she got like this.

I was merely paraded around the main street like a prisoner.

Since getting this body, my emotions no longer showed on my face, but at this moment, I felt like my face must have been turning red.

Following Fren's purposeful stride, I entered another shop.

This one seemed to sell cosmetics.

When Fren greeted them, a female staff member who appeared to be an acquaintance approached.

"Oh my, Fren-san. Who's this adorable young lady?"

"This is Bloom-san. She said she's 'interested in fashion but can't take the first step,' so we're shopping today."

"Fren, don't just smoothly make things up like that."

I corrected Fren's outrageous fabrication.

How could you say something like that with such a straight face? The staff member was going to believe it at this rate.

"Oh, so this is the Bloom-san you're always talking about."

The female staff member, her own makeup impeccable as befitting someone working at a cosmetics shop, peered at my face… I felt a bit nervous.

"Then I just need to do makeup that matches this costume. Leave it to me!"

The enthusiastic staff member sat me in a chair.

Having resigned myself that there was no escaping now, I closed my eyes and waited for the makeup to be finished.

The sensation of being touched on my eyes, lips, and cheeks.

The female staff member seemed skilled, rapidly using various cosmetic tools.

"There, all done."

At those words, I opened my eyes. In the mirror before me sat an unfamiliar girl.

"…"

I stared intently at my own face.

The skin looked even paler than usual, probably due to the dark-toned makeup.

A slightly purplish red lipstick. Black eyeliner that emphasized the eyes.

Bloom's face had always given off a mystical, doll-like impression, but like this, she truly looked like an actual doll or something.

Her eyes, appearing larger than usual, stared right back at me.

It looked so much like a stranger that I couldn't feel any sense of reality.

"It suits you so well, Bloom-san!"

Fren, who had appeared behind me at some point, called out.

"… It feels like I'm not myself."

Hearing my words, Fren nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes. —Bloom-san, please take an interest in fun things like this, too."

"…?"

Fun things…?

But I'm always having fun observing my favorite ships…

"I always have fun."

"Oh, Bloom-san, you're really bad at lying…"

When I tilted my head in confusion at Fren's wry smile, the beautiful girl in the mirror cutely tilted her head too.

Huh, wait, what? She's actually kinda cute…

 

＊　＊　＊

 

After the battle with Wall, Rio's demeanor had changed a bit.

This was according to the original.

When Rio awakened his Soullight, he had achieved synchronization with his matured self.

As a result, his ego had been slightly pulled toward his elderly self.

It wasn't that the Rio living here had been replaced by someone else.

He had simply acquired a few new values and new knowledge—that was all.

However, the changes this brought about were far from insignificant.

Until now, Rio had seemed like the very picture of a pure-hearted boy, but lately, there were moments when his mannerisms came across as mature.

The one most sensitive to such changes was Laura, the maiden in love.

Usually, whenever Laura had trouble with something, the first person she'd consult was always Rio.

The two childhood friends had always supported each other that way.

So it was truly unusual for Laura to bring a consultation to me and Fren.

Laura's expression was dark. Not the pained look from before, but something more like vague uncertainty.

Seeing her like that, Fren suggested, "Since we're here, why don't we talk over some tea?" So the three of us headed to a cafe.

But was there really any point in me being here?

There was no way I could give advice when I could barely communicate properly to begin with.

After all, I didn't even have any friends…

"Mmm, this cake is delicious!"

Momentarily forgetting what she'd been worried about, Laura wore an open smile.

The shortcake seemed to suit her taste.

This cafe, located in a prime spot in the Imperial capital, served sweets alongside the coffee that had recently begun circulating in the market.

The unique aroma of coffee was a draw, of course, but the sweets were also top-notch, making it hugely popular in the capital.

"You too, Bloom-san, stop just watching and eat. Here, say 'ah.'"

"… No, I'll eat my own."

For some reason, Fren was offering me her own cake.

There was absolutely no way I could have an indirect kiss with my oshi.

I brought a bite of my own cake to my mouth.

Fren looked at me with slightly dissatisfied eyes.

"This coffee stuff smells nice, but isn't it a bit too bitter?"

"Yes. I always add milk and sugar."

"Oh, I see. Maybe if I add more sugar…"

The two conversed while bringing their coffee cups to their lips.

Laura was grimacing at the bitterness while Fren drank her coffee without issue.

I also brought the cup to my lips… and was surprised by the extreme bitterness.

I'd drunk it with my memories from my previous life, but apparently Bloom's palate didn't accept coffee.

I poured sugar into my coffee cup—generously.

I thought I felt warm, amused glances directed my way, but that was probably just my imagination.

"… So, about what I wanted to consult…"

Having apparently finished her cake, Laura spoke up.

Fren and I put down our forks and cups to face her.

"Um, so, Rio's vibe has changed lately, right?"

"Indeed, that's true."

"So, now that Rio's become more mature, I was wondering if he might get a new, um, g-girlfriend or something…?"

Laura's voice got smaller and smaller toward the end.

After finishing, she curled up where she sat as if embarrassed.

S-so cute…!

Ahhh, I really do love watching Laura in maiden-in-love mode!

She's usually so friendly and fearless, but when it comes to Rio, she turns all bashful—that's the good stuff right there!

"Hehe. I understand your concern, Laura, but I'm sure it'll be fine."

Fren spoke to Laura with a smile.

"From what I've seen, Rio-san shows no signs of becoming romantically involved with any woman. In the first place, Rio-san is always either training or doing adventurer work. He doesn't even seem to visit the taverns."

"R-really…?"

Hearing that, Laura looked somewhat relieved.

But apparently, her concerns weren't limited to that.

"B-but. Doesn't Bloom-chan sometimes look at Rio?"

… Huh? Am I being suspected as a love rival?

No no no! I was just observing my OTP!

Laura turned a suspicious gaze toward me, and for some reason, even Fren stared at me intently.

What's with this atmosphere?

"I don't have the kind of feelings you're imagining, Laura."

I said simply, bringing my sugar-laden coffee to my lips.

But the two still directed doubting gazes at me. Why?

"Bloom-san's expressions don't reveal anything, after all… well, let's accept that as truth for now."

Fren's phrasing was loaded.

Why is there so little trust?

"Mmm… well, fine for now. So Rio doesn't show any signs of dating any girls, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"No doubt. Rio only has eyes for Laura."

"O-only has eyes…"

Laura brought sweet coffee to her lips, her expression melting with embarrassment.

Indeed, there weren't many people as single-mindedly devoted as Rio.

Ever since falling for Laura back in their homeland, he'd continued feeling the same way without wavering.

And yet he was too timid to confess.

Come on, just get together already!

"Fren, have you gotten closer with Gil?"

Since this was a good opportunity, I decided to ask about my favorite ship's progress.

"With Gil-san? Why would you ask that…"

"Just tell me."

I pressed for an answer from the puzzled-looking Fren.

"It's the same as always. Gil-san and I are working well together as adventurer companions."

"Fren-chan, you've been fighting with Gil-kun less often lately, haven't you?"

"I've come to understand that he has his own way of thinking."

This ship intel was a godsend…

Having someone close to them notice the changes in their relationship was really nice. There are nutrients you can only get from absorbing information indirectly.

Fren had spoken as if it were nothing, but her deepening understanding of Gil was obvious.

At first she had disliked Gil's seemingly frivolous manner, but she must have come to realize that beneath it lay his own kind of earnestness.

Ahhh, getting such a massive dose of ship nutrients after so long—I'm completely satisfied.

"Phew, that hit the spot."

"Bloom-san, you haven't even finished eating yet…"

When I offered my thanks, Fren voiced her confusion.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

Two young people walked through the shopping district of the Imperial capital.

The two chatting casually—Rio and Laura—looked like a couple from the outside, but they themselves weren't aware of it.

And nobody noticed the OTP-obsessed stalker secretly tailing them from a distance.

Rio spotted a particular shop and drifted toward it.

"Hey Rio! We just bought bread, didn't we? Come on, let's go!"

"But Laura, doesn't this shop look delicious…?"

"What are you—oh, but it does look good actually."

Seeing the shop Rio was pointing at, Laura approached with interest.

The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from the shop, which had an attached bakery.

Even Laura, who held the purse strings tight, found her feet carrying her toward it.

"Oh, welcome. On a date?"

When the female shopkeeper greeted them, both of their faces turned red.

"I-it's not a date or anything… this guy and I are, like, childhood friends…"

"Oh my."

The shopkeeper smiled warmly at Laura's flustered excuses.

Rio also felt somehow embarrassed.

Just then, he thought he sensed a gaze from afar and looked behind him.

If he wasn't imagining it, he thought he'd also heard a mysterious "…!" sound.

There was no one looking their way in front of the shop. Maybe it was his imagination, he thought, refocusing.

—Having gained memories from parallel worlds, Rio had become more sensitive to presences than before.

However, he still failed to discover the stalker girl concealed in the alley.

"Rio, what's wrong?"

"No, nothing. So, which one do you want to buy, Laura?"

"Hmm, let me see…"

Laura, eyes sparkling, began looking at the bread-lined shelves.

Rio also peeked at the bread she was looking at from behind.

"Look at this! Doesn't the shape look kind of like a cat? Isn't it cute?"

"But it won't matter once you eat it, right?"

"Hey Rio! That's beside the point! Seriously, you've never understood things like charm or ambiance ever since we were kids."

"Come on…"

Their little squabble looked just like a happily married couple.

After going back and forth on various things, the two bought several pieces of bread and left the shop.

The female shopkeeper's gaze was so warm during checkout that Laura felt a bit embarrassed.

They began walking side by side through the streets again.

But Rio suddenly stopped, having noticed something.

"What is it, Rio?"

"… No, that shop's sign looked familiar somehow."

"Huh? … But that place just opened recently, didn't it?"

What Rio was looking at seemed to be a shop dealing in weapons.

It apparently wasn't open yet, with construction workers busily moving things inside.

"Oh, right… Sorry, never mind."

Realizing something, Rio waved his hand to say "don't worry about it."

But Laura watched him with concern.

"Could it be the memories from another world?"

"…"

Being called out, Rio fell silent for a moment.

He hadn't expected Laura to notice.

Lately, there were times when he couldn't tell if his memories belonged to his current self or a future alternate self.

Since awakening his Soullight, Rio had been repeatedly plagued by this phenomenon.

"Hey Rio. Has this been happening a lot lately?"

Laura's worried eyes looked up at him.

Rio's heart skipped a beat.

"You suddenly stopped and seemed to be thinking about something a little while ago too, right? And sometimes you talk like an adult… Have you been suffering from this the whole time?"

"No, it's really not a big deal…"

"Liar."

When pierced by Laura's straightforward gaze, Rio could never lie.

Call it the weakness of being in love. It was nearly impossible for him to hide anything from her.

"… I explained my Soullight to you before, right?"

Giving up with a sigh, Rio began to explain.

His expression was dark, completely different from the boy who'd been happily shopping moments before.

"Yeah, I didn't really get the parallel world stuff, but you said future versions of you lend you their strength, right?"

"That's right. Back then, memories from alternate-future versions of me came flooding in. They're all jumbled up with my current memories, and sometimes I can't tell which is which."

Rio's expression as he confessed was dark.

It could be called a crisis of self-identity.

Multiple Rioglens with different backgrounds, their memories all intermingled.

It felt like his continuous sense of 'self' was slowly crumbling away.

Such mental instability had become a problem bothering Rio lately.

"…"

Having heard his explanation, Laura couldn't fully grasp that sensation.

There was no way she could imagine the agony of having another person's memories inside you.

Even so, she could tell from his expression that he'd been shouldering that loneliness alone.

"—Rio."

—So she decided to be there for him.

Even if she couldn't understand his pain, she could stay by his side in his loneliness.

Laura clasped Rio's downcast hand in both of hers.

A large fist. A hand with sword calluses here and there. The strong hand that had always protected her.

She held that hand tight, as if to warm his cold fingertips with her own body heat.

"… Laura?"

"I'm here, always watching you, Rio. No matter what memories you have, no matter what powers you've awakened, I'm here watching you. So don't worry, okay?"

At that moment, Rio felt his mind clear.

What he'd been agonizing over suddenly seemed unimportant.

No matter who he was, the Riogren that Laura watched was him alone.

He alone had spent time with this Laura, bickered with her, supported each other through everything.

According to social psychology, 'self' is formed through relationships with others.

In other words, for Rio, being conscious again of Laura's existence as someone who had always watched him was an act of solidifying his 'self.'

Her palms wrapped around his hand were warm.

That warmth grounded him, making him acutely aware that he was right here, right now.

For a while, Rio simply stood there, enveloped in that comforting warmth.

"S-sorry, Rio. I did it myself, but…"

After a while, Laura hesitantly spoke up.

Looking closely, her face was as red as a boiled octopus.

"Could you maybe let go of my hand now?"

"Huh? … Oh!"

Coming to his senses, Rio jumped back.

The next moment, his face had turned as red as Laura's.

A sweet and sour atmosphere formed between them.

From somewhere far away, he thought he heard a sound like "…!"