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Chapter 70 – Second Time at the Dream’s Edge (1)

“It’s been a while.”

When I fell asleep and next became aware, a familiar voice echoed from somewhere.

Today is September 1st.

My body’s original owner was standing at the edge of my dream.
And I felt quietly relieved to see her appear again. 

After all, I always get a bit nervous when going to sleep on September 1st each year.

But just like she once said—that it would be several years later—tonight marks exactly four years since that first strange encounter.
And now, on September 1st, 1928, she’s returned once again to my dream.

This proves that my body’s original owner wasn’t lying.

The surroundings, just like last time, are ambiguous—it’s impossible to tell whether we’re indoors or outside.
The scenery, from floor to ceiling, is all a vague gray, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Then, just like before, something that seems to be my body—or at least connected to me—appears.
At first it manifests as a sphere in front of me. 

After a moment, it shifts into the form of an adult woman.

That form, just like last time, resembles a white 3D silhouette—a representation of the villainess Reika Hououin from the game “Tasogare no Ichizoku”. 

And it is also the form of my body’s current original owner.

When I think that in another seven or eight years I might look like that too, I can’t help but feel a little excited.
Her figure is tall and perfectly proportioned—curves where there should be curves, and slim where it counts. 

The ideal shape. 

On top of that, she has slender, long limbs and straight hair that reaches her waist.
A look every girl dreams of at least once.

It feels like the details are a bit sharper than last time, but maybe that’s just my memory from four years ago playing tricks on me.

Still, again this time, she has no face.
The only thing visible is a mouth that appears when she speaks. 

It’s pretty creepy, but since it’s the second time, I was able to stay composed in front of her.

“Ah, long time no see. Is it going to be brief again?”

“Is that really the first thing you say after four years? I lent you this body, you know. Don’t you think I deserve a bit more courtesy?”

The way she leans on the armrest of the sofa suits her so well that I almost forgot myself staring.
But I keep the conversation moving so I don’t fall into her rhythm.

“Uhh, would you actually be happy if I said something fake and polite?”

Saying that, she shows clear displeasure.

I can’t see her face, but I’m sure that’s the case.
Well, it seems like her personality hasn’t changed at all.

In that case, I decide it’s fine for me to act the same way I did before.

“Alright then, let’s get right to it. You don’t have much time, right?”

“That’s not exactly the case, but please go ahead.”

“Thanks. First off, what happened to this body until I reincarnated into it at age three? Were you the one inside it?”

At that, a flicker of hesitation appeared in her.

“What? Is it something hard to talk about?”

“No. I simply couldn’t go back to any time before September 1st, when she turned three. If I could have, I wouldn’t have let Father die.”

(I guess that makes sense. Of course.)

“…Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. As I said before, I believe this mysterious situation began, in part, because of my father’s death.”

Even though she’s talking about her father, she remains as calm as ever.
And just like last time, there’s something languid about her tone.

That unbothered way she sits gracefully on the spacious sofa—even when nothing’s happening—is just the same.

“Okay. Then for the next question—would it be possible for you to tell me more dreams or memories?”

“No, dreams are no longer possible. Let me see… aside from this dream, there’s one other thing I can share.”

“What is it?”

“Would you like me to tell you about the life I experienced?”

“Do you have time for that?”

“Yes. I have more of it than last time.”

“Oh, seriously? If I could hear about future historical events and wars, it would really boost the credibility of this weird situation!”

“Credibility? How rude. I won’t talk about it.”

She acts offended in that refined, aristocratic way, but her tone doesn’t actually carry any real anger.

That’s why I can respond just as casually.

“Ah, sorry, sorry. More importantly, what about the reverse? Do you want to hear what I’ve been doing over the past four years? Or do you already know everything?”

“Yes, I’ve more or less kept track. But as for your past life and what you’re doing now, I don’t have much interest in them. However, now that that woman has appeared, I’ll be watching closely.”

(She’s definitely going to start bossing me around—’Do this’ and ‘Don’t do that’.)

That’s what I thought, but there’s no point worrying about it now.
Actually, something just came to mind that I do want to ask.

I raise my hand slightly.

“Next question.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“After your second time repeating reincarnation or whatever, you always restarted from age three—is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So it’s not from sixteen?”

“Sixteen… Ah, you mean after that woman appeared? No, that’s never happened. If it did, I wouldn’t be able to prepare in advance for that woman, now would I?”

(So it’s not connected to the game? Still, wanting to deal with things ahead of time… I guess we all think the same.)

As I was starting to have a somewhat pointless line of thought, I realized that if I kept this up, she might start criticizing what I’ve been doing.
So I decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“R-right, that makes sense. So then, what else have you done with your repeated lives?”

“Hmm? Well, redoing life does get a bit boring, so I’ve tried a few different approaches here and there. Why do you ask?”

“Uh, so… you still retained all your knowledge of history and events, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Which is why it was boring.”

“You never thought about changing things? I mean, weren’t there things you could’ve done? Things you could have changed ahead of time?”

I realized my tone was getting a bit stronger.
And I knew that this frustration I was feeling wasn’t really fair.

Even I could tell my voice had a tinge of restraint to it.

But the person who owns this body didn’t seem to care about my attitude.
She remained as languid and indifferent as ever.

“What exactly do you think a child can do? Besides, I did everything I could think of, I’ll have you know.”

“I see… Sorry for saying something unnecessary.”

“No need to apologize, it’s quite all right. Now then, shall I begin by telling you how I eliminated that woman?”

“No, not that fruitless story. I mean, there are more important things, right? Like global affairs, what happened in the world, stuff about the war—there must be plenty of other things to talk about.”

When I shot back, she clearly didn’t take it well.
If she had a face, I’m pretty sure she’d be giving me a sharp glare right about now. 

Despite usually seeming lethargic, she clearly has deep resentment and obsession toward that woman—probably the protagonist of the game.

But after a few seconds, she let out a sigh and her tone softened.

“Is that really how one should speak when asking a favor? Well, it seems we have time to talk today, so I’ll tell you at my leisure. However, if it involves that woman, it won’t be something we can finish in one night. And as for world affairs… I wasn’t really interested in them, so I don’t know much in detail. But I was thoroughly taught about the wars at the time, so I’m quite knowledgeable in that area. Will that do?”

“Ah, yes. Please. Let’s start with the wars. And if there’s still time, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me what you remember about what’s going to happen next.”

“Understood.”

With that, still as languid as ever, the one who owns my body began to speak about the war.