LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14 - Bringing Home a Beautiful Girl
“When I approached, Charlotte turned around.
Right now, I inhabit the body and voice of Jinta Fushimi.
So, there’s no way Charlotte could know that I’m Ryuji.
However, instead of looking suspiciously at me, Charlotte widened her eyes in surprise.
First, I thought about how to prove that I am Ryuji, and I raised my right hand.
Then, we had an exchange that only we could understand.
“Ah, since it’s a reunion, is it better to do a high-five with both hands?”
“Ry… Ryuji? Is it really…?”
“Yeah, I’m back, partner.”
Charlotte pressed her face against my chest and cried like a child.
“I was reincarnated into the body of a high school student named Jinta Fushimi. So, that’s the story.”
“What do you mean ‘so’? You haven’t explained anything.”
While having lunch at a stylish cafe near the station, I told Charlotte the events leading up to this point.
“Well, you know, realizing that you don’t know anything is a little smart, isn’t it?”
“Well, whatever.”
“Why did you immediately realize that I was Ryuji?”
“Because of the way you looked at me.”
“Oh, well”
We continued our conversation, swallowing the things we wanted to say along with our drinks.
“So, you don’t plan to tell Shiori-san?”
“Yeah, because I don’t know when my soul will leave this body and ascend to heaven.”
“Is that really okay?”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to make Shiori experience the feeling of losing a loved one twice, and I want her to live her life freely without thinking about me. I’ve already sent the money she needs to live comfortably during my mercenary days.”
“I see. If that’s what Ryuji thinks, then it’s probably for the best.”
While twirling her pasta with her fork, Charlotte continued the conversation.
“What are you going to do from now on, Ryuji?”
“Well, I’m thinking… for now, I’ll explain the situation to the Fushimi family—”
“It might be better to avoid that.”
“Why?””
“After a moment of hesitation, Charlotte began to speak.
“Ryuji, do you remember our last mission?”
“Yeah, there’s no way I could forget it. It was the cause of my death.”
“I want you to try to remember. The old Soviet Mafia, we were supposed to launch a surprise attack on them, but they seemed strangely unprepared, even though we were both marked as bounties.”
“…”
“On the contrary, our separate squad, led by me and Oscar, encountered almost no enemies and easily reached the facility just before the main assault. They couldn’t react in time; there was no time to leak information to the Mafia.”
“Are you saying…”
“The climax was the missile’s self-destruct. I couldn’t hack it because it was being remotely controlled. They intended to eliminate all of us ‘SWORD’ members without leaving anyone behind.”
“So it was all set up?”
“Yes. Someone who saw ‘SWORD’ as a nuisance wanted to get rid of us. Thanks to Ryuji’s sacrifice, I was the only one who survived.”
Charlotte elegantly brushed her hair back, took a bite of pasta, and continued.
“So, Ryuji, you should continue to live as Jinta Fushimi as you have been. If the enemy finds out that the most troublesome one survived, they’ll eliminate you immediately.”
“…”
“Ryuji?”
“I see, there was a reason for my reincarnation.”
I chuckled with a wry smile, and Charlotte sighed.
“Are you planning for revenge?”
“Are you planning to stop me?”
“No, I’m planning to help. All of our precious comrades were killed because of that person. Originally, I intended to do it alone.”
I finished my third plate of curry and spoke to Charlotte.
“The enemy believes I’m dead for good. In this unremarkable high school student’s body, I’ll make them tremble in fear once again as ‘Invincible Dragon.'”
“Understood. I’ll gather information, so Ryuji, you continue to live as Jinta Fushimi and wait.”
After finishing our lunch, Charlotte and I headed to the cashier.
“Oh, Charlotte, I’m sorry. I got mugged, so I don’t have any money.”
I said this, and Charlotte gave me a puzzled look as if wondering, ‘What is this guy talking about?'”
“Mugged? Ryuji, you’re usually the one doing the mugging, right?”
“What do you take me for? If I’m dying, probably.”
“But if you look closely at Ryuji’s body, you can see bruises on his sleeves and such.”
“Yeah, that’s from getting beaten up. My whole body still hurts.”
“It’s unusual for Ryuji to be injured.”
While saying this, Charlotte took out her wallet.
“Fushimi was weak. He’s a social outcast, and he doesn’t have any good friends, let alone a girlfriend.”
As I said that, Charlotte dropped her wallet.
“Oh, I see! Ryuji doesn’t have a girlfriend right now!? I see!”
“Hey, you! You dropped your wallet!”
“Oh, I see… he doesn’t have a girlfriend… hehehe.”
For some reason, Charlotte continued to gaze at the ceiling with a blissful expression, still not picking up her wallet. Perhaps she found it amusing that I, an unpopular introvert, was now girlfriend-less. I sighed and collected all the scattered coins to pay the bill.
As we left the restaurant, Charlotte smiled at me.
“By the way, Ryuji, can you tell me the name of the person who beat you up? I’ll expose him as a popular gay porn actor in the LGBT community, reveal his address, and hack the phones of his entourage to expose all his crimes.”
“Charlotte… there’s no way I want you as my enemy.”
After calming Charlotte’s anger, we headed to a park. We sat on a bench, bought canned coffee with Charlotte’s money, and talked while drinking.
“Anyway, I’m staying at Ryuji’s house tonight.”
“Huh?”
“I want to meet Ryuji’s current family and get to know the inside of the house in case something happens.”
(Now that I think about it, he’s all alone now.)
If I stayed by his side, he might feel a bit more secure. As for sleeping arrangements… Well, I can sleep on the floor.
I sent a message through LINE to Fushimi’s mother.
“Today, a friend is staying over, is that alright?”
“I’m delighted that Jinta is bringing a friend home! I don’t have a night shift today, so I’ll cook a nice dinner!”
“Great, now onto my sister, who has the worst impression.”
“Can I have a friend stay over today?”
“Don’t joke with me. You’re bringing some creepy otaku or got threatened by delinquents, right? Absolutely, do not let them into the house.”
Things are going exceptionally well.
“Our family seems to be fine with it.”
“I see, that’s good.”
Charlotte quietly pumped her fist.
I doubt my family would ever expect me to bring a French beauty girl home.
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