episode_0255

Time passed, the unusually long and cold winter ended, and spring came.

Beautiful flowers were in full bloom on the bare tree branches, and the frozen streets were melting with the warmth of people.

As winter passed and spring came, it wasn’t just the names of the seasons and people that changed.

“Ha… . ha… .”

“Mite―!! Mite—!”

“Ugh, wow, mite-!! Mite-!!”

“Congratulations! You are beautiful twin princesses!”

The fruit of the love between Hermel and me evolved from a single cell into a beautiful life over a long period of time. How can I not laugh?

I smiled weakly as I looked at the two babies wrapped in swaddles and crying loudly, and the midwife, who was smiling happily, came up to me and carefully handed me the two babies.

“Here, hug me.”

“Ah… .”

I picked up the baby as gently as I could with trembling hands, and perhaps because the baby instinctively felt that it was in its mother’s arms, it stopped crying and became whimpering.

It felt like a thing of the distant past when I was screaming in such terrible pain that my entire body was drenched in cold sweat and my senses from the waist down were fading, and I felt endless happiness.

The midwife smiled and nodded, “Hehe,” then slightly lowered her head and approached.

“I’ll teach you how to breastfeed. There are different ways to feed twins.”

I nodded and learned the basics, starting with how to breastfeed, posture, and what to do after breastfeeding.

The midwife, who decided that she had explained everything, smiled, nodded, handed the potion, and stood up.

“Then I will be down, so if you need anything, please call me.”

The midwife left the room carrying a bucket and a cloth with blood on it. After drinking the potion to heal myself, I placed a large pillow on my knees and breastfed the two children in my arms.

At that time, Hermel, who was holding my hand next to me, stroked my head and smiled.

“You worked hard.”

The sense of reality that had disappeared from those warm words and the warmth I felt in my arms suddenly appeared and hit me.

As I was holding the child in a daze, I was so overcome with emotion at this false happiness that I bit my lip and nodded with difficulty.

“Yes… . thank you. For being by my side.”

“Being thankful is something I should definitely do.”

I laughed at those words and was about to open my mouth, but Hermel opened my mouth first by gently pinching my cheek.

“If you’re going to say that nothing in this world is taken for granted, then stop. Because this is really natural.”

“Phuhuh… . Arasher.”

When I answered with a smile, Hermel then smiled in satisfaction and gently stroked the head of the baby who was sitting next to me and breastfeeding.

“It’s really cute.”

“Okay then. Whose blood is this, of course it’s cute.”

“I guess it’s because I resemble Charles.”

“If you look like me, wouldn’t you be prettier than cute?”

Hermel’s eyes widened at my joke. You probably never imagined that I would make a joke like this.

“Just kidding.”

“I was a bit surprised because it was my first time seeing Charles make such a joke.”

Seeing Hermel looking at me with a confused expression, I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders.

I understand. This is the first time I’ve ever made a joke like this in over 100 years. Because the subconscious thought that ‘I am a man’ was embedded within me.

But is it possible for such unconsciousness to remain after falling in love, becoming pregnant, and giving birth?

After laughing for a moment while looking at Hermel, I looked down at the two babies and said.

“Anyway… . What should I name my children?”

“You keep putting it off and now you decide?”

“Ahaha. It was a little too late, though. hmm… . Actually, I wanted to choose a name after seeing the child’s face.”

“If that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”

Hermel folded his arms and nodded at what I said, then looked at the child and let out a nasal cry.

“Hmm… . A child with dark red hair reminds me of Charlotte, so the name Circe, which means the eagle, the symbol of the Rochelle family, was chosen――”

As I was quietly listening to see what kind of name would come out, a name that seemed like something that would cause big trouble because of love after I grew up came out, so I quickly opened my mouth.

“Something else than that.”

“Huh? Uh… . Which one?”

“Umm… . How about Eleha?”

“Eleha? Eleha la Rochelle… . Eleha Rey del Trueno… . oh. It’s really good. What does it mean?”

“I slightly twisted the word Rochelle, which was my family name, upside down. If it means… . Contrary to my family, which has fallen apart, I hope that it will grow strong and not collapse.”

As I spoke with a bitter smile, Hermel patted my shoulder and looked at the blond-haired child who was eagerly suckling.

“Then the boy with dark blond hair reverses the words of the Trueno Dynasty… . Write… . When I think about it, it’s a bit strange. Umm. What would be better… .”

“You can decide slowly. Because there is a lot of time.”

“Um.”

Hermel nodded and crossed his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and continued thinking, then nodded and opened his eyes.

“Ciel. Let’s go with Cielo. It means sky. It means to become a person who is higher and bigger than the Trueno dynasty, which means thunder.”

“Ahaha. To become someone greater than Hermel, you have to become a warrior, right?”

“Eleha must have suffered even more. To become a stronger person than Charles.”

I laughed at Hermel’s mischievous smile and shook my head.

Like this, I have two children… . She became the mother of Eleha and Cielo.

* * *

Becoming a mother was very, very difficult.

Regardless of whether it was day or night, if the child started crying, you had to get up and check on the child.

Is he crying because he went to the bathroom, is he hungry, is he in pain, or is he just crying because he wants to whine? .

There were countless reasons, but the only way to express them all was to burst into tears, so I had to check them all one by one.

With not one but two children to look after, it was really not enough for just one body.

“Um… .”

It was such a hectic time that the boundaries between day and night became meaningless and each day felt like a week, but even so, Hermel and I did not bring in a nanny, nor did we even talk about bringing one in.

Because it’s me and Hermel’s child. It was because we had a desire to raise them with our own hands and with our love――

“Phew… .”

I let out a long sigh, closed the diary I was reading, and chuckled.

“Hehe.”

okay. It was like that back then. I had a hard time.

I got up, put the diary back in place, then stretched and looked out the window.

Looking at where the sun rose, it was a little after 10 o’clock. In about two hours, it was time for Hermel and Eleha to return.

“If you want to eat on time when you return… . I guess I should prepare soon.”

I came out of the room, patted my back and headed to the kitchen. Since I ate a lot of stew, let’s prepare a barbecue today, even if it takes a lot of work.

okay. Let’s have a barbecue. Now that it’s spring and the weather has warmed up, it’s not a bad idea to go out and have a barbecue in the garden.

As I stood in front of the kitchen door, grinning at the idea that I thought was satisfying, I heard the light sound of a cutting board being tapped.

I stood there blinking at the sound, then smiled happily and went into the kitchen.

“Heung~Heung~”

Inside the kitchen, a child with mysterious gradient hair, blonde at the roots and turning red at the ends, was humming and diligently chopping the ingredients piled up next to him.

It could be dangerous to startle the child by talking to him while he was holding a knife, so I watched him quietly, holding my breath. When I saw the child put down the kitchen knife, I grinned and implicitly called the child’s name.

“Cielo.”

“Huh!? Uh, mom?”

The beautiful red-gold eyes that looked at me in surprise were shaking tremendously, as if they were quite surprised.

I didn’t do anything wrong so why am I so surprised? Oh, I was planning on giving you a surprise, but I was surprised because you got caught.

After making a quick decision, I smiled and said.

“You were cooking on behalf of your mom.”

“Ah, that… . huh… . I learned it from my mom, so in return… . ”

I approached Cielo, who kept looking at me, and hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead.

“Our Cielo is special. Think of your mom too.”

“Ehehe… . Well, I mean mom. I’ll make lunch today, so go in and rest!”

Pretending to nod, I quickly looked around the kitchen and smiled bitterly when I realized that the menu item Cielo was preparing was stew.

I guess we should have a barbecue next time.

“Then should I trust and leave it to Cielo?”

“Yes!”

“Hehe… . Okay, okay. If you need anything, please let me know.”

Cielo nodded repeatedly to what I said and pushed my back vigorously as if to tell me to come inside.

Of course, the push wasn’t very strong as it was the strength of a 14-year-old child, but I pretended to be pushed and got out of the kitchen.

I set up surveillance magic in the kitchen just in case, and smiled as I watched Cielo wandering around the kitchen preparing lunch.

“Really… . I wonder if it was that big… .”

It was great, but I smiled bitterly, feeling a little bitter. As Cielo said, I sat down at the table and waited for Hermel and Eleha.

Two hours of waiting for the two while constantly checking to see if Cielo was hurt or in danger. The front door opened and a lively and loud voice echoed through the mansion.

-Charle!!

-mom!!

“Really… . I don’t think anyone would say we’re of the same blood, but they look so similar.”

I got up from my seat with a grin and went to the main hall to greet Hermel and Eleha.

Hermel was organizing the fishing rod and the bucketful of fish he had caught.

“Are you here?”

As he smiled softly and said that, Eleha, a child who was the complete opposite of Cielo, with short red-haired hair that ended in blonde hair and golden-red eyes, ran up and hugged me.

“Mom!!”

“Be careful. Then I fall.”

As I was hugging Eleha and wiping away the soot that I didn’t know where it came from, Hermel, who was organizing the luggage, looked over and shouted.

“Ah! Eleha, you’re disgusting!! I tried to hug you first!!”

“My mother always hugs me first!! Give it to me today!”

“Suddenly, a guy who had no interest in fishing suddenly begged me to go fishing… ! You were planning this evil plan!!”

“Hehehe, I learned it from my mom!”

“Char, even you!?”

I chuckled at the two people making a fuss, shook my head and stroked Eleha’s head.

“There’s enough hugs for two people, so don’t fight.”

“Hehe. Yes!”

“Charles… !!”

At my words, Eleha hugged my waist tightly, and Hermel tried to approach me with an incredibly touched face.

I’m not planning to go anywhere without unpacking my luggage.

“First, pack your bags. Hugging comes later.”

“Ah… !”

With that one word, Hermel sank.

“By the way… . What about Cielo?”

“The answer is correct when you see that I came out to greet you, not the kitchen.”

“Ah! Today’s lunch was made by Cielo!?”

“Yes, that’s right. Eleha is smart.”

“Ehehehe.”

Hermel, who was organizing his luggage, shouted as he stroked Eleha’s head.

“Me, I’m smart too! I’m just late in telling you because I was packing up my luggage!”

“Okay. Hermel is smart too. Okay?”

“The standards are strict only for me!”

Hermel said that and laughed, and I also laughed when I saw Hermel like that. I laughed because I knew it was all a joke anyway.

At that time, Cielo’s voice was heard from the kitchen.

―I’m ready~!!!

“Did you hear that?”

The two nodded vigorously at my words, and the three of us headed to the restaurant.

On the table in the restaurant there was stew, bread, and a few side dishes that I don’t know when it was prepared like this. They all looked appetizing.

“Wow! Sounds delicious!!”

“Oh. Surprisingly, it’s authentic.”

“Hehe… . I taught you.”

And next to the table, Cielo, wearing an apron larger than her body, was standing with a bright smile on her face.

Hermel, seeing Cielo like that, went straight to Cielo and roughly stroked Cielo’s head.

“Ciel! This amazing guy! Good job!”

“Hehe. thank you. Mother.”

Hermel must have thought that the shy Cielo was really cute, so he kept praising him, hugging him, kissing his cheek, and stroking his hair… . It was very chaotic.

I thought it wouldn’t end for a while if I left it like this, so I intervened at the right time.

“Now. Since everyone is probably hungry, should we eat first?”

At my words, the three people looked at me at the same time and nodded vigorously.

“”Yes!””

“Yes!”

The four of us sat down and raised our spoons with a simple thank you, ‘I will eat well.’

The stew I ate that day tasted like spring.

The taste of happiness was so full that it left my mouth.

It was spring.

* * *

Became a villainess in the game (complete)

BONUS: prologue New beginning, new mindset

As a man, I was possessed as a villainess in the game.

Suddenly you wonder what that noise is. I still don’t quite understand it either.

The experience of a man who opened his eyes and became a woman was an imaginary story that only existed in comics, movies, or novels.

… Well, there is a possibility that a rich man from a dark world with unusual sexual desires kidnapped me and sent me to Thailand to make him a woman, but that is a story that is no different from fiction, so let’s just skip it.

“Lady, it’s time to wake up.”

There was no warning. To be exact, there was nothing that corresponded to the commonly mentioned clichés.

First of all, I’ve never played that game. This naturally leads to the fact that they didn’t even leave a review. However, I have never criticized the game company. Because it wasn’t a company that made games of my taste to begin with.

All I did was stare blankly at the screen where my favorite streamer was playing. That was really all there was to it.

I have never felt attracted to that worldview, nor have I ever become immersed in a single character. It was just a good game to watch and clear your brain, so I just watched it blankly because I didn’t have to think about it while playing.

Because it was a streamer’s broadcast that I usually enjoy watching. So I just watched it in silence even though it was a female-oriented game that wasn’t my type, and it was a game that had nothing to do with me.

It was that kind of game.

“I’m going to tighten the corset, so hold your stomach tight, lady.”

At first, I was shocked by the surrounding scenery that changed 180 degrees overnight.

While I was not able to adapt to the change in my surroundings, people started calling me, a man, “lady” and forced me to wear a corset and even dresses. Any normal person would be surprised. Even if it’s not me.

I couldn’t just sit still and wonder what was going on. When you first tighten the corset, the pain of your lower ribs snapping in half as if they were going to break is…

“I will tighten it.”

“Qu… !”

I’m still going through it, but I couldn’t get used to it, really.

So I started swearing without realizing it, and then someone I had never met looked at me and said, ‘Don’t use vulgar language, young lady.’ At that time, it was really… . I was so shocked that I thought my lungs were going to collapse.

“It’s done.”

But that’s all a thing of the past. I’m used to it now.

… Except the corset.

The mirror reflected the image of a girl with white hair and bright red eyes with a disapproving expression.

And that girl is me. Originally, my hair was red, but at some point it started to turn white. Maybe it’s because of stress.

“I will do your makeup for you.”

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the feeling of the brush grazing my face.

This is already the eleventh and seventh regression. I’m probably getting used to it now, but it’s still a little awkward. I’m a man. Because that firm ego rejected this action itself.

Maybe it’s just a reactionary mentality.

But I couldn’t express it outwardly. Getting dressed in a dress, tightening a corset, and putting on makeup. I hate everything, but even if I say I don’t like it and go on a rampage, there’s no coming back.

The story leaked.

“It’s all over. The meal is ready, so please come down, lady.”

I possessed myself as the final boss of Chapter 1 of an otome game called [Blooming Under the Moonlight], a rare villainess character who cannot survive no matter which route she takes.

When she was first possessed, she did not know what was going on, so she tried to protect her. However, she was stripped of her position as heir due to her low standards, and resisted like crazy when she was told that she would marry him off as the wife of another count. However, she was beaten to death by the hands of the head of the family, who was enraged by the indecency.

“Good morning. Father, mother.”

“Yes.”

“Good morning, Charlotte.”

During the first regression, she was unable to overcome the shock of death she experienced in the previous episode and locked herself in her room, refusing water and food. She was forcibly taken out and married off.

I didn’t resist because I knew that if I resisted, I would die, but this time, my body became so weak that I fell ill soon after I got married.

“Let’s eat.”

During the second regression, I spent as much time as possible trying to figure out what had happened.

And after reaching the appropriate age and entering the academy, I encountered the real protagonist of this game and found out that this game was called [Blooming Under the Moonlight] and that I had been possessed as the game’s villainous character.

Because I knew what kind of end the villainess in this game would suffer, I tried to avoid getting involved with the main character as much as possible, but the world wasn’t so kind. In the end, I was stabbed in the back by the handmaid I trusted the most and died.

reason? This is because the foolish maid fell for the treacherous tongue of her foolish younger brother, who was aiming for the position of heir and promised that if she followed him, she could become the mistress of the duchy.

“A famous tutor from the royal capital is coming to visit you today, so make sure you prepare thoroughly, Charlotte.”

“Yes, father. I won’t disappoint you.”

“Yes.”

During the third regression, I just thought I didn’t want to die. I followed the story vaguely left in my head, doing my best to the main character and main targets, and setting up an iron wall against those who were hostile to me.

But it was no use. I was called a hypocrite by those who were hostile to me, pretentious, uncaring about others, and just as there were few people who could say B if dozens of people said A, the protagonist and his companions were also reluctant to me and stayed away from me.

And in the end, I died after being hit on the head by a flower pot dropped by a junior at the academy who was jealous of me.

“Oh, did you hear that story? The story is that a boy was born to Marquis Zenas.”

“There will be a lot of trouble over the position of successor.”

During the fourth regression, he treated everyone kindly. I always smiled and did good deeds so as not to give anyone the opportunity to betray me from the beginning. It was a hypocrisy that started with the desire to just live, but it was the best at the time.

Fortunately, no one was hostile to me this time, and I was happy that I could somehow survive in this trashy world. That too for a while.

The head of the family said that I, who had a gentle and kind image, was not suitable for the position of a duke, who had to be cold-hearted at all times, so I entered into an arranged marriage with another family. She laughed and jumped off the cliff, thinking that she would rather die than be hugged by a man.

“It was a good meal. Father, may I go up first to prepare for class?”

“Okay. Go up and see.”

The fifth return, he was going along well, but was manipulated by the rebels, and at the end of it, he was hanged naked. Personally, it was the most miserable death.

sixth. Thinking that this was all because of the main character, I was so anxious that I could not kill the main character like the villainess in the original work that I was poisoned by my personal maid who became friends with the main character.

Seventh. I emptied my mind and lived a moderate life with the thought that whatever would happen would happen, but before I knew it, I got caught up in a political fight and was assassinated. Honestly, this was the longest I lived.

eighth. This time, I struggled to somehow change my miserable fate. I hated wearing dresses and skirts so much that I confronted the king, tried to somehow change my perception, and tried to change the world.

but. He died then too. The king, who felt threatened because I was talking too hard, threw me in prison with the absurd reason that I was inciting a civil war, and I died there.

“Miss, your steps are unsteady.”

“Thank you. I felt a little dizzy because the corset prevented blood flow.”

Ninth too. The tenth too. eleven. twelve. thirteen. fourteen. The fifteenth and sixteenth.

I have experienced quite a few deaths. I’ve done quite a few things. I have lived a good life, and I have lived a life without any thought. I lived harder than anyone else and achieved more outstanding achievements than anyone else. I foolishly tried to commit suicide, and was even reduced to ashes by the flames of rebellion.

I did my best. I did my best. In the end, I died. It was as if the world wanted me dead, no matter what I did, I died.

So I changed my mind.

“That’s why. Sarah.”

“Yes?”

I will not bend.

She is not simply called a villain and an idiot. I will become a great person who has achieved feats that no one can surpass.

A good person who denies evil deeds and pursues the right path, a hero with an unbreakable will no matter what happens, and a saint like light shining in the darkness.

Even if I lose my life, I will become someone who can be confident in the face of death.

“… … Nothing. Forget it.”

I looked at my maid, Sarah, with a mischievous smile that could not be attributed to a young lady.

Eyes full of doubt pierced me. I shook my head, looking into eyes full of doubt.

The child who was closest to me, but who betrayed me first.

First of all, I will make you on my side.

BONUS: (New series) TS’s next work!

Excluding April Fool’s Day, it’s been almost a year. It’s been such a long time since I last saw you.

It’s no different than that I started writing TS’s new work, so I came here to promote it.

I didn’t intentionally promote the other works because they weren’t TS, but this new work is a TS that I had put down for a while, so I came here to promote it in hopes that it would be a small gift to those who have watched TS in the past.

You, the hero, and I, the monster

This is a novel that tells the story of a protagonist who becomes a monster and a childhood friend who becomes a hero.

There isn’t much I’ve shown you yet, but there’s a lot I want to show you in the future!

If you’re interested, give it a try!

thank you!

BONUS: Dream in a dream

――♩

I woke up trembling at the sound of the bell so loud that it tingled my ears.

In a daze, I blinked slowly and yawned.

‘Something… . I feel like I had a really long dream.’

As I traced my vague dream, I placed my palm on my forehead as I felt my head pounding.

It was the kind of headache you get from sleeping too long.

oh my god… . How long have you been sleeping… ?

With my head pounding, I closed my eyes and slowly cleared my mind.

“Umm… .”

I don’t really remember what the dream was, but it was really nice… . good… ?

Hmm, that’s ambiguous… . Sometimes it seems good, sometimes it seems bad… .

In terms of proportion, it seemed closer to the nightmare, but in the end, it seemed like it was good… .

I tried really hard to think, but in the end I couldn’t come up with anything.

It is said that people usually forget their dreams when they wake up, but there were many parts that were a bit unclear for that to be true.

What’s so unclear?

First of all, I don’t really remember anything about the dream.

It feels like all the good and bad feelings remain, and the rest of the memories have completely disappeared… ?

The resolution continued to drop, and in the end, only 2-bit dots remained, so it felt like I could barely distinguish colors.

Even if it’s a dream, at least one or two impactful scenes will remain in your memory, so how can you not remember anything? ?

Did I really have a dream?

No, if it was just a dream, I wouldn’t be able to forget it.

Anyway, that’s the first reason and then… .

“Charles!”

Just as I was about to think a little more deeply, I trembled and opened my eyes when I heard a strong voice calling me.

Before even confirming the owner of the voice, wow! I was startled for a moment by the feeling of being hugged from behind, but smiled vaguely at the familiar warmth and tilted my head back slightly to press our cheeks together.

“I was surprised. When did you come?”

“Hihi, I just arrived.”

The sound of flawless laughter also made me feel better.

Feeling a tingling sensation in my chest, I looked into the distance for a moment and then leaned my head on Hermel’s arm wrapped around my shoulder.

Although it was familiar, it felt somewhat awkward.

Before I could reflect on that strange feeling, Hermel released his arms and jumped up.

“Ah! That’s right, it’s our next mobility class! I almost forgot to say it!”

“Mobile classes? Ah, for some reason there was no one in the class. Could it be that everyone moved except me?”

Is this bullying or something?

I didn’t feel particularly bad, but Hermel seemed to have a different opinion than me.

“That’s right. Bad guys. I don’t know why they only do this with Charles.”

“Hehe, it’s okay. Because I have Hermel.”

“Ugh, hmm… . Who do you think would be happy to say something like that?”

“Even though you say that, the smile doesn’t disappear from your face?”

“Hehe… . I got caught.”

Hermel and I looked at each other and smiled.

Suddenly I turned my head and looked at the clock, it was already 12:07.

“Ah, there are 3 minutes left until recess. If I don’t go quickly, I’ll be late.”

“Already!? Let’s go quickly!”

“What class was next?”

“It’s Teacher Emo’s class! music! It’s the 5th floor, so you have to run!”

There’s no need to run, right? ?

I had that thought in the back of my head, but my body was already racing along with Hermel.

And as soon as I left the hallway and started climbing the stairs, I realized something.

Ah, our classroom was on the second floor. For some reason, he asked me to run.

What should I say about the music room that I worked so hard to arrive at… . It looked a little far from ordinary.

I would say it has a slightly religious flavor. Above the blackboard, there is usually a national flag, a lesson, or a clock, but instead there was a cross.

‘Was Teacher Emo a Christian?’

“Thank goodness… . after… . Came in with 1 minute left… .”

I turned to the side at the sound of excited breathing coming from next to me.

Hermel, who had sprinted from the 2nd to the 5th floor, was catching his breath and sweating profusely.

“Are you okay? Would you like some water?”

“Ah, thank you… !”

It seems like my throat has burned quite a bit. How can you empty an entire bucket of water without taking a single breath?

As I was looking at Hermel with the eyes of seeing something rare, Hermel ended up emptying the entire bottle of water and placed it on the desk with a loud bang.

“Fha! Huh, I really thought I was going to die from lack of breath.”

“Hehehe, then you should have taken a breath and drank. You don’t have to drink it all at once.”

“Tsk tsk. It’s because Charles doesn’t know anything. When something like this happens, you feel your lungs shrinking all at once! And you have to drink it!”

“I see. Hermel is very knowledgeable.”

He smiled and wiped the water droplets on Hermel’s chin with a handkerchief.

As a courtesy, I also wipe the area around my mouth.

Hermel made a mmm sound and gently opened his mouth.

When I wiped everything off and put my hand down, Hermel looked at me and blinked.

“By the way, isn’t Charles even out of breath? He ran just like me, but somehow he looks finer than me.”

“Well, this distance is nothing.”

“There’s nothing Charles can’t do.”

That’s because there’s nothing I can’t do.

I silently swallowed the words I almost said without thinking and smiled faintly.

Just as Hermel was about to open his mouth to raise the topic again, the front door opened and Teacher Emo Theodora came in.

Teacher Emo is almost the only foreign teacher in our school, and he has blonde hair.

Of course, there were a few other features that stood out other than the hair.

The point is that he walks around with his eyes closed, and that he wears a rosary around his neck that is as big as his prominent chest.

Oh, when it comes to the Rosary, it’s not Christianity, it’s Catholicism.

No. Since Catholicism is part of the Christian sect, it is not a big deal.

“Hello. everyone. How was your day today?”

While I was thinking that, the class started with teacher Emo’s greeting.

Today’s class was uneventful. It was a 10-minute theory class and a class where each student presented the instrument they were most confident in.

I wondered why Hermel was calmly attending class, but he suddenly brought up an unexpected topic.

“I want to be like that too… .”

Since I was sitting right next to him, I couldn’t hear him, so I naturally listened.

I want to be like that. What are you talking about?

“What do you want to happen?”

“Blonde walls with big tits. Even his skin is very white. Of course I want to be like you.”

“Hermel also has blonde hair.”

“Huh?”

I blinked at Hermel, who was looking at me as if asking what I was talking about.

Bright yellow golden eyes, like those of a cat, shined on me.

“Ah, did you mean you wanted to make your breasts bigger?”

“… what. Are you surprised that I’m already big?”

“What do you think? I also like Hermel’s small breasts.”

Hermel looked sullen at my words and poked my chest with his finger.

I don’t know why you’re so jealous of a lump of fat that’s nothing. I smiled bitterly and gently poked him.

“There, those two people talking behind the scenes? If you have so much to say, should you two stop whispering and come forward and play the instrument you are confident in?”

“Ah.”

Hermel, who was poking his chest, trembled and sighed.

This is because the eyes of the classmates who were taking the class together focused on Teacher Emo’s words.

It’s even more strange that there was no aggro despite making this much noise.

I smiled bitterly and got up from my seat, and Hermel looked at me and Teacher Emo’s gaze and got restless, then got up and followed after me.

As Hermel and I walked forward, we heard exclamations of “Oh!” from those around us.

Of course, that exclamation was full of ridicule and contempt, not expectation or response.

It was something I could get used to by now, but I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“Uh… . I really didn’t expect it to come out… .”

“Shall we go back in?”

“Oh, no. ruler. There are instruments here, so you can choose the instrument you like and play it.”

As I smiled faintly at the teacher who responded well and was thinking about which instrument to choose, Hermel tapped my shoulder.

Shaka Shaka, there was a sound.

“I want to do this!”

“Maracas. Is it cute?”

“Nihihi. What are you going to do with Charles?”

“That’s right… . Why not play the piano?”

After we started playing like that, Hermel and I played together for the first time in a long time.

I don’t know if the piano and maracas performance could be called an ensemble, but it was clear that both Hermel and I were enjoying this moment.

When I finished playing and opened my eyes again, there was no one left in the classroom except Hermel and me.

No, there was no one in this classroom from the beginning.

Damn it――

I heard the sound of something breaking in my chest.

When I looked down, I saw that the ruby embedded in the bird-shaped brooch was completely broken into pieces.

“――As expected, it was a dream.”

Such an ordinary life… . No, it wasn’t a normal life considering I was being bullied, but it was a satisfying dream.

As I stood up with a grin, Hermel, who had suddenly become taller than me, held a maracas in one hand and shook it lightly.

“Did you like it?”

“Hehe. It was a good dream. My own hero.”

“Then I’m glad.”

Well, it’s time to wake up from the dream.

As Hermel said that, he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me lightly.

Rustling… .

“… Umm.”

When I opened my eyes, the familiar structure of the room came into view.

It was the room where Hermel was always with me.

As I was looking around blankly, I could see the back of Hermel, who was busy getting ready to go out, wondering what he had been doing since morning.

What about Hermel? He made a sound and turned towards me.

“Ah, are you awake? I woke up early today.”

“Hermel.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Would you like to learn an instrument?”

“… Huh?”

Seeing Hermel looking at me as if asking what I was talking about, I laughed and shook my head.

“No, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“It’s nothing.”

After all, reality is better than a dream.