"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 12
“I’m sorry! He’s really bad at talking!”
The vice-captain quickly steps in to cover for him.
Ah, I see. He’s extremely bad at talking.
Well, there are men in this world who are too shy to talk to women.
Like my old coworker from my past life, who was an obvious virgin!
When I look at his face, our eyes meet, and the captain hurriedly looks away.
Oh, hooo! He’s the real deal!
And right now, I’m just a seventeen-year-old girl, you know?
Is he the type who’s so focused on work that he has zero experience with women?
S-so cute!
Even though he’s someone important, my impression of him just skyrocketed.
“You said you wanted to thank her, right? Come on, you can do it.”
“I… I know. Lady Mai, thank you for saving my subordinate’s life.”
“N-not at all! I’m just glad I could help!”
Wow, he’s so polite!
For someone like me, just a daughter from a minor branch family, he actually came to meet me in person and even bowed his head.
…He’s the complete opposite of an idiot.
“………………”
“…………?”
His lips part slightly.
What is it? Does he have something else to say…?
I wait for a moment, but he looks away and presses his lips together tightly.
Huh? What’s going on? Now I’m really curious.
“Kouga.”
“Ah… I have a question…”
“Huh? Me?”
I repeat my words, and once again, his lips part slightly before closing again.
It looks like he’s choosing his words very carefully.
Has he had a bad experience where he hurt someone by saying the wrong thing?
If that’s the case—
“Captain Ichijou-no-Go, I understand you must be very busy, but if speaking is difficult for you, I would be happy to receive a letter instead. I already feel bad that you took time out of your busy schedule to visit today.”
For characters who are bad at speaking, writing letters is a classic alternative.
I suggest it, and he widens his eyes before giving a strong nod.
“That would be helpful. I’ll organize my questions and send them later.”
“Of course. I’ll be waiting.”
So he can handle formal discussions just fine, huh?
He really is adorable.
Even the vice-captain looks pleased.
I guess it’s tough being bad at talking.
Well! I used to be a guy in my past life, so I kinda get it! Leave it to me!
“In that case, we’ll take our leave for today. They say rushing things leads to failure, after all.”
“…? Ah… Yes…? I suppose so…?”
What is this vice-captain talking about?
I resist the urge to tilt my head and just nod vaguely.
In the end, they only stayed long enough to drink a cup of tea before leaving.
My father and I walked them to the gate and waited until they were out of sight before I let out a deep sigh.
“Haah… That was nerve-wracking. I wish someone from the main family had accompanied me… I’m worried I might have been rude.”
“It couldn’t be helped. Lord Kouga of the Ichijou-no-Go family is known for being uncomfortable around people. Meeting him in person, he was even worse at talking than I imagined.”
“You’re right. He seemed even worse at talking than you, Father.”
At that, my father gives me an extremely complicated look.
That expression means he knows it’s true.
With a stiff face, he simply says, “Let’s go home,” and I follow behind him.
“He might have taken a liking to you.”
“Huh?”
“I never expected you to have such strong spiritual power, enough to be recognized by the Special Task Force of the Exorcist Squad. And on top of that, you can make your own talismans…”
“I-I’m sorry… I never really understood it myself.”
“You should have at least talked to me about it.”
“Ugh…”
That was his way of getting back at me.
So petty!
“But having strong spiritual power is an advantage for marriage. I had given up on that, but you might actually get a good match because of it. We should have your spiritual power properly measured.”
“The last time I had it measured was in elementary school…”
“You were already born with more spiritual power than most. That’s why the Arisugawa family considered you for engagement back then. But if you’re strong enough to be recognized by the Ten Guardian Clans, that changes things.”
W-wait, what?!
So spiritual power is that important for life choices?!
Judging from my father’s expression, I can practically hear him thinking, Thank goodness you didn’t end up marrying that idiot from the Arisugawa family.
“I’ll go report this to the main family. You, change your clothes and lock up properly. If you can set up a barrier, do it.”
“Huh? Ah, y-yes…”
He’s never told me that before, but he looks serious.
The fact that just having visitors from the Ichijou-no-Go and Suzurugi families for a few minutes makes us need to be this cautious…
Following his instructions, I place protective talismans in four locations around the house, forming a square barrier.
To allow only my father to pass through, I attach a talisman to the gate, limiting entry to members of the Yuukisaka family.
Oh, I should add Mrs. Ito’s name too… Okay, done!
“But still… A new kimono after so long really lifts my mood~!”
I never found fashion all that interesting in my past life, but being a girl is fun!
The patterns, the shapes, the accessories, the colors… There are so many elements to mix and match!
Makeup and nail polish—well, in this era, they call it “colored nails”—also interest me.
And hairstyles!
Growing my hair takes effort, but using the ribbon my father gave me for my birthday to try different styles is pretty fun.
At school, though, I have to stick to a single braid because of the rules.
Still, long hair is kind of a hassle.
I was used to having short hair in my past life, so at first, it was such a pain.
And when I went to get it cut at a barber, they automatically assumed I meant just trimming the ends.
Apparently, women aren’t supposed to cut their hair short.
Even in things like this, you can see how men expect women to “be women.”
It’s like they want every woman to fit their ideal image of what a woman should be.
It’s fun, but at the same time, it feels a little suffocating.
And I don’t think that’s just because I was a guy in my past life.
“Sigh… If you look at it that way, that loose woman must really enjoy life. That’s one thing I’m kinda jealous of.”