"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 17

Since then, every time I see that scumbag, my body tenses up a little.

I’m okay because I’m a tough guy, but for a delicate young lady who was raised like a flower in a box, it would be terrifying to the point of not being able to go outside.

I can understand why Amagasaki-san would want the “Self-Defense” talisman.

Since that incident, I’ve also been wearing the “Self-Defense” talisman, folded lengthwise, around my arm.

But, I can’t let this stop me from graduating!

It feels like I’ve lost to that scumbag!

“Do you still want to attend school like this?”

“Y-yes! If I take a leave of absence now, it would feel like I gave in to that sc… no, to my former fiancé’s violence, and I don’t want that!”

I answered firmly, and both my dad and Kouga-san looked at me in surprise.

I can’t lose here.

I won’t lose to that scumbag!

To show my resolve, I roll up my sleeve.

“And look at this! I’m wearing the “Self-Defense” talisman around my wrist! If I’m attacked again, this talisman will automatically trap the attacker inside a simple barrier for 30 seconds! During that time, I can escape with no problem! And after the last incident, my classmates and teachers are all concerned. The boys in class even promised to protect me if they see my former fiancé in the hallway. So, I’ll be fine!”

I keep talking, hoping they’ll let me finish school. After all, I’m going to school with money I borrowed from the family.

I don’t want to waste the effort my dad put into lowering his head.

So please, let me finish.

“You’re strong,” my dad says.

“Huh?”

“I never thought I’d feel this way toward a girl younger than me. If that’s the case, then you should go to school until the end. With my name, no one will do anything or say anything to you from most families. How about it, Mai?”

He says this again.

Marriage… or engagement, right?

“Well, of course—”

“Oh, no… I’m sorry. I haven’t been considerate. My family will formally make a proposal, and I want you to respond.”

“Eh… um…”

It’s like saying “Okay, I accept,” but marriage is about the connection between families.

If we’re going to get engaged, it’s necessary for both families to discuss it, and normally, it’s the man’s family who proposes.

Even though the engagement might be for the purpose of spiritual power, I’m genuinely happy that Kouga-san is okay with marrying me.

“Then… well…”

Kouga-san’s eyes start to wander.

After exchanging a glance with my dad, I stare at Kouga-san.

No, am I observing him?

It seems like he wants to say something, but his words are stuck.

The air isn’t bad, but it’s clear he’s about to say something and then gets tongue-tied, which is kind of…

“Oh, that’s right. Please wait a moment.”

“Mai! Don’t just leave your seat when there’s a guest!”

I go to my room, take out a piece of paper I had prepared for the talisman, and return to the living room.

My dad makes a subtle face, but I sit down and start constructing a spell in my head.

I channel my spiritual power into the paper for the talisman.

I’ve learned that Japanese paper, with its fine fibers, is perfect for creating talismans.

It accepts the spiritual energy very smoothly.

Once the words written with a faint light blue glow settle on the paper as if they were written in black ink, the talisman is complete.

“Here, please use this.”

“…What is this?”

“This is a talisman that allows you to communicate your thoughts without speaking. By channeling your thoughts into the talisman, you can send them to someone who holds the other talisman.”

The model for this talisman, of course, is the “cell phone” from my past life.

If you just send your thoughts endlessly, no one will be happy, so by setting the other person’s talisman, you can communicate your thoughts without speaking!

If there are any issues or improvements needed, I’m sure Kouga-san will tell me precisely.

When I look at his face, he’s wide-eyed in shock.

Oh… his reaction is different than I expected?

“This… is it possible to mass-produce these? Also, can you specify the recipient?”

“Uh, well… mass production isn’t… that hard. As for specifying the recipient, it’s not difficult as long as you input the information in your mind.”

“Unbelievable. To write such detailed instructions for a talisman on a single piece of paper… I can see now that you truly understand how to use talismans in everyday life. With your abilities, you should be able to do this.”

“Eh? Uh… y-yes…?”

I don’t fully understand, but I think I was complimented.

Anyone can use talismans if they have spiritual energy, but most spiritual arts are powerful and activate immediately.

The structure of these words, or spells, comes from my past life as a programmer.

When I reincarnated into the body of Yuukizaka Mai, I thought, “Hey, I can use my past knowledge to dominate this world!” But it turned out that society here was all about “women walking behind men” and “women supporting men.”

I got really hooked on learning about spiritual arts and talismans because they didn’t exist in my past life, and I thought I could apply my skills.

But in the end, my life here was far from what I imagined it would be.

To live as a woman in this world… I’ve had to give up on studying and researching things I wanted to pursue.

And I had resigned myself to that reality.