"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 6

The “Ten Guardians” in the inland region refer to the five families: Ichijou-no-Go, Nijou-no-Go, Sanjou-no-Go, Shijou-no-Go, and Gojou-no-Go.

And their main families, or even their higher-ranking religious families!?

I have a classmate, Taiki Shijou, who belongs to one of the families. But he’s engaged to Sayuri Rikujou, and since I just had my engagement canceled, it would be too difficult to approach him. I’ve never even spoken to Sayuri!

Sayuri is the cool, beautiful type who doesn’t really speak to other women, either. She’s just intimidating!!

But I wonder if this is my only choice? Should I take my paper and examples of spiritual charms tomorrow, approach her, and ask for her understanding of my research?

No, but she did make a sarcastic remark about me not doing “bride training” when she could hear, didn’t she?

I didn’t do any “bride training,” I was too busy studying spiritual techniques and charms!

“At least I don’t have any connections to the main families, nor does the Kuujo family. You should finish your research, write a paper, and show it to a professor of spiritual techniques. If they’re interested, maybe something will come of it.”

“Okay, I understand. I will try writing it.”

“I don’t have the power to send you to university. You’ll have to make your own connections while you’re there.”

“…Yes.”

It must be frustrating for my father to admit he doesn’t have the means to help me. I pretended not to notice the way his fingers dug into his arms.

It’s hard for me to apologize for making him say that.

The compensation for this broken engagement won’t even be enough to pay for my university. It’ll probably just go towards paying off the high school debts we owe to the main family.

“Um, what about the house… Are we going to move out?”

“Yes. We managed to keep it until your graduation because of the discussion, but honestly, I don’t think Lord You will stop at that. We don’t know what will happen, so it’s best to pack up. Even if we get the compensation, we still owe double that amount to the main family. We’ve been using their money to pay off your mother’s debt.”

“How much do we still owe?”

“If we use the full amount from the engagement cancellation compensation, we’ll pay off half. If we sell this house to the main family, it’ll be fully paid. That would be enough to rent a small house.”

“I see…”

I understand now, my father planned to sell this house once I was married, pay off our debts, and move into a place with help from the main family. The Arisugawa family has money, so we were expecting some aid.

That plan is ruined now.

On one hand, it’s lucky I don’t have to marry that idiot, but my dream of researching useful spiritual techniques and charms is impossible under these circumstances!

It’s infuriating to think about the debts my mother left behind, including the ones she made when running away. They’re double what my university costs would’ve been. She ran off with the family money and sold our furniture, and still needed that much money?

Was she buying a house or something?

Even so, that’s still too much money.

If she’s living happily with the money now, I can’t even express how mad I am.

Since she left, neither my father nor I have bought a new pair of sandals or a kimono.

“I don’t know if your research will have any real meaning. I’m just an old-fashioned man. But I won’t stop you if you think it’s right to study. Just know, right now, I can’t give you what you want. I don’t have the power to do so. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes… I understand.”

I have to accept that I’ll have to give up on my dreams and focus on a more realistic future.

My father’s words are harsh, but I understand. As someone who worked in the real world in my past life, I know that what you want to do and what you can actually do are not the same.

It would be wonderful if we could just do what we love, but in reality, we can’t live only by doing what we love.

We don’t have money, time, or any other resources to force our way through.

I know that already. I understood that, which is why I accepted the engagement to that idiot.

So it’s not like it’s too late for me now, father.

I understand perfectly well.

It’s hard to see my father looking so disappointed, even though his face is blank. I’m not close enough to just pat his shoulder and say “It’s okay!” So, I try to smile and say, “I’m fine,” but that only deepens the frown on his face.

Maybe it seems like I’m trying too hard to be strong?

Since I’m living my second life with my memories and heart still as a man, acting as the daughter of the Yuukizaka family is probably strange for me by now.

But if that’s the case, is a job at the Barrier Management Bureau the most realistic option?

Maybe I should research it tomorrow at the library.

Or should I try my luck with Sayuri?

Well, I might as well try everything I can and see what happens.

I’ll make a protective charm and go talk to Sayuri tomorrow to see if she’s interested.