← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

Lo and Behold, This Was the World of an Otome Game

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

An otome game world.

(I could handle a light novel, but it had to be that?!)

...It wasn't like I'd never played them before, but I might as well have.

Even when I did play games, they weren't otome games. They were usually action games starring a certain super-powered, mustache-sporting little middle-aged guy.

Even so.

Normally, if someone gets reincarnated or transported into a game world, aren't they supposed to be an expert on that game?

I didn't even get that whole "meeting God in a blank white void" routine.

I had plenty of complaints, but right now, I needed to gather as much info as possible.

With that in mind, I turned back toward the young girl.

「Lady Violet, was it? Am I correct in assuming you're a reincarnated soul from Japan? Do you happen to understand what's going on with this whole situation...?」

Reincarnation. Is this a light novel?! A game?! Or maybe a manga or an anime?! I mentally jabbed at myself as I spoke.

...It actually was a game!!

(You've got to be kidding me!?)

Judging by my dad's behavior, I figured it was "that kind of world," but I never imagined it was literally a fictional, manufactured setting.

This parallel world really was an otome game.

(Even though it hurts this much when I get hurt, or when my heart gets broken...)

Is it still just a fake world?

...Had this loop been repeating dozens, hundreds, countless times without me knowing? The thought sent a chill down my spine, but now wasn't the time to panic.

Seeing Magnolia look so deadly serious, Violet tilted her head.

(Huh... Magnolia probably didn't know this was the world of 'Min-Koi'... Is she just not a gamer? Or maybe she's from a generation that doesn't know about this stuff??)

「U-Um. My name is Sumire Kasuga. Back in Japan, I was in eighth grade. Right now, I'm Violet Rishua, a background character in 'Min-Koi', and I'm eight years old-ssu.」

「Eighth grade...」

Wow, she's so young...

(...She's less than half my age... Yeah, if I told her, "I'm around thirty. Actually, more like on the wrong side of thirty," she'd probably be totally freaked out...)

I let out a pathetic, dry chuckle. No, no, that's not the issue right now.

Sumire Kasuga apparently had a chronic illness from birth and spent most of her brief life in a hospital room. Despite all the treatments, her short life came to an end in her second year of middle school (probably, she said).

「I shouldn't take it lightly, but you really went through a lot...」

As Magnolia cast her eyes down sympathetically, Violet laughed it off with an "ahaha."

「Well, yeah. To be honest, there was plenty of pain and exhaustion, but right now I'm super healthy! Plus, I got reincarnated into my absolute favorite game world, so I'm doing great now-ssu.」

It seemed that after quietly (?) breathing her last, she woke up as a baby in this world and had lived as Violet Rishua ever since.

「I see... So you've had your memories ever since you were born?」

「That's right-ssu.」

***

Setting the actual details aside for a moment... is this bizarre, sports-club way of speaking supposed to be her attempt at polite language?

I recalled reading an article somewhere about how a lot of fresh corporate recruits made that exact mistake, so I decided to gently speak up.

「...We're the same age right now, so you can just speak casually, you know?」

「Seriously-ssu?! Thank goodness! I'm awful at polite speech.」

Violet waved her right hand, laughing out loud.

「...I figured as much.」

(...Yeah, because what you were using wasn't polite speech at all.) I muttered internally.

Brushing aside any petty corrections for now, Magnolia explained that she, too, seemed to have lived in Japan, though she had no memory of dying and couldn't recall any personal data like her name, aside from her gender and age.

Violet nodded along with intense interest.

「Hmm. So the reasons or conditions for coming here vary from person to person... Like, in light novels, the standard trope is getting wiped out by an accident or illness and then getting transported, right?」

Since the Japan Violet lived in shared the same concepts, Magnolia concluded that they probably hadn't lived in eras too far apart; they were likely from very similar time periods.

「Exactly. I have these faint, hazy fragments... of memories, I guess? But all I know is that I was an adult, I was a woman, and I lived in Japan. I don't know my cause of death—heck, I don't even know if I'm technically dead or alive.」

「Whoa! An adult?! You were a total grown-up!」

「...Well, yes. But we're the same age now, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't focus too much on that.」

Violet seemed suddenly tense upon realizing she was talking to someone older, so Magnolia laughed it off and moved the conversation along.

「Anyway, one morning when I was three, I woke up here... I didn't know if I'd been reincarnated, gone crazy, lived in some fantasy world, or if I was just dreaming... Personally, I spent a long time believing it was all a dream.」

Violet nodded in understanding.

「But even so, I've lived my life keeping up a mindset of 'just in case this happens to be reality.'」

「Ah, I get it~」 Violet said in her usual laid-back voice.

「Well, I didn't get the whole light-novel-style declaration from 'God' before coming here either, so honestly, I don't know if I'm in a coma or dead in the real world... But my body is healthy now, and since I got reborn in my absolute favorite game world, I guess I haven't really thought about anything besides enjoying life!」

In fact, she had been totally fired up to witness every single game event firsthand. ...To be perfectly honest, she probably hadn't given anything else a second thought.

That was why she had tagged along for the palace tour today, pretending to get lost so she could secretly spy on the tea party event. She had been absolutely thrilled to see the Prince (the main love interest), Gardinia (the primary villainess), Brian (the knight love interest), and Louis (the younger-brother-type love interest) all in one place.

...Normally, the Prime Minister, Gerald (the yandere, black-hearted love interest), should have been there too, but instead, there was some balding old guy who looked like a grandpa... Was that guy the current Prime Minister...?

For some reason, Magnolia (the secondary villainess) had acted completely out of character according to the game and tried to leave early, so Violet had hidden in the bushes and stalked her.

(Ah, that makes sense... It's not like every single person is going to love 'Min-Koi'. And Magnolia's early childhood must have been incredibly rough.)

In reality, the "Magnolia" standing before her looked exactly like she did in the game, but she wasn't mean or stupid at all; she was even showing consideration for someone she'd just met. She was completely different from her villainess character.

It finally clicked for Violet how brutal it must have been for Magnolia to be born into a family that treated her terribly without even understanding why. She couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if she had been in Magnolia's shoes...

Magnolia, for her part, was thinking how a middle school girl who got a healthy body and woke up in her favorite world must be absolutely over the moon.

「Anyway, I just want information on this world. If I were a minor background character like you, it wouldn't be an issue... But if I happen to be a major character... I want to peacefully avoid any outcomes that go against my wishes, especially anything threatening my life or livelihood.」

「Totally.」

Violet completely agreed. ...When she was playing the game, she used to think "serves you right!" when the wicked villainess got locked away in a convent. But that was only because it was a game.

If you were suddenly reincarnated out of the blue and told, "Hey, you're that character now, and this is real life," anyone would try their absolute hardest to avoid that fate.

...Besides, this Magnolia seemed totally different from the game version. She seemed like a properly put-together person. There was no way someone like her should be imprisoned for life.

In a way, even though they were strangers, they were fellow reincarnators. Violet already felt like they were friends. She let out an enthusiastic snort and gave a giant nod.

「Got it! I actually kept a notebook filled with everything I remember, hoping I'd get to nerd out with a fellow reincarnator someday, so I'll bring it over tomorrow! Your place is the Margrave family's townhouse, right?」

「O-Oh! Uh, thanks?本地」

...A notebook? Nerding out?? I was incredibly grateful, but still...

(Is she a hardcore fan?)

Between her sketchy behavior earlier and this, why did she give off such a distinct, enthusiastic geek vibe?

Right as they reached that point in the conversation, a voice calling out for Violet echoed from afar. Someone was probably looking for her out of worry.

「It's my mom! Okay, I've gotta run!」

Violet began to dash away in a panic, but Magnolia called after her, offering a suggestion after a moment's thought.

「I probably have a terrible reputation among the nobility, so I should introduce myself to your parent.」

「An introduction?」

Magnolia nodded to the puzzled Violet.

...Thanks to the whole debut fiasco, most of the nobility undoubtedly viewed Magnolia as some kind of monster. Overprotective parents would never let their child anywhere near her. Since it would be a huge pain to extract info or stay in touch down the line, buttering up the parent now was a smart move.

Magnolia explained to Gai that they'd become friends and she wanted to greet the girl's parent, so the three of them walked toward the voice. Once they came into view, a noblewoman who looked like Violet's mother came jogging over.

(Ah... Violet is genuinely loved and cared for. Good for her.)

Magnolia let out a small breath she'd been holding. She felt genuinely happy that Violet, who had suffered so much from poor health in her past life, could make a fresh, happy start in this world.

On the flip side, if Violet really had passed away as she assumed, it made Magnolia a bit melancholy to think about how devastated the family she left behind must have been.

The woman, who was currently hugging Violet, noticed Magnolia and stared at her curiously. Magnolia took a step forward.

「A pleasure to meet you. Am I speaking with the Viscountess Rishua?」

「Yes...?」

The woman gasped as she answered, taken aback by the sheer beauty of the child before her. Magnolia offered a sweet smile and bowed perfectly.

「My name is Magnolia Gilmore. I attended the palace tea party today, but I managed to lose my way on my return to the waiting room... Your daughter was kind enough to speak with me and guide me, which was an immense help. Thank you ever so much.」

「Wh-What?! Oh, no...」

The Viscountess's face stiffened upon hearing Magnolia's name, but as she realized the girl wasn't the hideous monster of the rumors—and was instead speaking eloquently and exhibiting flawless etiquette—the tension gradually drained from her shoulders.

(Perfect. Going out of my way to say hello was definitely the right call.)

It was crucial to nail the "fresh, reliable, and well-behaved" first impression. For adults met for the first time, deploying the standard Japanese job-interview persona at full blast was the only way to go.

「I grew rather fatigued, so she kept me company at the gazebo just over there... I am deeply sorry for causing you such worry as a result. Please do not scold your sweet daughter on my account, all right?」

As Magnolia prepared to bow her head further, the Viscountess spoke up in a panic. ...If word got out that a mere Viscountess had allowed a Marquess's daughter to bow to her, she would be the one getting dirty looks from society.

「Lady Magnolia, please think nothing of it! I am simply glad Violet could be of service... Shall we escort you back to your waiting room?」

「No, there is no need, as my attendant has already located me. Thank you kindly for your consideration.」

Magnolia flashed a dazzling, lovely smile that practically radiated like blooming flowers. The Viscountess caught her breath and waved her hands in a flurry.

Gai was trembling silently in the background, while Violet blinked her brown eyes in sheer awe at Magnolia's behavior, which was a far cry from her casual attitude just moments ago and entirely befitted a true noble lady.

(Wait, that older guy has been standing there the whole time! Man, she's incredibly smooth-tongued... or rather, sharp-witted... Her character is basically a completely different person right now!)

Magnolia quietly pressed on, adjusting her tone to sound modest and appealing.

「We were having such a lively chat just now, and I would love nothing more than to continue it... If you would permit it, I would like to extend an invitation to your daughter to visit our townhouse at a later date as a token of my gratitude. Since my stay here is brief, it is rather short notice... Would it be an imposition?」

Given the massive gap in social status, the Viscountess couldn't exactly say "yes, it is" even if she wanted to... but won over by Magnolia's completely unexpected demeanor, the naturally good-natured noblewoman shook her head vigorously.

「Not at all! We are honored by the offer!」

Magnolia smiled happily at the woman's response and turned her gaze back to Violet.

「Wonderful! In that case, Lady Violet, I shall send an invitation along shortly.」

「YES. I. SHALL. BE. WAITING.」

Reassured with a smile that carried a silent look of "you better be ready," Violet could only nod with a very complicated expression.

...Yeah, Mag-tan (the nickname players gave her) in this world was definitely a completely different person.

Watching the retreating backs of Magnolia and her accompanying older man as they headed for the waiting room, Violet couldn't help but feel that Magnolia would probably get through this life perfectly fine without any help from her.

*****

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby, please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.