The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Ten days later, I was in the central plaza of Mataisa.

According to what I heard from Lilith, many knights and adventurers received rewards for this recent incident.

Among the adventurers, "Undersea" stood out particularly. Their leader, Rusty, was granted a small territory and promoted from an honorary title to an official count. The other members also had their honorary titles raised by one rank.

The award ceremony had already ended, and the Kingdom of Mataisa had returned to normalcy as if nothing had happened. The dungeon and the royal castle were mostly back to normal... though not entirely, but at least there was no impact on the citizens' lives.

King Bured apparently wanted to give us rewards too, but I firmly refused through Lilith. There was a similar inquiry from the Adventurers' Guild, but Elen and the others replied that being able to level up was the best reward, which left Camlock exasperated.

As the commotion had died down, I thought I could finally visit Mataisa casually, so I came to the central plaza after a long time.

It was dusk. At this hour, a crowd always forms in the plaza.

The audience's purpose is, of course, to see the dancer Nichika.

Nichika dances lightly to the lute music played by Suimoku. Today is different from usual, with children dancing freely around Nichika. Even the children who were watching join in, one after another. As more and more children dance, Nichika dances like a butterfly flying in a flower field.

As Suimoku picks up the pace, the audience's clapping becomes one, heating up the atmosphere. As the sun sets and Nichika's hair sticks to her forehead with sweat, there's an even bigger surge of excitement before reaching the finale.

"Bravo! Bravo!"

Tips fly from the audience, and Suimoku quickly takes off his hat to collect them.

Nichika waves and distributes sweets to the children who danced with her. The sweaty children happily return to their parents.

By this time, the sky has darkened.

"Hey Suimoku, good work."

"Ruruk-san! You were here!"

"I enjoyed it."

While talking to Suimoku, who had started cleaning up, I put a few gold coins in his hat.

"Thank you as always."

"Today was especially amazing. Children were participating too, what was that about?"

"This performance was my sister's idea. She wants everyone to like dancing more."

"I see. It was a great idea."

I nodded deeply while watching Nichika greeting the audience.

It wasn't about teaching dance or forcing it. Just moving freely as they like and playing, enjoying the atmosphere together. It was a space where everyone became happy.

Nichika must really love dancing.

Suimoku, also watching Nichika, said with relief:

"...Actually, I thought for a bit that my sister might quit dancing."

"Quit? Why?"

"My sister started dancing to meet Ruruk-san. Since that goal was achieved, I thought she might stop being a dancer and choose a different path... Thinking about that made me a bit sad. But it seems my sister has come to like the life of a dancer without realizing it. ...Actually, my sister has decided to quit the magic academy."

"Eh? She's quitting?"

"She was scouted by a famous opera troupe. At first, she was hesitating because she'd start as a backup dancer for singers, but even discounting my bias, she's quite good at singing too, so I encouraged her that there was no reason to refuse. So from next month, my sister will become a professional dancer."

"Is that so? That's great news."

This might mean the day when dancer Nichika becomes diva Nichika is not far off.

As I was impressed, Suimoku said shyly:

"So, I have a request for Ruruk-san. If it's not too much trouble, could you talk with my sister? It seems she wanted to talk with you alone. For some reason, my sister gets irritable when Saaya-san is around..."

"If it's just that, it's no problem. I had something to talk about with Nichika-san too."

"Really? Thank you so much!"

The beautiful boy Suimoku brightens up and grasps my hand.

Feeling a bit flustered by his soft hand, despite being a fellow man, I say:

"I-It's nothing. Well then, I'll borrow Nichika-san for a bit. After you finish cleaning up, let's go get dinner together."

"Yes! Thank you very much!"

There's no way I'd refuse a request from my friend (or at least, who I consider a friend).

I approached Nichika, who was still doing fan service, and said:

"Nichika-san, good work today."

"Ruruk-kun! You came to watch!"

Nichika showed a bright reaction.

"It was a very enjoyable performance. So, Nichika-san, could I talk to you for a bit if that's alright?"

"O-Of course! Ah, but could you wait a moment? Um, I'd be happy if you could wait for me sitting over there!"

"Understood. Take your time."

I head towards the bench near the fountain that Nichika pointed at.

There were still a few customers left, so Nichika was making her rounds greeting them. She was visibly in a hurry, so the customers didn't engage in long conversations, just offering words of appreciation.

After finishing all her greetings, Nichika took out a hand mirror, smoothed her hair with her hand, and then walked towards me. She seemed a bit nervous.

"S-Sorry to keep you waiting. Is it alright if I sit next to you?"

"Of course, please, have a seat here."

I had laid out a handkerchief, so I invited her to sit there.

Nichika, with the tips of her ears red, looked up at me with a wavering gaze.

"U-Um, so about that talk...?"

"First, congratulations. I heard from Suimoku that you're joining a theater troupe. You're becoming a professional dancer next month, right?"

"Thank you! I was actually a bit hesitant at first... but I wanted more people to see me. I wanted to entertain more people with my dancing."

Nichika looked embarrassed.

"That's great. Plus, you'll be able to hone your skills as a professional, right?"

"That's right! Ah, but, but, I'm not going to stop dancing here! On my days off, I want to come here and dance with everyone. So, Ruruk-kun, please come visit too."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I like your dancing, Nichika-san."

I really do like the atmosphere of this place where Nichika dances.

I probably won't get tired of it no matter how many times I come.

Nichika's face turned bright red as she mumbled, "L-Like... he said he likes it..."

It's not a bad feeling to be liked by such a beautiful girl. If I were a bit younger — maybe just a few years ago — I might have been quite flustered too.

...However.

I have no recollection of this pure affection from Nichika.

The first time we met was just recently, and there was no prelude or trigger. Yet Nichika has known about me since childhood and has been searching for me. But she doesn't seem inclined to tell me the reason.

If that's the case, there's only one thing I can think of.

Until now, I didn't want to forcibly uncover secrets, but after the incident with the Empire, I thought it might not be the time to keep quiet.

I asked in a natural tone:

"'By the way, it's hot today, isn't it?'"

"Ah, yes! It's really summer now. I was so worried about sweat getting in my eyes while dancing... Eh?"

Nichika froze like a stone.

It was clear that she realized she had naturally responded to my words — in Japanese.

I immediately bowed my head.

"I'm sorry for using such a deceptive method. But there was something I really wanted to know. ...So Nichika-san was also a reincarnator."

"...So you had noticed after all..."

Nichika looked down, visibly shaken.

"Yes. When we first met, you said I was 'mixed' when you looked at me. That's when it clicked."

"...You were... aware..."

"Yes. Nichika-san, you can see souls, can't you?"

My soul is a mix of Nanairo Gaku, Ruruk, and Roze.

Considering that she was looking for me without having met me, and that she could say I was 'mixed' just by looking at me, I thought that Nichika must be able to identify reincarnators with souls from their previous lives.

That's probably the same reason she gets confrontational with Saaya and Nagi.

Nichika, as if resigned, muttered with her head still lowered:

"Yes... I can see Ruruk-kun's soul too."

"The one you were looking for was me when I was Nanairo Gaku, right?"

"...Yeah."

As I thought.

But that wasn't what I was confused about.

Rather, what I don't understand is who she was.

"Who were you, Nichika-san? It might sound strange coming from me, but I barely remember any girls showing interest in me during my school days. I was quite unremarkable."

I was always alone in class.

Ichinomiya was about the only one who often talked to me, and she was probably the only one who showed any interest in me. Kujo remembered my name and face, but I don't even remember interacting with anyone else.

I wasn't good-looking enough to be secretly popular, and my personality was unremarkable too.

I couldn't think of any possibilities at all.

"...It's a secret. But Nanairo-kun, even though you were unremarkable... you were wonderful. The way you interacted with both boys and girls, how you made judgments without being bound by common sense... Also, the way you sometimes became talkative, and how you'd lean in close when talking about something you liked."

Nichika said this with her ears turning red.

This is definitely the reaction of someone who had observed me. Moreover, it seems we had talked many times, and it doesn't seem like she was just watching from afar.

Hmm, I don't understand.

If we had talked that many times, I should surely remember.

The only person I can think of who fits is Ichinomiya, who is Saaya, so that's impossible. Kujo would always click her tongue at me, so it's not her either. Apart from them, I can't think of anyone else who recognized me and talked to me.

...Ah, it's definitely not this, but there was one male classmate I often talked to.

When I was talking with Ichinomiya, he would always butt in and try to interact with me, that extroverted guy.

Yama... Yama-something... Yama... Oh right, that soccer club guy.

I tried to remember the name that was on the tip of my tongue.

"Who was that guy again... I'm sure it was the soccer club captain... Yamazaki?"

"It's Yamakaki!"

Nichika corrected me.

...Huh?

"...?"

"Ah!"

Nichika suddenly realized.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, ding!

"Eeeeeeeeeeh!?"

"Waaaaaah!"

Nichika turned bright red all over, not just her face, and held her head in her hands.

I was so shocked I almost rolled my eyes back.

"W-Wait, Nichika-san was Yamamoto!?"

"I said it's Kaki!"

Nichika, looking like a boiled octopus, reflexively retorted. That reaction was as good as a confession.

So Yamakaki Seiya had become Nichika.

I never imagined that someone's previous life could be male and their current life female. I hadn't seen any reincarnators who changed genders, so I never even considered it.

"...Oh, so it's Yamane."

"Kaki! It's Kaki!!!"

Nichika retorted, almost desperately.

I definitely remember this conversation. It's him.

I felt my shoulders lighten, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I see... So that's it. Well, that's good then."

"W-What's good...?"

"That Nichika-san is Yamakaki."

"Eh?"

Nichika's eyes widened.

I leaned back on the bench, looked up at the sky, and said:

"To be honest, I was scared of incomprehensible affection. But if Nichika-san is Yamakaki, I understand. Well, I never thought I was liked by Yamakaki during our school days. Yamakaki, you always butted in when I was talking with Ichinomiya, right? I thought you liked Ichinomiya."

"...Well, I guess anyone would think that..."

Nichika looked awkward.

Apparently, that was my misunderstanding.

"Even if that were the case, I didn't dislike Yamakaki, you know. During school trips, career experience days, PE classes, you always invited me when I was alone, right? I was intimidated because you were an extrovert from the soccer club, but I personally enjoyed talking with you and liked you as a classmate."

"...Aren't you disgusted? I've always liked men. Even though I was a man."

"Not really? That's a common story, isn't it?"

At least in the world I knew, stories of same-sex love were abundant.

For me, who had been exposed to such stories from a young age, I didn't have any aversion to it. I never imagined I'd be the object of such affection though.

Well, that's the same whether it's the opposite sex or not, so gender doesn't matter.

"So I'm a bit relieved that Nichika-san was Yamakaki. I've always been wondering what happened to Yamakaki."

He was the only male classmate who was close to me.

I had always been worried about him.

When I said this with a smile, Nichika's eyes welled up with tears.

"Really... You're really not disgusted? I was a man in my previous life, you know?"

"I told you, I don't mind. More importantly, don't deny yourself. I'm not such a jerk that I'd find your individuality disgusting."

"Individuality...?"

"Yes, individuality. Besides, you're Nichika-san now, right? Just like how I became Ruruk. Even if you can't accept your previous self, Yamakaki Seiya was reborn in this world and became the dancer Nichika. I think it's fine for Nichika-san to confidently accept who you are now."

Having memories of a previous life is also a part of one's individuality.

We're not exactly the same as our previous selves.

We're living in the present, after all.

"So I think it's fine for Nichika-san to continue living happily as Nichika-san, as a wonderful dancer. I won't deny that."

"Ruruk-kun..."

Nichika, with tears streaming down her face, covered her mouth and trembled.

I continued to pat her back until she stopped crying.

By the way.

We rented a private room at a restaurant to celebrate Nichika's new job.

On that occasion, Nichika confessed to Suimoku that she was male in her previous life. Suimoku was also shocked by this revelation.

"So sis was a reincarnator like Ruruk-san, and was male in her previous life... Eh, eh?"

"That's right. I think I became a woman probably because I really wanted to be one deep down. From now on, I'm going to approach you aggressively as a woman, so be prepared, Ruruk-san! I know now that Ruruk-san can embrace anyone, even if they were formerly male!"

"Well, whether I can embrace Nichika-san or not is a different matter."

"Why not!?"

I'm not indiscriminate enough to embrace just anyone.

As I was explaining to Nichika that this and that are different matters, Suimoku, who had been in a daze, suddenly perked up:

"I-I feel this is going to become a new anecdote about Ruruk-san! Ruruk-san, what type of man do you prefer!?"

"Don't you start too... But well, let's see."

I looked straight at the excited beautiful boy with his memo pad ready, and said:

"I think Suimoku might work."

"M-Me...? Uuu..."

Suimoku's face turned red as he glanced at me.

He's really cute, isn't he.

As Suimoku and I were gazing at each other, Nichika yelled while tearing at her hair:

"Wait a minute! Why Suimoku of all people?!"

And so, it turned into a lively dinner.

< Salvation Arc → END

 NEXT → Sage Arc >

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Author Notes:

  [This concludes Act III [Loyalty of Illusions].

  Thank you for reading this far. I'd be happy if you could support me with rating buttons and bookmarks.

  Due to being busy, I'll take a short break before starting a side story in late May, and then begin Act IV.]

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