Genocide Online ~Playtime Diary of an Evil Young Girl~ - Chapter 269
Genocide Online
269 Reina Ichijou’s Daily Life #14
—ZaaaAAaaa…
The drizzling sound of rain reverberated from the outside.
Somehow, I didn’t feel like going home or playing games, so I found myself sitting on the steel stairs of an abandoned building.
The building was on the verge of collapsing, while the windows were in shambles—rusting to the point of decay. The dim sunlight, filtering through the rain clouds, entered the premises.
The steel-framed stairs attached to the outside of such a shoddy building also had holes in the roof, from which the rainwater trickled down, soaking my skirt and washing away the blood of the small animals I toyed with.
Whenever a gentle breeze blew, the raindrops would change course, splashing onto her face.
“…”
I folded both my hands on top of my knees, and buried my face in them. Wet hairs clung to my face, which was rather uncomfortable.
I tried to evade quickly, but only my leather shoes managed to repel the rain. Meanwhile, my damp socks became heavy with rainwater.
After spending several tens of minutes doing that, my body temperature dropped drastically due to being exposed to rain and wind. Even my exhalation became white.
…Since that sudden encounter with the twins, I’d been feigning ignorance after being admonished by the Perverted Gentleman.
As usual, I relieved my stress by letting my impulses flow freely in the game.
Of course, I also had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends and spending time doing whatever I liked. That part wasn’t a lie.
…But at the same time, there were things that’d been smoldering in my heart for a long time.
My younger siblings, who looked a lot like the adults I hated… It was emotionally difficult to get along with them.
Still, what if that was what my mother had wanted? Maybe, it was important for me to lead a normal life.
After all, such was her last parting gift before she departed from this world.
I only realized how lucky I was.
…For several years after my mother’s death, I never made any friends.
Am I actually worried about that?
I discovered the game by pure chance. Yet, if I hadn’t played it, I wouldn’t have met Hannes, Yu, or Maria.
In other words, my mother’s concerns were correct.
Now, do I just wait until everything falls into place, or do I keep averting my gaze and put off the problem…? I wonder what kind of result will bring me.
…Because of those two, I couldn’t come up with an answer right away.
“…What is that?”
“Shouldn’t it be obvious? It’s an old photo.”
“Why is there a picture of my mother that I don’t know?”
“Well, there are a lot of photos that you haven’t seen before.”
“But in that photo, there are babies I don’t recognize…”
“Don’t you recognize them? They’re Komari and Seigi.”
“…Why are they…?”
“T-that’s right! You’ve met those two, Reina—”
“—I don’t want to hear another word.”
“…”
“Answer me, is that picture real?”
“The photo was taken back when you were still 3-years-old. You were really naughty back then. It can’t be helped that you don’t remember.”
“Look into my eyes when you speak. Are you talking to yourself?”
“Don’t be mad. I took this photo because Reiko had requested it. It isn’t a big deal—”
“—Don’t decide that on your own. All of my mother’s photos are mine.”
“Hmph! Even if you don’t like who are in the picture?”
“…Yes, even if that’s the case.”
“Suit yourself. Unlike me, you don’t have many memories of Reiko. No wonder you can only cling to such things.”
“…! I’m going home.”
“We’re expecting guests. Don’t show your face in the main residence for a while.”
“…You don’t need to tell me that.”
…Ever since that day, I didn’t know how I was feeling, or what I wanted to do.
“…”
After receiving treatment from Dr. Yamamoto, even when I tried to open and clench my right hand, only pain was transmitted to my brain.
Why am I so confused…? No, it’s because my mother is involved that I’m this conflicted…
When my mother was involved in my usual course of action, I became a machine that spat out errors in contradictory instructions—
“—You’re going to catch a cold!”
A fierce voice came from overhead, as if to forcefully drag me out of my deep thoughts.
“…Oh, Masaki.”
“…You’re soaked.”
When I turned around and looked back to the upper floor behind me, I could see Masaki looking down at me. He was worried sick.
Then, he offered me a second umbrella. Was he looking for me?
“I don’t know what happened, but those two were worried and contacted me.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yamamoto, was it? A guy who looks like a butler was looking for you. He said that you haven’t returned…”
“He’s actually a butler.”
“…Really? As expected of an aristocrat.”
Why was he sitting next to me without asking for permission? Also, he was concerned about others, but not about getting his pants wet?
…Above all, didn’t he come looking for me to take me home?
“To be precise, he’s a steward, and a head servant who manages the household. All butlers and servants report to him.”
“Wow, so that old man isn’t to be taken lightly. Now, was I rude to him—”
“—it’s too late to worry about that now.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I stared at Masaki, who’d shut his mouth, probably because we’d run out of things to talk about.
This is enough to make him withdraw?
I was surprised he still agreed to take on the challenge either way.
“…I found a new dungeon in the game.”
“…Is that so?”
As I listened to the abrupt change in topic, I scooped a lock of my wet hair that clung to my face and put it behind my ear.
“Why don’t we make a bet? Let’s see who can capture it! The game is on!”
“Are you sure? You don’t have any friends.”
“Heh, aren’t you being cocky? You’re also on your own!”
Actually, I had my servants, so it was like fighting with a full party. Although, even if I said that, I didn’t think Masaki would back down.
“…I see. Then, shall we compete?”
“…Really? You’ll do it?”
“? That’s right, I’m going to do it seriously. How about you?”
“Huh, well…”
Did I say something annoying?
…At my current state, I can’t figure out the cause.
“…It’s about to get dark, and the forecast says that it’s going to get even worse.”
“Is that so?”
“Don’t give me that! If you get sick, you won’t be able to play!”
“Is that so?”
“Obviously!?”
“I see, then shall we go home today?”
“We should!”
“…Did you buy this for me?”
“It’s not a big deal. It’s just a plastic umbrella you can buy at a convenience store. Look, I’ll escort you halfway and then I’ll go home.”
After receiving the plastic umbrella from Masaki, I was somehow able to get up unlike ten minutes ago. Opening the umbrella, I followed Masaki’s lead down the stairs.
“…I won’t ask what happened, but even if you can’t rely on others, you have to take care of yourself.”
“Reina? I won’t pry, but listen? Even if you can’t ask for help, you need to take care of yourself.”
“…Okay.”
I quietly replied to the familiar words.
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