Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 104: Arc 3, - 14: We Will Prevail

The blonde heaved her head off the floor, "Thirty, I’ll take thirty," she finished her sit-ups, wondering if she should even attempt push-ups.

The little wind picked up the blonde locks off her face, coming from the feet swinging off the bedframe, "Are we ready to go?" A purple sundress, a hat and a scarf-cape that could wrap around her arms—a dagger taped to the side.

"Yeah, yeah," Jotou peered to her friend. Friend. And one thing she could read from her friend’s face, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," Fumeko shook her head, her gaze was lowered the entire time of the blonde’s short exercise routine—a solemn look.

"Somehow I doubt that."

"Did I do this the last time or am I just getting bad at hiding it...?" the brunette crossed her arms and glanced elsewhere.

"You were never good at it to begin with; at least not with me."

"You’re just too paranoid, you keep second-guessing everything. I’ve gotten better at hiding my thoughts you know. You’ve known me the longest, so obviously you can see through it."

"Maybe you should ask Asobi to teach you how to lie and pull of a trick," the blonde smirked.

"Hng," air left her nose, "She may be the best liar, but she can’t tell when someone’s lying. I’d rather have the second."

"The best way to lie is to add a bit of the truth. And you need to believe it’s the truth yourself. Probably what Asobi does. I did the same with my parents all the time."

"Or just conveniently leave out parts of the truth like Hotaru," Fumeko rolled her eyes.

Jotou smiled, "Seriously, what’s on your mind? You know you can talk to me—you said it yourself."

Her pupils went up, "Is... there no answer from you?"

Jotou’s brows knitted, "Oh. Oh, that night... Well, I technically I already gave you an answer, in the... past? Yeah, past. The answer is, I’m unsure of my feelings.

I’m too anxious and I’m unsure about relationships because they may ruin friendships. The only proper answer I guess, is that, give it some time and we’ll see what happens. I’m sorry, that’s the best answer I can give you."

"It’s not a no," Fumeko assessed, "So, there’s hope..." she sighed till her shoulders fell, "Fine, I’ll tell you what’s actually bugging me."

"I’m listening."

"Be brutally honest... Can we win?"

The question waxed Jotou’s eyes open, cat catching her tongue. "I... I know what you’re worried about... but I know more now and can change what happens. We will prevail," with conviction she spoke.

"Did you add a bit of the truth in that?" her eyebrow rose.

Jotou pouted, knowing she was caught. "I have to convince myself too. It keeps my anxieties away."

Fumeko got down from the bed and stood up, "I care about all of you... I know I may not show it all the time. I’m scared Jotou. I prefer you telling me the truth, but even then, dying..." she shut her eyes, unable to fathom...

Two arms wrapped around her and petted her short hair, "I don’t know what it feels like; because honestly it felt like nothing."

Fumeko glanced up, enveloped in the scent of thundering blitzes, "I sometimes forget that you died. I don’t like the thought of losing you."

"We’ll fight together. You’re not alone and you don’t have to feel alone. Me, Hotaru and Asobi are with you; I promise, you won’t die this time."

Fumeko’s arms had clutched back, dumping all her stress in a breath. The thought of it had not left her mind, but she heard her voice—and in that voice rested no lie.

_

"The minister informed me of your assistance. It’s a pleasure to be fighting alongside you Thundering Blade."

Jotou took his hand and gripped it firm, "I’m honoured. I assume you have everything planned out Major Schroeder?"

The conversation went along as it did once before, Jotou knowing every single plan and reason. "Is this all okay with you?"

"Works fine with us. It’s quite the plan. I think we’ll be beneficial to be deployed late; after a few hours of fighting, we’ll come in to break their morale and engage in close-quarters," Jotou added.

"Good, I’ll note that," he put his hands together, taking one look to the soldiers training and preparing, "Be here at seven sharp and we can leave. I hope you bring your best Thundering Blade."

"I’ll do my best."

_

"I didn’t realize you have a plan," Hotaru looked to Jotou.

"Not mine, his words really. We’ll come up with a new plan though. The last one worked well, just one or two changes."

"So, you stole his words to seem more confident?" a little fang poked out her lips.

"Hey, I’m the leader," Jotou shrugged.

"Ooo, yes! Jotou’s the best leader, hang on, you need," Asobi swished her wand, walking backwards, creating a golden crown atop the blonde mane, "There!"

"Hm, suits you princess," Hotaru jeered, readjusting her spiralling sleeves.

Jotou shook her head, "Speaking of which, you can also use your illusion to look like you’re wearing your magician’s getup you know."

"Oh yeah! Meko, do you want to be a magician too?" Asobi leaned back.

Lost was her gaze on the path she walked, the brunette looked up to the call of her name, "Sure. Wait, what did I agree to? You can’t legally bind me, right?" she faced to Hotaru.

"It’s an illusion Fumeko, it’s not gonna hurt," Hotaru’s ears flicked.

"Are you kidding? Her blinding light spell absolutely hurts!"

"Don’t worry Meko! It won’t hurt you."

’Didn’t something happen here-’ "Hotaru! Watch your purse!" she warned before her thought finished, realizing the hooded figure ahead.

Hotaru clutched her bag in a reflex, barely registering the figure that darted and then dashed by. Jotou stuck a foot out. "Thud!" He fell to the ground.

"Nice save," Hotaru commended, watching Jotou pick the boy up by the hood.

"Happened before; Fumeko caught him before he could run away with your purse."

Fumeko furrowed her brows—how did she not notice that? Hotaru was going to be in trouble and she was too busy fretting? Snap out of it Fumeko! The brunette shook her head.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?" Jotou pulled down the part-human’s hood.

"Let’s take him to the police," Fumeko verbalized.

"Uhh, he didn’t steal anything, right?" Asobi gripped her wand.

"Attempted theft’s still attempted theft," Fumeko strode ahead.

"Hang on," Hotaru approached and crouched down, "Why d’you try and steal my purse?" the redhead’s ears stiffened.

"I-I," he squeaked, "My family’s got nothing to eat, we don’t even have a house."

"Likely story," Fumeko crossed her arms.

Hotaru sighed, looking to Jotou. Jotou shrugged, "It’s your purse."

"And our money..."

Hotaru side-eyed Fumeko before facing the boy again. Two gold pieces, "That should cover a lot. Don’t go stealing from people. Go find some work to do. Understand?"

The boy nodded, "I-I will Miss... Thank you very much..." he faced down.

Jotou let him go and he dashed away.

Fumeko pouted, "You realize he’s just gonna steal again tomorrow, right?"’

"Maybe," Hotaru closed her eyes, "I can’t control that, but what was putting him in jail going to do? Teach him a lesson? It’s better to make him think about it at least. He’s just a kid."

"He might steal a little less now!" Asobi beamed.

"Hotaru did the same thing before."

"I did?"

"Hotaru’s predictable," that did give the brunette a little smile.

"That’s not fair! Jotou’s been predicting things all day!" the redhead argued.

"Whatever," Jotou chuckled, "Our things are safe, so we can forget it."

_

The night had come, the tents set up—hearty laughter and nervous sweating. Jotou sat in the tent as Hotaru took a few slurps of soup.

Major Schroeder got up from speaking into the transceiver and made his way to the two of them.

"We’ve sent the rogue battalion a message that we’ll attack at eleven. If they retreat, we go home. If not, then good luck," the major signed off, leaving the two to some privacy.

Hotaru folded her arms on the table, "So, what else happened last time? I mean, other than you know what."

"Right now?" Jotou gave a glance to her nails... "You, left your nail clippers in your luggage, didn’t you?"

Hotaru sat back, checking her purse, "How did you- That’s a dumb question." She faced Jotou again, "Your nails are somewhat long," and took a peek.

"You broke them off into nice curves—perfectly."

Hotaru recalled yesterday morning’s event, "That’s why you said your nails were cut... Well... I have no problem doing it again; it might hurt you."

"Yeah, but it feels kinda nice. Especially since it’s from you." The two blushed as Hotaru gently took Jotou’s hand in hers.

"Fumeko hasn’t yelled about a gun. Colour me shocked."

"That actually makes sense to happen," Hotaru broke each with precision, leaning closer to find the perfect angle—healing it longer and then snapping it off. "I’m, also sorry Jotou..."

"For what?" Jotou made eye contact with two fluffy ears.

The redhead frowned, "You were angry with me at breakfast yesterday..."

"I-" Jotou gulped, wincing to another clip of her nails. "You’re, very kind and, caring. Anger issues sure, but you always try to keep it in check.

The way you looked at me..." she muttered, voice lowering, "Like I was some lost cause... I don’t blame you, I was trying to figure out what happened myself and it may’ve come across as deranged.

We have trauma; I’ve seen you in the worst of times and you’ve seen me in mine. Then at breakfast... how is it that the sceptic believed me before you did?

You’ve kept me alive for so long and, it hurt. It hurt, a lot, that you didn’t believe me. But it’s wrong of me to expect you to. All the moments we shared in private—thinking of that was what made me angry. So, I’m sorry."

The blonde’s hushed words brushed across the wolf-girl’s ears, that lowered and lowered as Jotou’s words stung; her voice whispered to avoid Hotaru hearing her sorrow. Her nails, smooth curves like a crescent moon.

Hotaru’s brilliant blue pools, gleamed under the light that looked back up to the blonde, who herself had welled up eyes. "Jotou." The blonde stared. "Please expect that of me." To her words, Jotou’s head tilted ever so slightly.

"I have no one, left... It’s just the three of you. When you came out that door, looking and sounding like you’d gone mad," the gathering tears overflowed out of the redhead’s eyelids, "I thought, just for a moment, that I lost you.

And when you continued, with what you were telling us; that moment came back and felt much longer... I never, ever, wished to hurt you," she sobbed as she grabbed Jotou by the edge of her chin.

"I made a promise, on the night we spoke on the roof. You’re a blessing," Hotaru sniffled, "You’ve saved me, from hurting myself and I still never have since that night.

I think of you and my mind, slows down. You’ve given me a chance at becoming an adventurer and brought me along to greatness.

I will always make you feel wanted and we’ll always stand together. I want to see the world, with you," stuttering, she got out her words.

"Hotaru... I..." the blonde’s tears ran past her parted lips, onto the hand that held her so softly. Her heart skipped a beat, drawing herself, closer and closer.

The redhead’s ears twitched, teary-eyed as her eyelids began to close—her arm pulled her face closer and closer. A breath of gap between the two.

"Did Jotou get a cut on her face?"

"Guh!" The squeaky voice of an elf, startled the two into withdrawal.

"Are you gonna finish that soup?" Fumeko walked behind, then looked to the two, "What’s going on here?"

"Nothing," Hotaru cleared her throat, hiding her tears away.

"Hotaru was just, uhm, breaking my nails and it hurt a bit, don’t worry," Jotou sat up.

Hotaru gave Jotou a look, Jotou reciprocating. The two of them shared coyish grins to the other, faces bright pink.