Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 116: Arc 3, - 26: I Can Change It All

Blonde hair webbed across, no stinging sensation anywhere on her body. Her eyes like they were rejuvenated. In a daze, her head fell to the side; a small, tired smile grew, gazing upon a purple headband.

’Act normal, act normal. No need to cry, don’t cry. She’s back...’ Her nails long again—no hole in her palm, all fingers intact.

"Oh, you’re awake," Fumeko turned. The blondes brown eyes were on the brink of tears. The brunette’s hair had grown past her knees, fuzzy, as she sat on the bedside, "Ugh, these pillows are lousy. You have a headache?" she rubbed her forehead.

"No, not exactly. I think-" Jotou got up slowly and caught her tongue.

’Do I tell her...? Do I tell them all again? Did I actually, oh hell... Was I laughing? Oh hell... Ugh, I felt so... free? I don’t know... Do I actually tell her? Do I want to burden all of them again?’

"You think what?" Fumeko raised a brow.

"I think it’s the Sun. Not even noon and it’s already warm in here," Jotou shook her head.

"Yeah, that too," Fumeko stretched.

"You ever get that feeling, before going to sleep, a memory of something you did when you were younger that makes your body cringe?"

"No...? Maybe...? If you mean regrets, sure..." her eyes shied away.

"Having regrets is stupid. I don’t exactly know why, but I had ’that feeling’, when I woke up."

"Uhm, speaking of which," Fumeko caught the blonde’s attention, "About last night... can we just-"

"I won’t forget Meko... I don’t have an answer and I don’t know what will happen. There’re things we need to do; but I won’t forget.

I’m unsure of my own feelings and let’s just see what happens going forward. I care for you a lot. Is that okay with you?"

Fumeko furrowed her brows, "Have you been thinking about it as much as me?"

"Huh?"

"That sounded rehearsed..." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Uh, there’s just things we need to do today and I thought I should give you a direct response. My emotions are all over the place," Jotou forced a smile.

"Sensory overload?"

"No, I’m, okay."

"There’s something off about you Jotou and I can’t tell what," her stomach grumbled, "Bleh; headache and hungry. It’s too early for this."

A knock at the door swivelled their attention. "You two aren’t still asleep are you?"

"Rise and shine!"

"We’re awake you dolts, give us a minute!"

Jotou opened the door to greet the two, taking the soap and towel handed to her like it was routine. Little flicks of hair spiked atop the magician’s hatless head and yet her face remained cheery, bright and without a flaw; a wand in her grasp.

"Do I have too...? I feel cute enough today," Fumeko grumbled.

"Go brush your teeth and take care of your hygiene," Hotaru had a small bag with her to go bathe, one ear was stuck bent down, but her face seemed refreshed... No doubt she used rejuvenate.

Jotou stared silently to the both of them, saddened eyes and yet a small smile. "Jotou? What’s wrong?" Hotaru tilted her head.

"N-nothing. I’m just glad to be adventuring with all of you."

"Me too Jotou!!!" Asobi skipped along to give a hug.

"I’m glad you are; me too," Hotaru smirked before rubbing her own head.

"Alright, enough of this," Fumeko separated the elf from Jotou. Jotou had not wrapped her hands around Asobi the entire time. Off they went to shower; the smile on Jotou quickly fading.

_

’What do I do this time...? I can make us all run away and warn Aviv before we get stopped so we go invisible. We can get out of that radius and be out of these damned loops.

But, I’m not exactly sure what happens out there. Should I just stay put and let the battle pass? If I just keep quiet and keep them safe... Then I don’t know the outcome of that battle.

How can I be sure the defence force won’t lose? And if they win, then I can only assume where they’re coming... You’re going to have to face them eventually Jotou.

La dee da on an adventure and ignore the brewing war? Are you stupid!? They killed them.... Over and over.... And I’m just going to sit here?

Reliving the same hell-damned day, SEEING THEIR FACES BACK TO LIFE WITH THE MEMORY OF THEIR SHATTERED CORPSES!?’

"Jotou?"

"Hm?" Jotou looked up from the menu, "Oh, sorry, I’ll have what, she’s having."

The waitress took their orders and left. "Did you even hear what I ordered?" Hotaru squinted.

"Yeah, lotus platter salad with extra chicken, right?"

"I didn’t ask for, extra chicken...?"

"You didn’t? Oh, it’s fine I’ll still eat it."

"Okay then... Anyway, once we get to Galuvit Town. We can take a little trip around town and ride the train whenever," her ears pricked and tail swayed, sat upright seeing other part-humans around.

"You’re forgetting the part about eleven hours; it’s gonna be night before we even get there. Uagh..." Fumeko downed a glass of water, the pores on her face visible.

"Rejuvenate," Hotaru splashed and the brunette straightened. "Are you sure about the shirt and pinafore getup? You’re going to melt and we’re not even in the desert regions yet."

"It’s not like I have fifty different clothes, it’s just a buncha shirts and this one pinafore. I planned to go to Kria, not across the world."

’Oh wait, I’m supposed to say something.’ "How are you still fine Asobi?"

The elf in her one common attire tilted her head, hatless still, "Oh no, I’m burning!" she gleefully put her wand up, "This is all," the illusion disappeared; she was drenched in sweat, "A trick!"

Fumeko fell on the table, "If only I had the ability to make myself look my best all the time!"

"You can heal heatstroke, right?" Jotou’s gaze never left the table.

"Never had to, so I don’t know," Hotaru squinted to the blonde, watching Jotou just stare at nothing.

"Oh no, it’s okay, I’ve survived before! The tent got really hot once, so I must’ve been in Cravolta before!" Asobi placed the illusion back on herself.

"Regardless, we need to get you two some proper clothes at Galuvit Town," Hotaru’s suggestion was interrupted.

’Right on time Aviv...’

"Sorry to interrupt, but plan’s changed. All vehicles going in and out of Hartamat have to stay put for now. A battalion of Trailon soldiers apparently set up camp close by," his tail swayed, a hat atop his head.

"Really!?" Hotaru frowned.

"This wasn’t part of the plan?" Jotou still never looked up, much to the redhead’s confusion.

"Uhm, yes, this was the worst-case scenario... How long’s the wait?" Hotaru looked up to Aviv.

"Can’t say for sure, but the word around is at least two days before travel’s permitted again," Aviv lightly rubbed his temple.

"Is there no way to speed it up?" Fumeko leered.

"I mean, sure... It’s risky and it’ll cost you a little extra. These warnings aren’t something uncommon after all."

"Ooo! Is this where we bribe you and go anyway!?"

His tail spiked straight, "Hey! Quiet down elf, or else we’re all gonna spend way longer in Hartamat," he rubbed his head again.

Hotaru’s ears bristled, "Sorry for that. We’ll stay put for now and go after two days. We have no issue to tip you a little extra of course."

"Not like I’m going anywhere else Miss. The gesture’s kindly appreciated," he tipped his hat and walked away...

...

...

...

"Jotou?" fingers snapped as Jotou snapped out of it, spoon and fork playing with the salad on her plate.

"Huh?"

Hotaru who had called out, leaned her head below, "Are you okay? You’re just staring down."

"Would you like to try a cookie!?"

"I’m good Asobi, thanks. And, I’m fine. Just a headache, like all of you," she brushed aside.

"How did you know I have a headache?"

"Ooo! Is Jotou psychic?" Asobi giddied her elbows on the table.

"She just assumed, we’ve never been in this sort of heat before," Fumeko spoke with her mouth full.

"That, and I can kinda read it off you guys."

"Oh. Sorry. Yes, I woke up with a headache and Asobi too," Hotaru went back to her meal.

"Yeah, common thing. I just feel like being quiet for now," Jotou scanned the redhead’s face. Her ears twitched, clearly concerned; or she could tell Jotou was hiding some truth... Though the fact she didn’t press Jotou on it...

Jotou shifted gaze to the elf, delightfully enjoying her chocolate cookies and bread without chewing loudly or wasting a crumb. Her pale skin, an elven beauty even though the word ’elven’ did not really mean anything Jotou knew.

Her smiling face, only thrown into fear, concern or worry when things go south. Veins of poison going up her neck to web all over her face... Jotou shut her eyes, nearly imagining it.

The two others were no better; poison or gunshot to the head... ’I tried my best not to change anything right now. Other than some headaches, which must be a side-effect to all of this, it was a success.

Meaning I have control. Whatever I choose, whatever difference I make will change the outcome of everything because I’m the only one acting differently.

Wait, then why did Hotaru not order the same thing and everybody else did? Observer Effect? Did I change something without even realizing it or was it the headache?

Fine. Whatever it is, I have to find the rogue battalion. Stop whatever device is doing this without getting them killed. One thing remains constant...

I never die... Even when I was on my own, I handled myself well. In fact, I’d argue I could’ve won. It could just be dumb luck... Then again, I really did feel like I was going crazy back there...

Keep it together Jotou. You need to plan out this chess board properly before moving forward. And I know I’m the most powerful piece on the board as far as I’m concerned.

Is there another? Am I not? Nothing to prove otherwise. I’ll figure it out. Once this is all solved, then I can relax. Trailon... Frye... you have no clue what I’m capable of and it’s time to end your reign...’