Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 149: Arc 3, - 59: Give Meaning Meaning

The purple skies turned darker till it was black or blue. Many stars had gathered overhead to spectate the incoming battle; perhaps a battle they had seen countless times before, much like a certain blonde.

The cold desert night blew a light breeze that pushed the sand. Keeping warm by a light under a tent, were the four of them—Fumeko having her third serving of soup.

"Thundering Blade," Major Schroeder walked up to the tent the three resided in.

"Major," Jotou got up.

"We’ll be attacking in the next thirty minutes to still have our advantage. Our scout team also found that this area had been covered with landmines beforehand."

Jotou froze in place, Hotaru lifted her legs off of the ground whilst Asobi looked around confused; Fumeko’s feet dangled, not even on the sand.

"Don’t fret, they already disarmed all of them in the area after a thorough search," the major waved his hand, giving everyone a breath of relief.

"Anything else? Any changes?" Jotou queried.

"Other than that, nothing. I just came to wish you good luck. I hope this will be a victory for all of us."

"You can say that again," Jotou sighed, "Thank you Major, good luck to you too." The Major saluted before walking off.

"Hm, now we just stick together?" Asobi glanced to the three, all of them in a different tent from the prior loops—further right than left.

"The plan for now. We can roam around for a bit, they have all eyes on the battalion in case of any surprises or any tank shells," Jotou stared at each one of their faces... A melancholic smile upon her.

"What’s the matter Jotou? Worried about this time too? We can do this, okay? And if we can’t, you’re strong enough," Hotaru smiled back.

"For the sake of our headaches, I hope we win this time," Fumeko clanged the spoon down.

"Yeah! We can do this!" Asobi cheered.

Jotou chuckled, "No, I wasn’t thinking about that. I was just thinking of the reason I keep fighting. I’m dealing with the fact that I can’t live the rest of my life on spite alone.

I have other things that I want in this life; and that’s all of you. I want to see this world and want to see all of you happy. And I want to have the adventure of a lifetime with all of you.

I like being an adventurer. I like fighting with a sword and I like learning magic. And I want to keep doing it because it makes me content.

I want to leave a bigger mark on this world. Do something that I can be proud of. I think playing hero and adventuring with the people I care for is the way for me. Maybe, maybe even help end this war."

’Huh... Guess I’ve found a goal in life... Would you look at that. It may be incomplete in some parts, it may be farfetched; but it’s a goal I can strive for. And I’ll have fun along the way.’ The blonde smiled.

"That’s so amazing!" Asobi was the first to speak.

Hotaru’s ears folded and twitched back and forth, her tail grasped in between her arms, "I’m happy for you Jotou," she smirked with a little giggle.

"Isn’t that what you’re already doing?" Fumeko’s eyes glazed over.

"Yeah, but I was doing it for the heck of it. Now it feels more fulfilling," Jotou shrugged.

Fumeko gazed at the blonde, her eyes slowly closing. She sighed, a little smile she tried to hide, "I’m glad for you then. I’m glad that I’m a part of your goal," she smirked to the redhead.

However, Hotaru was preoccupied gawking at Jotou for a bit. Fumeko grumbled, getting down from her seat, "I’m gonna go get more soup before the fight," she took her utensils.

"Ooo! Can I go put a show for some of the soldiers?" Asobi looked to Hotaru and Jotou.

"Sure," they both allowed.

"Yay!" she perked up, before darting off to the right.

The pair were left alone once more. "Was this something to do with me telling you that I wanted to see the world with you?" Hotaru stood up with the blonde.

The soldiers spoke all around them, preparing for the fight as the two stood out of the tent. "Wanted? Why, you no longer want to?" Jotou teased, tilting her head.

"No, but I didn’t say it to you this time, did I?"

"Well, speaking of this time; a past Hotaru once told me something to ask you about the, ’working theory’."

"Oh?"

"Something to confirm that theory. I asked you then and you said if we won that time you’ll give me a proper answer. And if we didn’t, to ask a future you."

"Go ahead and ask away."

"Do you like me? More than normal," Jotou purposefully shifted her blonde bangs, a half-cocked smile to the redhead whilst standing tall.

"More than normal? That’s a childish way to put it," she gave a sly grin, looking down before meeting Jotou’s eyes again. The two locked gazes, for what seemed like hours.

Jotou’s smile faltered slightly, but she fixed it again. "Hmm..." Hotaru hummed, her tail wagging behind her as she tried to slow it down, "Why don’t you ask me again later?"

Like a broken mirror, Jotou’s face shattered, "What? That’s exactly what you said last time!"

Hotaru sighed, rolling her eyes. She shook her head, a grin on her face, "As I said, ask me again later, maybe I’ll have a different answer."

Jotou groaned and turned around, "Fine! I’ll never ask you again!"

"Fine by me~" Hotaru took a seat, resting her chin on her palm as she watched Jotou stomp away.

Jotou made it some distance before peering back a little to notice Hotaru giggling. ’Is she laughing!? UGGHHHH! I’LL DEAL WITH TONIGHT FIRST!’

Jotou crossed paths with Fumeko on her way back, "What’s got you worked up?" Fumeko leered.

"Ugh, nothing. You enjoying the soup?"

"It’s far from the best thing I’ve eaten, but it’s decent food for an army," Fumeko shrugged, already digging into her meal whilst chatting.

Jotou gazed at her... "Hey."

"...Hey?"

"I, uh, I feel a little bad for essentially rejecting you. I hope you’re still doing okay after that. I know you said you wouldn’t leave and you really like the time we spend and all that; but I’m just making sure."

"Well," Fumeko blushed to the sand, "It’s nice of you to check on that... I don’t think my feelings for you will change immediately, but if you’re with me through it, I’m not sure if it’s harder or easier."

"I’ve dealt with rejection too... It pretty much made me stop ever asking anyone ever again. That anxiety’s disappearing, but I know it can hurt."

"Mm... I still have my hopes up. You never actually said no. Maybe I can make Jotou change her mind," Fumeko whispered to herself.

"I’m sorry what?"

"Nothing," Fumeko glanced back up, "I’m just glad we get to keep adventuring together. And to be honest, I’m glad it’s with you, Hotaru and Asobi. You make my dreams feel real and I uh... never mind."

"Don’t worry, you’ll get over me. If I’m your first friend, then we have an entire adventure ahead of us for you to find someone," Jotou took a breath.

"Not really my goal," Fumeko pouted, "I’m not going on a world tour to date people. I’m the detective, remember? Places to go, mysteries to uncover?"

"Well detective, don’t let me stop you."

"I wasn’t planning on an idiot like you stopping me anyway," Fumeko snickered.

"I’ll be right by your side detective," Jotou walked past with a chuckle, gliding a hand over the brunette’s shoulder to give a pat.

Fumeko stared back as the blonde walked away. She sighed, "And I’ll always be by yours paranoiac..."

A few more steps ahead, taking a right she tried to find lights and butterflies—perhaps bunnies jumping out of hats. There she was, the elf with a smile which could brighten up any room.

Doing tricks for the soldiers who peppered in claps and a couple of cheers. "Asobi," Jotou called.

The magician twisted her head, "Jotou!" She placed the hat back on her head and bade her audience goodbye and good luck. She skipped up to the blonde, her raven black locks fluttering behind her.

"Do you need something? Perhaps, a show!?" Asobi wagged her wand, butterflies popping out by the dozen. A small bouquet of flowers appeared at the tip, "For you," she brought the wand to Jotou.

’Right... I didn’t actually tell this part to her in this loop. She asked me not to let her forget the last time. I guess the best way for her to remember, is for me to give the same experience to her.’

Jotou gave a soft smile, miming picking it up by the end of her wand. The stems followed her hands and Jotou held together an illusory bouquet. Pretty thundering blitzes of yellows, blacks and whites, "Thanks."

As Jotou moved it, the illusion followed; Asobi kept her eyes on Jotou’s hand. Jotou pursed her lips, eyeing Asobi before throwing the illusory flowers into the elf’s face.

The bouquet flew to Asobi’s face and burst into petals that fluttered down as Asobi put her tongue out and closed her eyes as if hit by the bouquet.

Jotou chuckled, causing Asobi to break the act and giggle along. "Maybe a little too much acting?"

"Silly Jotou, there can never be too much acting!"

"There can be too much of anything; though, more Asobi-s in the world couldn’t hurt," Jotou looked up to the stars.

"More of me? That would be amazing! We could be our own troupe!"

"We should be attacking soon, better be together."

"Yup! Yup!" Asobi then looked up to where Jotou looked to, "The stars are really pretty tonight."

Jotou breathed, "They are. The full Moon’s been waning more. Today’s actually September 2nd and we’re going into the 3rd."

"Woah, Jotou you can read the Moon!?" Asobi gazed back down.

Jotou chuckled back and peered to her, "I used to keep track of lunar phases; not anymore though. I just checked the Moon last time and now it has less. And it’s been two weeks since we got here in Hartamat; gonna be fifteen days."

"Why did you used to keep track of the moonlight?" Asobi tilted her head.

"I was just enthralled by the stars and space. Gave me good ideas to draw too.

It used to be my dream to one day become an astronaut or an astronomer; someone who travels through space or gets to study the beautiful void. Reality hit me like a truck and made me realize how ridiculous it was.

And that hopes and dreams alone can’t carry you all the way. You need to put in the effort or nothing matters. And I didn’t like doing so much math," Jotou shrugged.

"Aww, we can still try travelling through space! All we need is a REALLY big canon, we cover you in full armour and BOOM!"

"I’d be dead," Jotou giggled, "It’s fine; I’m perfectly happy to just enjoy the stars from here. Besides, when I’m with you in this world, everything already seems like a dream.

My hopes and dreams are now here, with all of you. And I’m more than willing to put in the effort. I have things to do and see after all."

Asobi’s jade eyes glimmered like the stars above, gawking at the blonde, "That’s so spectacular Jotou!"

"Hm, sure is. You know, I never asked. I know Hotaru’s and I know Fumeko’s, but... What are your aspirations Sobi? You know, like a goal, a purpose."

"Me? You mean like your amazing one?" Asobi poked a wand under her chin, "I just want to make people happy.

It makes me really, really happy when other people are. And when I do my tricks people love them and cheer. I can play with children and bring joy to anyone.

I love making a show and entertaining people, seeing the little sparkle in their eyes when they see magic; like Fumeko! Their attention makes me want to do more and bring them comfort and delight.

When I beat up all the bad guys, I just think of all the people cheering, everyone’s who’s safe because of us—and happy.

And I’m always making myself happy with my tricks, so anybody can enjoy them! Nobody should be sad and everyone needs a friend.

Hm... I guess that’s my goal Jotou; that’s what I wanna do for the rest of my life. And if I can do that with the bestest of the bestest friends while we explore the beautiful world, I’d just be even happier!"

Jotou simply smiled along, "That’s, quite the goal to have... Not everything can just be happy, but I’ll be happy to be by your side throughout it Asobi," she giggled with all her teeth.

Asobi pouted slightly, "I know there are sad moments... Maybe I shouldn’t ignore them like you said. Maybe I will get used to being sad, angry and feel pain. As long as you can teach me how to confront them Jotou!"

"Of course I will. Hotaru might too. I can’t speak for Meko..."

Asobi tittered, Jotou following her lead to laugh alongside. Their laughter filled the air...