I Became the Final Subjugation Target of That Era’s Light Novel

No matter how things go, I have to do what I have to do.

Especially Kagami seemed to think that way.

Even though I wore a school uniform when I was in elementary school, it seemed like Kagami was especially taken aback that I was becoming a middle school student.

At this point, I couldn’t deny it; I was definitely becoming a teenager.

Back when I was in elementary school, even if I was called a teenager, it didn’t feel that real, but that changes from middle school onwards.

Kagami stared blankly at my uniformed self.

In those eyes, complex emotions were tangled together—pride towards me, pity, and a hint of self-pity.

After all, Kagami never got to wear such a uniform.

When I graduated from university, I had taken a picture with my mom and dad while putting a graduation cap on their heads. They both couldn’t graduate from university.

However, doing something like that for Kagami at this point would be completely thoughtless. No, it was something I absolutely shouldn’t do—as if Kagami would even want to try it on.

She wouldn’t even fit into it anyway. Hmmm, maybe she could squeeze into the sleeves?

“Koto Ne?”

As I stared vacantly at Kagami, she tilted her head and called me.

“Yeah.”

I looked up at Kagami while saying that and opened my arms wide. Kagami laughed brightly at me, then came over and hugged me tightly with the camera still on the table.

That warmth is always reassuring to feel.

“…Mom.”

“Yes, Koto Ne.”

When I called Kagami, she gently patted my back.

Yeah, right now, there’s no need to make a big fuss. We’re just an ordinary family, right?

We’re just going to school like everyone else.

And I planned to go to high school and university as well.

It might seem strange to already be thinking about university as I was entering middle school, but I thought that Kagami would want me to do just that.

Although it’s ordinary, it doesn’t mean that not living that ordinary life means I can’t live it better. I will try my best, at least as far as I can. I have no intention of going to grad school, but I will study hard to get into the best university I can and work hard there to get the best grades.

Kagami has worked hard for me, so I should at least do that much.

If it were Kagami, she would probably say not to overdo it if I was feeling too burdened—but I wanted Kagami to feel pride in having raised me well.

…Is that too selfish? Hmmm, I can’t quite tell. Am I just selfishly wanting Kagami to love me? Or am I sincerely trying to repay Kagami’s feelings?

Throughout my life in this world, I honestly couldn’t pin it down.

But that’s okay. I’ll surely find out one day. I might feel a bit impatient, but it’s just that I’ve had my fair share of bad fortune, so that’s how I think.

“……”

Wrapped up in Kagami’s arms for a while, I tightened my hug around her waist.

“Mom.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for raising me until now.”

For some reason, I wanted to say that.

The reason I could exist until now was solely because of Kagami. And the reason I can continue to exist in the future is also entirely due to Kagami.

“……”

Kagami’s hand which had been stroking my back stopped.

Kagami didn’t say anything for a while. She seemed somewhat lost for words, just staring blankly.

Then, she tightened her arms around me.

That was undoubtedly a hug from a mom who loves her daughter dearly.

*

Now that I’m a middle school student, the idea of holding my mom’s hand means nothing to me. Because, if you consider my past life, I can say I’m even older than Kagami.

I’ve learned how to adapt to my life and behave like a child, and even though I adapt to the kids around me and eventually live like a child, if I were to complain about my age, I would have not held Kagami’s hand to begin with.

Having lost once, I understand. Time is always limited. I feel that more deeply because I have memories of having definitely lost some time; the moments I can hold my mom’s hand will eventually come to an end.

Everyone will die someday. And those older than me will likely die before me.

Ah, but still, since Kagami isn’t that much older than me, I might surprisingly be able to live a lifetime seeing her face.

I have no intention of dying before Kagami, but it’s nice to think that time is extended.

“Is something good going on?”

Sota, who was walking next to me, asked while looking my way.

“Um, what.”

I pondered for a moment and said,
“Just, it’s my first time going to school. The uniform is pretty.”

I casually replied with a moderate answer.

It seems Sota thought about school for a bit but eventually enrolled in my school.

If we were in elementary school, Sota and I would still have gone to different schools, but since this is a completely new school, I didn’t think we needed to care about those kinds of relationships.

No, but perhaps the kids going through puberty might misunderstand things.

Still, since Sota and I don’t think about that sort of thing, it should be fine—and well, if Sota ever gets a girlfriend, I can create some distance then.

I wonder if that will ever happen.

“I hope we’re in the same class.”

Hearing Sota say that, I squinted my eyes and looked at him.
“Do you know? Kagami has a surprisingly sharp expression. When she looks at me, her expression melts away into a smile, so she often doesn’t seem dangerous, but fundamentally, her eyes have a slight upward slant, and they tend to be a bit narrow.”

Even though I rarely see it, when Kagami gets angry, her expression can be really fierce.

And I proudly inherited that fierce expression. Even now, I have a face that can be called a pretty girl; a little more growth, and I would surely become a beauty.

But if my eyes narrow, I might look a bit scary. In reality, I’m not that strong, so most people wouldn’t really be scared.

“No, still, you don’t have to glare like that.”

Sota said so too.

He might have made a momentary expression of fear, but it didn’t seem he was really scared. He just grumbled and complained instead.

If there was any point of improvement for Sota in front of me, it would be this:

He doesn’t treat me awkwardly anymore.

This seemed to be because I continuously visited Sota and Shii, taking them around places, but actually, that was mostly my dad’s role.

Dad genuinely monitored when Sota was becoming my boyfriend. Even though he was not a drop of my blood, he saw Sota as his own child by this point.

Of course, there were times when I slapped my dad’s arm when I thought he was going too far, and at some point, Kagami also started slapping my dad’s arm to stop him. Every time that happened, my dad would scratch the back of his head and awkwardly laugh.

However, it seemed that for Sota, who was an elementary school student, that was genuinely frightening, as he seemed to decide not to see me as just a girl at some point.

Thanks to that, now we can talk like siblings.

“……”

Well, thinking back now, Kagami gives off more of an atmosphere of an elder sister than a ‘wife’ to my dad… How should I put it?

Even if I could say that she’s a bit older than me, it would be a stretch for my dad to see her as a daughter.

Maybe because there is only one man in the house left. Well, I like that better. If Kagami ever turned against Dad, I would genuinely feel sick for a week.

“Do you dislike it?”

Sota asked.

“Yeah?”

“Being in the same class as me.”

“……”

I looked at Sota and smirked.

“Well, as long as it’s not sitting next to me, it doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t want you sitting next to me either.”

Sota replied with a disgusted face.

Ah, by the way, Dad becomes nicer to Sota in proportion to the distance I’m away from him. A little while ago, when we all went fishing, since I was far away with Shii, my dad was kindly teaching Sota how to fish.

Honestly, I don’t know whether to thank my dad or not.

…..

For me personally, he is indeed someone I’m grateful to.

Yeah. It would require a lot more courage than what I said to Kagami. Besides, we haven’t known each other for that long.

But still, someday, it would be good to say it, right?

He’s a person risking his life to protect me.

Let’s say thank you.

I smiled at Sota.

To Sota and Shii.

And to my friends I will meet again someday.

Yeah, that would be nice.

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