How hard is it to take care of someone? Parents are the best people to answer that. Unfortunately, I never had a child. What I do have is a sketch idea of how it goes. You give them food, and clothes, and shelter, and education, and— hold on, this one is optional, attention. Yeah, I think that's about it.
Though my situation is a little bit odd compared to a parent trying to keep their children alive. I am put in charge of managing both their life and death. I'm talking about the girls here.
Or so I interpret, based on my last conversation with One Who Put Me Here.
This won't be easy. First of all, the girls hated me even though we just met. I can't control someone's life and death if they don't let me. And second of all, I am barely in this world at all— stuck in between two life experiences. I have a problem to deal with.
That's okay, though.
I am kind of immortal, I guess. I have quite a long time to figure this out.
The girls are still introducing themselves…
Right, while we wait, here's a fun question. Let's set aside the 'give the girls an end' or whatnot. What if there's no catch? You are now kind of both, an immortal and a time traveller. What would you do? You could've saved many people from getting run over by a car. And— or— help the police out to locate kidnapped children. Now I think about it, you can do a lot of good. Be a hero who is loved by everybody. Let's look at the other side. The darker one. With this kind of power, you'd be free of consequence, no? So what if you snuck a knife in someone's throat, for fun? You could've just gone back, and no one remembers you as a murderer with no remorse. Whatever your answer is, there's no right or wrong way to go about it. That concept is created by your mind. If you think running people over with cars is a good thing, I guess you'd be fine with it for the rest of your life.
—Clap.
Sohee's bright pink eyes reflect a man's face. Huh, that guy seems a little out of it. Get a grip, dude, you have something to do.
As soon as she tilted her head, I turned around to the girls. I don't need a reminder of what I am supposed to do. I got it after the second time.
"Yeah."
All eyes on me, booting my imagination.
The blacks— Shizuka'd get herself electrocuted in a bathroom because she can't leave her laptop for a second. The reds— Varrie's game console exploded, burning her alive; there was no scream. The emeralds— someone out there gouges out her eyes and sells them to the jewelry store, leaving her on the ground, crying a river of blood. White, the one who just left— shot by a gun. That last one is pretty boring, but again, out of all the girls here, I know her worst. She's not even here.
Hm, what was that? The girls' end. Maybe they're a little bit extreme, but who knows what kind of end she wants from them. Maybe I'm not too far off. Even if I have it wrong, we'd just be back here again. They are practically immortal like me.
We're in the same boat.
I say to them, "I want to be your tutor."
My tongue tasted weird after that.
And that's that, folk. Give it a round of applause. Here at this moment is the very start of my tutoring journey with four pretty and cute girls. Where will the road take us? What backstories will I find out about these girls? Is there a chance that we start catching feelings in the future? After that, maybe we can do something sexy to each other. My stomach is feeling bubbly thinking about that… my stomach…
I want to puke.
Something is not right. What's wrong with my thought? I need to leave, or it's going to get worse.
No, don't leave. I can't leave.
Stay rooted.
My head turns to my right side, seeing Sohee's smile. Ah, she's so pretty it's healing me.
No, don't look away. A little longer. Please.
"Great," she says, facing the girls. "Now to the last phase."
Last… phase? It's not over. Of course it's not, it can't be that easy.
"It's time for the votes."
Votes?
"No," Varrie, the first one to cast.
Glancing at her, Shizuka smirks. "Then Shizuka says yes."
"Tch," Varrie rolls her eyes and returns to her screen.
Sohee looks around, trying to find another yes. One more girl to say. Nelly.
"Sorry, Sohee," that one is loud enough for everyone to hear. Nelly then shakes her head. No, that means she is saying no.
Two no's, and a yes.
"Shizuka remembers Claire said she is neutral," she says, looking up at us brightly.
This is not looking good.
Sohee's face seems calm, though. Once again, she looks at me expectantly. What? Is there something I am supposed to do now?
Right. Of course, that's how it is. They must have a plan. Sohee and the old user are not stupid enough to put themselves in this situation. They must know the votes are unfavorable for me.
The thing is…
I have no recollection of this plan.
Oh, now Sohee's face is a little worried.
I'm sorry, Sohee. Can you tell me what our plan is? I lean in closer to her so we can begin whispering.
"Sunbae, so what was the plan?"
Huh? I thought you'd know.
"You said you'd have one, right? Don't make me nervous here, Sunbae."
Fuck.
This is bad.
So the old user has a plan. He just never reveals it to Sohee. What kind of plan is it? If I close my eyes hard enough, would I be able to have that memory…
No dice.
Sohee shakes my shoulder.
"Sunbae? We… We don't have much left."
She is afraid of disappointment. I remember the face that she made back then. She must have quite a lot of hope for the face she is staring at now.
I might not be that guy, Sohee. But I could still try. Let's do what we can here.