Oni 12 Awkward

This is so awkward. Since my face wasnt any different to before my reincarnation, I had been under the impression that Negishi-san knew who I was the whole time for sure. However, considering her reactions, it seems that she doesnt remember me at all. Even when I said my name she only responded in a subdued manner. It seems she then became a bit flustered and glossed over it by saying, Sasajima-kun huh, I remember, but her face suggests that she cant remember, so its obviously a lie. Shiro-san has a considerable poker face so I couldnt read her emotions, but Negishi-san is the type who openly shows her emotions on her face it seems.

Even so, this is embarrassing. I was under the impression that she remembered me and so on all this time, so I feel so self-conscious about it that its really embarrassing! Though after I said it, since many years have passed, I guess its natural not to be able to remember your classmates faces. In my case, though I can remember Negishi-san, thats solely due to her deep presence.

Negishi Akiko-san. She had an especially uncertain existence in the class. Her appearance itself had a strong impact, but it was really her actions that left a strong impression. Negishi-san would spend most of the morning classes nodding off. Even if the class president Kudou-san warned her, all that she would get back was a glint in the eye that seemed to harbour an intent to kill. From that alone I instinctively realised that she was dangerous. She was isolated from the rest of the class as if it was natural.

That Negishi-san sure has changed. Before, when she looked at others it was only ever with a glare of hatred in her eyes, but now her expressions change frequently. With her high-handed manner of speaking as well, I somehow get the feeling that shes acting tough, and her childishness seems appropriate for her age. Because she has reincarnated, she should have a higher mental age than she looks though.

Whether that change is a good thing or not, that is not something for me to decide. If she is okay with it herself, then that should be fine. From my point of view, shes become much easier to get along with though.

Though I think so, I still feel awkward. I have been forgotten, but we did try to kill each other just the other day though. Why did Shiro-san leave without saying anything? With the mood in this room and just the two of us, its a high hurdle to clear.

Humph. Could you please not call me Negishi? My name now is Sophia Keren. Please call me by that name.

It doesnt seem like shes saying that to match me naming myself as Wrath though. I have a different reason why I dont like to be called by my old name. She probably hated herself in her previous life. Thats because, its clear from the behaviour that she showed that she found everything around her in her previous life to be seemingly odious.

I understand. Then, I shall call you Sophia-san from now on.

I dont have any reason not to. I cant deny something I ask for myself anyway.

So, what did Shiro-san want us to do?

Ill ask that to change the subject. If we continue to talk about the subject of our names, I think that well both recall bitter memories after all.

I dont know.

Eh?

However, I didnt expect that answer.

I dont know. I wasnt told anything.

Umm.

You came here without being told anything? Ahh, now that you mention it, if shed been told something, she wouldnt have tried to attack me as soon as we met I guess.

So, it was really just for us to meet?

I wouldnt think so. Shouldnt there be something written in this book?

Sophia-san holds up a book. I look down at the book that Shiro-san also handed to me.

Shiro-san handed me a book and some clothes. The clothes were, a dougi and hakama, some Japanese socks, and this cloth that Id rather not think about, but maybe its a loincloth? No matter how I look at them it appears to be a complete set of samurai clothes or similar, so is she telling me to wear these then? I was pretty much raised as a modern person, so Im reluctant to wear these clothes that make me feel like a cosplayer though. Well, considering that when I had Wrath activated I was pretty much only in underwear, then this is much better though. Lets put the clothes on hold until later.

So, with regards to the book, theres nothing written on the front cover. Its not that thick, so its more like a notebook. When I start leafing through it, theres something hand written.

Shiro-chans basic skills course

That title is written in excessively cute rounded handwriting. In addition, its illustrated with what appears to be a cartoonish spider character jumping for joy or something.

What, is this?

Who knows? Maybe she wrote it after getting drunk or something?

Whats that supposed to mean? My mental image of Shiro-san just collapsed. Alcohol? She drinks it?

When goshujin-sama drinks alcohol her personality changes. Its better to regard goshujin-sama as a different person when shes drunk.

I see. HM!?

Goshujin-sama?

Somehow, I just cant allow that word to pass without comment. What, goshujin-sama!? Thats your relationship!?

Excuse me, could you please not imagine something strange? Goshujin-sama and I arent in a strange relationship okay!

No, no! Whats with the goshujin-sama!? That term of address itself is strange, surely!?

Theres no way that Im calling her that because I want to! Im under a curse!

Curse?

Indeed. A curse where I cannot call goshujin-sama anything other than goshujin-sama.

What an insane curse!

For what reason was such a curse placed on you then?

Who knows? Its an offense she committed while drunk after all.

Isnt there some way to undo it?

It seems its not possible. Its actually such a strong curse that in fact maybe I should be grateful that it ended up no worse than a silly prank.

Ive just seen a cruel curse being squandered. Or rather, my mental image of Shiro-san who would invoke such a curse is steadily collapsing inside of me though.

Anyway, lets read our books. There doesnt appear to be a lot of content, so we should be able to read it quickly Im sure.

I guess she doesnt want to talk about the curse any further, as Sophia-san forcibly changes the topic. Then, she immediately opened the book and took a posture of reading it. Seeing her end the conversation so unilaterally, Im simply shocked. Well, I can understand that our relationship is strained after the death match, but even while I understand Im still depressed. Maybe Im starving for conversation more than I had realised. With a fellow reincarnator, maybe I was hoping for someone to talk with on a similar level or something. While thinking that, I turn my attention to the book as well.