Chapter 2: I Brainwashed a Girl to Fall for me…

“Ugh…” (Ethan)

…I can’t believe I lost consciousness again…

Forcing my eyes to open with my aching head, I saw a wooden ceiling above me.

Blinking in surprise at the man-made roof, I noticed that my back is softer than when I was lying on the ground before.

Sure enough, I am on a comfy bed…

Ah! The girl!

Before I lost consciousness, there was a girl who approached me!

I sat up with a jolt and hurriedly looked around.

Where is she!? Where is my main heroine!?

“Oh? You’re awake lad.” (???)

There!

Now, let’s see how beautiful she is!

Looking over at the direction of the voice, my gaze heated up somewhat.

Yes, that tan colored skin! That strong bulging muscles! The silky hair on his beard!

“WHY IS IT AN OLD MAN!?” (Ethan)

Damn, don’t tell me I was only imagining what I saw before!?

Well…my vision was somewhat hazy but I definitely heard a sweet charming voice!

…Or was that the effect of the mushroom?

“Oh? It seems you’re already fully recovered to be shouting so lively! Haha!” (Old Man)

“A-ahh…thank you for taking care of me…” (Ethan)

Well, delusion or not, he did help me so he at least deserves a thank you.

I’m not so petty that I would ignore him just because he isn’t a cute girl.

In fact, I’m thankful that it wasn’t a cute girl, if it was, I don’t know how I should talk to her.

After all, I don’t have much interaction to females in my previous life. In fact, they’re the ones who bullies me…well, some of them anyway.

“Umm…” (Ethan)

“Tobias! I am called Tobias Hampson! Just call me Grampa Tob!” (Grampa Tob)

This Grampa Tob is quite an energetic person for an old man.

No, I wonder if he’s considered that old? He had a white short hair and beard, his face and posture makes one feel as if he’s an immovable statue.

Even his muscles are better than someone in his prime.

Hmm…if I have to liken him to some manga characters, then it would be Ichibē Hyōsube from Bleach. Just, a bit older…

Hm? You don’t know who that is? Just ask Google-sensei.

“My name’s Ethan…just Ethan…” (Ethan)

Now that I’m no longer in that trash world, I would rather not retain my family name. I mean, what’s the point?

Every time I hear that name, I would only remember bad things…

“Hmm…just Ethan huh? Well, can you tell me what you were doing in the middle of the woods with bloodied clothes?” (Grampa Tob)

“That…I wish I knew…where is this place anyway?” (Ethan)

Grampa Tob raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Well, who wouldn’t be suspicious if you saw a man covered in blood, lost in the woods alone? And even says he doesn’t know why?

Of course you will doubt him.

Only an idiot wouldn’t. However, this isn’t all a lie. I truly didn’t know how I ended up here…in this world that is…

“This place is called [Sarst Forest]. A forest located northeast of [Nustos].” (Grampa Tob)

“Riiight…so how far till I reach [Nustos]?” (Ethan)

Grampa Tob looked at me in surprise as if I just asked the dumbest question in history.

“Lad…you’re already in [Nustos]. It’s a country.” (Grampa Tob)

“…….Ahhh…I-I knew that…” (Ethan)

“…It seems you really have amnesia…” (Grampa Tob)

Success!

Haha, now, the doubts from before had been fixed!

He should believe that I really did lose my memories!

“After all, you did eat that mushroom, only an idiot would eat a [Suicidal Mushroom]. Though, it’s another story to survive it.” (Grampa Tob)

“…[Suicidal Mushroom]?” (Ethan)

“Yeah, it’s a mushroom that forces the victim to kill himself. Those who lack the courage to kill themselves uses that mushroom. Of course, there are also those who wish to kill someone and make it look like a suicide.” (Grampa Tob)

W-what a fearsome mushroom…

Why is such a thing beside me right after the transfer!?

“Wait, then how come I’m alive? Did it have some sort of duration and you simply held me down to prevent myself from dying?” (Ethan)

“There’s no duration and there is also no way to keep you from killing yourself! After all, you can bite your tongue and bleed yourself to death. Even if I stop that, you can simply switch to stop breathing!” (Grampa Tob)

“Huh? So why am I alive then?” (Ethan)

“That’s what I want to know. When little Drea found you, you had just taken a small bite but even so, that is still enough to make yourself kill you. Yet you simply lost consciousness.” (Grampa Tob)

I no longer heard half of what he said.

My mind stopped when he mentioned little Drea.

Drea…that should be a girl’s name right!?

So I wasn’t imagining that at all!

I really did have a chance meeting!

I wonder if this is the start of a harem?

No no no no, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One is fine.

Right, all that matters is that we both love each other right?

Why should I aim for a lot of girlfriends?

I bet I would be screaming ‘Such misfortune~’ if I have a harem like a certain Level 0 esper.

Or maybe I should go ‘Oppai oppai~’ like a certain oppai dragon?

Anyway, where is she? How come she’s not here?

Seeing that the girl known as Drea isn’t around, I simply sighed and dropped my shoulders.

But because she isn’t here, I was left with no choice but fantasize how she looked.

“Don’t worry lad. I’m sure your memories would come back after you rest for a bit.” (Grampa Tob)

It seems he misunderstood when he saw me being dejected.

Well, it’s good that way, otherwise, if he were to know what I’m thinking, I might die for real…

But still, I want to see her after all.

Let’s ask discreetly…

“You mentioned little Drea? You don’t live alone here?” (Ethan)

“Ah, no. She’s my granddaughter. Her parents died you see, so I’m the only one she’s got.” (Grampa Tob)

“That’s…unfortunate…” (Ethan)

I don’t know how to feel about this.

As someone who didn’t have a decent parent, I feel jealous that she has a family that cares for her. Yet at the same time, I feel angry at the parents for leaving her behind.

“Haah, unfortunate indeed…that was a very unfortunate day indeed…” (Grampa Tob)

Grampa Tob spoke with much regret…I wonder if he wasn’t present on that day…I wonder…if he was there, I wonder if he could’ve prevented their deaths?

He gave off that kind of feeling.

Powerful, yet helpless…

Right, it was just unlucky…the same as that time…when I wasn’t on time to see brother die.

Maybe…just maybe…If I was there, maybe I could’ve pushed him away?

“Grampa~ I finished picking the herbs~” (???)

Just then, a sweet voice outside jolted me from my thoughts.

The door opened and appeared a beautiful girl.

She looked around the same age as me, 18. Her brown hair was tied to a braid and hung on one side of her shoulder.

She wore a straw hat and a white one piece dress with flowery designs which made her both childish yet mature at the same time. It was very much adorable.

Her figure was also a perfect hourglass shape with a breast that is just the right size that should fit perfectly in my palm and round buttocks to go with it.

Her eyes were like emerald jewels as they shone a green light from the sunlight’s reflection.

All in all, she’s really a perfect beauty. Added to that, her kind personality which I knew she had because she tried to warn me from eating that mushroom before. Not to mention that she’s from the country side so she should be adept with cooking. A perfect wife material!

There was only one problem though…her hairstyle!

That is the legendary hairstyle of death!

If her mother also had the same hairstyle, then that would explain why she died!

It’s decided! No matter what, I will definitely make her change her hairstyle!

“Ah, you’re awake?” (???)

“Little Drea, this is Ethan. Ethan, this is my granddaughter, Drea Hampson!” (Grampa Tob)

“Hn? Ah! Right…Thank you for saving me. I-it’s a pleasure to meet you!” (Ethan)

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Uwaah, this is my first time directly talking to a girl! And a beauty at that!

What should I do? I wonder if I was overly polite?

Should I shake her hand? But holding hands is a bit…

“Ah, unn. It’s a pleasure to meet you too. But, I didn’t save your life or anything. I don’t know why but the [Suicidal Mushroom] didn’t work on you. Are you really alright?” (Drea)

Ah, did I overwhelm her too much?

I looked at her face and saw her worried expression.

She really is a kind hearted person after all.

“I-I’m fine! No problem at all!” (Ethan)

“That’s good…I’d rather you don’t die in front of me as well…” (Drea)

…So is that the indirect meaning of I can die as long as you can’t see me?

Joking aside, I understand what she means.

Her parents probably died in front of her so she didn’t want to see something similar to occur, else, she will only remember the event of that day.

“Don’t worry. There is no force in the world that can kill me!” (Ethan)

…………….Why did I say that!?

GOD THIS IS SO EMBARASSING!

Such a chuuni line…but I can’t break down now. Else, it would be even more embarrassing.

“Ohoho, lad. You just met her and you already proposed!” (Grampa Tob)

“……..Huh?” (Ethan)

“Haha, by saying that nothing can kill you to little Drea, it’s as if you’re saying that as long as she is with you, she won’t need to worry about having her love one be killed right?” (Grampa Tob)

…………………………….Eh?

Did I mean it like that?

Isn’t that too farfetched?

Thinking that his logic isn’t understandable, I looked back to Drea to see her reaction.

…

…

…

She’s…blushing!?

OH MY GOD SHE’S BLUSHING!!!

DAMMIT SHE’S SO CUTE!

IT’S SO FLUFFY!...Yes, I also watched Despicable Me…What? Too kiddy? But it’s funny!

“P-propose…but we just met…s-so umm…” (Drea)

“No no no no no! The old man’s just joking!” (Ethan)

“……Eh?........S-so…you don’t like me?” (Drea)

DAMN I JUST DUG MY OWN GRAVE!

Drea looked at me with upturned eyes.

What? Is she relieved or sad!? Which is it!?

“T-that…well…I-I definitely don’t…hate you…” (Ethan)

“…So you like me?” (Drea)

Not understanding my point, Drea tilted her head cutely.

Why is she so hell bent on me choosing only those two options!?

Can’t we meet in the middle? After all, we really did just meet a while ago so at the moment, my feeling for her is just that of a crush!

“Argh fine! Yes, I like you!” (Ethan)

Since I have a feeling that it won’t end for a long time, let’s just say it!

“E-eh? B-but…we just met…” (Drea)

“That’s why I said I don’t hate you!” (Ethan)

“Then you do like me…even though we just met?” (Drea)

“Arggh…How about you then? Do you hate me?”(Ethan)

“Umm…no?” (Drea)

“Then that means you also like me!” (Ethan)

“I…I do?” (Drea)

“What? So you hate me after all?” (Ethan)

“No!” (Drea)

“Then you really like me!” (Ethan)

“That’s right!” (Drea)

………………………………………………Eh?

Wait…did I just succeed in brainwashing a pure innocent girl to like me?

No no, she did the same to me earlier right? I just copied her logic.

Right, this isn’t brainwashing at all. No sir. Not brainwashing.

Good, now that my conscience is fixed…what now?

Having no idea what to do next, I unconsciously turned my head towards Grampa Tob whose eyes are wide and his jaws dropped.

Seems like he didn’t expect his joke to have led to this situation.

“…Before you start accusing me, remember who started this!” (Ethan)

“…Fine, I get it. I’m at fault alright? But maybe this is good too…you don’t seem like someone who has bad intentions after all…” (Grampa Tob)

Huh? He’s fine with it?

He’s seriously okay with what just happened?

“Little Drea.” (Grampa Tob)

“Ah! Y-yes, grampa?” (Drea)

“…Do you really like him?” (Grampa Tob)

“Yes?” (Drea)

…Eh?

Wait, what the hell is this situation!?

I have a bad feeling about this…

Grampa Tob looked at Drea in the eyes, seemingly hesitating before finally sighing and glancing towards me briefly.

Afterwards, he redirected his gaze to Drea again.

“Good. Then that means I can leave you without any worries now.” (Grampa Tob)

“Eh? Grampa! Where are you going!? Are you going to leave me alone!?” (Drea)

Seeing Drea who was on the verge of crying, Grampa Tob’s eyes softened.

He placed one hand on Drea’s head to reassure her.

“Little Drea. All this time, I have been right by your side because I’m afraid of leaving you alone. At the same time, I can’t take you with me since it is too dangerous! But now…” (Grampa Tob)

Suddenly, he looked over at my way which made me straighten my back in surprise.

“Now, you’re no longer alone. So I can finally leave you.” (Grampa Tob)

“But where are you going!? Let me go with you!” (Drea)

“It’s too dangerous!” (Grampa Tob)

Surprised with his sudden shout, Drea flinched in fright.

As Grampa Tob saw this, he sighed before softening his gaze again.

“Little Drea. Your father and mother are both good people…and they are my good children. No matter what, I must definitely find their killer and bring justice to them!” (Grampa Tob)

…So it was about this…

Probably, he still blames himself for their deaths…

“But they are too dangerous! That’s why I can’t let you follow me! Do you understand?” (Grampa Tob)

Probably knowing she can’t change his mind, Drea nodded weakly.

Grampa Tob sighed again before looking towards me.

“Ethan…I may not know who you are or where you came from…But I have a feeling that you are not a bad person. Take care of little Drea for me will you?...But know that if you ever make her cry-!” (Grampa Tob)

Scary scary scary scary scary!

“I won’t!” (Ethan)

“Good! I’m glad we came to an agreement!” (Grampa Tob)

Grampa Tob smiled warmly as if his killing intent earlier was nothing but a dream.

…Not that I forgot it…

“Little Drea…be happy, okay? I want to see your smile before I leave.” (Grampa Tob)

“Un! Goodbye, grampa!” (Drea)

With tears still falling from her eyes, Drea gave her best to smile for Grampa Tob.

Probably…because she knew that he might no longer return...

Grampa Tob looked at me one last time, nodded, then packed his things.

As me and Drea watched his back disappear into the distance, I had a sudden urge to say something to him.

“Old man! Don’t keep blaming yourself for their death!” (Ethan)

I don’t know why I said that.

But it feels like that wasn’t just directed to Grampa Tob…but to me as well…

I guess, I want to know…if he can stop blaming himself, then perhaps I can do too.

Grampa Tob stopped on his track in surprise, before walking again.

Though, I have this feeling that he smiled at that moment…

And so…I suddenly got into a situation where I’m living alone with a beautiful girl…

What the hell, am I in some galge or something!?

Wait…is this seriously alright!?

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Author's Rants

Hey again, to those who didn't read Back Again, I will say it again, sorry for not posting any chaps for a while, last week was Holy Week and this week is Finals Week so I've been really busy tying lose ends and forced visiting churches for no apparent reason uhh, reasons...

Anyway, sine I already wrote this chap a long tjme ago, al I needed was time tonpost it, which is now.

So, the logic in this chap is pretty messed up...i mean, when I was writing this, my hand just typed and went with the flow so...yeah...well, just think as the girl being ultra dense and a clutz andit will make sense haha.

Still...I really dug myself in this one...jow I find writing the next chap of this as hard and annoying and awkward...well, I still managed to write it anyway.

So! How will their new life turn out to be now?

See ya next chap!