How hard is it to take care of someone? The best people to answer that are the parents. Unfortunately, I never had a child. Or remember how my parents are like. What I do have is a rough idea of how it goes. You give the children food, clothes, 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.
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'm not stable enough to be anything close to a parent. So, not so many problems.
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… looks like I still have some more time to talk with you.
What if there was never a catch? To be this. An immortal time traveler. What would you do? Be like a hero? Like saving as many people from getting into road accidents—cats, too? Like helping kidnapped children and those who is going to be? Fight off a mob group. Maybe something with less action like telling somebody to bring an umbrella with them out since it would be raining that day. Lots of good can be done from this power.
And lots of, not so good, can, too. Think about it, who's stopping you? 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.
Fortunely I don't have to choose. What I am going to do with this curse, is already set.
—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 tilts her head, I turn around to the girls. I don't need a reminder of what I am supposed to do. I got it after the second time.
Their eyes on me.
A perfect end is what I was asked for to give to the girls. I wonder what imperfect ones look like.
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.
And then, we'd just be back here again. These girls are practically immortal like me. If we work together I'm sure we'd be released from this curse.
"I am interested in tutoring you all."
My tongue tasted weird after that.
And that's that, folk. Give it a round of applause. At this moment, this is the very start of my tutoring journey with four pretty, 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 thoughts? Something that shouldn't be there was there. 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 noes and a yes. As for the last girl…
"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? Is this part of it, Sunbae?"
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 time 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.