Chapter 20: Before [True Happy-End] Wanting to Be Someone Else (Part 1)

The day after hearing about Erin and Isaac’s wedding announcement, I was working on paperwork in my office, feeling quite refreshed.

(“This world has changed significantly from the original game’s setting. Erin and Isaac seem happy, and many other things are different as well.”)

The most significant divergence is the fact that Noel is the child of the goddess Floren and my own secret birth story.

(“Why did that dating game leave out such critical details?”)

No matter how I think about it, it’s an incredibly important point that shouldn’t have been ignored.

“Mireille, what’s a dating game?” Noel, who was drawing on the sofa in my office, asked after reading my thoughts.

“That’s just a personal matter… Also, please don’t read my mind; it’s embarrassing.”

“Okay!”

Hearing Noel’s light-hearted response, I sighed.

(“Well, there’s no end to criticizing the game. Maybe it’s time to stop caring about the original game.”)

To me, this isn’t the fictional world of a game.

This world and the people in it are the irreplaceable “reality.”

I’ve often thought lately that perhaps only a tiny fragment of the vast information in this world transcended dimensions and landed in that other world, where someone picked it up and condensed it into that game.

Noel tapped my shoulder.

“Mireille, it’s almost time for Mireld to arrive.”

“Oh, right. I should go greet him, but I feel a bit nervous.”

“Why?”

“Well… it’s just embarrassing to meet my brother.”

He proposes to me daily without any shame, with a sweet, refreshing smile. Where has the tsundere, teasing brother from back then gone?

“Look, I’ve always thought of him as a brother. It’s hard to suddenly change that after 18 years.”

“So, do you dislike Mireld?”

“You can read my mind; why are you asking that on purpose?”

Noel looked frustrated.

“Mireille, you’re surprisingly timid. Since you both like each other, you should properly respond to Mireld. I’ll subtly support you today.”

“No, don’t do anything strange, okay?”

***

Soon, my brother arrived at the mansion. Because it was a nice day, I invited him to a tea set in the garden.

Noel greeted my brother with a “hello” and then quickly disappeared, probably to leave us alone.

(This kind of consideration makes it even more awkward…)

My brother sat across from me at the garden table, softly smiling at me.

“How have you been?”

“Fine. We just met the day before yesterday, didn’t we, brother?”

“Each day felt like a thousand years.”

“I see…”

Our conversation stopped. While my brother enjoyed his tea leisurely, I felt nervous and fidgety. Even the silence felt embarrassing.

I tried mentioning that I enjoyed meeting my three school friends yesterday. My brother listened happily, and I gradually relaxed.

As I talked more about yesterday’s garden party, I wondered why I felt so relaxed.

From somewhere, a gentle violin melody was playing.

Music greatly influences people’s emotions. Listening to the rich and varied tones, my tension seemed to have eased.

(But where is this melody coming from?)

The melody was so skillful and fresh that it seemed as if a court musician was playing it. My brother also looked puzzled about where the sound was coming from and tilted his head.

We looked at each other, stood up, and began walking toward the source of the sound.

“It’s a beautiful melody. Where is it coming from?”

“I thought you had hired a musician.”

“No, I’m too busy every day to afford the luxury of enjoying music…”

Together, we searched for the source of the music.

The relaxed melody turned into a passionate one, expressing rising emotions with an upbeat tempo. It was such a masterful performance.

As we approached the sound, we found it coming from a large tree in a corner of the garden. Looking up, we saw Noel sitting on a thick branch, playing the violin.

This incredible musical skill must also be part of Noel’s extraordinary abilities.

“What are you doing, Noel?”

Noel replied from the tree while continuing to play the violin.

“Don’t mind me. I’m just playing background music for your love scene. Music sets the mood, right? So, go ahead and get cozy.”

“Get cozy…?”

“Hey! I told you not to do anything strange. It’s dangerous up there, so come down now.”

“Hmph. I thought the music would create the mood for a successful proposal.”

Noel jumped down from the branch with the violin, landing lightly.

Sighing in exasperation, Noel walked over to my brother and encouraged him.

“Mireille is surprisingly timid. Mireld, good luck. Show her you’re a man.”

“Noel, you’re as unique as ever,” my brother said, laughing.

“Good luck,” Noel said, before running off, saying, “I’ll leave the young couple alone now!”

…Where did he learn such phrases?

My brother chuckled pleasantly.

“You can also be thrown off by Noel, I see.”

“Yes, well. Even with my past life’s knowledge, Noel’s abilities and personality are unpredictable.”

“You said you knew everything about him, didn’t you?”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes. The day you took Noel from the orphanage, you said it clearly.”

…You?

I felt something off in my brother’s words. He called me “you#” instead of the usual “you*.”

(T/N

1. 1. 1. 1. 君 (kimi)/you#:
            – “君” is a casual and informal way to address someone. It is typically used among peers, friends, or in informal settings.While it is less formal than “あなた,” it is still considered polite and respectful.It conveys a sense of endearment and respect, but without the potential harshness of “Omae”. It can also be used in a slightly formal and respectful context, unlike “Omae”.
      1. 1. お前 (omae)/you*:
            – “お前” is a very casual and often impolite way to address someone. It can be considered rude or confrontational, depending on the context and the relationship between the speakers. It is generally used among close friends, family members, or in informal and familiar settings.It can convey familiarity and closeness, but also has the potential to sound disrespectful if used inappropriately.)

“Brother, did you just call me ‘you#‘?”

“I did.”

“Why is that? You’re unsually being formal, aren’t you?”

I asked casually.

My brother deepened his smile and answered after a brief pause.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve decided to change my approach to you a bit. I want to be’someone else’ to you.”