Chapter 30: A TS Girl Wants to Toughen Up Her Mental

I’m Akegami Sora. I was reincarnated into Last Inheritance after undergoing a TS transformation—and even though I was supposed to die early on, I somehow survived as a girl!

Alright. So far, so good.

Unlike when I was Akegami Yuri, I can’t really keep up appearances anymore.

And because of that, I’ve got a bit of a problem.

…Somehow, I’ve turned into someone super needy.

What is this? Craving warmth and complaining about being lonely? That’s way too emotionally unstable.

Well, okay—being comforted when Kisa hugs me is fine. But the fact that I’m even seeking that from Honoka too is… a bit much.

…and then there’s the thing with Nagisa-kun.

I really don’t want to remember any of that.

At this rate, I’m doomed. I’ll turn into the type who spams messages and spirals when people don’t reply.

So, I need to do something about this weak mentality.

"That’s why I’m thinking of exercising."

"…And why exactly are you telling me this?"

"Because you seem like the one who’d give me a normal answer?"

For some reason, as usual, Reina was helping out with chores.

She gathered up trash I’d forgotten to throw away and packed food into containers.

"More importantly, why exercise?"

"I figured staying cooped up all the time isn’t good. So I thought I should move around more."

"Hmm. I see. Then that works out perfectly."

"For what?"

At that, Reina gave a small smile.

For some reason, a chill ran down my spine.

I had a bad feeling about this.

"Let’s go to the beach."

Why?

…Wait, hold on. Wasn’t there some kind of beach event in the game?

As if nothing was out of the ordinary, Reina continued wiping down the kitchen.

"That’s not really exercise, is it?"

"You can swim."

"That’s not what I mean—I was thinking more like consistent exercise."

"I see. Well, that aside, we’re going to the beach."

"…Does that mean we need swimsuits?"

"Yes."

…This is a swimsuit event!!

Before I knew it, the season had shifted into summer, and the sunlight had grown intense.

Since Chapter 1 took place from spring to early summer, Chapter 2 naturally falls in summer.

After becoming Abaddon, my appearance changed, so I couldn’t just attend school normally anymore.

I mean, Abaddon is supposed to be a hidden element.

So instead, I’ve been attending school under a sort of nurse’s office arrangement—as Akegami Sora, who just happens to look exactly like Akegami Yuri.

…With all that chaos going on, things have been pretty hectic.

Which is why this sudden swimsuit event completely slipped my mind.

Originally, Akegami Sora didn’t even have a swimsuit. So… do I really have to wear one too?

I mean, come on—I’m still not even fully comfortable with underwear yet, and now a swimsuit?

No way, no way, no way!

"Hmm, it looks good on you, Sora-chan."

…Then why am I being made to wear one!?

Kisa asked me to go shopping with her, and somehow I got swept into trying on swimsuits.

She almost made me wear something ridiculously revealing, and I had to desperately stop her.

It’s not like my body is the kind that makes people go, “Look at those curves!” anyway, so what’s the point? If anything, she should be putting that on Reina.

Instead, I ended up trying on something more reasonable since we’re going to the beach.

As for why we’re going to the beach in the first place—there’s a bit of an investigation involved.

While tracking the appearance points of the Deep Calamities, one of them seems to be near the ocean.

Curse Seekers don’t gain any stat changes based on what they wear.

No matter how sturdy the gear is, a Curse Seeker’s body is far tougher, making it meaningless. Even wearing a swimsuit doesn’t change defense at all.

…How does that even work?

And yet, their skin still feels soft. Maybe they’re unconsciously covered in some kind of energy barrier during combat.

Anyway, because of that, there was a recruitment notice: “Anyone want to investigate while also enjoying the beach in swimsuits?”

Apparently, Team Blue Sky signed up without me even knowing.

Seriously, that was unnecessary. I mean, yes, it’s correct for the scenario, but still.

…Even though I’m just wearing a swimsuit, this is so embarrassing. Of course it is—who wouldn’t feel awkward showing this much skin?

"Hey, Kisa. Can I change already?"

"Ehh? I want to see more."

"I’m changing now, okay?"

"Chee~"

Kisa had already finished picking hers, so I couldn’t put her through the same ordeal. Not fair.

I quickly changed out of the swimsuit and back into my regular clothes.

Whew… that was close. My mental state is finally back in the safe zone.

If I’m exposed to too much stimulation, my mind might start acting weird again.

…Do I really have to buy something frilly like that? Maybe I can just wear a rash guard over it and get through the day.

"Sora-chan, make sure you actually buy a swimsuit, okay?"

"…Fine, I get it."

I reluctantly bought one. It’s not like I had anything besides a school swimsuit anyway.

…Sigh. Do I really have to wear it?

“Swimsuit version Akegami Sora—now available!” or something?

I wonder how that would affect stats. Swimsuit versions usually get a boost, right?

Though since I’m already boosted from being in an Abaddon state, it probably wouldn’t change much.

Right now, I’m worse off than someone returning from the Abyss—I can’t even use skills freely during a Connect Link.

Even the Connector gets strained.

"…Do I seriously have to wear this?"

"You’re still on about that?"

"Of course I am."

…It just feels strange, wearing a swimsuit I picked out myself.

"Are you embarrassed to show it to Shinozaki-kun?"

"…Huh?"

My voice dropped without thinking.

Kisa laughed lightly as she checked messages on her phone.

"If it’s just some random person, it’s not embarrassing, right? So I thought maybe you’re embarrassed to show it to Shinozaki-kun."

"…It’s not like that."

"Isn’t it~?"

It’s not that… well, maybe a little, but still.

It’s more complicated—it involves my past life, so it’s hard to explain.

…Whatever. Let’s just say I’m shy around Nagisa-kun.

Anyway, I bought the swimsuit, so I guess it’s about time to head home—

—when suddenly, I felt someone staring at my back.

"Huh…?"

The voice that came from behind me wasn’t familiar.

When I turned around…

There was a girl who stood out—in an unusual way.

She wore long sleeves that covered half her hands, along with a choker and ear cuffs.

Despite the long sleeves, she had on short shorts, and she kept fidgeting with her black-and-gray hair.

Like a frightened little animal, she kept her distance, yet stared at me intently.

That’s… kind of scary. Her eyes are slightly red, too.

"Akegami…-san?"

"Uh, hello?"

"Hih—!? S-Sorry!"

When I nodded—since she seemed to recognize me—she stepped back, then suddenly ran off.

…What was that about?

"…Sora-chan, do you know her?"

"No, I don’t."

"Hmm. I thought maybe she was like a fellow mentally unstable type."

Did you just casually lump me in with that?

…Well, I can’t exactly deny it.

Still, who was she? I don’t remember anyone like that in Last Inheritance.

…Hopefully, she’s not important.