Life In The Reverse World

Ding-dong.

The doorbell ringing again at the entryway was like a clap of thunder exploding beside her ear. It finally loosened the leaden weight in Chouko’s legs, allowing her to take a step. Slipping into her slippers, she dragged herself toward the door.

Could it be that Harutaki had come out of concern for her, planning to give her a “surprise,” and had only just arrived now?

Chouko clung to that thought in self-deception, even though she knew perfectly well the truth. Harutaki did not even know which floor or unit she lived in. There was no way he could have found her door.

If the person outside was not Harutaki… then even an NHK fee collector would do.

Even one of those NHK collectors who always dragged out the conversation whenever payment came up would be far better than… far better than the worst scenario she had imagined.

However, when Chouko bent down slightly and peered through the peephole, the sight that greeted her made her freeze. Her cheeks, still faintly flushed from the hot bath, seemed to drain of color instead.

“Hoo…”

She drew in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. Buttoning up her collar, she forced the corners of her mouth upward into a smile that was strained, yet still graceful and polite.

Creak.

With the faint rasp of the lock turning, a woman appeared outside the door. She gave off an air of dignity and refinement, looking to be around thirty. Her dark brown hair was neatly styled into a sharp, capable short cut, the slightly curled ends framing crystal earrings that hung clearly from her ears. Fine crow’s-feet at the corners of her eyes and subtle smile lines beside her nose, paired with a flawless pearl necklace at her throat, lent her every movement a sense of authority and solemn poise.

As Chouko discreetly observed her, the elegant woman was also quietly appraising Chouko from head to toe.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Aunt Shiho. I just finished bathing and was getting dinner ready. Please, come in and have a seat. I’ll make some tea right away.”

“Oh my, I should be the one apologizing. It’s been so long since I last visited, and I came without any notice. I hope I didn’t disturb you?”

You absolutely did!

Chouko complained silently to herself, but her smile never wavered as she gently shook her head.

“Not at all. I’m very happy you could come, Aunt Shiho.”

The woman Chouko called Aunt Shiho smiled faintly. After stepping into the apartment, she slipped off her high heels, changed into the guest slippers, and followed Chouko into the simple yet spotless living room.

Setting the gift she had brought onto the coffee table, Aunt Shiho sat down on the sofa with an impeccable, textbook-perfect posture. She spoke to Chouko, who was preparing tea in the open kitchen.

“The last time we met was during the New Year visit. It’s been five months already. How have you been, Chouko-chan? You’ve grown even more beautiful. You’ve surpassed what your mother looked like at your age. A true beauty.”

“You flatter me. Aunt Shiho, you’re the one who looks younger and younger after moving to Tokyo. How has Satoru-kun been? Didn’t he come with you?”

“Oh ho ho, listen to you, still as sweet-tongued as ever. When Satoru heard I was visiting his Chouko-oneesan, he begged to come along too. But this trip isn’t exactly a social call, so it wouldn’t have been appropriate to bring him.”

Aunt Shiho spoke fluent standard Japanese, sounding like a native Tokyoite, completely unlike Chouko, who still retained traces of a Kyoto accent.

When Chouko heard those words, her hand holding the saucer trembled involuntarily, nearly spilling the steaming tea.

“My place doesn’t usually have guests, so I only have black tea. It’s Darjeeling. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh, not at all. I’m the one who showed up unannounced…”

Aunt Shiho replied politely, then pinched the small handle of the teacup and lifted it, taking a light sip of the amber-colored tea.

“As expected, Chouko-chan’s tea is excellent. Truly the daughter of the main family.”

“You’re too kind.”

Aunt Shiho came from a branch of the Shihou family. She had known Chouko’s mother since childhood, so the two families were close, and she had always shown Chouko particular fondness and care.

Seeing that the visitor was Aunt Shiho allowed Chouko to relax a little.

“Actually, I was only informed by the main family this morning and asked to come see you, Chouko-chan…”

When the topic turned serious, Aunt Shiho’s expression grew troubled. Clearly, she did not like orders from the main family. She felt just as awkward about making an unannounced visit like this. But a branch family was still a branch family. Faced with requests from the main house, all she could do was comply.

“May I ask what matter required you to come in person…?”

Chouko asked despite already knowing the answer, letting out another quiet sigh in her heart.

Not a phone call. Not an email. Instead, they sent Aunt Shiho, the closest relative to her and someone she was on good terms with. The family’s level of concern over the karaoke incident was likely even greater than she had imagined.

“The main family didn’t tell me the reason either. But from the call, I could tell that the family head… the old madam, was extremely angry. She told me to convey her order, that you are to pack your things and return to the main house within three days.”

At this point, Aunt Shiho’s affection for Chouko as a younger generation showed through. She frowned, sighing as she asked with concern.

“Did you do something wrong, Chouko-chan? To anger the old madam to this extent…”

Recalling the harsh tone of the elderly woman on the phone made her worry for the girl.

Even members of the main family would not fare well if they provoked the old madam, known for her ruthless methods and strict household discipline.

“A little while ago, I was careless and almost put myself in a dangerous situation… but see, I’m perfectly fine now.”

When Chouko realized the order had come from her great-grandmother rather than her mother, the shadow weighing on her heart only grew heavier, steeped in bitter despair.

If it were her mother’s demand, she might still have had a chance to get away with it by acting spoiled or stubborn. But when it came to her perpetually stern, unsmiling great-grandmother, she could not imagine any way to resist.

In the eyes of many, she, Shihou Chouko, was a brilliant and exceptional young lady. But she herself knew better. Aside from the title of “Shihou Chouko,” she was nothing more than a weak, helpless girl.

Faced with the colossal entity that was the Shihou family, the only form of resistance she could muster was to exploit blood ties, using herself as a “hostage” to pressure her family and relatives.

What a despicable method, she thought. Just like before, when she had followed Onii to Tokyo, resorting to a huge fight with her mother, hunger strikes, and cold wars without hesitation.

Chouko understood it all too clearly.

Was she able to come to Tokyo because she was clever, or because her will was strong?

No. That was not it.

She had achieved her goal solely because of her mother’s love for her as a daughter.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Chouko-chan… but if it alarmed the main family, it must have been something quite dangerous. In any case,” Aunt Shiho took another sip of tea before continuing, “you must understand the weight of the family head speaking personally. This time… neither I nor your mother can help you.”

“…Mm.”

Chouko nodded quietly, her spirits sinking. There was no need to force a smile at a time like this.

“Still, you don’t need to worry too much about being punished. No one seeks out danger on purpose, right? You’re a victim, Chouko-chan. Since Kyoto didn’t send anyone directly to enforce it, there’s still room to maneuver. And you are the sole heir of the main family. No matter how angry the old madam is, she’ll probably just scold you like before.”

Aunt Shiho tried to comfort her, deliberately lightening the mood with a joking tone.

“Come to think of it, you were quite mischievous back then too, and you got scolded plenty, didn’t you? Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Just go back, meet the family head and your mother, and explain everything properly.”

“Thank you for the advice, Aunt Shiho.”

For the first time in a long while, Chouko felt the warmth of familial affection again.

Yet she did not believe that this return to Kyoto would end with nothing more than a mild scolding and some harmless criticism, as Aunt Shiho suggested.

This was not a single mistake, but a mistake piled atop another.

From the very moment she defied her great-grandmother and mother’s opposition and insisted on coming to Tokyo, she had already lost the right to make another error.

“Well then, I’ve completed the task that brought me here. I won’t disturb your rest any further. I’ll be heading back now. If you run into any trouble, make sure to call me.”

Aunt Shiho knew all too well what kind of girl her friend’s daughter was, having watched Chouko grow up in a sense. With lingering concern, she added one more reminder.

“Please, don’t act on impulse and make another serious mistake. You are the Shihou family’s only heir. As long as that doesn’t change, no one can truly make things difficult for you. One day, control over both the main and branch families will pass to you. Do you remember what the old madam once lectured you about? A moment of intolerance can ruin great plans. Enduring for a time is for the sake of a better future and outcome.”

“I understand. Thank you very much for your guidance. Please give my regards to Uncle and Satoru-kun. If possible, let’s meet again at Great-Grandmother’s birthday banquet.”

“Yes, yes. Take good care of yourself, Chouko-chan. The weather’s turned chilly all of a sudden. Even indoors, be careful not to catch a cold dressed so lightly.”

After finishing her tea, Aunt Shiho was escorted downstairs by Chouko. Before leaving the apartment complex, she gently patted the girl’s head.

“Please take care of yourself too, Aunt Shiho. I hope next time I see you, you’ll look even younger. Goodbye.”

“Oh my, you really know how to talk. If Satoru had even half your skill, he wouldn’t still be unable to find a girlfriend. Goodbye, Chouko-chan. Get some good rest.”

After seeing Aunt Shiho off, Chouko returned home and went straight to her bedroom, throwing herself forcefully onto the soft bed.

Return to Kyoto of her own accord?

She bit down hard on her lip, hard enough to break the skin. Only when the tip of her tongue tasted a hint of metallic sweetness did she realize what she had done.

She knew it well. This time, her parting with the vast metropolis of Tokyo might be a “farewell forever,” at least until she fully became “Shihou Chouko.” Until then, she would have no chance of leaving the Shihou estate, and her great-grandmother would never give her a reason or an opportunity to do so.

“Don’t act on impulse…?”

She murmured, repeating Aunt Shiho’s warning. A moment later, she could not help but let out a small laugh.

Sorry, Aunt Shiho, she apologized silently, her resolve to resist control completely unchanged.

Besides, wasn’t she the Shihou family’s sole heir? Being a little willful should be fine, right?

Even if the road ahead was shrouded in gray, she, Shihou Chouko, would still take a step forward. Because he, Hoshikawa Harutaki, had already illuminated a small part of her path.

She was Shihou Chouko, not “Shihou Chouko.”

She understood that she had to shoulder the responsibility of inheriting the Shihou family. But she would do so by her own will and convictions. She refused the mindless indoctrination of those tedious adults. She refused to become an adult like her great-grandmother or her mother.

She, Shihou Chouko, would pursue the “real thing” she longed for, not the “fake” forced upon her by others. She did not want to return to that lonely, desolate mansion. She did not want to submit to the fate of a caged bird. So she would resist. She would struggle with everything she had.

……

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