Having Reincarnated a Million Times I Won’t Let My Guard Down Even in a Peaceful World

28: Companions

Of course, Karina didn’t want to.

“To me, Yoko is my enemy. We can’t understand each other,” she said.

“And it’s embarrassing to wear a swimsuit…” She added in a low voice. It felt like her true feelings were better expressed in a whisper.

However, the sensation wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Although I, who had repeated conversations and body contact with her, thought, “Maybe Karina likes me…”

Because I have a cautious personality, I was prepared for the possibility that Karina might be completely indifferent to me, and if I invited her to the pool, she might respond with, “Huh? Why with you?” and leave an indelible mark on my heart.

But that concern was dispelled—Karina might actually like me… With a pounding heart at this distance sitting side by side in the library, I persuaded Karina in a low voice so as not to disturb the people around us.

The basic line was to present it as a “study break” and inform her that she wouldn’t have to pay for the ticket, and that we would be with friends, not alone together.

Logically speaking, by presenting “excuses,” “the absence of disadvantages,” and “going with multiple people”… If I could gather all of these, I thought the emotional hurdle would be significantly lowered.

However, “being uncomfortable in crowds” and “feeling uncomfortable exposing oneself in a swimsuit” were issues of her own heart, so some kind of motivation was necessary to overcome them.

And the words to provoke Karina didn’t come out of my mouth.

I was cornered—because I didn’t have any words to get Karina to overcome her embarrassment and shame.

Come to think of it, it seems that I am connected to Karina through some kind of fate from a previous life, but I don’t know much about the current Karina.

I don’t know what she likes or dislikes, whether she prefers jam or butter for breakfast, bacon or sausage, whether she likes soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs… I don’t know any of that.

Since I didn’t have any trump cards for negotiation, I decided to be frank.

Actually, I ended up bragging about Karina to my childhood friend Martin. I ended up saying that I would take her to the pool. I’m really sorry for the very personal reasons, but could you please protect my pride…

Being frank was more like a last resort, or rather, a desperate attack.

There’s no guarantee that this information won’t render the relationship we’ve built up until now meaningless.

I regretted it as soon as I finished speaking. The relationship I had built with Karina and the petty pride battle with Martin. When I weighed these two things, I realized that the relationship with Karina was more important than my pride.

I immediately apologized and offered to forget about the pool.

But Karina said, “Well, I was actually thinking of thanking you in some way for your help with studying. Alright then. In response to your summons, I’ll lend you my power…”

This was a completely unexpected reaction, and I was surprised, dumbfounded, and finally, after a while, I returned to my senses and expressed my gratitude.

Karina has become a friend!

Nice to meet you…