PHASE 77 - I JOINED AN IDOL GROUP WITH A FOUL NAME

I killed him.

I definitely killed him.

Our target for apprehension, Leon Frembell, died after I cast the spell of on him. His heart was anchored by the God Core of Chronos, so when I forcefully removed it from him, his heart went with it.

Fortunately for me, I easily got off with it. Jecchan reported to the Black Cross Legion about the incident, and she told them that death is nothing but a horrible accident. The Black Cross Legion accepted her excuse since a death battle between Cursed Guardians and Gate Guardians are inevitable. But even though, my mind, heart, and soul are filled with guilt.

For three nights, I had a bad dream. A fuzzy dream about me killing innocent people, and even Gate Guardians. The dead face of the middle-aged Leon Frembell haunts me every night as if he is begging for justice. Death should have been prevented. It shouldn’t have happened if only I’m not a careless idiot.

For the past three days, my mind is preoccupied with the horrifying thoughts. I could no longer focus on my studies nor eat like a hungry bear. All I think of is regret for failing to do the right thing.

“I’m sorry, Tiara. I never would have thought that that bastard kept his God Core attached to his heart for more than a decade. It’s not your fault. It’s me to blame. If only I told you about him... if only I was there with you that night… that shouldn’t have happened.”

Those were the words Rikkun used to comfort me. It’s so thoughtful for him to put the blame on himself only, but I cannot accept it. The whole reality is that I killed a man. It doesn’t matter if it’s an accident or intentional. For me, taking a person’s life is a really evil thing to do.

I’ve been in a lot of battles, and never once I’ve killed a person. No, I’m just lying to myself. I have killed hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people already in the past timelines that I have reset. Just the mere singing of the must even have erased some people from existence. I have killed my cursed twin brother a couple of thousand of times. I have even killed Rikkun back when he’s only a living head. Killing should be part of me now.

But I’ll never get used to it.

I will not be surprised if I become a Cursed Guardian, but for some reason, I was still able to retain my sanity and rationality. Accidental killings are not really a sin on itself, so my allies told me not to worry a lot. Our shrine head Ayano just suggested attending purification sessions to make my mind at ease.

But no matter what I do, I can’t just let it slide off. My idiot mind is so messy that I don’t understand myself anymore.

<>

The bell rang from the tenth floor of the campus, signaling the end of the classes. The sun is giving out a yellowish tint in the classroom. Students have dispersed to smaller groups after they left their seats.

I stayed on my seat, looking at the far orange skies. The gentle breeze of the wind slightly blew my hair. I made a deep sigh as I cleared my mind.

“Tiara.” My boyfriend grabbed my attention, and he’s just sitting right beside me. “Want to go to the newest eat-all-you-can buffet?”

“I… I’m sorry, Rikkun.” I forced a smile as I shook my head. “I don’t really have an appetite, and I’m on a diet. I need to head home.”

“Oh, okay then,” Rikkun answered with a slightly disappointed smile. “Let’s go home together.”

“WAIT A MINUTE!!!” Somebody shouted from the distance. It was a cute blonde girl which is my best friend. It was Jecchan, and she sounded so furious. She’s even holding her hips.

“Oh no, not this shit again…” Rikkun muttered. “What now!?”

“You guys are not going home together! Tiara and I will have a date!” Jecchan proclaimed.

“E-Eh?”

Suddenly, all the students who are still in the classroom who heard Jecchan’s confession (?) immediately started murmurs. Some of them whispered, “Whoa, so Jeanne swings that way!” , “No! That adorable cute blonde couldn’t be a lesbian!”, and “Jeanne is such a handsome cute girl!” which made this whole scene misunderstood.

Even I don’t understand Jecchan’s intentions…

“This… This is clearly Netorare!!!” Rikkun protested. He furiously pointed at Jecchan as if he’s throwing a glove. “I will not let you take my girlfriend! She only dates with me! Let’s have a trial by combat!”

In an instant, Jecchan’s foot flew towards Rikkun’s eggs, I mean the thing between his legs. That one kick immediately decided the fight as Rikkun fell down on the floor in a technical knock-out.

“Gahah…” Rikkun cried in pain.

“R-Rikkun!?” I cried. I was about to approach him but Jecchan grabbed my arm.

“Come on, leave him be! Let’s go!”

“Wah… Waaaaaah! Oh Rikkun, my Rikkun!” I cried as I tried to reach him, but alas, Jecchan has more strength than mine. She continued to drag me away until we’re out of the classroom.

“Tiara! My adorable sweet Tiara!” Rikkun reached out his hand while his other is tucked between his legs.

And so, the cheesy dialogue ala Romeo-and-Juliet has closed its curtains. Most of the people left in the classroom left without figuring out what was going on.

I don’t even know what’s going on.

<>

Jecchan dragged me until we finally reached a cafe near the school. It’s just one block away, so I don’t really have to worry about Rikkun as I can always get back to him later. It seems that I have to attend an important matter because Jecchan dragged me all the way here.

“U-Uh, Jecchan…” I nervously asked as we went to the entrance. “W-Why are we here in this cafe?”

“I’m sick and tired of you being so gloomy just because you killed some old man. That is why we have to make you happy and forget what happened that night!”

“E-Eh?” I tilted my head. I still don’t have any idea what Jecchan is talking about.

I was suddenly flabbergasted when Jecchan leads me to a table where familiar faces are seated. There is Helena, there is Erylle, and there is Miss Awane who is leisurely drinking their cup of tea!

“Yo!” Helena greeted.

“Oh my, it’s the adorable shrine maiden girl,” Erylle said.

“Ah… Ahahaha…” I scratched my head as I made a dumb laugh. Then my gaze focused on Miss Awane, who appeared to be a little different from the one I knew.

On the past timeline, Miss Awane is the Idol Club President. Well, she still is, but at this very moment, Miss Awane looked like a businesswoman in corporate attire. She looks a little bit mature, and the only thing that stayed with her from the previous timeline is her metal bat coated in barbed wire that hung on her back. Why aren’t the police arresting her for carrying such a scary weapon!?

“Okay, so everybody is here.” Miss Awane said with a smile. When Jecchan and I settled down to join their tea party, Miss Awane pulled out a calling card from her sleeve. “I want to let you know that I have a brand new part-time job. I am now working at an agency that searches for potential commercial idols!”

“C-Commercial Idols!?” I repeated the last two words in awe.

“Yes.” Miss Awane laughed. “And I know that you four girls have great potential. Erylle Fontaine is known as a great dancer and a beauty queen, Helena Efilion is known for her talent in rapping and dancing, and Jeannette von Noctis is known for her dancing and cute cosplay extracurriculars. Basically, we only have dancers. But you Tiara Hikari is an all-in-one package as you know how to sing, dance, and get people’s attention with your cuteness. I am planning to create a four-girl idol group, which is the Dradecim Idol Club! DIC for short!”

“E-Eh!?” I shrieked out. This is all new for me. I have joined the Idol Club, but I have never tried to join a commercial one. Will that mean I will be shown on TV!? Panicking, I whispered Jecchan what’s on my mind. “A-Are you really sure we’re going to form an idol group!?”

“Of course,” Jecchan said. “I know that you have been waiting for this dream your entire life! I know you’ve been stressed because of the events lately, so this is now the time to let off your steam! Go nuts and embrace your dreams!”

“Hey, stop being emo, Tiara!” Helena laughed. “This will bring joy to everyone who watches you on TV! I’m pretty sure this will bring you joy too!”

I’m a complete moron, but I know that Helena and Jecchan are just trying to raise my ego up. They wanted me to be happy and enjoy my life, to live without regrets, and savor everything in the fullest.

There is no way I’m going to let them down!

“So, what’s your decision?” Miss Awane asked.

“I…” I held my chest. “I’m in!”