Disclaimer: I do not own the Kenkyo, Kenjitsu o Motto ni Ikite Orimasu series. Kenkyo, Kenjitsu o Motto ni Ikite Orimasu is the property of Hiyoki no Keki (author) and Syosetsu (publisher), and is not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this now will any by sough. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Warning:There is swearing
GASP!
"Oh, my darling!"
Even before I can get my bearings, I'm suddenly engulfed into a tight hug by sticks. I try to struggle against the person, but my strength is no match for theirs somehow. Eventually, the person lets me go and I see that it's a beautiful woman with luscious black hair and teary black eyes.
"Wh-where…?" I try to speak, but my throat is painfully hoarse.
"I knew we shouldn't have let you go into the pool! If your brother hadn't noticed, then you would've–" the stranger abruptly cuts herself off, her flawless skin growing even paler. She then begins to pitifully wail, openly crying into her palms. I awkwardly move away from her, but my movements are hindered by plump softness and silk covers.
And then I suddenly blink in realization.
That's not English.
"Wha–" BANG! I'm cut off by the door slamming open. And there were two guys – a teenager who looks like he's about to be scouted by a model agency and an older man with a formidable belly.
"Reika!" "Sweetheart!" They both cry out as they fly to my side. And, once again, I'm swept up in hugs and tears.
I get that they're sad and all, but…It's getting uncomfortable.
"Le'go," I manage to mutter out. Despite the weakness of my voice, they release me and stare at me in worriment.
"Reika-chan…Are you alright?" The boy asks and I blankly nod. Apparently to them, I'm "Reika"? Whoever that is?
Oh…oh no. Don't tell me these guys are going to turn out like the Baker Family*…
I start becoming sick to my stomach. Their faces morph into monstrous beings in my mind. They frantically talk to me, but all I can think of is escape. My breathing gets faster. They get louder.
When they grab me, I pass out.
.o0o.o0o.
That must've been scary. I apologize, but I'm fine now so no need to worry about me. When I woke up, I still panicked, but at the very least I listened to them. It goes like this; the owner of the original body was swimming in the newly-built pool. However, she ventured off into the deep end because reasons (?) and drowned.
The story reminds me too much of my own demise. Sinking in the cold ocean…beautiful stars and a glass of champagne my only companions…
Ah, sorry. I'm getting a bit off track here. Anyway, it's been a week now since the incident and the family have given me space to reflect. And so I did.
Apparently, the poor girl's body that I now inhabit goes by the name of Kisshouin Reika, youngest daughter of Japan's rich and famous Kisshouin family. And, if you're reading this, then you know exactly who I've reincarnated into.
Yes, I'm the princess from…that one web novel about a modern day villainess. Look, I know I'm smart and all, but the stupid title of the series is just too damn long. Please keep your name at a maximum of 12 characters or under– Anyway, she was, in my humble opinion, a horrible protagonist.
Personality of plain yogurt (and not even the good kind. Bleh.), smart as a goldfish, and constantly complaining about "commoner food" and getting fat. Yeah, I get that she's supposed to be relatable and the story was slice-of-life, but…Fucking hell, she was boring as shit.
Luckily, now that I'm the new Kisshouin Reika, little miss milk toast won't have the opportunity to enter my body as long as I have anything to say about it. Or maybe unluckily, considering that the original had to die and the other girl probably has nowhere to go…
Anyway! My plans for a future of utmost comfort and stability before I get into college will now go under way!
.o0o.o0o.
"Hey, dad…Have you ever thought of partnering with the Nile*?" I casually ask the father over dinner. Okay, maybe not all that casual, but I've never been too good at human interaction. But, out of consideration that I'm supposed to be a mere 5-year-old child, it's the best I can do.
"Hmm? Why do you say that, Rei-chan?" the man himself speaks as if he's never considered it. And I mentally frown, heavily refraining from looking at him like he's an ignorant dumbass. You see, the Kisshouin family is basically a trading and shipping company, serving as a bridge between Eastern and Western products. They've (We've?) been around since the Edo period, starting off in Dejima since it was the only place of direct trade between Europe and Japan at the time.
However, due to the grownups' attitude and arrogance over the past hundred years, family wealth and influence have steadily been on the decline. Even if the Kaburagi try to take over, it'll be for naught since we're probably going to go bankrupt in a couple of decades anyway. But, with the budding growth of technology and e-commerce, we have a chance to take it all back! And grow to be more than just trade and shipping!
But the elders absolutely refuse to see the future and want to proudly stick to their so-called heritage. What a bunch of assholes, right? I'm over here trying to build a better future, while the seniors are content with their false sense of superiority.
"Because isn't it cool how they're starting to become something like an online store? It's like cutting out the middle man of the trade!" I 'happily' point out. I inwardly relish at family's growing anxiety.
"Where did you hear about this, Rei-chan?" mother speaks up with an awkward giggle.
"Because all the grandpas were complaining about the Nile and everything, saying how it's not going to go anywhere. But, I think they're wrong!" I proudly declare. "I mean, just think about it. Wouldn't shopping online be better anyway? You can do it anytime and anywhere and there's a lot of cool stuff from around the world that you can get too!"
Father leans back in his chair, obviously thinking about my words. I need a bit more of a push.
"It may not be much now, but think of it five or ten years in the future. There's so many people with a computer that I'm sure that it'll catch on then!" I excitedly turn to my older brother, who has been quiet beside me this whole time. "Right, nii-nii?"
"Ahaha…Yeah…" he nervously chuckles before looking down at his food. I glance over at mother and father across from us. While they hold looks of contemplation, I know the possibility of them outright following the business ideas of a child (even if I'm a woman mentally) are pretty much nil.
No matter, I'll just need to sow some more seeds into their mind. It's not 2005 yet, so there's still some time to put more ideas of the Nile and other companies into their head. I know that the original Reika went fucking bananas over her father's criminal acts coming to light (even if he hadn't done anything then), but if my plan of international joint-ventures and acquisitions is successful, then it wouldn't matter.
With a strong, global presence, scandals won't be enough to bring the company down. After all, when has a major business only ever acted purely? Exactly. And plus, since the original method of the Kisshouin's downfall was the Kaburagi owning majority share, then the family business can just put out so many shares that owning majority would be a waste. Obviously, this can only happen when the Kisshouin have become "stars" or "cash cows."
Yes…The prospects of my future are looking bright!
.o0o.o0o.
I got into not-Ouran* without a hitch and then I turned six. Actually, if I had problems, then we all would've had problems. And now I'm also in the Petite Peony or whatever-the-fuck. While I'm not about to complain about the luxury of treatment I'm getting, the dichotomy between myself and the others is extremely noticeable.
First of all, I'm not a kid. I'm an adult. One who is used to working for her pay and had actually gotten to the point where she can live comfortably on her own dime. I'm not used to dealing with children and have turned down almost every interaction, especially those who are trying to become my follower and curry my favor.
Considering the friends that I used to have, I don't need people like that in my life. Not now, not ever.
.o0o.o0o.
When I enter the salon, the whole room goes quiet and everyone turns to stare in my direction. However, the eyes of mere children don't affect me at all and I make my way over to the snack table to pick up whatever the chefs have made. Honestly, the only reason I still come is to keep up with the bare minimum of being a Pivoine member in order to appease mother. I managed to haggle her in that regard; curl my hair tastefully and not like drills or I will refuse to join.
It wasn't hard to get my way.
I can hear the kids whispering behind their hands as I make my way over to the most vacant area and take a seat. Even then, the people around me immediately disperse and leave me in peace. But as I'm about to take a bite into the sponge cake, a couple of brave souls come up to me. I glance up to see that it's the one and only Enjou Shuusuke, followed by a moody Kaburagi Masaya. I lift an eyebrow in their direction and wait for them to speak.
Silence prevails for a few moments, but I eventually see the ever-so-perfect Enjou smile twitch minutely. Hah! She who can keep the silence is the one true ruler! A small victory for me and, considering who these two are, I'll take it.
"Erm…Would you mind if we sit here, Kisshouin-san?" Enjou requests, gesturing to the other free chairs. My gaze briefly slides across the palpable jealousy of the girls and some boys. Yet neither one dare to get any closer.
"Do what you wish," I simply say with a half-hearted shrug before promptly ignoring them. With this interaction, I'm positive that people will begin to hate me. Which is fine, I can handle them. But what if the hatred carries over into their later years and they start getting physical, like what will happen with the heroine?
In that case, I'll need to learn some self-defense. In my previous life, I was agile and could dodge many things due to my training in ballet and other dance forms. And, while I have been diligently keeping up with the exercises daily in the privacy of my room (habits die hard, I suppose). But would that be enough? Maybe it's time I start investing in karate or kenjutsu. I don't think I have time to do more than one since mother wants me to learn other things such as piano and flower arrangement.
I remember that the Reika before me went to cram school (even though she somehow never made it into the top 10? Top 20 at least?), so I can allot that time into physical training. Preferably kenjutsu cause that shit looks pretty dope. There is the possibility that mother will oppose, but I'm sure that I can get her to agree.
"…Are you listening, Kisshouin-san?" Enjou's voice brings me out of my thoughts. I look at the two and notice one is curious and worried while the other is indignant and angered. I'll let you decide who's who.
"Apologies, Enjou-sama," that's the honorific the previous Reika used for them, right? "Could you please repeat that?"
"Ah, I was just wondering if Masaya and I can sit with you here," he reiterates and I instantly come to an understanding. They're annoyed with everyone who crowds around them. I'm someone everyone avoids. So, perfect solution.
"I'm not here every day, though," I point out, carelessly taking a bite of the scrumptious treat.
"Not every day, just on the days you're here of course. But if there are times that you wish to be alone, we will understand." While I appear to ponder about it, I'm smirking away in my mind.
It looks like I've found my reasons for kenjutsu after all.
.o0o.o0o.
"Happy birthday, Reika-san," Enjou greets me as he walks up to "my" little corner. However, I've long since relinquished my sole ownership of this spot since Year 1. Now, whenever I'm in the salon, Enjou and Kaburagi stroll on up and stay with me in order to deter their fanbase. Not that I blame them, they are a ravenous group that will only get worse in the future.
But through the two boys, I also had the pleasure of meeting Suzushino Yurie and Minadzuki Aira. They were delightful young ladies, quite a breath of fresh air compared to the other two. And that's precisely why the aura of our little group had repelled even more people. The masses viewed us as some sort of holy group that they can never be a part of.
It's quite weird. At least it's mildly entertaining.
"Thank you, Enjou-sama. Good evening, Kaburagi-sama," I greet with a small bow of my head, only getting a grunt from the latter. It's easy enough to ignore his rudeness.
"Did you do anything special for your birthday?" Enjou continues the conversation as the boys take their seats.
"Just dinner with family."
"…Did you get anything you particularly?" the honey-haired kid tries to keep the conversation going. It seems that, even after a year of knowing me, he's still not used to my manner of speech.
"I asked for a computer and TV for my room." I know it doesn't sound like much, but please consider the following; I went to college to get into IT, more specifically app development. There has never been a time in my previous life when I didn't have access to a desktop. It's just something that I need to have, okay? The TV too, but to a lesser extent.
And also, it's how I'm going to forge my weapon if the "downfall" does go through like originally intended. Remember how I mentioned earlier that there are no major companies that haven't done anything sketchy? Well, this obviously includes the Kaburagi and the Enjou families, as well as practically everyone else in the Pivoine. And, in a few years' time, gathering this information isn't going to take long at all for someone of my caliber.
Yes. Information will be my true weapon against all. Power is power? Hah! Knowledge is power!* And if you intend to bring me down, rest assured that I will forcibly drag you with me!
"Can you really be satisfied with just that?" Kaburagi gives me an disbelieving look, not that I blame him. After all, a princess like myself should want things like ponies or clothes, right?
"For my humble self–" Kaburagi snorts and Enjou coughs to hide a laugh. I pay them no heed. "–it's more than enough. In the future, I'll simply ask for money and get whatever exactly what I want." I end the conversation with that and the three of us enjoy the silence in peace.
With things starting to come together, my future will be realized!
A/N: So I've been getting into Japanese light/web novels recently and one of the most famous ones is Kenkyo, Kenjitsu o Motto ni Ikite Orimasu, or I Will Live with Humility and Dependability as My Motto. It follows the premise of a person being reborn as the villain of a shoujo manga series. While reading it, I just got this idea in my head and wanted to write it out.
*Baker Family = In reference to the Baker Family from Resident Evil 7. They're an insane family that tries to kill off the main character several times in their home.
*The Nile = Yes, this is Amazon. Further into this section, Reika mentions 2005. This is an important year as it's when cloud computing really starts to pick up and become what we know it as now. If you had this sort of information, wouldn't you want to take advantage of it as soon as possible?
*not-Ouran = In reference to Ouran High School Host Club since Zui'ran and Ouran are pretty much the same.
*Power is power? Hah! Knowledge is power! = In reference to Game of Thrones when Littlefinger and Cersei face off in season 1.