Chapter 3: The Second Self

“Purina… Purina…?”

A beautiful voice.

It kept calling out for Purina.

Purina… If it’s Purina, then surely…

“Purina.”

“Eek!”

When I opened my eyes, I saw a girl with stunning beauty.

Her appearance felt strangely familiar.

“You are…”

“Hi. I’m… the you in the mirror.”

The girl, introducing herself as the me in the mirror, gave me a faint smile.

It was a strikingly beautiful smile, but that wasn’t what mattered to me right now.

Purina, and a girl with a familiar face.

If my guess is right, I’ve fallen into the world of Genshin.

I must have died in an accident, yet somehow, I’m face-to-face with this girl, Focalors.

“So… you’re asking me to be Purina’s mental support?”

“Yes, exactly.”

The girl smiled bitterly as she spoke.

“Purina will go through a lot, suffering both mentally and physically. I want you to be her emotional anchor.”

“…How much do you know about me?”

“I only know that you’re a being from beyond the sea of stars.”

“You didn’t do anything to me, did you?”

Something felt off about my current state.

My memories were fragmented, my mind unstable, as if gaps were forming.

That’s why I asked her that question.

But the girl shook her head, as if she had no idea.

“There’s no reason for that. You have an important role to play.”

I nodded, half-convinced by her words.

There wasn’t much I could do right now anyway.

Besides, she was giving me a chance at a second life.

“Then, I’m counting on you. Please help Purina stop Fontaine’s catastrophe.”

My consciousness began to fade.

“When it’s all over, I’ll give you a chance at a new life too, Purina.”

With those cryptic words, the girl’s figure vanished.

When I opened my eyes again—

“Now, my beloved people, whether you acknowledge me or not, whether you believe in me or not, never forget your passion for justice!”

I, or rather, ‘Purina,’ was giving a speech before countless people.

I didn’t notice it while talking to the ‘girl,’ but now I understand.

The ‘girl’ definitely did something to me.

How else could I explain the emotions welling up from deep within?

These feelings were unmistakably sadness and compassion.

Overwhelmingly so.

She probably stirred these emotions to push me toward helping Purina.

Well, that’s fine.

It’s actually perfect. I was already planning to help Purina anyway.

In this second life, I thought deeply.

Though I’m just a personality trapped in ‘Purina’s’ body, I wondered how I should live.

After much thought, I came to this conclusion.

I’ll live this life for Purina.

I’ll help her, who has to act as a god for an incredibly long time.

If only I knew Fontaine’s story, I could’ve helped more confidently, but that’s a shame.

The problem now is… how to help Purina, and when to reveal my existence to her.

As a new personality within Purina, my actions are limited.

I share her vision and senses, but that’s it—I don’t control the body.

I think I can communicate with her… but revealing myself right away feels wrong.

How startling would it be to suddenly hear your own voice in your head?

So, I decided to wait for the right moment.

When Purina grows weary of acting, I’ll reveal myself and take over her performance.

And now is that moment.

“Phew— I didn’t mess anything up today, did I? I have to show the people a reassuring figure…”

“But when will this life ever end…?”

“I’m… so tired now…”

‘Purina.’

“Eek! W-Who’s there!?”

‘Calm down. I’m you.’

“W-What…?”

‘I’m you, Purina.’

As her only confidant, I will save her.