That Time I Got Reincarnated as an Overpowered Elf (Tensura x OC)

(FH2) Consolation Prize

I was born an Inudraga, but I never felt like I was apart of the family. So when I think about it, the whole "perfect, happy family" act gets really bland, and flat-out depressing.

Whenever we'd go out around the Republic, Mom and Dad would make it seem like we were a well-connected, stable family—like everything was fine, and that the Inudraga family was the picture-perfect image that everyone wanted it to be.

But as soon as we got home, and the doors closed behind us, the silence came right back, and everyone knew what would happen if anyone tried to break it. Worse off if it was me to make the attempt.

Even with everyone walking on eggshells around each other at every turn, we were made to sit at the dinner table for the sake of customs. As you'd expect, having a bunch of people sitting at a table, disdain for one person or another sitting just below the surface of their facial expression? Not very comfortable.

The only sound that would go through the room was the clatter of forks and knives against plates, but somehow that only made it worse.

Each time metal tapped glass, the slight "ding" would be so sudden, I couldn't help but jump in my seat. Between the near ever-present stillness and the odd looks that everyone would send my way; thinking I had turned away from them; it always made it seem like someone was about ready to snap.

Ready to let out every thought that had built up in their head. Ready to affirm everything I had tried to deny was true.

'Why am I here?'

I'd wonder over and over again. Nothing else came to my mind.

'Why can't I leave? Why can't I run? What would they care if I did?'

But, every time I tried—no matter how badly I wanted to—something always stopped me. I could run for miles, to the complete opposite side of the Republic—all the way to Sarion if I wanted to! But something always drew me right back to where I started.

Right back to the same table. With the same atmosphere. And the same routine. Only difference being the plate and cutlery put out in front of us. But even then, I rarely touched my plate, but I didn't stand to leave either. After all, pushing my chair back  would make a sound, too.

I only left when the rest of the room was clear, when everyone else had gone to bed. And even more then, until the halls were completely void of life.

Then morning would eventually come around, and I'd finally be able to get out of the house.

I would finally be allowed to be free. I could finally feel the wind against my face, the sun on my skin, the beat of my heart steady and some actual pleasant noise around to fill the silence. Only —I always had to seem like I had it all.

An image had already been built for me through the walks I would take with my parents; I was a happy-go-lucky, carefree kid. Nothing more, nothing less. So that's what I had to be. Even when I hung around with "friends".

"Yo!"

Speaking of, there they finally came. All three of them.

"Hey, guys! What's up?"

Nezu, Kore and Luz. All siblings, and the closest things I had to friends. There were a bunch of other kids that came up to me every now and then, but these three were the only ones that would actually stay and listen to me talk sometimes. But even then, I can't exactly call us friends, because...

"Not much. How've you been, Roxus?"

None of them can ever get my name right... It's not even that hard to pronounce, right? It's only two vowels! Just says "Rocks" and add "Ul" at the end! It's easy!!