ATHO Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The Perfect Spot

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Second Life, Part 4

Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)

Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)

Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Hearing this, Lien smiles through his remaining tears, and Jade’s worried expression softens into a relieved smile.  

The three of us return to Flor’s room, where Lien bursts into tears again, running straight into her arms. Holding back her own tears, Flor embraces him tightly.  

As for the servants Lien mentioned, Father personally dealt with them later, resulting in most of them leaving the mansion. Those who remained drastically changed their behavior toward Jade and Lien, and since then, Lien has stopped crying.  

After that incident, Lien’s smile has become more frequent, and today, we’re playing together again.  

Lien’s current favorite game is hide-and-seek.  

He’s always great at hiding, which makes finding him a challenge, but when I do, he lights up with joy.  

It seems being found is the part he enjoys most.  

“Lien… are you here?”  

Spotting a bulge in the dining room curtains, I lift it gently, revealing Lien’s smiling face.  

“Lien, I found you!”  

“Hehe, you got me again!”  

Lien laughs as he clings to me, burying his face in my chest. When I stroke his soft, silver hair, he looks up at me happily.  

“Charles Nii-sama, you always find me, no matter where I hide!”  

“Do I? You’re so good at hiding that it took me a while to find you today.”  

“That’s not true. Only Charles Nii-sama can find me…”  

Lien buries his face in my chest again, hugging me tightly.  

In this second life, I’ve discovered a sweet, affectionate side to Lien that I never knew before. Somehow, the fear I once felt toward him is starting to fade.  

***  

Two months have passed since Jade and Lien came to the mansion, and today is Jade’s first day attending the academy.  

Wearing the same navy blazer as me, Jade checks his reflection in the mirror, adjusting his uniform.  

“Jade, you still need to put on your tie.”  

I hand him the striped black-and-white tie that signifies his grade. Holding it, he stands awkwardly, looking unsure.  

“What’s wrong?”  

“Well… I don’t know how to tie it. Could you teach me?”  

“You haven’t learned? Ties can come undone, so you’ll need to know how to do it yourself eventually.”  

“…I’m sorry. I never got the chance to learn before my father passed away…”  

Jade responded apologetically to my question, and his words made me realize my slip-up. I hastily apologized.

“Oh, sorry…”

“It’s fine,” he said.

Jade gave me an awkward smile, but I was filled with guilt.  

I’ve also been through the pain of losing close family—my mother, and in the first timeline, even my father. I understand how deeply it hurts.  

To make up for my earlier misstep, I have to at least teach him how to tie a tie.  

“I’ll show you how. I’m not as skilled as your father probably was, but will that be okay?”  

“Really, Nii-san? Is that okay?”  

“Yeah. But just know I’m not great at it. Mine’s always a bit crooked too.”  

“That’s not true at all. Well, then, Nii-san, please teach me.”  

He handed me his tie, and I nervously began to tie it. Even though I said I’d teach him, I’m not confident—I’ve always struggled with tying ties. In the first timeline, even as an adult, I relied on the servants to tie mine, so I have no right to act superior.  

“Um… how’s this?”  

It turned out better than I expected, though it still seemed a bit off. Jade looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction.  

“Thank you, Charles Nii-san. Will you teach me again tomorrow?”  

“Of course.”  

Despite my worries, Jade looked genuinely happy, so I guess this was fine.  

After finishing our preparations, Jade and I got into the carriage and headed to Liberté Academy, where we both studied.  

Liberté Academy is a school primarily for the children of nobility. Known for its liberal atmosphere, some students attend for social networking, while others focus on their studies.  

In the first timeline, I rode with Jade on his first day too, but I was in a foul mood the entire time, making the ride unbearably tense.  

But I won’t make the same mistake this time.  

To ensure Jade doesn’t dislike me, I have to be a supportive older brother.  

Resolving myself, I started a friendly conversation with him, asking about what he wanted to know and explaining things.  

As the school came into view, Jade’s eyes widened.  

The school building of Liberté Academy is famous for its historic architecture. It accommodates students aged eight to sixteen, and I remember how I was struck by its grandeur and intimidating aura on my first day—so much so that I found it a little frightening.  

“Jade, the school is vast and easy to get lost in. I’ll guide you around.”  

“Thank you.”  

After stepping out of the carriage, I called out to him, and Jade followed behind me happily. Along the way, a classmate greeted me, and I introduced Jade.  

“This is my beloved younger brother, Jade. Please take good care of him.”  

It might sound exaggerated, but the academy is like a microcosm of aristocratic society. Though Jade is now part of a marquis family through our parents’ remarriage, some might still look down on him for his origins as a viscount’s son, much like I did in the first timeline.  

If I emphasize that I value him as my brother, it might reduce potential trouble and make his school life more enjoyable than before.  

Plus, I want Jade to know that I don’t dislike him.  

Jade, though bashful, introduced himself politely as usual.  

Before the morning bell rang, I showed Jade around, pointing out the classrooms, library, cafeteria, and other facilities. Finally, I brought him to my favorite spot.  

Behind the main building, there’s a well-maintained garden. At its far-right corner lies a small grove. Following a trail through the trees, you’ll find a secluded, open area.  

A small, two-person bench is placed there, making it a perfect place to relax.  

“Wow, this is such a wonderful spot.”  

“Right? My father told me about it the day before I joined the school. He said, ‘There’s a perfect spot for skipping class.’”  

I sat on the bench and gestured for Jade to join me. He sat down beside me.  

Listening to the sounds of the wind and rustling leaves makes me forget unpleasant things.  

I recalled how, in the first timeline, I’d often come here alone during hard times. The memory tightened my chest.  

“Charles Nii-san, do you skip class here too?” Jade asked unexpectedly, making me chuckle.  

“Sometimes. When things get really tough, I come here to stare at the sky.”  

“Charles Nii-san… do you still have tough times now?”  

Jade’s question was accompanied by a serious look.  

His amethyst eyes sparkled in the sunlight, a sight I still wasn’t used to. Their beauty was overshadowed by fear, making me avert my gaze as I answered.  

“…Not really. Now, I have Flor, you, and Lien. I’m happy. And I’m glad we can come here together, you know?”  

Jade smiled with relief, but it made my chest ache.  

I said I was happy, but it wasn’t the truth.  

The memories of the first timeline haunt me, and every day I struggle to avoid alienating my stepbrothers. If Jade and Lien discover who I really am, this life might end in suffering again.  

Hiding these fears, I forced a smile.  

Jade seemed to love the spot. We stayed on the bench, chatting, until the warning bell rang. I walked him to the staff room, where my responsibility for him ended for the day.  

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*Translator’s Notes: My summer break is ending soon… 😭😭😭 -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• Nii-san/Nii-sama/Onii-san = (Big/Elder) Brother

☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation. Jade would call Charles ‘Nii-san’ while Lien would call him ‘Nii-sama’.

Next update: 2025.08.30

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