After my conversation with Acht, I found myself feeling more at ease talking to others.
I also felt a bit guilty about leaving all the cooking to Ein-san, but before I knew it, I had joined in on the conversation, and the meals and drinks were flowing perfectly…I decided not to dwell on it anymore.
As the sun set and night fell, Magic Tools hovered in the air, casting a soft light over the area. I found myself fascinated by the magic, which illuminated our surroundings without being too harsh on the eyes. Just as I was admiring the display, Neun-san spoke up.
[It looks like Miyama-san has been getting along well with everyone, huh?]
[Yes, everyone is kind. Ein-san and Sechs-san are a bit mysterious and hard to read, while Raz-san and Acht are really easy to talk to.]
[Fufu, I think I understand what you mean… It’s probably about time.]
[Hmm?]
Neun-san continued speaking to me with his unusually high-pitched voice, then softly muttered in response to what I said.
As I tilted my head, wondering what exactly “about time” meant, Neun-san turned to me and said something surprising.
[…How is “Japan” doing now? Has the emperor changed, and is there a new era name?] [Wha—!?]
Not only did he mention “Japan” as if it were a normal topic, but Neun-san also knew about the existence of an emperor. Could it be that this person is… no, could this human be…
[…It’s just as you imagined. I’m also “Japanese,” or rather, I was summoned to this world as one. Well, I’m more of a “former” Japanese now.]
[Is… that so…]
[I can understand why you’d be surprised. That’s why I didn’t bring it up until Miyama-san had settled in.]
In front of me, stunned and speechless, Neun-san reached up to touch the full-face helmet that covered his face. The helmet then dissolved into black smoke, revealing the face of a woman with long, glossy black hair and eyes of the same deep shade.
She was a striking Japanese beauty, a perfect blend of cuteness and elegance, a true “Yamato Nadeshiko.” Though she appeared to be around my age, there was a certain powerful presence about her that set her apart.
[Allow me to introduce myself again… I was summoned to this world when I was a student in Japan during the Taisho Era. I chose not to return to our original world, and with Kuromu-sama’s power, “I, a former human from Japan, was reincarnated into a Demon’s body”… To Miyama-san, I suppose you could say I’m someone from a bygone era.]
[…The Taisho Era…]
As she explained it, the possibility seemed entirely plausible. In this world, Heroes have been summoned countless times over the past thousand years. By simple estimation, around 100 people must have been summoned to take on the role of Hero, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some of them chose to permanently remain in this world.
[Ah, don’t worry. It’s true I’m from the Taisho Era, but because of the nature of the summoning magic circle, just like you were supposed to return after one year, you can return exactly at the moment you were summoned. Even if you don’t go back at that exact time, you can ask the Creation God to send you back. However, in that case, time in the other world may have moved forward a little, but decades won’t pass all at once. For example, it’s already been hundreds of years since I was summoned.]
[…]
[I understand how it feels to be unable to keep up with everything. I felt the same way when I first arrived in this world.]
Unable to respond to Neun-san’s words, now spoken in a calm, feminine voice instead of the unusually high-pitched tone she had used earlier, Neun-san simply smiled and reassured me that she understood how I was feeling.
[Well, for that reason… I might be a special case, but in terms of being summoned, you could consider me your senpai, and I think I could help answer any questions you have.]
[H-Huh…]
With that, Neun-san began calmly sharing her experiences.
She told me about her sudden arrival in another world and the confusion she felt, the differences in culture and common sense compared to Japan, and all the things she had discovered since being summoned. She shared a wealth of information.
As the words of someone who had lived as a Hero in this world, her insights were incredibly valuable, and I found myself listening intently, absorbing everything she had to say for the rest of the day.
After our conversation ended, Neun-san stood up from her chair, flashing me a smile as she spoke a few parting words.
[…I’m not sure if this has completely filled the emptiness I felt, but…the wish I had in my heart, I’ve found my “treasure” in this world. I’m sure you’ll find yours too, Miyama-san. I understand you might be feeling confused and unsettled, but please try to enjoy this year.] […Yes.]
I understood what those words meant. The person Kuro had mentioned earlier, the one who resembled me, must be Neun-san…and she had found what she was looking for. That’s why she chose to stay in this world and reincarnate as a Demon.
The fact that she came here today to share her experience with me… might also be a gift from Kuro, a kind gesture. Perhaps this was a subtle way of advising me, someone who still hasn’t figured out my own feelings.
I don’t know what the future holds. Whether I’ll discover what I truly want or end up lost, I won’t find the answer by simply thinking about it now. But even if it’s just a small possibility, seeing Neun-san smile without a hint of confusion… I couldn’t help but wish I could be like that someday.
I set the cup down and stood up, scanning the area until I quickly spotted the person I was looking for.
She had been chatting with others and walking around with a skewer in hand just moments ago, but now she was alone, sitting by the riverbank.
It didn’t take much to realize that she was likely waiting for me. The empty space next to her made it clear, and it seemed the others had sensed it too, as none of them had approached.
[…Putting my inner thoughts aside, why tatami?] [Unnn? This is that. That wasabi concept!] [Are you talking about Wabi-sabi…?] [Areh? Too bad, I was so close to the right one huh~] (T/N: wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on the beauty and appreciation of things imperfect and impermanent.)
I couldn’t help but think that laying out tatami by the river’s edge didn’t seem quite right, but it was already too late to bring that up.
A smile crept onto my face as I realized Kuro was still as carefree as ever. She then patted the space on the tatami next to her, inviting me to sit beside her.
The sound of the river flowing softly and the gentle scent of leaves filled the air, creating a peaceful, calm atmosphere, as if the lively moments from earlier had been nothing but a distant memory.
[…Is it about time?] [Unn?]
As Kuro muttered, the lights flickered out, and for a moment, my vision went dark, but it quickly shifted to something entirely different.
[Whoa…]
It was a breathtaking sight. The leaves of the trees on the far side of the river glowed softly, as if the entire forest had come alive with light.
[These trees are called Light Trees. They absorb a bit of magic power from the air and glow once every month or so.] [It’s incredible… How should I put this… It’s just so overwhelming…] [Isn’t it beautiful?] [Yes.]
The light isn’t harsh enough to hurt my eyes, they’re gentle and faint like the luminescence of a firefly. When combined with the reflections dancing on the water’s surface, it feels as if we’re surrounded by a sea of stars.
[If it’s this beautiful, this place must be a very popular place…] [This place is very popular. However, I’ve reserved the whole place, even the area opposite of the river!] [Uwaahhh, that sounds bad.] [Ahaha.]
From what I can see, this place seems like a well-known tourist destination. However, it looks like Kuro noticed that too, and somehow, she managed to reserve this spot just for us, I’m not sure how she did it, though.
Well, considering her connections with the Chairman of the largest trading company, I suppose it’s possible for her to pull something like this off if she wanted to. Hmm, how should I put this…I’m once again reminded of just how amazing Kuro is. Maybe I should start using honorifics when talking to her?
[…Mhmm, I’d rather you continue to talk to me like you usually do.] […Roger that.] [Then, it’s good.] [Hahaha.]
My thoughts, which tend to be a bit too expressive according to her, instantly conveyed what I was feeling to her. Kuro turned to me, her cheeks puffing up cutely in protest. That’s too adorable, please stop.
But, how should I put it…I felt that these kinds of conversations were really nice. It was such a calming and comforting feeling, like the tension in my shoulders eased, along with the fatigue they carried.
[…Thank you, Kuro.] [Hm?] [You’ve been looking out for me in so many ways…] [I’m just doing what I want to do, you know?] [Even so, I want to thank you properly.] [I see… Well, you’re welcome, I guess?]
Even the silence that followed our brief conversation felt peaceful and pleasant, bringing me a sense of calm and comfort.
[Ei~!] [Huh? What the—!?]
As I relaxed in the gentle atmosphere, Kuro suddenly pulled me down with surprising strength for someone her size, leaving me speechless as I felt something soft touch my head.
A moment later, I found myself looking up at Kuro’s face, realizing I was in her lap, though that aside, what caught my attention was her expression. Illuminated by the faint light from the nearby trees, I couldn’t help but gasp.
Her smile wasn’t the usual innocent, childlike one. It was the kind of smile a mother might give when looking at her child, a deeply nurturing expression. She was just smiling at me, but it felt like I was enveloped in her warmth and kindness, with the soft, warm sensation of her lap against the back of my head.
[…]
Without saying a word, Kuro began gently stroking my hair, still smiling softly. Despite being much older than me, here I was, with Kuro, a flawless beauty, giving me a lap pillow. Normally, I’d be embarrassed and squirming, but her golden eyes, which seemed to see everything, and the comforting embrace she offered kept my body and mind completely still.
[…Do you feel a bit less tired now?] [Eh?] [I know Kaito-kun is a kind child. You’re always thinking about others around you.] […] [Of all the children summoned this time, Kaito-kun is the oldest. If you appear anxious, the others around you will feel it too. That’s why you’ve swallowed your worries and impatience, trying to stay calm.] […]
Ah, I see, whether it’s what I expected or just as I thought, Kuro saw through everything.
I’ve had that feeling for a while now. From the moment we met, whenever I started overthinking, she’d say something out of the blue, and all my unnecessary thoughts would vanish. On the other hand, when I felt anxious, she’d listen and validate my grumbles. That’s why I always feel comfortable talking to Kuro.
[I think it’s really admirable how naturally you can do that, especially at your age. But remember, fatigue isn’t just physical, it can also affect your mind. You might not notice it, but little by little…]
[That… might be true.]
[Kaito-kun, did you enjoy today?]
[Yeah, it feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve been so surprised by so many things, and had a carefree conversation without worrying about fitting in. It’s all thanks to you, Kuro…]
[I’m glad to hear that.]
The faint, glowing lights, the gentle hand stroking my head, and the affectionate smile looking down at me, it really could be as Kuro said. I may have been carrying fatigue for a long time now. Since coming to this world, or perhaps even before that…
[Kaito-kun, just for a little while, you can lean on me. Rest for a bit, alright? Even if it’s just so we can give our best tomorrow…] […Yeah.]
Her soothing voice, like a lullaby, wrapped around me, and I felt my eyelids grow heavy, overcome with a sense of relief that I couldn’t put into words. I could feel the warmth of her touch, the scent of her presence, and her voice gently surrounding me, comforting me.
[It’s alright. I’ll be here with you…]
Hearing such words, I remembered the past as my consciousness sank into slumber.
Dear Mother, Father—come to think of it, this might be the first time this has happened “since the both of you disappeared.” That I, from the bottom of my heart—was able to depend on someone…